(Dark Olympus Book 4) Radiant Sin

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Cataloging-in-PublicationDataisonfilewiththeLibraryofCongress.Contents
FrontCover
TitlePage
Copyright
RulingFamiliesofOlympus
MapofOlympus
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ExcerptfromCruelSeduction
Acknowledgments
AbouttheAuthor
BackCoverToTim.Iloveyouforeverandalways.1
Cassandra
Ihateparties,Olympus,andpolitics…butnotnecessarilyinthatorder.
Icanavoidtwooutofthethreeongooddays,buttodayispromisingtobeanythingbut.ItstartedthismorningwhenIspilledmycoffeealloverApollo’sshirt.Arookiemistake,andonethatmightgetmefiredifmybosswereanyoneotherthanApollo.Hejustgaveasmallsmile,assuredmeitwashisfaultwhenitwasclearlymine,andchangedintothesparesuithekeptinhisoffice.
Heshouldhaveyelledatme.
I’veworkedforthemanforfiveyearsnow,andeventhatisn’tenoughtimetostopexpectingtheothershoetodrop.He’shardlyperfect—he’soneoftheThirteenwhoruleOlympus,afterall,andtherearenosaintsamongthem—buthe’sthebestofthebunch.He’sneverabusedhispoweroverme,neverturnedhispositionasmybossintoanexcusetobeapettytyrant,hasneverevenraisedhisvoicenomatterhowthoroughlyI’vefuckedupfromtimetotime
It’smaddening.
Ishovemyhairback,hatingthatIcanfeelsweatslickingdownmybackasIclimbthelastflightofstairs.SomethingiswrongwiththeelevatorinDodonaTower,andforreasonsthatseemsuspect,itonlygoeshalfwayup.Iglaredownatthefileinmyhand.IshouldhavejustleftwellenoughalonewhenIrealizedApolloforgotitasherushedoutthedoorforhismeetingwithZeus.He’sanadultandismorethancapableofdealingwiththeconsequences.
But…hedidn’tyellatme.
Noonewhoknowsmewouldcallmeableedingheart—morelikeacoldheartedbitch—soIhaveabsolutelynoreasontohavecaughtacabtothecenteroftheuppercity,takentheelevatorhalfwayup,andthenproceededtoclimbtherestofthethirtyfloorsonfoot.
Insix-inchheels,noless.
There’ssomethingwrongwithme.Theremustbe.MaybeIhaveafever.
IpressthebackofmyhandtomyforeheadandthenfeelextrafoolishbecauseofcourseIfeeloverheated.IjustdidmoreexercisethanIwouldeverintentionallyparticipateinunlessrunningformylife.Andeventhen,I’dfightbeforeIran.
IcursemyselfforthemillionthtimeasIpushthroughthestairwelldoorandoutintothehallwaywhereZeus’sofficeislocated.ThenIgetalookatmyreflectioninthemassivemirrornexttotheelevator.“Ohno.”
Myredhairhasgoneflat,andthere’sasweatstaindarkeningthelineundermybreasts—whichmeansthere’sanansweringonedownmyspine.I’mpracticallydripping.Withoutthinking,Idabatmyforeheadandthenimmediatelyregretitwhenmyblousecomesawaywithasmearoffoundation.Mymakeuphastobemeltingoffmyfacerightnow.IlooklikeIgotcaughtinarainstorm,exceptit’snotrain,it’ssweat,andmyfaceisthecolorofatomatoontopofeverythingelse.
“Fuckthis.Hedoesn’tneedthefilethatbad.”Iturnfortheelevator…andthenrememberthattoflee,Ihavetomakethereturntripdownfifteenflightsofstairs.Mythighsshakeatthethought.Ormaybethey’reshakingfromtheclimb.
DoesitcountasaworkplaceaccidentifIfalldownthestairsonanerrandItechnicallywasn’taskedtodo?Apollowouldprobablyfindsomewaytoblamehimselfandpayformymedicalbills,butgettinghurtlikethatmeansnopaycheck,andnopaycheckmeansmylittlesistermightnothavethemoneysheneedstobuybooksorschoolsuppliesoralltheotherrandomshitbeingatuniversityrequires.Ican’triskaninjury,evenifitmeansI’mhumiliatedintheprocess.
