Young Writers Society

Chapter 12: Temptation

Josephine must’ve underestimated her teleportation abilities, because when she opened her eyes, they were not in Asclepius’ keep. Instead, they were in the Grande Hall. Persephone struggled to rise to her feet. It took them a few seconds to process where exactly in the Grande Hall they were.

A lady sat in the corner of the room, folding clothes and gowns and suits. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the two girls. She was dressed head to toe in a black maid’s outfit, her hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Josephine looked at her friend who was somehow recovering. There must’ve been something, a healing property, that was magically laced into the grounds of Olympus. No wonder Josephine’s mother always told her to stay within the gates of their home.

Persephone flashed a quick smile at the woman, her shirt stained with blood and her eye black from Hermes’ blow, “We apologize. We were sparring and… things got a little out of control.”

The lady’s eyes flickered to Josephine, who’s outfit was now completely scorched. The woman opened her mouth to speak, but instead, a male voice sounded from the hallway behind them, “I wouldn’t speak to them if I were you, Judith. They have trouble written all over them.”

The girls spun around to find a man who looked around their ages standing in the entryway, his hands locked behind his back and a grin painted across his face, “Hello, girls. I’ve been meaning to find you, but I searched and searched and searched… to no avail. I was informed by Theseus that you two were… what did he say… ill.”

Josephine had never seen someone more handsome than the specimen standing in front of them. His eyes were a cloudy gray, and his stark-black hair was styled perfectly. His lean build was inviting, almost as inviting as his dimpled smile and picture-perfect teeth. A scar ran from his neck to his chin. His pale skin was almost ghastly and reminded her of the moon at night—when it’s most stunning. He seemed to notice Josephine admiring him, so he winked in her direction and leaned against the doorframe. Asshole.

“What do you want, Jase?” Persephone groaned, rolling her eyes.

Persephone and Jase were familiar with each other more than she’d like. They attended the same alternative school, and he was always her competition. She loathed him with everything she had and vowed at the young age of twelve to take him down one day. Jase was also a mentor of the Trials for one of the sons of Poseidon and had won the Trials two years in a row. This was this third run before he ran for Olympus Council in the Summer.

“I was actually looking for your friend,” Jase kept his eyes locked on Josephine, “I believe she could be of…assistance.”

Josephine gulped. The woman who was sitting in the corner had disappeared without them knowing, leaving her curious as to where she’d went when she glanced behind her. Hopefully, she didn’t go telling Zeus.

“Josephine,” Persephone said, “do you know this man?”

Josephine shook her head. No, she didn’t know this man. But she was pretty sure she’d like to. She wanted to know every inch of him, every secret, everything he could do to her—

“Let the girl speak, Seph,” Jase chuckled, his smile growing even wider. What did this man have over Josephine? Why was she frozen?

“Shut up,” Persephone grabbed her friend’s hand and tried to walk past her enemy, “We have places to be.”

Jase was like a large boulder. He stepped in each direction the girls did, leaving Persephone to sigh heavily and curse to Tartarus. She glared in Jase’s direction.

“It’s fine, Persephone,” Josephine said, lightly smiling, “I’m a fire-breathing bitch, remember? I think I can handle it myself. I’ll see you later.”

Persephone huffed and stalked out of the room, shooting Josephine a stare on her way out. Josephine wasn’t sure why Persephone didn’t want anything to do with Jase, but everything about her friend was a mystery. She didn’t open up much, and Josephine definitely wasn’t the type to push people.

“Follow me to my room,” Jase purred as he led Josephine away from the laundry room and into the long, stretching corridor.

Josephine didn’t respond and instead focused on how tall he was. She imagined climbing him, testing the waters just a little bit...

They reached his door in a matter of minutes. His room didn’t look like hers at all—it was dark and gloomy, with hints of crimson and gold laced throughout the room in light décor pieces. The red curtains were pulled back so that the light from the moon shined directly in, leaving a dimmed circular pattern on his California King bed. A liquor catty stayed positioned next to the brick fireplace—ranging from bourbon to whiskey to the finest of Dionysus’ cabernets. His room looked like a sexualized torture dungeon.

“I assume you’re wondering why I need use of you,” Jase said as he poured two glasses of some brown alcohol into two crystallized bar glasses. Josephine didn’t drink, but after today, she just wanted to forget.

She spent her whole life begging the universe for a gift. Begging for some type of recognition, approval, and anything of that nature. Today, the Gods granted her that prayer, and she wanted nothing to do with it. When the Big Twelve finds out about her power, they could deem it too powerful, and exile her for it; regardless of who her parents are. She needed to keep this on the down low, and she hoped that Persephone agreed.

“Yes.”

Jase handed her the drink, “I’ve been watching you, and I’m quite impressed. The only problem is, you haven’t demonstrated a gift, and that intrigues me.”

