Shivers Read online

  “Then act like it,” Ciro yelled.

  A strong wind blew through the room from his ire. Zeus’ hair danced with the force of the air, and he even staggered backward in obvious shock.

  “Your brother has been a menace.”

  “My brother? He is your son. You caused this. You go places you should not. You sire offspring then you leave them there for whatever poison Hera’s sick little mind can think of. Remember Hercules?”

  “If it wasn’t for me, you would not be alive, so I would appreciate some gratitude.”

  “Yes, dear Father,” Ciro spat. “I forgot. You and I have a very different understanding of what alive means. You stay away from Gala.”

  “He is terrorizing people on small islands, sending downpours and heavy winds, and you cannot seem to find him or stop him.”

  “I am working on it.”

  Lightning sizzled through the room before charging off the columns stretching upward to Zeus’ chair. The white streaks ran along the floor toward the door then disappeared. Zeus’ anger must have been at its tipping point to cause that. Though others would cower in a corner, Ciro lifted his head and met his father’s fiery eyes with defiance.

  “I do not care how you do it,” Zeus spoke between clenched teeth. “Either stop this thing, or I will.”

  Though he didn’t particularly like his brother Gala for all the damage and pain he’d been causing, Ciro knew he had to be stopped. Yet, he still didn’t like Zeus threatening Gala or calling him a thing. They were brothers, after all. His hatred for the creator god intensified, but he knew there was very little he could do about that.

  “I am only going to say this once more. Stay away from my brother. He is my problem.”

  “Or what?” Zeus demanded.

  Ciro’s eyes flashed lightning. The small bolts crackled inside his head then flicker off his eyelashes. “Or you will see the true strength of Hera’s curse.”

  Zeus eyed him for a moment, eyes emotionless, face expressionless. “If you cannot fix the issue, or put a leash on your brother, I will.”

  Ciro frowned. He never had responded well to ultimatums, especially when they came from Zeus. Instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the large slabs used for doors. He hurried down the airy corridors with the rounded windows overlooking the heavens on one side and Aphrodite’s palatial gardens on the other. He peered out to see if he could catch a glimpse of his sister, but had no such luck. She was probably off somewhere with Ares or just wandering around with Athena.

  Using his mind, he called for Ares.

  “I am on Earth, brother. War waits for no Shiver.”

  “My apologies.” Ciro chuckled. “I shall come to you this instant.”

  “Why must you provoke your father so?” Hera’s voice swam over him, leaving a disgusting shiver down Ciro’s spine.

  “You know how he gets.” She was always lurking around like some kind of snake. Why wouldn’t she be eavesdropping on his argument with her husband?

  Normally, he didn’t fall for her bait but he stopped and turned to look at his stepmother. “Provoke him? That is rich. Today seems to be a very backward day. He wants to go after Gala, and you are standing up for him—when did this happen?”

  Hera laughed softly, a sickening sound that always made him feel as if he was being touched by evil. “No matter what he does, he is my husband.”

  “And since you are so understanding, why am I like this? On second thought, do not answer that. I must go.”

  “Ares is always in trouble or some sort of war. He is more than capable of handling himself. He is the God of War, for crying out loud. Stay a while. Talk. Eat.”

  Ciro gave his stepmother a look he wished would kill her and stormed toward the east wing of the main structure. When he was close to the wall, he glanced over his shoulder at Hera then disappeared.

  Chapter One

  Ciro sat before his mother in the Hall of Winds and tilted his head. She grinned at him and patted her hair gently.

  “Do you like it?” she questioned. “I thought I should change it up a bit after so many years.”

  He smiled. “It is very becoming, Mother,” he replied, reaching over to touch her hand gently. “I truly like it.”

  “And yet you seem unhappy.”

  “I am.” He couldn’t hide anything from her. Though her wrath could be devastating to anyone who tested her, Thýella was a loving mother. Perhaps she was too kind, for now most of her children ran amok among the very people she cherished so dearly. “There is something unpleasant I wish to speak with you about.”

  “I think I know what it is.”

