Aria

            Aria is a 21-year-old woman who is struggling with who she really is. She’s 5’3”, 140lbs, has Hazel eyes with a sapphire ring around the outside, porcelain skin, mahogany red hair a round face with full lips, a perfectly proportioned nose that’s slightly turned down and a cleft chin. Her body is toned with an hourglass figure that is slightly larger in the bottom. She cares a great deal about her health without making it an obsession. She loves reading, writing, and being outdoors. She has no problem staying in and enjoying a home cooked meal by the fireplace. She hasn’t been very lucky in love and she suspects that it has to do with whatever her family seems to be hiding from her.

“No, Gaia, we are not going to tell her.” Dimitri said.

“She’s an adult. You can’t keep this from her forever Dimitri.” Gaia spits back.

“You don’t know that. She could stay human for the rest of her life.” He shot back.

“You know as well as I do that even if her…….What was that?” Gaia said stopping to listen.

“Aria?” Dimitri called out.

Aria sighed knowing she had been caught listening and came out from around the corner.

“Hi, Mom, Dad, so what were you two arguing about this time?” Aria asked as she went to make herself some coffee. She had woken up to the sound of her parents trying and failing to whisper fight. This happened a lot when the two of them were in the same place. Aria was getting tired of it. They always fought about her, but they would never tell her why or what it was about.

“Nothing darling, just some parent stuff.” Dimitri said, which earned him a not so lady like snort from Gaia.

“Bullshit” Aria said.

“What did you say Young Lady?” Dimitri said raising his voice.

“I said Bullshit.” Aria said again as she turned to glare at her father. She had a bad night, and they woke her up and she had had enough. Gaia must have sensed it because she immediately stepped between them facing Aria.

“Are you ok Aria?” Gaia asked.

“I got into a fight last night at the bar and then you two wake me up. I know you were talking about me and I’m getting really tired of having things about me kept from me.” Aria said glaring at both her parents this time.

“Who did you get into a fight with?” Dimitri asked, trying to deflect from the question Aria had asked without asking.

“Some woman named Selene.” Aria said.

            My parents looked at each other and then at me. My dad tried to say something but all that happened was his mouth kept opening and shutting. My mom seeing my dad’s inability to speak jumped in.

“What did she say?” Gaia asked cautiously.

“She told me to ‘stay away from my people, Shari’” I said.

“She called you Shari?” My dad asked.

“Yes, when I asked her how she knew me she just sneered and said, ‘ask your parents’ and then she turned and left.” I explained.

“Did she say who her people were?” Mom asked.

“No, but I think she was talking about the hikers I met a few days ago. I got a little lost on my hike the other day and some guys found me by the lake.” I said.

“You got lost hiking and you are only now telling us about this?” Dad huffed.

“Dad, I’m 21, not a kid. I got turned around but once I got to the lake, I was able to get my gps working again on my phone. I could have gotten back on the trail myself, but these guys asked if I needed help and got me back on the trail. It wasn’t a big deal. I can take care of myself.” I said.

“Young Lady…..” Dad started but was cut off by my mom.

“You’re right Aria, you can take care of yourself. But you still should have said something. Tell me more about the men that helped you.” Gaia said.

“They weren’t really men, more like teenagers. Really big handsome teenagers but they were probably around 16 to 18 years old.” I said.

“And why do you think they are the ones Selene was talking about?” Gaia asked.

“They felt the same.” Was all I said. It was enough to cause a reaction from both of my parents though. Dad’s eyes went wide, and mom tried and failed to hide her smile. Maybe they will finally tell me what they’ve been hiding from me.

“What do you mean ‘they felt the same’” Dad asked.

            I rolled my eyes at him and said “Exactly that. When they got close, I got the same feeling from them that I got from her, well she had hostility mixed in.” I explained.

“Other than the hostility, how did they feel?” Mom asked.

