Hired Gun #4 by Julia Crane, A.J. Bennett Page B

he’d had a bad life, but Thanatos’s was a thousand times worse. A part of him wanted to help him seek his revenge, bring the other gods to their knees. 
    Thorne finally spoke. “I don’t understand what Apollo was thinking.” 
    “It was truly a mistake. Bad timing, luck, whatever you want to call it. He was just experimenting and didn’t realize it would affect anyone on The Realm.”
    “Who the fuck plays around with plagues?” Thorne demanded. 
    Athena sighed. “Thorne, as gods we have many responsibilities. Not all of them are pleasant. Where do you think the outbreaks throughout history have come from? Thin air?”
    “You mean, you purposely send down viruses?”
    “Yes, and also natural disasters. There has to be a balance. And once in a while the world needs to be shaken up. I’m sorry, but it’s just the way that it is. Humans only have a short period of time on Earth to learn many lessons, and suffering is usually part of the learning process. We don’t make the rules.” 
    “If you don’t then who does?”
    “The Creator, of course.” She looked at him like he was an idiot. 
    “And does the Creator want Earth to end?” Kataya asked.
    “No, my dear, but free will is a very powerful tool that was bestowed upon us. The Creator will not step in to stop it if Thanatos chooses to go through with his plan.” 
    He rubbed his temples. This was all getting way over his head. He knew he couldn’t possible prevent natural disasters or plagues, but there had to be a way to prevent Earth and The Realm from disappearing. Granted, if they had enough notice they could just teleport to another dimension, but that would be a last resort. 
    “I offered Thanatos a carrot. I told him I might have a way to destroy The Realm and still save Earth. Is there any way at all this is possible?”
    Athena and Kataya exchanged a glance. “No, I’m afraid not. There is no way to cut the tie that binds them, much like the tie that you and Kataya have.”
    “Are you saying if one of us dies the other one dies, too?” Kataya asked, her tone disbelieving. 
    “No it isn’t quite like that, but it would feel as if part of you was gone. Thorne knows the feeling well.” 
    Did he ever. It fucking sucked. 
    “With the silver cord holding The Realm and Earth together, if one is gone the other is gone. There is no way to stop it. We’re not just talking two souls here, we’re talking billions. I guess you could think of it like the cord attached to the cord you two share, but every soul has the same cord. Earth is a miraculous place.” 
    “So if we went to another dimension before everything exploded we’d still die?” Thorne asked, surprised. 
    “Yes, I’m afraid so. There is no way out of this. Our lives are literally in Thanatos’s hands.” 
    “I need to speak to him.” Kataya stood up abruptly. 
    Athena pulled Kataya into a hug. “I think you should let Thorne have a chance first.” 
    “But he cares about me. I know he does.” 
    Athena smoothed back Kataya’s hair. “Yes, his feelings for you are real. However, my vision shows Thorne as the one that can save us. If he fails, then you must do your best. If it cannot be avoided, I want you to know that I have loved watching over you and seeing you grow into such an amazing young woman. And if there is a way, we will meet again.” 
    Before Kataya could respond Athena was gone. 
    She wiped away a tear. “Why do they always do that?” 
    Thorne pulled her into him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Beats the hell out of me.” 
    “Do you think you can stop him?”
    “So you believe me now?”
    “How can I not? I just spoke to a goddess.” 
    “You’ve done more than just speak to a goddess.” Thorne couldn’t help but grin. 
    “What do you mean?” 
    “The woman staying with me. Yeah, well that’s Nike.” 
    Her arms dropped to her side and she pushed him back to look up at him. “Tell me you’re