  “In the coming days, I will have to hunt more of my brothers,” Ciro began, swallowing a lump rising in his throat. “They have posed unnecessary risk to Terra. Gaia is not pleased and has tasked me in setting my brothers straight. But you and I both know they would rather die than be kind to humans. What should I do?”

  “You know what must be done, Ciro. You are the eldest.”

  “Mother—they will not stop with just a mere defeat. It has been proven repeatedly in the past. They keep right on coming.”

  “Then they must die…” Thýella lifted her head, elongating her neck, a stern look filling her eyes. “They are my children, and though I love them fiercely, they have disappointed me so desperately. I cannot deal with Gaia’s wrath. And she would be right in being angry and seeking retribution for their damage.”

  “Ciro!” The second eldest ran into the room. “We have trouble.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Gala.”

  Ciro’s heart broke. He gritted his teeth and stood. “I was hoping to reason with him but the more I think about it, the more I know that will never work.”

  “You cannot reason with a mad man,” Koi said sternly. “You were the one who taught me that, brother.”

  Ciro nodded, gave himself a moment to pull himself together then offered his mother a sorrowful look. “I must go, Mother.”

  “I will come with you,” Koi told him. “Two is always better than being alone.”

  “No,” Ciro said. “Stay here with Mother. If he gets past me, he may show up here. I need someone I trust to protect her.”

  “I assure you I can protect myself.” Thýella raised her chin.

  Koi continued as if Thýella hadn’t spoken. “You trust me?” he asked in a soft voice.

  He touched Koi’s cheek then patted it. “We will talk later. Please stay here.”

  Koi did not look impressed, and after pressing his lips into a thin line, he nodded stiffly.

  Accepting a kiss to his cheek from his mother, Ciro took a moment to breathe. With a final look at Thýella, he exited the luxurious room and began his descent to Earth.

  Once he landed, Ciro knew something was about to happen. There wasn’t much time to look around and take stock of anything, or even call for assistance. Usually, he had a little leeway to get Ares, Adrestia and Hygeia to help him clear cities and towns. In this instance, he had no such luxury.

  Ciro bent his knees, digging his feet into the ground just before pushing upward. He flew through the air with his arms by his sides and his chest mere inches away from the tall structure before him. He climbed higher, up the side of the tallest building in the city bordered by two small towns. Darkness swarmed above, as though Hades had risen and tossed a blanket over everything.

  He felt it then—the charge of lightning flashing from his eyes caused by the stench of evil carried on the wind. The breeze howled, surging from the north, and Ciro knew it was going to be bad if he didn’t figure out what to do—and fast. With his coat flopping behind him in the breeze, Ciro stood atop the one-hundred-and-eighty-story building. He tried figuring out where the attack would come from. Tracking had not been easy. When he was led to one of the small towns in the east, it almost broke his heart. The town was quiet, lovely, perfect.

  Children ran along the streets calling to one another. A little boy kicked a ball so hard
it flew over a fence, hitting an old man on the side of the head. The man only laughed and handed the ball back.

  A couple of dogs chased each other down a back road, barking happily at their game. Lovers lay on towels and blankets on what the locals called the beach, which was merely a lake with a sandy shore.

  On the far side, workers had used heavy equipment to pile large rocks into the water so people could sit on them to watch the sunset. Ciro knew if something was to happen there, the place would be devastated. The citizens would lose everything and the town would be wiped off the map. In order to stop it, the only idea he could see was to lead his prey away from the perfection he now watched to somewhere larger, to somewhere he would have more room to navigate and stop the attack.

  Something pulled Ciro from his thoughts, snapping his head upward. Though it was dark, a scent filled the air that he instantly recognized—danger. Suddenly, it was there before him. He saw it the moment the funnel shape started forming. Pressing his thumb and forefinger of his right hand together, he then dragged his thumb down his index finger. A white streak of lightning followed his thumb while he frowned. He shoved his left hand out, sending a ball of lightning from his palm that disappeared within the funnel. A growl of pain followed, but it didn’t stop the turmoil.