“Cassandra?”
Icursemyselfyetagainandturntofacethegorgeouswhitewomanwalkingdownthehallwaytowardme.Aresishernamenow,butitusedtobeHelenKasios.Iwouldn’tcallusfriendsexactly,butI’veattendedthepartiessheusedtothrowfromtimetotimebeforeshebecameoneoftheThirteen.Italwaysfeltabitlikewatchinganimalsinazoo
ButHelenisn’ttoobad,honestly.She’snevercruelwhenkindnesswillfurtherhergoals,andshe’sperfectedaglitteryexteriorthateveryoneseemstothinkmeansshe’sempty-headedbutthatI’vealwaysinterpretedasawarningnottogettooclose.Noonesurfsthepoliticalcurrentsasadeptlyasshedoesifthey’renotsmarterthanmostofthepeopleintheroom.
ButthatwasbeforeshebecameAres.NowIcan’ttakeanythingforgrantedwhenitcomestoher.Wearen’tonthesamelevel—twowomenfromlegacyfamilies,evenifmineisdisgracedandhersrulesOlympus.
She’soneofthemnow,andI’mstillme.
“Helen.Or,rather,Ares.”Istrivetokeepmytoneeven,buthernamestillcomesouttoosharply.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Meetingwithmylovelybrother.”Sheshrugs.She’sbuiltslimthewayhermotherwas,thoughthere’sclearmuscledefinitioninthearmsleftbarebyherblacksheathdress.Shelookscoolandprofessionalanduntouchable,herlight-brownhairperfectlydone.
Ifeelgrimystandingnexttoher.Ihaven’twantedathinbodyinoveradecade—Ilovemycurvesoutofsheerdefianceofeveryonewhoactsliketheyshouldbepartofabeforepicture—butit’shardnottocompareuswhenwestandlikethis.
Iruthlesslysquashtheurgetoshift,toconceal.There’snofixinghowmessyIlook,andtryingtodoitwilljusttelegraphhowuncomfortableIamrightnow.Iraisemychinandfocusonsmoothingoutmyexpressioninstead.“Isee.”
Shegivesmealonglook.“Apollo’sinwithhimnow.Idon’tthinkheknewyouwerecoming,orhewouldhavewaitedforyou.”
There’snogettingoutofthis.I’mhere.Imightaswellseeitthrough.Iholdupthefilebetweenuslikeashield.“Heforgotthis.”
“Ah.”Sheglancesbackdownthehallway.“Well,I’llwalkyoudownthere.”
“That’sreallynotnecessary.”
“Itreallyis.”Shespinsonaheelandfacesthesamedirectionasme.“Withthingsinabitofupheavalrightnow,thesecurityisrampedup.Honestly,I’mnotsurehowyougotuphereatall.Mypeoplearesupposedtohavetheupperfloorslockeddown.”
Thatexplainstheelevator“malfunction”andwhytheguydownstairswassuchanasshole.Ishrugasingleshoulder.“I’mpersuasive.”
“Morelikeyou’reterrifying.”Shelaughs,asoundsohappyitmakesmychestpinginenvy.Idon’twantwhatAreshas—thetitle,thepower,theresponsibility—butitmustbenicetobesocomfortableinhowshemovesthroughtheworld,surethatitwillbendtoherimpressivewill.
I’mnotnaiveenoughtothinkthateverythingcomesaseasilytoherasitappears,butI’vehadtofightandclawmywaythroughthelastdecadeoflife.Peoplelookatmeanddon’tautomaticallyassumeinnocence.I’mpaintedwiththesameshamemyparentswere,evenifIdon’tdeserveit.
Notthatitmatters.Idon’tgiveafuckwhatthesepeacocksthinkofme.
NotevenAres.
“Yourpeoplearespeciallytrained,”Isnap.“Iftheycan’ttakeme,thatsoundslikeayouproblem.”
“Absolutely.”Sheagreessodamneasily.“Bytheway,isOrpheusstillbotheringyou?”
