The Gatekeeper's Secret: Gatekeeper's Saga, Book Five (The Gatekeeper's Saga) Read Online Free PDF

chariot, where most of the gods of the Underworld prepared to journey to Mount Olympus for the engagement party. Anyone watching from the outside would have thought they were attending a funeral, Therese thought as she reached the group and met their solemn faces. Even Alecto, who usually wore a tough exterior, looked anxious. As Therese climbed into the chariot beside Than, she tried to appear confident and brave, but she was far from both. Something was bound to go wrong at the party.
    Than had said the night before, when they had discussed with the others what to do, that there was nowhere they could go to escape Zeus. It was better to face him and to be surrounded by allies than to run away and be alone and vulnerable.
    She clutched the straps of her quiver and bow, which went everywhere she went.
    After their journey, Hades, Persephone, Hecate, Hypnos, Tizzie, and Alecto waited on the rainbow steps, where music poured from the palace, for Therese and Thanatos to enter the hall first, since they were the guests of honor; but there was another reason: the other gods of the Underworld drew wards of good fortune with their swords on the gold-paved walkway around the palace before entering themselves. Therese’s blood pumped madly through her veins. She put on a smile as she and Than moved to the center of the gods and bowed before Zeus and Hera, who were perched on their double throne at the far end of the room.
    I will not let go of your hand for the entire party, Than reassured her.
    All of the Olympians were seated at their thrones in the great ring around the room, but other chairs made of precious stones and metals had been brought in and were arranged both between and in front of the Olympians. Because these chairs were not on raised platforms, the other gods seated around the hall did not block the view of the Olympians, nor did those who were standing.  Dozens of golden trays spread with food and drink added to the crowded room.
    Do not eat or drink anything, Than told her again. Stay busy talking, singing, laughing, but do not eat or drink.
    I won’t if you won’t.
    But don’t be obvious about it.
    They had already discussed this, and it irked her that Than felt the need to remind her, as though she were a child, but she resisted the urge to say, “I know!” Instead, she smiled and continued greeting the other gods.
    Therese and Than turned about the room to bow at each of the Olympians and the various lesser gods stationed near them. To Hera’s left sat Ares with his sons, Phobos, Deimos, Anteros, and Cupid, at his feet. She marveled once more at how Ares and his twins shared the same color of red hair as she. A wave of panic overcame her, and she shot a look at Deimos, who only grinned.
    She turned to Hermes and his son, Hermaphroditos. They sat with three satyrs Therese had never met. Asterion and Ariadne seemed to know them. They stood between them and Poseidon, who was joined by Amphitrite and two sea nymphs. The nymphs were presently distracted by the music being made by Apollo and four Muses. Apollo played his lyre, and the Muses sang in harmony.
    It really is beautiful , Therese prayed to both Than and Apollo.
    Try not to look so frightened , Apollo replied.
    Therese was surprised to see Algaea, the oldest of Aphrodite’s Graces, whom she knew to be Hephaestus’s real and secret wife, seated beside him, along with their four daughters. They were beautiful, like the other gods, with light brown curls that matched their eyes. Therese had never met them but recognized them from Aphrodite’s descriptions.
    Next in the circle sat Hades and Persephone, in a double throne that had only recently appeared near the entrance to the hall. Hecate, Hip, Alecto, and Tizzie joined them. Meg had remained behind to defend the Underworld from another possible attack and to maintain Tartarus.
    So far so good , Hecate prayed, the white streaks of her hair in sharp contrast with her black satin dress.
    Therese gave her