Lost in his thoughts, Daniel sat near one of the large force-field ‘windows’ of the ship staring out into space as the glimmering lights shot past. None of it made any sense and he should be used to that by now. The only times things made any sense in times like this were when they were over and he could look back at the whole picture. A shadow loomed over him and Daniel, still in his daze looked up. “Hey, Teal’c.”

“You appear lost, is there something you wish to talk about?” Teal’c asked and moved to sit across from his friend.

“I don’t know.” Daniel mumbled to himself and pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “It’s just none of it makes any sense. Where did this Hecate come from and, I know what Ares said, but why does she want my wife?”

“According to Jaffa legend, Hecate was a very powerful and sinister Goa’uld Queen, she ruled many planets with forced labor camps and chambers of unspeakable terrors.”

“Well, what happened to her?”

“Our legends do not mention Zeus but it does say that a Great Force came forward to banish Hecate from the land of the Tau’ri many centuries ago. She and her guard were banished to a far away land never to be heard from again.” Teal’c finished.

“So she hasn’t been alone all these years.” Daniel wondered aloud and then quietly leaned in to tell Teal’c about Rowan’s sudden reappearance and the idea that it was she who was the second host.

“Have you told Ares of this?”

“No, I’m afraid he won’t believe me or worse yet he’ll flip his lid.” Daniel rubbed a hand across his rough cheek and let out a sigh. “The legends say anything about Hecate having a special attendant or anything?” In frustration his hands opened and closed into fists. “I mean, she’s not just Rowan.” Daniel said in almost a whisper. “It’s more than just ‘a woman scorned’. She’s got more to do with this than being my ex-mistress, I know she does. ”

“I do not believe the legends say anything like that.” Teal’c said in a thoughtful voice. “If you’re right, then this woman may have a personal grudge against you or Callestah. So who would hold such a grudge?”

“I dunno,” Daniel stretched his tired body back against the wall behind him. “We’ve pissed a lot of people off over the years.” He remarked with a sad smile. “Could be anybody I suppose.” Sad but true. “It’s obvious Hecate has a huge grudge against the Olympians, I can see why she’d want to use Calla. Then she’d have all of Calla’s knowledge and whatever’s left of her power, what better tool to go back and kick some Olympian ass with?”

“Then perhaps has allied with someone who has the same goal.”

“What are we talking about?” Ares asked as he came out of the shadows. Daniel remained silent for a long moment with his eyes locked to Ares’. Ares did not like what he saw there. “We are on the same side, Jackson.” He reminded Daniel. “If you know something spill it.”

“It’s all just conjecture…” Daniel began as he tried to find a delicate way to broach the subject of his one-time mistress with his father in-law. Ares liked things straight up and straight out; there was little sense in beating around the bush. “You remember Rowan….”

Ares growled instantly, his nostrils flared to the side and his upper lip curled.

“I see you do.” Daniel stammered. “Yeah, well……” In a very shaking voice and a body that was ready to jump out of the way at any second, Daniel filled Ares in on his theory regarding Rowan MacNeal. “So the question is do you know anyone who has as big a grudge against the Olympians as Hecate seems to have?”

“A mortal…..oh fuck it,” Ares said in disgust, “you wouldn’t know if she was mortal or not, would you?”

The thought that Rowan was Immortal was a new thought. “How would I know?”

“Well, if she were an Olympian—which I doubt—she would feel the same way in your arms as Callestah did.” Ares said sharply and waited for a reply.

“No.”

“If she were one of the others native to Earth, she might have sparkled a bit brighter.” Ares said in a dark tone.

“No.” Daniel’s lips were tight as a nasty thought crossed his mind. “But she doesn’t have to be Olympian or from one of the other Families to be Immortal, does she?”

Ares didn’t like the direction the conversation suddenly took and it showed on his face.

“Because Eros’ wife was Mortal,” Daniel prodded, “but she became Immortal.”

“Psyche is dead, I killed her myself.”