MentionofApollo’sbrothermakesmefrown.WhatdoesOrpheushavetodowithanything?Ittakesseveralstepsforunderstandingtosettleoverme.She’stalkingaboutthatpartywherehewasbeinganarrogantlittleprick,butthatwasmonthsago.I’mhonestlysurprisedsherememberedatall.“IcanhandleOrpheus.”Hemightbebiggerthanme,buthe’sbrittle.Icouldbreakhimwithoutliftingafinger.
“Ifyou’resure…Iknowit’satouchysubjectbecausehe’sApollo’slittlebrother.”
Isnort.Ican’thelpit.“ApollohasmoreorlesswashedhishandsofOrpheus.”AsmuchasApollocanwashhishandsofanyoneinhisfamily.Whatitreallytranslatestoisthathe’sstoppedsmoothingoverOrpheus’smessesandcutoffhismoney.Withhowtheirmotherbabiesthespoiledbrat,itneverwouldhaveworkedifApollowasn’t,well,Apollo.“Whenheshapesup,hecanplayprodigalsonandgetalltheattentionhe’sdeprivedofrightnow.Hehasbiggerthingstoworryaboutthanchasingsomewomanwhodoesn’twanthim.”
“Ifthateverchanges,don’thesitatetocallme.”
“Sure,”Ilie.Iknowbetterthantotrustanyoneinthisgodsforsakencity.Whenpushcomestoshove,Areswilllookoutforherselfandherinterestsbeforehelpingsomeoneelse.Expectinganythingelseislikeexpectingafishtosproutwingsandfly.“I’lldothat.”
“No,youwon’t.”Aressmiles.“Buttheofferstillstands.Hereweare.”ShestopsinfrontofalargedarkdoorwithZeus’sgoldennameplateonit.ThecurrentZeusisAres’sbrother.Thelastonewasherfather.I’dratherchewoffmyownarmthandealwitheitherofthemenwho’veheldthetitleduringmylifetime,butI’mhere.It’stoolatetogobacknow.
Idomybestnottoholdmybreath—notwithAreswatching—andknock.
Apollo’stheonewhoopensthedoor,andIinstinctivelybracemyselfforawholenewreason.
IhatelookingatApollo.He’stoofuckingperfect,aproductofhisSwedishfatherandhisKoreanmodelofamother.Tall,broadshoulders,perfectlytrimmedblackhair,andkinddarkeyes.It’sthelatterthatalwayshitmelikeablowtothechest.
Ishouldhavequitalongtimeago.
Ashisexecutiveassistant,I’vegotmyfingersinaninformationnetworkthatspansallofOlympusandbeyond.I’mtheonewhocompilesthereportsfromthevarioussources,completewithmythoughts,beforeApollogetsthem.Theworkischallenging,andIactuallyenjoyit.
NotthatI’lleveradmitasmuchoutloud.
ButasmuchasIlikewhatIdo,thisattractionisgettingtobetoomuch.BettertoworkinanofficejobIloathethantohave…feelings…aboutmyboss.Evenifthefeelingsinquestionaresomethingassimpleaslust.Itcomplicatesthings.
IknowwhathappenstopeoplewhogettangledupwiththeThirteen.
Theydie.
Ishovethefileathim.“Youforgotthis.”Myvoiceistoosharp,toobitchy.Hedidn’taskmetodothis,butI’membarrassedandit’ssomucheasiertosnarlandsnapthanadmitit.“I’mnotyourerrandgirl,andnowI’minovertimefortheweek.”
Apolloraisesasingledarkbrow.“Youdidn’thavetocomeallthisway,Cassandra.Iwouldhavedonewithout.”
Withoutadoubt.He’scapableonatrulyterrifyinglevelandhasnearlyperfectrecallofanythinghe’severread.Hewouldhavebeenfinerelayingthecontentsofthefilewithouthavingitonhand.HeprobablyonlyputittogetherforZeus’sbenefit.
Buthewasnicetomethismorning.
Iamafool
“You’rewelcome.”Iturnonmyheel.“Seeyoutomorrow.”
“Cassandra.”