Josephine nodded and took the drink. She took a large sip and sat back into the cushion of the chair she took a seat in, “And who are you, Jase? Why does my friend not enjoy your company?”

He chuckled and sat on the coffee table a few feet from her, “Persephone and I have a past. She was my competitor growing up. But… we shouldn’t allow the past to effect the future, right, daughter of Ares?”

Josephine held the glass on her thigh and studied him, “Let me guess. You’re of Hades.”

“No, no, no,” He made a face as if he was genuinely disgusted by her words, “Jase Vitalis. Poseidon.”

“Poseidon?” Josephine grinned, “How strange. I would’ve never guessed you were a son of the ocean and skies based on your… depressing exterior. Huh, who would’ve thought?”

Jase didn’t seem amused. The smirk on his face disappeared, “I’ve won this competition two years in a row, darling. I think my depressing exterior works just fine for me. I have a proposition for you, and before you say no, hear me out.”

Josephine pursed her lips, sitting up in her seat, “I’m listening, Waterboy.” If he wanted something from her, he needed to work for it. She also wouldn’t mind watching that handsome face beg.

He rolled his eyes and stood up. He started pacing the room, the drink in his hand moving back and forth with every footstep he took, “I have a rare gift,” he started, “Not only can I control and manipulate water, but I follow after my mother with the gift of controlling the moon’s phases and necromancy. I enjoy shape shifting as well—but I’d rather not. It’s uncomfortable to shift back and be butt naked.”

Josephine’s eyes narrowed. Who could his mother be? What goddess can control the moon’s phases and also has the gift of necromancy?

Then it hit her.

Hecate.

Jase was a child of Hecate and Poseidon. What an odd mixture. It only left Josephine wondering what Poseidon wanted with the goddess of witchcraft, but that was a question for another time.

“Your point?” Josephine spat.

“My point is that I think you’re just like me. I think you’re going to inherit two gifts. If we work together, we’d be unstoppable.”

“And what makes you think that I’ll inherit two gifts?” Josephine asked, her stomach churning. The one gift she did discover, she didn’t even inherit. Neither Aphrodite nor Ares wielded fire.

“Because I discovered my gifts late too.”

“You won the Trials without knowing your gift? Twice?”

“Don’t act so surprised. Years of combat training and spellcasting with my witch mother was more than enough to win,” Jase scoffed, stopping in his tracks. He turned to Josephine, “Why do you ask? Are you unsure of yourself?”

Josephine looked at the floor and played with her fingers, “How do I know I can trust you, Jase?”

He hesitated, but walked over to her and bent down so that he was sitting on his calves, “I don’t know what Persephone has told you, but I’m not like that anymore. These Trials are different. There are new competitors, ones with capabilities I’ve never seen before. This year, things will be different, and all three of us will die if we don’t stick together.”

“Are you saying that you want to team up with Persephone, too? Why couldn’t she come, then?”

“I assumed she’d automatically shut me down,” Jase frowned, “If I talked to you first, maybe there would be a chance that you’d convince her.”

Josephine sighed and contemplated his advice. Could she really trust him, or was this all a scheme to get them to let their guard down? Not only that, but Josephine had never seen Jase before. She was pretty sure he was a mentor, so how could he even be participating in the Trials? Although, if he does wield both gifts like he says he does, he could possibly be their strongest weapon.

Or greatest enemy. She shuddered internally at the thought.

His stone-gray eyes looked into hers and she was more than inclined to say yes. But this wasn’t a decision for her to make. Her loyalty was with Persephone. The most she could do was voice her opinion.

“I see what you’re saying, and I’m not saying no,” Josephine said, “But this also doesn’t mean yes. I need to talk to Persephone first.”

“Hey, all I ask is that you think about it. The next Trial is tomorrow, and from what I’ve heard, it’s a group theme. Ask Persephone if she’d be willing to group up.”

Josephine downed the rest of her drink. It went down her throat and into her stomach with a burn. She got to her feet, stretching. She just remembered that she was still in charred clothing, so her face blushed and she covered her almost-bare chest with her hands, “I-uh. I will. I should probably get back to my room and get some sleep. Thanks for the… drink.”

She felt his eyes on her problem area and his smirk grew back, once again causing her to feel warm in places that she had no business being warm in, “Thank you. Have a great rest of your night, darling.”

Josephine nodded and slowly turned to the door, nudging the handle with her tired fingers.

“Oh,” Jase growled, “and by the way, I think burnt clothing suits you. Really brings out your eyes.”

Josephine couldn’t help but blush even harder, but she didn’t turn around. Instead, a smile grew on her face, and she left his view.

When she got to her room, she closed the door and leaned against the hard frame, closing her eyes. She didn’t know what she just got herself into. But she knew one thing:

Jase Vitalis was going to be the death of her.