The Phoinix: Age of Demigods Read Online Free PDF Page A

the sky.
    Aeneas, a demigod, recognized divine
power when he saw it. However, he had never seen such power in any
being before. He did as Elpis ordered without argument.
    After helping Hector’s family escape,
Elpis rushed to the terrace overlooking the courtyard, arriving in
time to see Achilles shot with an arrow through his heel. The arrow
pierced the one spot on Achilles not protected, the spot where his
mother held him as she dipped him in the River Styx. The silver
shimmer of the protection spell shattered from the blow.
    Elpis searched for the shooter of the
arrow and found Hector’s brother, Paris, across the courtyard. He
pulled his bow back three more times rapidly shooting arrows into
Achilles’ chest, piercing his armor and heart.
    Anath’s cruel words rang
out in Elpis’ memory. If Hades wants a
life, that life will be taken . Elpis
gasped at the realization of her actions. Hector’s bloodline was
meant to die here. Saving their lives sealed Achilles’
death.
    Elpis quickly snapped her fingers and
Paris vanished from the courtyard. He appeared on the boat next to
Hector’s wife before the world lost another hero.
    A lump formed in her throat. Elpis
hyperventilated and pulled at the high neckline of her dress. “I
need to get out of here. No more,” Elpis vowed. “No more war. It
ends with me.” She closed her eyes and let her powers steal her
away from the battle’s carnage.
    * * *
    Elpis traveled the world ending war
after war always remembering the travesty that was Troy. She never
forgot how she was the force behind Achilles’ death.
    During Elpis’ quest for peace, she
occasionally came into conflict with gods who favored wars and
heroes, influencing battles as they saw fit. She learned how to
cease their tyranny and discovered her accumulative powers
surpassed those wielded by the gods.
    In the year 1173 B.C., eleven years
since Elpis was born, the epic wars that threatened to destroy
humanity ended. Having nothing to contend with but small skirmishes
between kingdoms, Elpis consumed herself with finding her parents.
Whenever she thought she had a lead, the person mysteriously
vanished.
    After a year of unusual
disappearances, she grew angry and traveled to Mount Olympus. Elpis
called the War Council together to confront all six
pantheons.
    Most gods on the council kept silent
as Elpis questioned them. Having seen Elpis use her powers in
battle, they were too afraid to confess they stole her from her
parents. However, the Lords of the Underworld were the only gods
not afraid of her power. Elpis could not win against them…or so
they thought.

Chapter 4
    The Queen’s
Prophecy

    A lina sat on the bed next to Bre. “Rest for now, Sweetheart.
Tomorrow you will wake and we can begin your eighteenth birthday
celebration.”
    Tears soaked into her pillow as
Breanna’s whole body shook. “I don’t want to fall asleep. I am
scared, Mother. Where are Brian and Eoghan? They promised a new
spell this time,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
    “I know, sweetheart,” Alina said as
she choked back tears. “I don’t know why they’ve been delayed, but
you will be ok. You have gone through this without the spells
before and you will make it through this time as well.”
    Alina kissed her daughter’s head then
tore herself from the bed. She walked as if every step she took
from her crying child shot pain through her body.
    Breanna curled into a ball, still
shaking from fear of what would happen under the
Blood-Moon.
    Alina pulled a key from her pocket. A
handmaiden gently withdrew the key from Alina’s trembling hand then
guided the Queen out of the bedroom.
    Bre’s stomach sank with
the sharp click of the lock. Moments later, the clouds parted in
the night sky and filled Breanna’s bedroom with an orangish-red
light. With a sudden gasp, the
orangish-red light carried Breanna’s mind
away into another memory…
    * * *
    Elpis sat at the head of the marble
table on Mount Olympus, her face red