Iignorehimandkeepgoing.Ifsecurityisthereasontheelevatorswon’tgoabovefloorfifteen,thenIbetthey’lldescendfromhere.They’rekeepingpeopleout,notin.Myexitwon’tbemarredbyhavingtotakeabreatheronthestairwellandprayingtothegodsthatnoonestumblesonme.Mypridewon’tbeabletohandleit.
“Cassandra.”He’scloser.Damnit,Ishouldhaveknownhewouldn’tletthisgo.
Isighandstop.It’sbeneathbothourdignitiestohavehimchasemedownthehallinfrontofAres.
Apollostopsnexttome,hislongerlegshavingcoveredthedistanceeasily.Hepauses.“Thankyouforbringingthis.Ifyou’llholdonforafewminutes,I’mjustwrappingup.I’llgiveyouaridehome.”
Thetemptationtosayyesnearlymakesmykneesbuckle.I’vesharedenoughrideswithhimonthewayfromonemeetingtoanotherovertheyears.Iknowexactlyhowitwillgo.He’llslumpbackagainsttheseatandloosenhisperfectblacktie.Notalot.Justenoughtodrivemetodistraction.Thenhe’llpullouthisphoneandleavemetomythoughts.
Apolloneverprattlesonthewaysomepeopledo.He’snotoneofthosestrong,silenttypes,buthedoesn’tfeeltheneedtofillquietmomentswithinanechatter.Thecarridewillbecomfortableandlovely,andIabsolutelycannotsayyestoit.It’sonethingtohavethosemomentsduringtheworkdaywhenIcantellmyselfthere’snoavoidingthem.Afterhours?
No.Absolutelynot.
“I’mfine.”
HesearchesmyfaceasifhecantellI’mbeingstubbornforthesakeofbeingstubborn,butApolloisamanwhorespectsboundariessohejustnods.“Keepthecab-farereceiptandexpenseit.”
IhatehowweakIgetatthesimplethoughtfulnesshecontinuallydemonstrates.Apolloistoosavvynottoknowhowtightmoneyisforme—hisentirejobisinformation,afterall—andhealsounderstandsmewellenoughtoguessIwon’ttakecharity.Notfromhim.Notfromanyone.Notwhenit’sneverreallycharityandalwayscomeswithstringsattached.
Butabusinessexpense?
Mypridecanhandlethat.
“Fine.”
“Seeyoutomorrow,Cassandra.”ThewarmthinhistonealmostbringsmeupshortbeforeIforciblyremindmyselfthatthisisjusthowhespeakstopeople.Hecangettensefromtimetotime,butApolloreallytookthatoldsayingaboutfliesandhoneytoheart.Especiallywhenitcomestome,asifhecansmoothmysharpedgeswithpurecharm.
It’snothingpersonal.It’scertainlynotinterest
Myunfortunateattractionisone-sidedandthat’sjustfinewithme.
It’sonlyamatteroftimebeforeIgetoutofthiscursedcityonceandforall.ThelastthingIneedistogetentangledwithoneoftheThirteen—anotheroneoftheThirteen—beforeIdo.2
Apollo
IhavetofightnottostareatCassandra’sbig,perfectassasshestalksdownthehallawayfromme.Itdoesn’thelpthatshefavorspencilskirtsandheels,whichonlyservetoshowcasehergenerouscurvesfurther.Ican’taskhertochangeherstylesimplybecauseIwanther.It’smyproblem,nothers.IfI’vetakenmorethanmyfairshareofcoldshowerssincehiringherfiveyearsago?Well,that’sasmallenoughpricetopayforlustingaftermyemployee.
That’sthecruxoftheproblem.
Ihiredher.
Sheworksforme.
LettingherknowI’minterestedwouldbehighlyinappropriate.Evenwithouttheemployer-employeepowerdynamic,IamoneoftheThirteenandthatskewsthingstoofarinmyfavor.IfIaskedheroutandshefeltshecouldn’tsayno…
Ishakemyheadandturnbackdownthehall.WhichisrightaroundthemomentIrealizeI’vebeenstaringafterCassandrainfrontofthenewAres.Shegivesmeawide-eyedinnocentlookthatIdon’tbelieveforamoment.
