The first chapter

Olympus was unlike anywhere Emily had ever been before. It was a magical fantasyland filled with people and creatures beyond imagination. A place where rain didn’t fall, but the lush green gardens never wilted. They bloomed constantly, filling the air with their intoxicating fragrances. The air itself seemed alive. It was honey sweet and warm and enveloped you in a blanket of peace; rich with the sounds of singing birds and filled with insects that never stung. If a bee landed on you, it was only because it wanted to be petted.

The buildings in Olympus were as beautiful and unique as the land itself. Most were made of smooth white marble with tall intricately carved pillars reaching high into the rich blue sky. There were open theatres where the Muses danced and sang for the entertainment of all.

Along the wide cobbled streets were statues of the strongest Olympian fighters and heroes. There were no cars or trucks pumping pollution into the air. The Olympians walked or flew wherever they needed to go. Occasionally they would take a chariot drawn by magnificent horses.

Then there were the libraries. More than Emily could count, containing the texts from the many worlds the Olympians visited and guarded. Some of her favourite books were held in the library at Jupiter’s palace, brought in especially for her.

Emily could never have imagined a more perfect place.

But living in Olympus, amongst all its splendor, she was miserable.

Emily missed her father. She spent every waking moment thinking and worrying about him. He was back in her world, a prisoner of the Central Research Unit. The CRU were a secret Government agency obsessed with capturing aliens and anything out of the ordinary to use as weapons. She had been their prisoner for a short time and knew how single-minded and cruel they were. Now they had her father. What were they doing to him? Were they punishing him because of her escape? Had they killed him? So many fears and unanswered questions tore at her heart – she could never be happy without him.

Emily paused as she walked through the back gardens at Jupiter’s palace. She raised her face to the sun and felt its warm rays streaming down on her. Was this the same sun that shone in her world? Was her father allowed to see it? From her own experience as a prisoner in the CRU’s deep underground facility, she doubted it.

Emily felt even more determined. If Jupiter wouldn’t let her go, she had no choice but to run away and rescue him herself. Walking along the stream that coursed through Olympus, she saw a group of beautiful water-nymphs splashing on the shore. They waved and called their strange greeting. Moments later, they slipped beneath the surface and the water calmed as if they’d never been there.

Lost deep in thought, Emily wasn’t paying attention to where she was walking and tripped over a small rock. She cursed and righted herself. On top of everything else, she was still getting used to the new gold leg brace Vulcan, the armourer of Olympus, had made for her. He had constructed it using the same gold as Pegasus’s bridle. A very special gold that was lethal to Nirads. With one brief touch they were badly poisoned. Longer contact proved fatal to the ferocious warriors. With this brace Emily could not only defend herself against the invaders, she could walk and run once again.

Emily walked towards Jupiter’s Maze, a large complicated puzzle built in the middle of the garden consisting of tall green bushes grown in complicated patterns. It took a lot of practice to navigate it. Emily and her friends had also discovered that Jupiter’s Maze was the perfect place to hold private conversations.

Emily found her way to the complicated puzzle’s centre. There waiting for her beside the centre pedestal was Pegasus. The magnificent winged-stallion always stole her breath away. Standing quietly in the dark of the trees, he was a glowing, brilliant white. His head was high and proud and his coat shiny and well groomed. There wasn’t a feather out of place on his neatly folded wings.

When Pegasus saw her, he whinnied excitedly and nodded his head.

Beside him stood her best friend from New York. Joel was tall and strongly built. His dark Roman features, black hair and warm brown eyes always reminded her of the classic Italian paintings she’d seen in the art museum. Joel was no longer the violent, angry boy she first met outside his Brownstone across from their school. Spending time in Olympus had softened his outer shell of rage and hurt from the loss of his family. He had a deeply caring heart and laughed readily. Joel spent his days working with Vulcan in the Olympus armoury. He had even helped design the brace on her leg.

As she approached, Emily looked around. “Where’s Paelen?”

“He’ll be here in a few minutes. He had something to pick up.” Joel reached for her elbow. “Em, you’re absolutely sure you want to do this?”

“What choice have I got?” Emily answered. “Joel, all I think about is saving my dad. There’s nothing else I can do. We wouldn’t have to sneak around like this if Jupiter would help!” She threw her hands up in frustration. As she brought them down, brilliant flames flashed from her fingertips and hit the edge of her good foot and scorched the ground around it. Emily howled and hopped in pain.

“Emily, calm down!” Joel warned. “You know it gets worse when you’re upset.”

“Nuts!” she cried. “Being the Flame of Olympus is one thing. But constantly setting myself on fire is another!”

“You’ve got to calm down,” Joel insisted. “Remember what Vesta taught you. You can control the flame if you remain calm.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Emily complained as she sat down and rubbed her singed foot. Her sandal was burnt black and smoldered. Ever since she emerged from the Temple of the Flame, she was discovering powers she couldn’t control. Powers that constantly set things alight.

Joel sat down beside her. “We’ll get your dad out of there, I promise. But you can’t help him if you can’t control the flame.”

“Joel’s right,” Paelen emerged from the trees behind them. In contrast to Joel, he was much smaller and wiry. He was able to get into the tiniest of spaces. Paelen had a notorious habit of getting himself into trouble. But with his crooked grin and dark sparkling eyes, he always found a way to make Emily smile. “And if I were you, I would lower your voices. Half the maze can hear your conversation.” He sat down beside Emily and gave her a playful shove. “Set yourself on fire again I see.”

“No, I tripped,” Emily answered, shoving him back.

Paelen smiled his crooked smile. “Of course you did; which is why your sandal is charcoal and still smoldering.”

In the time they’d spent on Olympus, Emily had really grown to like Paelen. Between him and Joel, she couldn’t have asked for better friends. Paelen was also one of the few Olympians who understood what they’d been through as prisoners of the CRU on Governors Island. They had all been tortured for information about Olympus.

“Speaking of sandals,” Emily changed the subject, “You didn’t steal Mercury’s again, did you?” She noticed the winged sandals on his feet.

“Me? Of course not,” Paelen said in mock horror. “You know I am no longer a thief. Mercury just gave them to me. He is having another set made for himself.” Paelen paused and frowned. “He said the sandals prefer to stay with me. I do not understand what he means, but I am not going to say no to such a useful gift.” He petted the tiny wings on the sandals. “These flying sandals saved our lives in your world and helped us escape the CRU. There is no telling what else they can do.” He leaned closer to Emily and eagerly rubbed his hands together. “So, tell me. When do we leave for New York?”

Pegasus stepped forward and started to nicker.

Paelen nodded and translated for the others. “Pegasus heard Jupiter, Mars and Hercules talking. They are going on an expedition to see if they can discover how the Nirads entered Olympus in such large numbers without being seen. Until they know and can secure the route, we are still in danger. Pegasus suggests if we are going to go to New York to rescue your father, we should leave once they’re gone.”

Emily rose and kissed the stallion on his soft muzzle. “Thank you, Pegasus. That’s a great idea.” She turned to Joel and Paelen. “It’s settled then. The moment Jupiter leaves, we’re out of here!”