  Ciro made a face then looked down. Below him, he discerned the panic. People were running, trying desperately to get out of the way. But the funnel cloud simply grew bigger. The larger it got, the more fear Ciro detected from the crowd beneath him, making him slightly ill. He tried shocking it a second time, which only slowed it before it sped up again.

  That was precisely what his foe wanted—to see the humans running around, scattering like headless chickens in their fright. Gala fed from their misery, which made no sense since he was not a god of pain. He wasn’t even a god, but a tributary of one. Ciro was instantly sick and disappointed. His brothers were powerful beings but they were weak from their cruelty. Gala didn’t care how harming the humans made his mother feel. Ciro knew that for certain.

  “I see Mother sent her favorite son,” Gala spat. “Predictable—as always.”

  “That is not how it is and you know it.”

  “And how do I know that, Ciro? Whenever something goes wrong, she sends you—as if you are god and creator of us all.”

  “That is because you act like a child. You do things—these things…” Ciro motioned around him furiously. “Then you expect her to welcome you with open arms.”

  “She does not welcome me at all,” Gala snapped.

  “I am not in the mood for these games, Gala,” Ciro thundered, his voice echoing through the heavens. “Your pity party is not one I wish to attend.”

  Gala’s anger sent a jolt of lightning downward. When it hit the ground, the earth shook slightly and a gaping hole appeared at the landing sight.

  “That is enough,” Ciro yelled. “Stop this madness now!”

  “But I am having so much fun,” Gala teased. “Why should I give that up?” A face pushed out from the side of the twister and smirked at Ciro. “Because you love the humans? Why do you think it so important to protect them? When are you going to learn we are better than they are? When are you going to accept that they are merely insects in our paths? Crush them like the insignificant beings they are.”

  “That decision is not your call. They are Mother’s prized people and what you do breaks her heart. Do you not care?”

  “Mother is weak. Is that not why we are here? Her weakness to fight Zeus? Come now, brother, surely you see that as clearly as I do.”

  Ciro growled. “She is your mother. What you do puts us all in jeopardy with Gaia. Now either stop this madness, or—”

  “Or what?”

  “Be destroyed.”

  “You wouldn’t. Mother will not allow it.”

  “Oh, Gala, so young and so naïve. Mother has made her choice. She chooses her people. But with or without her blessings, I know you have to die.”

  “You do not scare me, Ciro. Your bark is worse than your bite. Besides, you love family too much to harm me.”

  Why do they always tempt me so?

  Ciro lowered his head slightly but kept his gaze on the funnel before him. Gala’s face had disappeared into his creation again. Brother or not, Gala was a threat and Ciro would be damned if he allowed this joker to destroy another town or city because of his god complex.

  Raking his hair from his face, he looked down one last time at the people scurrying back and forth. Pieces of concrete were breaking off structures and hitting the ground. Ciro watched as a chunk struck someone and they fell, to lie still.

  “Hygeia—I seek your assistance,” he called to the Goddess of Health.

  She instantly appeared, beautiful and glowing in white. He smiled sadly at her before pointing downward. Hygeia nodded.

  “I shall try and limit your work,” Ciro promised. “In the meantime, please help them.”

  “I will, my friend. Go and do what you have to do.”

  With those words, Ciro jumped from his perch. He disappeared then reappeared in the center of the funnel. True to form, Gala emerged out of thin air and instantly attacked. Vanishing, Ciro came into view again behind Gala, sending a kick to his back. Gala fell forward and vanished. Inhaling, Ciro turned in time to slam a foot into Gala’s chest right as he reappeared. Gala flew across the space and fell out of his funnel. Soon he was back. His powers hadn’t developed as strongly as Ciro’s, so he couldn’t shimmer out of view as fast as Ciro.

  “I warned you,” Ciro said between gritted teeth. “Now you pay the price.”