“Yeah, well, Eros thought he killed Kanan too. Ooops.”

“You don’t understand, I know she’s dead, I’ve seen her in Hades.”

“And there’s no way back?” Daniel asked quickly.

“Getting across the River Styx is difficult with Hades’ permission and he would never give it.” Ares told him flatly.

“But it is possible.” Teal’c interjected. “Psyche would have as big of a grudge against the Olympian,” he looked directly at Ares, “against you and Callestah as Hecate does.”

“You bet your ass.” Daniel said. “That’s why everyone went to so much trouble to make us all believe she was dead. They both want their revenge and both feel it’s a dish best served cold.”

“You’re both mad!” Ares roared. “Callestah would have recognized Psyche, she would have told you who Rowan really was.” He pointed at Daniel. “She certainly would have told me!”

Well now there was a good point. Daniel stood up and started pacing around with his thumb between his lips. Yes, she would have told one or both of them if she knew Rowan was Psyche. “What if she didn’t? I mean, what did Psyche look like?”

“Blonde, blue eyes, slender hips, pointed nose,” Ares said. “Not what Hecate is looking for in a host.” He reminded Daniel.

“No, she’s not.” Daniel shook his finger at Ares. “What if she didn’t cross the River Styx in her body, I mean she couldn’t right? You are using her skeleton as a foot stool.”

“What are you getting at?” Teal’c asked.

“What if just her soul crossed the river? What if she took over someone else’s body?”

“Callestah would not recognize her it would be the perfect disguise. Psyche could torment her all she wanted and Callestah would never be the wiser.” Teal’c returned.

“That’s what she did!” Daniel said excitedly as he thought about all the phone calls Rowan made to the house when he was seeing her the first time and the way she’d tormented Calla after he broke it off with her the last time. The damn woman would call at all hours and just blurt out things he’d done in with bed with her, some of them were true and some of them weren’t. He’d intercepted a few letters Rowan had written to Calla they were hateful and filled with lies. “It’s her. I’m telling you, Rowan is Psyche.” He looked up at Ares. “Who else would have that kind of ax to grind with you? Not to mention against Calla?” Daniel rubbed his hands together in frustration. “Who else would have known about Hephaestus’s chains and told Hecate or Omar or the fuck ever? Who the hell else would have known where to find them?”

Ares stroked the beard at his chin. “Tell me something, Jackson. If what you say turns out to be true,” The God of War looked down the bridge of his nose at Daniel. “How does it feel to fuck the woman who cursed your wife and made her life a living hell?”

Daniel lunged at Ares without thinking. Teal’cs strong arms held him back. “This will accomplish nothing.”

“Talk about betrayal, Jackson.” Ares sneered. “Do you think she’ll ever forgive you for that? I mean fucking the bitch is one thing but there was all that aftermath.”

Daniel squirmed and jumped in Teal’c hold. “Let me go! Teal’c!”

“Yes, please by all means, let him go!” Ares said to Teal’c but Teal’c did not comply. “You’re good at betraying her, aren’t you?” Ares asked. “You even let your own brother have his way with her…while he was in YOUR body.” Ares shook his head. “You’re unfaithful. You’re a coward! You’re absent from her life more than you are in it! You can’t protect her even when the enemy is within you.” He snarled. “You can’t even recognize them when they’re surrounding you. Yet, she forgives you. Somehow she either finds the strength to go forward with you or….” His voice dropped low….”or she just tells herself it doesn’t matter, pushes it down and debases herself to the level of mortal housewife just to stay at your side.” Ares raised a knowing eyebrow while he stroked his chin, shook his head and smiled. “But when she finds out Rowan’s true identity it’s over you’ve lost her.” Ares turned and walked away.

“She won’t come to you!” Daniel shouted after him. “I won’t lose her!”

“Yes, she will.” Ares called back as he disappeared around the corner. “She’ll never forgive you for this, Jackson.”

End of Chapter Three
Daughter of the Gods: Escape
Continue to
Chapter Four