Just Like a Goddess: Surprise Goddess Cozy Mystery, #4

By A.M. Canavan

Being a goddess can be a trial. It's a good thing she's up for it.

Evangeline Lewis is fighting a losing battle. She stands to lose everything she's gained in Surprise, and there's nothing she can do to stop it. In the midst of it all, the last thing she needs is an emergency that only she can handle.

When one of the Olympians is murdered, Eva must put aside her personal feelings and get the job done. Her investigation leads to a world filled with secret lovers, jealousy, and revenge-seeking gods.

As friends become enemies, Eva learns that no one is Olympus is safe. She finds herself faced with an impossible decision: expose the true murderer, and possibly herself in the process...or walk away and let the gods face the destruction of their world alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Canavan Novels LLC
• Release date: Jul 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393558415

Book preview

1

Evangeline Lewis stared at herself in the mirror and wondered exactly what had gone wrong in her life. Actually, she wondered if anything had ever really gone right.

Happy Birthday to me.

Eva wasn’t the same woman who had given up her entire life in Texas to move to Arizona a year ago to the day. After growing up as an orphan, she’d inherited a house, the chance to learn about who she really was, and her biological family.

At the time, it had been an easy decision. Now, she knew that gods were real. Not only that, but she was one of them. She’d learned about an entire world that operated in the shadows.

On top of everything, Eva’s job in the world of the gods was to fix everything that the gods of Olympus broke.

Now, however, her life and her job, all of that was at stake.

The woman staring back at Eva had haunted eyes, buried under a mess of hair that she had tried to tame before giving up and pulling it into a messy bun on top of her head. The disheveled look completely clashed with the professional look that Eva wanted to present at her trial, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

Crap, she muttered when she heard the unmistakable thumping of her roommates in the halls of their house.

She shouldn’t expect for them to leave her alone. Not on the first day of the trial that would determine if she was allowed to stay not only an employee of Three Kings Corporation, but whether or not she was going to be permitted to stay in Surprise at all.

Bracing herself for what she knew was about to happen on the other side of the door, Eva took a deep breath and smoothed the imaginary wrinkles out of the only suit jacket that she owned. As quietly as she possibly could, she opened her bedroom door and stepped into chaos. Well what would have been chaos if the men in her life hadn’t immediately stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

It wasn’t just because she opened her door either. Eva could feel the way they were afraid to even move or breathe around her, like they were tip toeing on eggshells. She couldn’t blame them either, not in the slightest.

Her entire life was one big burning dumpster pile and more junk was constantly being added onto it. The past week had been pure agony. She’d been forced to stand trial in the inner circle of the Olympians, trying to rationalize what was happening.

She dodged Kai’s outstretched hand and slid down the hallway racing to the front door where her oversized purse was so full that it looked like it would burst at the seams any second.

Frustrated with her life, and not wanting her favorite purse to get ruined, she dug around for her phone, and then dumped the rest of the contents on to the floor. A sick satisfaction filled Eva’s veins as she listened to glass and plastic hit the tiled floor.

You know, Kai said from behind her. If you have to leave Surprise, I’ll go with you. You’re not going to be alone.

Eva didn’t say anything, didn’t tell the god of wind what his words meant to her. Instead, she closed her eyes tightly in an attempt to keep from crying.

The last thing any of them needed was the meteor storm that would start with her tears. Sometimes, being a goddess sucked especially when she wasn’t capable of hiding her powers like some of the gods could do. Nope. Eva was stuck with the ability to see the future, only randomly. Oh, and when she cried, there were meteor storms that filled the sky.

Rather than to stay seated on the floor of her front hallway like she wanted, Eva pushed herself up and decided it was time to face the music.

Without saying a word, Eva opened her front door and stepped out into the hot Arizona morning. The drive to Three Kings only took her a few minutes, but she spent the entire time singing at the top of her lungs to 90’s boy bands.

Everything came crashing back down onto her shoulders as Eva pulled into the parking lot at Three Kings.