  The fight was fierce like a strange yet beautifully choreographed dance. The power of their exchanged blows caused the twister to grow stronger, and lightning charged across the space a little too close to the ground. Ciro knew if he didn’t end the battle soon, his worse fears would come to pass—another town would be swallowed by the spinning inferno and there would be nothing Hygeia could do to help. Defeating Gala seemed impossible. He countered each of Ciro’s blows, following them with attempts of his own, but Ciro was becoming impatient.

  A wise friend’s voice swam through his mind. “When it comes to fighting, my friend, patience is a virtue.”

  Ciro took a fist to the chest and staggered backward. Gala didn’t seem to want to give him time to recover, for he attacked again. Turning away, Ciro grabbed Gala’s arm, spun him around and slammed his palm into Gala’s back. He pushed forward slightly, sending a bolt of lightning through Gala, who stiffened in Ciro’s arms, jolted, then slumped in the air. Ciro hovered over him, watching him twitch before he finally faded from view. A low hum filled the air and he recognized it as Gala’s soul leaving his body. It sparkled with blue light but only for an instant before turning black and slipping through the earth.

  Ciro took no pleasure in his enemy’s demise. He knew each time he destroyed a Shiver, there were still more out there, ready to take his place. Gala was right. This battle he was waging to protect the humans was becoming more and more futile with each opponent. Rising higher than the funnel, he opened his palms toward it, forcing it to heed him. Bowing his head, he watched as Gala’s creation dissipated and calm was restored. The dark gave way to light and people began making their way outside once more. Homes weren’t badly damaged, but a few things had toppled over. Most of the carnage was relegated to the higher buildings.

  Hygeia had changed herself into a human woman and was assisting people on the ground. Ciro couldn’t land and lend a hand, for humans were easily spooked and unpredictable. He took a breath and shook his head, hungering for peace and rest. Even as he vanished, Ciro knew the rest he craved would never come to him.

  Chapter Two

  After the freak storm the day before, Carter Olabasu was sure they wouldn’t be able to use the basketball court the next morning. But when he woke, it was dry enough to play on. He was happy for that, because he needed the time with his brother. He went up for a jump shot, but the basketball merely s
pun around the rim of the basket and fell to the ground. Kofi picked the ball up and tossed it to Carter. The two went back to their in-depth conversation about love and forever.

  “You know you’re a dick, right?” Carter asked, dribbling the ball in place with his free hand on his hip.

  Kofi grinned and yanked the ball away before shooting a three-point shot to the basket. “Yeah, but a dick you love.”

  Carter thought of so many dirty comebacks that he could counter with, but decided not to rock the boat. Kofi was still getting used to the idea that his younger brother was gay. Smiling instead, Carter caught the ball and walked back to the center of the court.

  “You love the idea of being in love. I know that about you.” Carter dribbled it a few times then stopped. “But you’re telling me if you find someone you really love that you wouldn’t give up everything for her? Even if you knew there was no one else out there like her—I mean sure, you’d be able to find someone who comes close, but not quite—know what I mean?”

  Kofi looked thoughtful for a moment before walking to the side of the court and grabbing his towel. Carter watched his brother with an arched eyebrow, wondering what was going through his head.

  “Okay, check this out right here. There are two things that are for sure in all of this,” Kofi began slowly. “One, you are never certain about love. It’s all trial and error—often times its just error and you have to let it crash and burn. What do I mean by that?” Kofi pre-empted the question before Carter had a chance to ask. “Let me explain—you could meet someone and you two love each other, confusing it with being in love with each other, then a few years down the road— voila, splitsville.”

  Ciro tilted his head. “And two?”

  “Two what?”

  “You said there were two things you’re sure of in all of this. You gave me one, what’s the second thing?”

  “Oh,” Kofi said with a small smile. “Yeah, and two… We’re never certain about people. We have this pesky little thing called free will and sometimes we use it to take advantage of a situation. The only thing we can be sure of when it comes to human beings is that they will, at some point, hurt or disappoint you. How many times do you hear a woman claim the child is her husband’s then something goes wrong, like the child needs a life-saving operation or blood transfusion—and wham! Not the father. Giving up your whole life for someone could then come back and bite you on the you-know-what.”