Dream Warrior Read Online Free PDF Page B

actions of someone beyond reach. When we were children, he took beatings for me that no one should ever suffer. I don’t want you to kill him. I want you to help me save him and return him here where he belongs.”
    â€œHow?”
    Nike took a deep breath before she answered with tears in her eyes. “He will fight and he will die to protect what he loves. To the grave. Make him care for you more than he cares for his revenge, and he will join us on our side.”
    That was ludicrous. “I don’t know him and I only have a few days.” It was barely enough time to kill him, never mind try to seduce a man she didn’t even know. “Why aren’t you the one going in since he’s your brother?”
    Nike shook her head. “He won’t listen to me. It’s been too long, and I have never gone to see him before. Not in all these centuries. Cratus is the most unforgiving of people when he feels he’s been wronged. That’s why you must seduce him. You’re the only one, I think, who can. Often it only takes a small amount of time—remember, he knew nothing of the infant he saved and yet he destroyed his life for that one tiny being. Please, Delphine. For me, try to save him. He is a great man, but he’s not a perfect one. As the goddess of victory, there is one truth I know above all others. You only win when your heart is pure and when the victory is motivated for the right reasons. Give him a reason to live and give him one to fight with the whole of his strength, and we will all win in this.”
    â€œAnd if I can’t?”
    Her eyes turned even darker as she let out a sadness-tinged breath. “You know the answer, and you know what Zeus will do to you both if you fail.”
    Delphine nodded. They would lose without him. They needed his strength and his powers to combat Noir and his army. As for her fate, she would be lucky to get off as easily as Cratus did. “Should I get Eros to shoot him?” That would be the easiest way to seduce him.
    Nike shook her head. “Those powers wouldn’t work on Cratus and the attempt would only infuriate him. Trust me, that’s the last thing you want to do. He will have to be won over honestly.”
    Oh, that was going to be easy …
    Not.
    â€œHow can I seduce him? I have no emotions.”
    â€œThat’s not true and we both know it,” Nike whispered. “You have all that you need. You’re not completely Oneroi. You still have a human spirit and emotions inside you. They will guide you through this.” She lightly nudged her on the shoulder. “Now go and win him over.”
    Win him over. She made it sound like it was easy. But as Delphine watched her leave, all she could see was her own doom.
    And that of all the other gods who were relying on her. This was impossible.
    Phobos joined her on the balcony. “You okay? You look more pale now than when Zeus barked at you.”
    Truthfully, she felt more ill now. More scared. “How do you seduce a man?”
    He laughed at her question. “I think I’m offended that you’re asking me that. What? You think I have some kind of expertise on the subject?”
    She gave him a droll stare. “I’m serious, Phobos.”
    â€œAs am I,” he said, offended. “Seducing men isn’t exactly something I have a lot of experience with. Nor is it something I spend time thinking about.” He glanced at the door to make sure it was shut completely. When he spoke, it was a barely audible whisper. “You might want to ask Zeus that.”
    She rolled her eyes. If the stories were true, all a woman needed to seduce Zeus was to be female. They didn’t even have to be breathing. “You’re not funny, Phobos. I need help here. Real help. What do men like?”
    â€œThat depends on the man. I like breasts myself. A nice rack goes a long way in getting me to do just about anything. Even stupid