Three hours later, Eva wanted to punch someone, well, not just anyone. She wanted to punch Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The same goddess that she’d gone out of her way to help multiple times in the past year. The goddess who was now standing in front of the entire inner circle of the Olympians and giving her testimony about how unfit Eva was to remain in Surprise.

You can’t ignore the fact that she’s disrupted everything about our life, Aphrodite said while pointing a well-manicured finger in Eva’s direction.

That’s not true, Persephone interjected from her seat at her husband’s side.

Hades looked down at his bride, and Eva saw the genuine smile on the god’s face as he watched her come to Eva’s defense.

No one asked you, Persephone. Aphrodite sniffed and turned back to Zeus, who was the only one it seemed was really paying attention to her.

Excuse me, Persephone demanded attention with her statement. Then she stood up and marched directly into Aphrodite’s path, keeping the other goddess from going on with her rant.

Persephone, Eva said quietly. It’s not worth it.

Eva looked around the room, and she was surprised by the attention that was currently on her. The room they were in was the exact same one she’d been in when she first found out that gods were real. Three large desks sat in front of her for Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. They were surrounded by smaller seats for the other gods. Eva was seated in the center of the room, the chair reminded her of being in detention as a student.

Everyone was looking at her still, their attention causing Eva to have an irrational urge. She wanted to get up and run from the room, to keep running until no one followed her anymore—to get away and escape.

Shut your trap, Persephone snapped, bringing Eva out of her introspection.

I’ve sat here and listened to you complain about Evangeline for the past week. You’re not saying anything that you didn’t already cover. What we haven’t heard is anything in her defense. You haven’t asked for anyone to come in and testify to what Eva has managed to do for Olympus. Since Eva won’t speak for herself, I think I’ll just have to step up and be the one to do it for her. It’s obvious that none of you actually care about her enough to do it.

Just like that, Persephone managed to humble not only Eva, but every other god and goddess that was sitting in the room with them.

Eva knew that she had done a lot for the gods. On more than one occasion, she’d been able to keep the Olympians from being discovered by the mortal world. She’d been able to figure out who was stealing from the gods, who had kidnapped them, and she’d solved a dozen other mysteries that none of them had deemed important at the time. Not to mention all of the individual gods that she’d taken the time to help in addition to the big problems.

While Eva was thinking about it, though, Persephone was digging into the gods surrounding them and wasn’t letting them get away with being quiet.

And furthermore, Persephone declared while pointing a finger at her husband like he was the one on trial. You’re going to let me make a list of everyone that could potentially testify on her behalf. Only after you’ve all taken the time to listen to everything will a decision be made.

The goddess of the underworld turned back to Aphrodite, who was looking decidedly pale, and snarled, Don’t think I missed the fact that you waited to begin the trial until both Ares and Eris were out of town. I’ve already taken it upon myself to summon them back from their vacation. There is no way that you’re going to get away with sneaking her trial past them. After all, Ares is a member of the inner circle.

With a huff, Persephone returned to her seat at Hades’ side.

Eva smiled, unable to stop herself. It was the first real smile she’d had since the night she received the summons delivered by Hermes.

Evangeline Lewis, Poseidon’s deep voice said into the silence. You’ve earned the right to defend yourself. Persephone is correct in that. Why haven’t you spoken up?

It was right about then that Eva lost control of her mouth as well as her patience and let everything she’d been feeling come spewing out.

Are you freaking kidding me? Heat crept up her neck and into her face, because she couldn’t stop it.

Standing up to make herself seem more imposing, she glared at the men in front of her.

I haven't defended myself, she started. Because you haven't given me a chance to. You keep talking about all the things that I've done wrong.

Eva turned to glare at Zeus, Your idea on what I've brought to Olympus and the gods of Surprise is jaded and misguided. She took a deep breath and wondered if what she was about to say would be as shocking as she thought it would.

Oh well.

I didn't even want this life. I didn't care about magic, power, or anything else that your life offered me. I came to Surprise to find out who my family was. To find out who I am. You're the ones who made me into something I'm not.