“She’sgotquitethemouthonher,doesn’tshe?”
EventhoughIknowshe’sbaitingme,Ican’thelpdefendingCassandra.“Wouldn’tyouaftereverythingshe’sgonethrough?Peopleinthiscitytreatherlikegettingtooclosewillpoisonthem,too.”Theworstpartisthatthey’renotentirelywrong,ifnotforthereasonseveryonebelieves.
Twelveyearsago,Cassandra’sfamilywasoneofthemostpowerfulinthecity…until,almostovernight,theyweren’t.Asfarasthegreaterpopulationisconcerned,herparentsdidsomethingtoangerthelastZeusandweresettobeexiled.Theydiedinacarcrashbeforehecouldenactthatpunishment.
Thetruthisfarmoresinister.Herparentsattemptedtoexploitanancient,barbaricclauseinOlympus’slawsandwereremovedasaresult.
TheclausestatesthatifsomeonemanagestoassassinateamemberoftheThirteen—exemptingthelegacytitlesofZeus,Hades,andPoseidon—thenthatpersonwilltakethetitle.Ourhistoryisfilledwithblackholeswhereinformationshouldbe,butbestIcantell,thisimmutableclausewasaddedtoprotectthecityifoneoftheThirteenturnedcorruptbeyondallreason.
Forobviousreasons,itsexistenceiskeptacloselyguardedsecret.IteffectivelypaintsatargetontenoutoftheThirteenandwouldbreedutterchaosifwidelyknown.YetifCassandra’sparentshadsucceeded,herroleinOlympuswouldbeverydifferent.She’dbethedaughterofoneoftheThirteenratherthanthedaughterofadisgracedhouse
Herparentswouldstillbealive.
Aresshrugs.“Olympusiswhatitis.”
Avagueandunsatisfyingstatement.Ourcitymightbehome,butveryfewpeoplewouldgosofarastoclaimit’sfairandjust.Notwithpowerskewedsoheavilyinonedirection.Maybethatwillchangewithournewleadership…
IturnmyattentionbacktoZeus’sdoorasAresnodsgoodbyeandleavesmetomywork.Zeustrulyenteredatrialbyfirewhencomingunexpectedlyintohistitle.BetweenhowthingshashedoutwithhissisterclaimingthetitleofAresandtheexileoftheoldAphrodite,thetransferofpowerhasbeenanythingbuteasy.Iglancedownatthefileinmyhands.Theinformationitcontainsisworrisomeifnotdownrightdamning.
Olympusisintrouble.
Butevenwithalltheresourcesatmydisposal,Ican’tsayforcertainhowmuchtrouble.
Upuntilthispoint,Olympushasmostlyexistedinitsownlittlesnowglobe.Thegreaterworldwroteusofflongagoasanunreachableprize.Wealltookforgrantedthatitwouldalwaysbethatway,thatthebarrierkeepingOlympusfromtherestoftheworldwouldholdforever.
Now,it’sfailing.Andnoonecanfigureoutwhy.
Aproblemforanotherday.Wehaveenoughtoworryaboutrightthissecond.
IstepbackintoZeus’sofficeandclosethedoorbehindme.“Sorryabouttheinterruption.”
Hesitsbehindthebigdeskinthemiddleoftheroom,awhitemanwithblondhairandaperfectlytailoredsuit.He’sthespittingimageofhislatefather,thoughhewouldn’tthankmeforpointingitout.That’swherethecomparisonends,though.ThisZeusdoesn’thavethesamemercurialcharismathatthelastonecouldturnonatthedropofahat,andthatfacthasmadehistakingofthetitlechallenging.
Honestly,Ipreferit.Hemightbedifficulttoworkwithattimes,butIdon’thavetoworryaboutanynastysurprises.It’sareliefafterdealingwithhisfather.
