Going Thru Hell Read Online Free PDF Page A

another vehicle pulling into the opposite space. Glancing over my shoulder, I found a testosterone fueled Ferrari in fire engine red. A quick roll of the eyes and I returned to watching the wallet bleed profusely.
    The gas station was situated in field outside of Nashville, included three islands with two pumps each, the familiar star logo in red and white, and a cashier busy reading Playboy. A nearby highway roared with speeding traffic, the only break in the calm.
    “Hey, good looking,” a masculine voice called.
    Bloody hell. I glanced around, hoping someone else pulled up and captured the guy's attention. No such luck. The truck and Ferrari remained the only two cars at the pumps. I cursed silently while ignoring him. The earthy smell surrounded me, filled with green things, sun and a summer's breeze.
    “Do you ignore everyone?”
    I jumped. I turned to find a tall, muscular, handsome male. Long brown hair streaked with various shades of silver, and a well-trimmed gray beard carted streaks of brunette, giving the impression of a mature man. He wore a black, faded AC/DC t-shirt, shabby blue jeans and black boots. His ice blue eyes caught my attention and held it.
    Crap, not again.
    “Who are you?” I sounded petulant.
    “Aki.” He thrust one huge hand out and I automatically grabbed it. He held mine, gentle but firm, the feel of calluses rasping against my skin. I glanced down, noted the scars before meeting his eyes again.
    “What do you want?”
    His laugh sent shivers of anticipation down my spine. My body hummed, the need to press every inch of me against his big body hard to resist. Not again, not again, not again. I shoved the memories away, a youthful folly I'd promised to never repeat.
    “I've been looking for you.”
    I pulled out of his grip, growling. The secondary ability floated to the top, riding the building anger. I closed the tank and hung up the nozzle. I faced the male, my palms hot and ready.
    “Easy, Braider! I'm not here to ask for you to join sides.” His hands rose in the universal signal of surrender.
    “Then why look for me?”
    A noise from the store turned my head and I gasped. Everywhere stood gods and goddesses. “You son of a bitch!”
    The strands appeared in my head, decisions and outcomes clear. I glanced at Aki, finding him in a battle stance, a sword at the ready. “Kylie, direct yourself at them, not me.”
    Rage exploded, burning hot and fueling the power. I pushed aside the strands, and let the other power come forward. We currently stood in a relatively empty area and the clerk inside ignored the pending fight.
    I jumped into the bed of the truck and turned to the audience, the sheer number of immortals distressing. I heard a roar above my head and grinned. Tiamat.
    “Leave, now.” I scanned every face, noting who appeared and who didn't. I flinched at Artemis in the crowd. She'd instigated the little incident fifteen years ago, and her hatred of me ran deep.
    I braced and released power at the gathered immortals. Unlike braiding time, the secondary ability released a blast of pure power, acting as a cannon shot. Despite my best efforts, I flew into the back window of the truck, cracking the window. I straightened, ignoring the throbbing pain, and bolstered by the cab, released again. Several of the weaker gods disappeared, arms up in defense. Others landed hard, rolling gracefully and onto their feet.
    I held the last of the power, waiting for a more opportune moment. Several immortal faces, beautiful to behold no matter the culture, contorted in surprise. Many managed to mix surprise with hatred.
    “Stop , Braider!” Aki yelled as he leaped forward, sword slicing downwards, opening Eros from chin to groin. Another deadly slice removed Jupiter’s arm, and an effortless spin brought his sword up in time to keep Freya from taking his head. Magdi and Amun took advantage of Aki's distraction, opening several deep wounds.
    I stood, e ntranced at Aki’s innate grace.