“Hmmm, wild, free, a little dangerous, but mostly curious.” I said thinking about it.

“A little dangerous and you still let them near you?” Dad scoffed.

“Again, I can take care of myself.” I said through my clenched teeth.

“You should stay away from Selene.” Mom said.

“I didn’t go looking for her to begin with. How the hell does she know my first name anyway?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” They answered in unison. And they were lying.

“STOP!” I yelled. They both flinched back. I had never yelled at them like that before. But this was too much. They hadn’t even tried to hide the lie. It was bold and thrown straight in my face.

“Do Not Lie To Me Anymore.” I said slowly.

“We are your parents.” Dimitri tried to use his dad voice on me. It didn’t work.

“And you are liars.” I stated simply.

“We are not liars!!” Gaia yelled.

“You have been lying to me for a while now. Don’t try to deny it. I can feel the deceit rolling off of you in waves. It’s been getting stronger since I turned 16. I’m tired of listening to it. If you aren’t going to tell me the truth, then I will find out on my own. And you two can go to hell.” I said looking them straight in the eyes letting them know I wouldn’t back down.

“So, either start telling me the truth, or get out.” I said after taking a sip of my coffee.

“You will not talk to me like that!” My father yelled. I put my coffee cup down on the counter, calmly walked over to my front door, opened it, and said, “Get Out.”

“What?” My mom asked.

“If you two are going to continue to lie to my face then you can leave. And don’t think about coming back until you are ready to tell me the truth. I am an adult; this is my house, and I will not be disrespected by anyone in my house. Not even my parents.” I said. Before my dad could protest and yell again my mom grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the house.

“I’m sorry that it’s come to this.” My mom said with a sad smile on her face. “I’m proud of you” She said before turning and yanking my father to his car.

            I shut the door and went back to my coffee trying to hold back my tears. I really didn’t want to do that. I just wanted the truth. It shouldn’t have been that hard for them to just tell me. I already know I am different. Why couldn’t they just tell me how different I am? I had just finished my coffee when the doorbell rang and scared me out of my thoughts.

“Hello?” I said opening the door.

            Three giant men stood there looking a little uncomfortable. They all looked similar, like brothers but still vastly different. They were all tall, broad shouldered, well built. Not too many muscles but definitely toned. And that was where the similarities ended. The one closest to me was blonde, clear light blue eyes, a square jaw, pronounced brow line and very Greek nose. The one in the middle had sandy brown wavy hair, a very well kept beard over a more pointed jaw, Ocean blue eyes, tanned skin, like he was at the beach a lot, and the same Greek nose that had a flat spot in the middle. The third one had jet black hair cut short, dark brown almost black eyes that were surprisingly warm, he had a boxer’s nose and a less pronounced brow and jaw line but still very masculine. They all exuded power. The waves of it hitting me caught me off guard and made me a little dizzy.

“Are you ok?” The black haired one asked.

“Yes, I’m fine” I said shaking my head a little to clear it. “How can I help you?” I asked.

“Well, Sha, I mean Aria. We were wondering if we could help you?” The blonde guy asked. He almost called me Shari before the brunette guy elbowed him.

“And who are you?” I asked, not sure what the hell they were talking about. And how did they know my first name? Did a letter get sent out or something, geez?

“Please forgive my brothers rudeness. I am Hades, this is Poseidon, and that’s Zeus.” Hades said.

            I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing. Are they serious? The big three Greek gods? Upon seeing my hysterics Zeus and Hades looked shocked, Poseidon on the other hand took the lead.

“I know, our names tend to cause that reaction. Your mom Gaia sent us.” Poseidon said. That stopped my laughing immediately.

“My mom?” I asked.

            They nodded and Poseidon added, “She’s our grandmother. So, I guess that makes you our Aunt.” He smiled. I was too shocked to reply to that and just moved to the side opening the door wider for them to come inside. Once they were all in, I motioned for them to follow me into the kitchen. Mom taught me when guests come over to always offer them a seat and something to drink.

