Read Online Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) by Sandy Rowland - Free Book Online Page B

up. For the time being, her bruised ego could use some male attention from a normal guy. She scanned left and right and listened for that domineering god to object. Nothing. Not so much as a whisper. She let out a breath in relief. “Going to your apartment is a great idea.”

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Apollo unbuttoned his navy jacket and scanned the restaurant for Cassandra, wincing when a man on stage bellowed lyrics to a depressing tune. Did this noise pass for music in this new age? He didn’t care for it. Too loud. It lacked the serene appeal of the lyre or the jovial lilt of flute and drum. His ears throbbed. Oh, that Zeus would allow him to remove offensive mortals, and then the musicians’ assault would end. Still, a god had some options. Apollo glared at the man as he tortured another song. The mortal coughed, gasped and fell silent. Ah, peace . Rendering the players mute for an hour would do no harm.
    Scanning the space, the debris on the ground made him wonder if they kept livestock within. The shreds on the ground didn’t look like straw and no offensive animal odors filled his nostrils. Apollo smelled beer and charred meat, and underneath it all, the soft scent of almond oil. He honed in on the tantalizing fragrance, knowing it must belong to his wayward Cassandra. He rolled his shoulders and strode toward the compelling aroma. He spied her. Cassandra’s lovely mouth formed an “oh”. Apollo licked his lips. Such a mouth needed kissing and so many other activities.
    His reverie was short-lived. The rodent sat beside her, his head dipped close to her ear as if whispering seductive words. Every muscle in Apollo’s body tightened. He’d never felt such irritation. There had to be flames shooting from his eyes. Cassandra’s violet orbs widened and she slid back from the offender. Wise girl. Those who angered a god could be struck by lightning.
    He’d been shackled against smiting the man, but Cassandra didn’t know it, and he’d use her fear of his retaliation to end her dalliance with the creature. He’d order the man away and then he’d make Cassandra listen to him, as Artemis had suggested.
    Apollo strode toward the table, determined to act above the frustration gnawing at his insides. He planted himself before them, legs spread and his hands on his hips. “There you are.”
    The man turned and raised his brows in question. “And who are you?”
    How dare this creature address him with such casual disrespect . Impudent excuse for mortal flesh . Heat surged through Apollo’s limbs. With a bit of focus, he could singe the weasel’s hair, or what remained of it. Apollo directed his remarks to Cassandra. “It’s time to leave.”
    The rodent stood and glared at Apollo. “Look, the lady is with me. Got it?”
    Cassandra tugged at the man’s arm and peaked around his side. Her eyes flashed from violet to dark purple. “What are you doing here?”
    The lump of flesh glanced at her. “You know this guy?”
    “Not by choice.” She glared at Apollo.
    “Oh.” The insect hardened his stare on Apollo. “You’re the loser that can’t take no for an answer. Get lost, Goldilocks. She’s not interested.”
    As a boy, Apollo had watched in disgust as Hades had pulled the legs from marsh flies for sport. As a rule, he didn’t agree with torturing lesser creatures, but in this instance the practice carried some appeal. Unfortunately, Zeus wouldn’t agree. Apollo refused to acknowledge the gnat. “Cassandra, we discussed this.”
    “There was no discussion. You decreed, like you always do.” She shot arrows at him with her eyes. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
    The man puffed up his chest. “Are you leaving or do we need to take this outside?”
    With a glare, Apollo could burn the man’s skin: with focus he might scar him, blind him, or castrate the dog. The creature deserved it. By all the gods, he couldn’t put up with much more of this. “Mortal, you try my patience.”
    “Cassie wasn’t