Fire Gods: Deities, #3

By Linda Mooney

From an underground bomb shelter, Andrea Johns has been watching the apocalypse play out through live feeds from around the world. A tsunami hitting the Rockies, tornadoes in the Andes, lava filling the Grand Canyon, earthquakes in Paris—the world is literally being wiped out one natural disaster at a time. And it's only a matter of time before every living being is wiped out with it.

 

Pyre, the demi-god of fire, along with his brothers, are still wreaking havoc on earth per the old gods' orders, but they have been careful not to kill every living thing. Some humans need to remain alive to worship the gods and bring them back into power, and those humans will need food. Upon clearing out one area in particular, Pyre sees something, or someone, fleeing and decides it's worth saving. He wasn't expecting a human, or that she'd be able to see him. Could it be he'd gotten as lucky as his brothers and found his woman?

 

Andrea is torn. Yes, Pyre saved her, but he's also responsible for all that is happening. Does she trust him? Can she trust her heart? When the other two women who "belong" to the demi-gods go missing, it'll take everyone working together to save them.

 

Several gods are already down for the count, but how many more are left to be conquered before the mortals are truly free? One thing the brothers have finally learned is that together they stand a chance. Especially with their feisty women by their sides. Gods or not, never underestimate the power of a mortal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Jun 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781953797308

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

1

CAMERAS

Everyone stared in horror at the live camera feeds, what remained of them, on the TV monitor. As they watched the wall of water engulf the bridge, washing it away in its entirety, Andrea heard the gasps of shock and dismay that echoed her own.

What the fuck is happening? Ashton called out. The man whirled around and grabbed his hair with both hands. The whole world’s gone ape shit!

Curt went over to try and soothe the guy, but they all felt the same way. Ever since the world began throwing its own version of nuclear bombs on the populace, every day seemed to be worse than the one before. And tomorrow—if there is a tomorrow, Andrea told herself—would only be more catastrophic.

The view suddenly jiggled before blanking out. A few people groaned as Dylan reached for the computer’s mouse. Well, that one’s a goner. Let’s see what’s left.

Checking his list he’d compiled of on-site live feeds, he typed in another locale. The computer monitor and TV lit up with a hazy redness. Shimmering heat waves somewhat obscured the landscape, but there was no mistaking what they were seeing.

Is that… someone whispered.

It’s lava, Andrea found herself voicing what they were thinking.

Where is that? Opal softly asked.

The Grand Canyon, Hugh confirmed. The Grand Canyon is filling up with lava. Lots and lots of lava.

It doesn’t even look like the Grand Canyon, Otis remarked. It looks more like a grand lake. That shit’s, what? Less than a hundred yards from spilling over the top?

And rising fast, Dylan grimly stated.

Where’s it coming from? Delores asked. I’ve never heard of an underground volcano being located under the Grand Canyon.

Probably from the same place those tidal waves came from that hit the Rockies, Dylan dryly noted. And those tornadoes in the Andes. Look. He typed in another camera location. It took them to Paris where the ground was heaving, toppling buildings like they were toy props. The Arc de Triomphe was a pile of rubble, and the Eiffel Tower was nowhere to be seen.

Curt muttered something under his breath, then said, Those kinds of conditions don’t and shouldn’t exist in the places where we’re seeing them. You don’t get tsunamis in the mountains, or hurricanes in the middle of the Sahara Desert. And you damn sure shouldn’t be seeing earthquakes or volcanos upheave in the middle of cities where there’s never been any seismic activity!

Don’t forget the rains! Hugh added. Up to sixty inches in some places, and it’s still coming down!

"Then how do you explain it? Ashton demanded. You can’t blame the weather, now, can you? Maybe you can to some extent, but the weather doesn’t control earthquakes, or volcanos, or tidal waves!"

Get a load of this, Dylan stated. I saw this earlier. The camera he located showed what appeared to be, and probably was, a massive fire totally out of control. As far as the eye could see, the camera, which had to be atop a tall structure or tower, panned around to give them a three hundred sixty-degree view.

Where is that? Otis whispered.

South America. More specifically, Brazil. The Brazilian rainforest.

"What?" several people exclaimed.

Dylan nodded. The forest is just one huge wildfire.

Andrea waved at Dylan to get his attention. Go back to the Grand Canyon.

He hit the back arrow until that camera view returned. Leaning closer, she peered at the scene. Dylan noticed her concentrating on something. What?

She pointed to the monitor. Right there. There’s a guy standing there right in the middle of the lava!

No way, Curt corrected her. There’s no way anyone could be standing in the freakin’ middle of that shit.

But he’s there! she insisted. See? Right there! She poked a finger below where the tiny but undeniably human figure appeared to be gazing around him, as if calmly observing the molten rock flowing around him. The temperature had to be over a thousand degrees, but he didn’t appear to have even broken a sweat.

Several of them peered closer, but none of them spotted the guy. Your eyes are playing tricks on you, Dylan suggested.

"I swear he’s right there! You can’t see him? At their collective shake of their heads, she suggested, What if you blow the picture up a bit more?"

