Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Fifteen

"I—you. Mom?" I asked again, preparing to stand.

The figure held out an arm and shook its head, her long hair fanning behind her. I sat again and stared. Even though the woman was hues of a single color, I could tell her hair was dark like mine—my mom's—and her eyes were looking through their natural hue.

"Mom?" I whispered, hoping it was true even though it didn't feel right.

"No." The woman shook her head. Her voice reverberated, dripping with not-so-veiled power.

"But you look just like her."

The woman smiled, seeming amused.

"Who are you then?"

She arched her brow that was the same shape as my mom's and the same way she looked at me when she expected me to discover an answer for myself.

"My... grandmother?"

"A few generations ago, maybe."

"How many?"

"All of them."

My mouth dropped, and I immediately closed it again. I studied the woman again, then shook my head. "I—you... How?"

"Magic. I've been waiting for this. For you."

"Why?" I swallowed, my nervous reverence drawing in apprehension.

"You are alone and have much to do to succeed in the tasks ahead," she said, gliding forward a step. "You lack the ability to use your gifts. You are ignorant of your potential and that which makes all you can do possible."

"That sounds like you wasted energy coming here."

"On the contrary." Once again, she raised her eyebrow and studied me.

"Do you always look like that?" I burst after a few minutes.

"Yes." She nodded, pressing her lips together.

"But... it's unnerving."

"I imagine so. Your mother is—was—quite a resemblance, wasn't she?"

I nodded.

"You all are to some extent—our family is strong on the maternal side. I'm honestly flattered."

"It doesn't bother you?"

"You tell me. We are a closer resemblance than I was with your mother."

I opened my mouth, but she continued.

"Do you know why we are so close?"

"I don't even really know who you are."

"Oh, dear." The woman glided another step closer. "I have many names, though none know the truest one to call me. One variation is Juno."

"You—you're..." I blinked.

"You may call me Hera, child."

"Then he's..." I swallowed, unable to say the name aloud. There are so many stories about them!

"Zeus. Yes." Hera nodded. "He's... resting, biding his time before visiting."

"Why are you here? Don't you... Won't it drain you?"

The woman laughed. "Hardly. We are not truly dead and the Kingdom is a reciprocal exchange of power for us, supplemented by family as they channel magic users—its' why magic was part of the curse to keep us going. It would disrupt that which we govern as gods. We are waiting, resting."

"Waiting for what?"

"I am waiting for you."

"Why?"