“Would you like anything to drink? I have Coffee, Tea, Water, Soda.” I asked.

“Coffee.” They answered in unison.

“Please explain about me being your aunt.” I requested while grabbing three coffee mugs from the cupboard. While I made the coffee, Zeus spoke up.

“Well, you do know you have a sister named Rhea, right?” He asked.

“Yes, I said.” Rhea had been around a lot when I was younger. She was almost always with my mom. I liked her a lot.

“She’s our mom.” Hades said.

“Oh, I know she mentioned that she had sons, but she had never said your names or shown me a picture.” I said as I handed them the coffee. They were all seated at my little round breakfast table. It looked a lot smaller with them there. I made myself another coffee and sat with them. We silently drank our coffee for a few moments.

“Why did my mom send you and not Rhea?” I asked.

“We were close.” Poseidon said shrugging.

“She had wanted to come and decided to send us ahead of her.” Zeus said.

“Ok, so why didn’t she call?” I asked eyeing them suspiciously.

“Oh, I like you.” Hades said chuckling.

“Most people do.” Was all I said. Hades smile got wider as he looked at his brothers.

“You’re definitely Gaia’s daughter.” Zeus said and the others nodded in agreement.

“If you are my nephews why do you look the same age as my mom?” I asked. I already knew what they were going to say. I think I had known for a while. I just wasn’t ready to accept it.

“Because we are gods.” Zeus said like it was nothing. Hades shot daggers at his brother while Poseidon tried not to spit out his coffee.

“So, it’s true?” I said more than asked. That got all of their attention. Zeus looked annoyed, Poseidon looked shocked, and Hades had that smile again.

“Smart as well. How did you know?” Hades asked.

“I met Eros a couple of years ago. I didn’t think anything of it, but I still researched him. The God of Love. He looked like the drawings and my Great Grandfather. He had shown up in the park one day after my boyfriend had broken up with me. I was crying and he offered me a tissue and told me that “that boy had no idea who he was walking away from, and when he did figure it out, he would regret it for the rest of his life.” That was when I really looked at him. I told him he looked just like my Great Grandfather. He laughed and said that everything would make sense soon enough. I think he thought my parents would tell me soon after he came to me. Obviously, they didn’t.” I said.

“Gaia has wanted to tell you for a very long time. Dimitri wouldn’t let her.” Hades said rolling his eyes when he said my father’s name.

“You don’t like my dad?” I asked.

“Your father likes to deny who he really is. That’s why you were raised as a human instead of the little Goddess you actually are.” Poseidon said.

“That might have been a good thing.” I said.

“What? Why?” Zeus asked.

“Because from what I’ve read, Goddesses act like spoiled brats.” I said very matter of fact.

“My daughters are all Goddesses, and they aren’t spoiled brats.” Zeus said puffing out his chest.

“Your daughters are the worst.” Poseidon and Hades said together laughing.

“I agree.” I said.

“Well, they are Goddesses, what did you expect?” A female voice rang as the front door opened.

“Rhea?” I yelled getting up to see who it was.

            She shut the front door and then turned to me with her arms wide open. I practically ran to her and hugged her back. I had given her a key to my place right after I bought it. I trusted her wholehearted. She never lied to me. If I ever asked her about what my parents were keeping from me, she would say that she wished she could tell me but that it was something they needed to tell me. I tried not to cry but this was all so overwhelming.

“Shush, honey, I’m here. It’s ok.” Rhea comforted me. We walked into the kitchen with our arms around each other. I sat back down, and she jumped up on the counter. She eyed her sons and looked as if she were about to yell at them.

“Rhea, Eros told me years ago. They only confirmed what I didn’t want to believe.” I said.

“Eros?” Rhea said shocked. “When had Eros come to you?” She asked.