I can try, but it might be too blurry to see, Dylan stated. Regardless, he tried anyway. Between the steam and heat, it was impossible to distinguish anything. Even if they could, the camera blacked out a few seconds later.

You said that was in the Grand Canyon? Sergio asked.

Dylan nodded.

That’s not too far from here, Andrea noted. Think it’s going to come our way?

If not the lava, then take your pick of any other natural disaster, Ashton sneered. It’s like the planet no longer wants to have anything to do with us, and is trying to get rid of us once and for all.

Opal spoke up again. How many of us do you think are left?

You mean, population-wise? Dylan tried to clarify.

If this keeps up, Curt muttered, "you can kiss all our asses goodbye."

How much longer do you think it’s going to go on? Emeelia finally voiced.

You mean what’s happening now? Or all this apocalyptic crap in general? Ashton countered.

We’re all going to die, aren’t we, Mom? her daughter Sheelah asked in a teary voice.

Emeelia drew the child into her arms to hug her. We’re going to do our best not to. As long as we stay put, we’ll be all right.

Dylan bent over in his chair to get his face down to her level before he smiled. It would take something very, very big and powerful to get inside where we are.

Like an earthquake? Ashton quipped, earning a hard punch to the shoulder from Opal.

Just shut your damn mouth, or I’ll shut it for you, the woman threatened.

Andrea scanned the list of camera sites. Is there another camera overlooking the Grand Canyon? Memory of the man standing on the large rock continued to haunt her. What made his appearance more incredible was that, when he stepped out of the flow, she could see he was half-nude. A skirt or some sort of Tarzan-like garment covered his lower region, but otherwise he was naked from the waist up. And down, she told herself. He had no shoes on. No pants. And he was barefoot! In the middle of a lava lake!

Dylan did a quick search on the internet. There’s a couple more listed here, he told her, and automatically clicked the links. Nothing came up on either of them. Looks like they’re burnt out, too.

She stared at him. I didn’t make up that man. I swear I saw him. Clear as day!

Maybe it was a tree or something that looked like a man. The heat waves can make things look… He waggled a hand. You know.

Andrea let out a sigh. There was no sense arguing or trying to persuade them. And, to be honest, she was beginning to doubt herself. You’re probably right.

A soft rumble sounded all around them. Everyone grabbed something to keep from being jolted off their feet and waited. After a few seconds, when no further tremors came, they were able to relax.

Mommy, how many of those things are we gonna hafta have? Sheelah asked in a plaintive voice.

They’re called tremors, Sergio informed her. They’re like…baby earthquakes.

How many baby earthquakes are there gonna be? the little girl inquired in a stronger voice.

Hopefully not many, Curt cut in. This place is very secure.

Another rumble, this one stronger, came again, catching them all off-guard. It seemed to come from all around them, not just from below. It was stronger than the last one.

And it didn’t stop.

Andrea looked around at the terrified faces that mirrored her own.

Is it me or is it getting hotter in here? Curt noted.

They all must have been aware of the temperature rising but didn’t remark on it because of the tremors. Dylan sniffed audibly, looking around. I smell something burning.

That started everyone sniffing the air like human bloodhounds. A few began patrolling the other rooms for signs of smoke.

Andrea fanned herself. The temperature was definitely rising. How hot is it?

Emeelia checked the digital indoor/outdoor thermometer hanging on the far wall. She let out a cry of disbelief and turned to declare, It’s over two hundred degrees outside!

Dylan jumped to his feet. That can’t be right. Three strides later, he confirmed it. It’s closing in on ninety-five degrees in here, and climbing!

If we don’t get out of here, we’re going to be roasted alive! Ashton yelled, and took off at a run.

They all followed after him and gathered at the bottom of the stairwell that led up to the entrance of the shelter. Emeelia was right behind him, and Sergio was next with Sheelah clinging to him.

Hugh shoved Andrea toward the rungs. You next.

She didn’t argue and grabbed the rungs. It was like holding onto newly welded metal. Ow! They’re hot! Before anyone could suggest something, she slipped her t-shirt over her head, wrapped her hands in it and used it to protect her skin.

Once Ashton reached the top, he began unscrewing the cylindrical hatch cover when Otis yelled up at him. Move aside when you open it in case something burning falls in!

Either Ashton didn’t hear him, or he ignored the warning. The hatch dropped downward, and a shower of scalding lava hit him directly in the face.

Everyone screamed as more of the lava poured in. Andrea launched herself off the ladder at the last second, hit the floor, and rolled. Now it became a race to the other end of the bunker as the flow started filling up the enclosure.

2

OUT

"R un to the auxiliary exit! " Hugh screamed.

There’s an auxiliary exit? someone called back as the man rushed past Andrea and headed toward the rear of the bunker.

Curt pounded by her. It’s the air vents!

What? She ran after them as the others followed. Air vents? She found the two at the end of the corridor where both were tugging on the grate covering the tube that led up to the surface.

Sergio skidded to a halt beside her. The air vents go to the surface. We might be able to get out that way.

Sweat trickled down her face, tickling as it rolled down her already wet skin. The interior was quickly heating up.

What if the lava’s coming down the vents, too? she asked.

Dylan glanced behind them. "It’s flowing from the west. The vents are east of us. At the rate