Eva took a deep breath and chanced looking at her friends. None of them looked surprised. Ataro was even wearing a small smile while she rubbed a hand over her pregnant belly, and Leo winked at Eva playfully.

Apparently, it wasn't really all that shocking.

When Zeus coughed, and indicated that he was about to say something, Eva cut him off.

Don't even think about it. You're the ones who said you wanted me to say something in my defense. Well, now that I am, you don't get to tell me that I'm not allowed to do it or stop me from saying it. She stepped away from her seat and turned her glare on Aphrodite, who she addressed next.

I helped your family when you wouldn't, and what do you expect me to do now. To walk away and leave all of the people that I’ve helped here. To leave the life that I didn't even want to have in the first place.

Aphrodite snorted. If you didn't want to live your life here, it shouldn’t be a big deal for you to leave.

You're being willfully stupid, Aphrodite. Eva said, and then ignored the goddess' surprised gasp as she turned back to Hades and his brothers.

I'm here, I'm part of this world now, and I've given up the life that I thought I would have in order to be a part of yours. Just because I don't fit into the nice little box that you want me to; you want me gone. In what world is that allowed.

In our world, Hera said quietly from Zeus' side.

Eva stopped, and realized exactly what the goddess in front of her was saying.

Our world is old, Little Star. We live the same lives, over and over again. Reincarnation is tricky, and we thrive in this world by holding onto our pasts.

Maybe, Eva said just as quietly. Maybe … it's time that you let go of the past and move into the future.

Don't you get it? Aphrodite stepped to her side, obviously angry that Eva would say anything at all. We don't want to let go of the past. We want to continue to live the lives that we've had forever.

Oh? This came from Leo, who Eva hadn't expected to say anything.

You're happy betraying my father in every life? You’re happy cheating, time after time, with another man? Leo's tone held more than a little scorn and disbelief.

Eva watched as Aphrodite’s face turned ashen. She took an unsteady step back and turned to Hephaestus.

You know that's not true, Aphrodite declared. I've not done that. Not in this life. I love you, and only you.

Hephaestus, the big, biker-looking god, just smiled down at his blonde wife. I know, my love. He pulled her tiny body into his arms and kissed the top of her head. You just have to see that change is necessary, and that not all lives are meant to be repeated.

Eva stopped paying attention to them, needing to focus on what was happening in front of her, and not the drama that Aphrodite had caused. It wouldn't be good if she kept getting distracted.

I agree with Persephone. Eva said, I think that the only way for all of you to see what I have done, and what I've brought to Surprise is to hear about it. I could tell you, but that would just come off as bragging. You're so keen to put me on trial, I think you should also have witnesses.

Do you have a list of people that you've helped? Poseidon asked, Can you leave us with one to have Hermes summon everyone for testimony?

Yeah, Eva said. But a huge chunk of people in this room are ones that I've helped with one thing or another.

We can start with the ones here, Hera said. I can put together a schedule, so that it won't take all of our time. A decision can be delayed until we have all the conclusive information that we need.

Thank you, Eva said. I don't want to leave Surprise. Now that I'm here, this world has become a part of who I am.

You've always been a part of this world, Persephone smiled at her. You just didn't know it. Now that we've got you, I'll fight for you … no matter what it takes.

Before anyone else could say anything, the doors in the back of the room slammed open. Everyone turned, including Eva, to see that Hermes was standing in the back of the room, head now hanging down as he took in gulping breaths of air.

I can't, he said haltingly. I can't.

What is it? Zeus boomed from the front of the room.

Hermes jumped, lifting his head, and Eva saw that his face was unusually pale.

Sir, Hermes said. It's terrible. I can't believe it.

Hermes was worried, and Eva might actually say that the normally unflappable god looked scared.

What is it? Zeus sounded slightly annoyed.

Hermes stepped further into the room, and Eva watched as the gods took in the same details she had seen. Apollo looked at his sister, and Artemis reached out and put a gentle hand on the messenger's shoulder.

It's okay, Hermes. Her soft voice filtered through the room, and Eva felt Hermes soften at her touch.

You're not going to believe it, Hermes said with a newfound