“A couple of years ago. Remember when I got a little crazy researching the Greek Gods and fought with my dad about it?” I asked her.

“Yes, I do. The look on his face when he saw you sprawled out with all those books around you. And the look you gave him when he tried to tell you it was all Myths and Legends. I was so sure Mom would tell you that night. Dimitri convinced her to keep her mouth shut. Your dad is an asshole by the way.” Rhea said.

“Yea, I’m starting to agree with you. But from my research I’m wondering if my dad got the power of Protector of the Young from Grandma Leto?” I told Rhea and the others.

“Your Grandmother is Leto?” Poseidon asked.

“Mom, do you know Aria’s family tree?” Zeus asked Rhea.

“I know your Great Grandmothers side, she’s human so it was easily traced. But, No, Zeus I don’t know all of Aria’s lineage.” Rhea answered.

“Well, it’s pretty straight forward. Eros and Grace are my Great Grandparents. They had Kayson, my Grandfather, who married Leto my Grandmother and they had Dimitri, my dad.” I explained.

“So not only do you have two Primordial Deities in your direct bloodline, but you also have a Titan?” Hades asked with a look of shock and amazement. Zeus and Poseidon had the same look, but Rhea only looked slightly surprised.

“Did you suspect something like that Rhea?” I asked.

“I did not know about Eros and Leto. They both have different names in the family tree. But I knew Kayson had to have a God for a father because he is a Demi-God and Dimitri is more God than Human. You’ll never get him to admit that.” Rhea said shaking her head.

“Why do you think that Eros went to Aria when he did? It couldn’t have just been because of heartbreak, could it?” Hades asked Rhea.

“Which dumbass were you dating then?” Rhea asked me.

“Kyle.” Was all I had to say.

            The expression on Rhea’s face and mine said it all. He had been by far the worst boyfriend I had been with. He was a Narcist that belittle me every chance he got but I couldn’t stay away from him. He had a pull I couldn’t resist. That is until he broke up with me and Eros showed up.

“What happened when you spoke to Eros?” Rhea asked.

“Any pull I felt for Kyle was gone. Actually, as soon as Eros sat next to me, the only thing I felt was the sadness of a broken heart. But I didn’t want to go after Kyle like I always had before.” I said looking at Rhea. Before I could ask the question, I knew was written all over my face Rhea spoke.

“That’s why. Eros must have been watching you. Being The God of all forms of Love he couldn’t allow what had been happening to continue. Did he know he was your Great Grandfather?” Rhea asked.

“I don’t think so. When I told him, he looked just like my Great grandpa he asked me what his name was and who my Great Grandma was. As soon as I said Grace and that my Grandpa was Kayson, he smiled and told me I was going to be just fine.” I said.

“Eros isn’t known to have any children.” Zeus stated.

“Well, my sister is living proof that he has not only a child but a grandchild and great grandchild.” Rhea said looking disapprovingly at Zeus. Zeus shrank back a little from Rheas look and shut his mouth. I tried not to chuckle, but I couldn’t help it.

“Aria, that’s not nice.” Rhea said smiling. She knew I had felt the same way more than a few times that she had scolded me. So, seeing it happen to someone else was funny.

“Not that it isn’t amusing to watch Zeus be put in his place, Rhea why would Eros have been watching Aria if he didn’t know she was his family?” Poseidon asked.

“Don’t you feel it?” Rhea asked simply. As if the answer was that obvious.

“Feel what?” I asked.

“The pull. Aria, you have a pull all your own. That was why Zeus, Poseidon, and myself were so near you. We felt it months ago. Well, I felt it years ago, I just didn’t know where it was coming from. It’s been getting stronger. But a few months ago, it had a direction to the pull. Your goddess powers are maturing and calling to the rest of us to release them.” Hades said a little in awe of what he was just starting to understand.

“Is that what it’s been?” Poseidon asked.

“I thought it was a Demi-God making trouble.” Zeus said.

