The High Court (Sky Throne)

Product description Review "A good choice that will delight readers of Greek mythology." --School Library Journal on The Sky Throne About the Author Chris Ledbetter is a former high school teacher, football coach, and has worked in various managerial and marketing capacities throughout his life. He has walked the streets of Los Angeles and New York City, waded in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, climbed Diamond Head crater on Hawaii, and rang in the New Year in Tokyo, Japan. But he dreams of one day visiting Greece and Italy. He is the author of The Sky Throne. He lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The High CourtBy Chris LedbetterMonth9BooksCopyright © 2018 Chris LedbetterAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-946700-72-8CHAPTER 1Dismissing the sunset behind them, iron-gray storm clouds draped over the big island of Crete when I hurled to the courtyard of Eastern Crete Lower Academy. Salty air hung damp with moisture. A familiar, yet foreign, sensation passed through me like spiritual residue as my gaze trailed around the empty courtyard. A landmark stood out in the twilight, the music hall, the site of the last class I'd ever taken at the school, the site of my final showdown with the headmasters.I remembered with fondness the pranks I'd pulled on the faculty. They were funny, not menacing. Their lack of humor was not my problem. I still didn't know why they'd taken things so seriously.My friends and siblings from Mount Olympus Prep — still couldn't get accustomed to calling them that ... siblings — encircled the single blue Hurler post in the center of the square. Siblings, all but one. Metis sidled over to my side and threaded her fingers between mine. I reveled in her softness, the calm to my storm.A whirlwind had whipped me about over the past months. First, the expulsion from Eastern Crete. Then, Hyperion's attack on my home and killing Anytos. A ragged sigh escaped my lips. Anger seeped into my veins. Forced to leave the only mother I'd ever known, I had vowed vengeance on Hyperion. That is, until I met Kronos. And then I despised them both.Then my new school, Mount Olympus Preparatory Academeia, came under attack. Friends were abducted. Our headmaster, Ouranos, was murdered. And Kronos was the one responsible. I knew in my ichor he had done it. All that remained was to face Hyperion and Kronos in court. Their time was running short.Headmistress Tethys of Eastern Crete appeared through a far doorway of an administrative building. She stopped abruptly upon noticing us, tilted her gaze toward the western sky for a moment, and then walked briskly toward us. Concern wrinkled her brow."I was just heading to housing for the night," she said. "It's rather late in the evening for visitors from faraway lands." Tethys' ice blue gaze traveled over the lot of us before landing on me. "Thought sure I'd never see you again after the shameful manner in which you left.""Shameful?" My heart thudded against my chest. "What does that mean?"Tethys' face tightened. "Well, for one thing, you weren't the most serious pupil, were you? You pulled more pranks than you had passing grades. I have no idea how you made it to Mount Olympus with your scholastic record. I guess they let anyone in up there now. You took leave of us as a bringer of trouble, now you're the bringer of lightning."Stunned, I twisted my head. "How did you ...""News sails fast on ocean wind, young man. You don't exist in this cosmos alone."My tone softened. "So, the drama from the mainland has reached you?"Tethys crossed her slender but athletic arms. "About the murder of my father, Ouranos? Yes. I've heard bits and pieces." She sighed. "I don't know the full story. But I know enough. You have been a busy little bird, haven't you?" Her gaze trailed off into the distance, northerly if I had to guess. Her pointy chin tightened. "My brother, Kronos, is a fiery sort, but he's no murderer. I really don't think he would've done it. Do you?"I paused. Memories flooded my mind. Ouranos' last words in the Armory. He tried to warn us."F-f-find K-Kronosss ... Stick together. Remember all we taught you. A leader shall emerge. Follow them through the fire. But ... beware —"I then recalled Kronos' own arrogance, and his shapeshifting into Ouranos, which was itself, unforgiveable, not to mention his near admission of guilt for Ouranos' death.My next words were crucial, if I opened my mouth at all. My body temperature ticked upward. I could've used Rhea's calming touch."Well do you?" Tethys snapped. "I know my brother. And I know what an overbearing rectum Ouranos could be." Her lips pursed. "But I also know ... you. Shall I have a problem with you on this visit?"I gazed directly into Tethys' ice blue eyes, darkened now by the twilight. My teeth clenched. "An investigation was conducted —""And you were the primary suspect, yes?""I thought you didn't know much?""Like I said ... bits and pieces." She glared at