“Your powers have been calling out since you were born Aria. That’s why I was always there when you were with mom.” Rhea said.

“Because I pulled you to me?” I asked.

“No, not at first. In the beginning I just wanted to be near you and mom. I haven’t seen her that happy in a long time. Mom is Mother Nature so having created something new gave her a piece of her life back. You brought that spark back to her. And I wanted to be near that. And when I met you for the first time, I couldn’t leave you. The two of you were beckons of light that I missed. When you were about three, I felt your pull for the first time. I asked Mom what it was. She said that you were a new goddess. And she needed me to help her hide your power. She knew that Dimitri would have a fit if the family started to gather around you. So, we did a Ritual to hide your power until you were sixteen.” Rhea said. Before she could go on, I interrupted.

“If my powers came back at sixteen then why didn’t Eros come then?” I asked.

“Just because your powers weren’t hidden anymore doesn’t mean they were calling out either. They needed time to mature and shine again. The strength of your powers at the age of three was almost overwhelming. You have more than one. Most of us do but your powers call out to it’s equal in each deity. Your connection to the Earth and the fact that you are a part of many generations of Gods brought me to you. Love brought Eros to you. Men have always looked at you in a very carnal way. I know you hate it, but it is there.” Rhea said smiling.

“Egh. Is that why my boyfriends have been, less than desirable in all areas except the bedroom?” I asked Rhea.

“Yes.” The gravity and power of the male voice caused shivers to run up and down my spine.

“Eros.” I said as I turned to see him standing at my back door, petting my dogs with a huge smile on his face.

            Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and even Rhea all looked shocked to see him. But I felt him coming hours ago. His pull had actually woken me up before I heard my mother and father fighting.

“I felt you coming. Why are you here?” I asked getting up to shoo my dogs away and hug him. He embraced me like we had known each other all our lives. He then turned to Rhea and her boys.

“Rhea, I met you eons ago. Do you remember?’ He smirked.

“Yea, you were arguing with mom about something. You barely looked my way.” Rhea said.

“Why are you here?” Zeus asked rather rudely.

“Zeus, be nice.” I said. I wanted to know the answer as well, but he was family and didn’t have to tell us anything.

“It’s quite all right Aria. Zeus is used to being the most powerful being in the room. Having you around has already set him off kilter. My being here is just pissing him off.” Eros laughed. I could feel the rumble even though I was only standing next to him.

“Did I call to you too?” I asked Eros.

“You did, but your mother made an actual phone call to me a couple of hours ago.” Eros said.

“So, you know about the fight I had with my parents about their secrets?” I asked.

“Yes. She wanted to stay and tell you herself, but your father is a handful. I would have been here sooner, but I had to help her with Dimitri. Leto and Kayson are with Gaia and Dimitri now. He tried to forbid us all from telling you the truth. He shut up when I informed him that you already knew, and you were just looking for conformation. I also told him that if he tried to stop you from reaching your full potential, he would have to answer to me.” Eros said.

“Why is he so against me being who I am?” I asked no one in particular.

“He has some insane notion that you will lose your humanity if your powers are fully awakened.” Rhea said. That made Eros scoff.

“Your humanity will only add to your power, not wither away. I don’t know what happened to him. He hates his powers so much, yet he uses them in his daily life.” Eros said shaking his head.

“Why did I call to all of you now? How did my powers know to direct you here?” I was so confused.

“Gaia mentioned Selene, what happened?” Eros asked.

“Last week I was hiking, and I got a little lost. I got down to the lake and my phone started working again and I would have found my way back to the trail myself. I felt like I was being watched and when I turned around three teenagers, they were anywhere from sixteen to eighteen, were standing there. They were very nice, asked if I was lost and if I was ok. And they walked me back to the trail and out to my car. Again, they were very nice, and I wasn’t in any danger. In fact, the oldest guy, Craig, gave me his number and said to call him next time I went for a hike. But last night when I was out with my friends at a bar this woman approached me and asked if she could have a word with me alone. She felt like the boys did with a hint of danger. I followed her outside so we could talk, I figured she was a mom or maybe a jealous girlfriend. She called me Shari and told me to stay away from her people. And when I asked her how she knew my name she said to ask my parents. Then she left. The weird thing was, when she said my name, I felt a surge of power. When I looked at Selene, she had stepped back fear crossed her face before she got herself back under control.” I said.

“That was stupid of her, to call your name out like that.” Rhea said.

“What does that matter?” Eros asked.

“When Gaia and I bound Arias powers when she was younger, we used her Goddess name. If someone, a God, or a Goddess, were to call Aria by that name and call to her power in the process they could unleash her powers.” Rhea said shaking her head.

“That’s what did it then. Selene almost unleashed your powers. Did you feel threatened when she did that?” Eros asked.

“Yea, a little. I was mostly pissed off that she used my name. And what the hell did she mean, stay away from my people?” I seethed remembering just how annoyed I had felt.

“Aria, breathe.” Hades spoke up.

“Yes darling, breathe, your emotions are connected to your powers.” Eros said. At that moment I remembered I hadn’t offered Rhea or Eros anything to drink.

“Would you two like anything to drink?” I asked.

“Coffee.” They both answered. I got up and focused on making the two coffees and calmed down.

“Good, being able to calm yourself that quickly will be a big help in controlling your powers.” Eros said as he sipped his coffee.

“Mom and I taught her that. She’s always had a temper.” Rhea smiled.

“I have not.” I said scowling at Rhea. Everyone laughed at that.

“The boys you met were Werewolves, Selene is their Goddess.” Poseidon said.

“So why did she come bother me?” I asked.

“The boys had probably felt your power and that was why they were nice and helped you. If you had been a regular human, they may not have been so nice. I believe you were on their territory.” Hades explained.

“So, what is Selene’s problem? Can’t handle another Goddess around her wolves?” I asked as I rolled my eyes.

“Yes. She is known to be as territorial as her wolves and vampires.” Eros said.

“Well, that’s just awesome. Not only am I a Goddess, excuse me, a New Goddess but there are also Werewolves and Vampires out there. Anything else I need to know?” I asked putting my head in my hands. I could feel a headache coming on.

“Most Myths are real.” Hades said.

“Thanks.” I said giving him my best side eye.

“You’re welcome.” He said, not understanding my sarcasm.

“Aria.” My sister warned.

            I looked up at her and she immediately came over to me and wrapped me in her arms. She always knew when I needed her. I was very close to losing my shit and I couldn’t help it. It was information overload and betrayal by my parents, well father mostly. I loved that man more than anything else and he did this. He kept all of this from me. I could have been raised with this knowledge and prepared for all of it, instead it’s all come crashing in on me. I hadn’t even noticed the tears until I tasted the salt on my lips. The soft coos Rhea was making while rubbing circles on my back. I had just started to calm down when I heard the click of the lock on my front door. As I looked up there, they were, walking in together, my mother with a sad smile on her face and my father with an icy glare.

“I knew this would happen.” My dad said when he saw me.

“Then you shouldn’t have kept this from me for so long. You caused this.” It surprised even me how strong my voice sounded, even through the tears.

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way young lady.” He said, his eyes shining with anger.

“You have no right to be mad Dimitri. You also have no right to tell me what to do anymore. You who taught me from the time I was born that lying was never an option and you have been lying to me my entire life.” I said to him. He took a step back when he realized what I had said.

“I never lied to you.” He couldn’t even look me in the eye as he said it. He knew he was lying and trying to use another lie to get out of it.

“You can’t even look me in the eye.” I have had enough, and he knows it.

“It was for your own good.” He tried to defend.

“Bullshit. If you can’t stop lying, then you can go.” Tears started to fall again as I said that. I hate this.