Henods,andIresumemyseatacrossthedeskfromhim.Onlythendoeshespeak.“Youweresaying…”
Isetthefileaside.Idon’tneedit,thoughIappreciateCassandratakingthetimetobringitallthewayhere.Thewomanisasfoul-temperedasawetcat,butshe’sremarkablykindwhensheforgetstosnarlateveryonearoundher.“Despiteexhaustingmyinformationnetwork,Istilldon’tknowwhereMinoscamefrom.Heandhispeopleareghosts.Forallintentsandpurposes,theyappearedoutofnowhereafewweeksagotoparticipateintheArestournament.Wecan’tevenpinpointhowtheyknewtocomeinthefirstplace.”
Zeussteepleshishandsbeforehisface.“Theypaiddearlytoenterthecity.Thatkindofmoneydoesn’tjustappearwhensomeonewishesuponastar.”
“I’maware,butmaybePoseidonshouldhaveaskedmorequestionsbeforehearrangedtransport.”
“That’shisprerogative.”Zeusleansback.“IfIstartaskingtoomanyquestions,he’llstartgrowlingaboutoverreaching.”
He’snotwrong.Poseidondoesn’tparticipateinmostofthepoliticalsquabbling,buthe’snopushover.“Thisisimportant.Surelyherealizesthat.”
“Possibly.”Zeusshrugs.“Butthat’slessimportanttohimthanprotectinghisterritoryandhispowerbase.WeknowhebroughtinMinosandhispeople.That’senough.Hewasentitledtodoso,thankstothetournament.It’sopentoeveryone.”
Ihardlyagreethatit’senough,butIlethimmoveusalongallthesame.Ultimately,allthatmattersisthatMinosandhispeoplearestillheredespitethetournamentbeingover.“It’snoaccidentthatMinospushedhiswayintothecityandisnowbrokeringsecretinformationaboutOlympus’senemiesinordertostay.”
“Iknow.”Zeussighs.“Hewasplanningthisfromthebeginning.IfoneofhispeoplebecameAres,we’dhavelessmaneuveringpowerthanwedonow,butwe’restillnotinagoodpositiontoignorewhateverinformationheclaimstohave.”
Ifthereisanenemycapableoftakingthecity,weneedtoknowaboutitbeforeweloseourmaindefensivemeasure—andsofar,Minoshasgivenusverylittleofwhathesupposedlyknows.“I’vespentthelastfewweekssearching,andthere’snothing.EitherMinosisbluffingorthisgrouprallyingagainstOlympusisgoodenoughthatthey’reessentiallyinvisible.”
“Fuck.”Zeuspresseshisfingerstohistemples.“Wecan’triskitifhe’snotbluffing.Theinformationhe’salreadyletdropisenoughtomakemethinktherereallyisathreat.”
“Iagree.”I,ofallpeople,amawarethatknowledgeispower.There’snotellinghowmuchthisshadowyenemymightknowaboutus.Olympusmightnotbroadcastallitssecrets,buttherearealwaysexilesandIimaginemostofthemwouldbewillingtotalkforaprice.Oroutofsheerspite.“Wehavetoassumeworst-casescenario,thattheyknowplentyaboutus.”
“Andweknownothingaboutthem.NotwithoutMinos.”
Minosiswellawareofthepositionhe’sputusin,andhe’sleveragingitforallhe’sworth.That’swhywe’rehavingthismeetingtoday.He’sofferingtotellusallheknowsaboutthissupposedenemy.Inexchange,hewantsmoney,ahome,andOlympiccitizenshipforallthemembersofhisfamily.
Thefirsttwoareeasyenough.ThelatteriscomplicatedbecauseZeusgrantingcitizenshipisasgoodaselevatingthefamilytothehighestlevelsofOlympicsociety.Itwillchangethebalancewithintheuppercrustofthecity,andwemighthavearevoltonourhandsasaresult.
Ifthere’sanythingOlympushates,it’schange,andwe’vehadmorethanourfairshareofitinthelastyear.
“Wehavetogivehimwhathewants.”Zeuscurses.“Thishadbetterbeworthit,becausewecan’ttakeitbackwithoutanevenbiggermess.”
That’swhatI’mafraidof.Nomatterwhatstepswetaketoday,theconsequencesarefar-reaching.“Ifyougivememoretime—”
“Ican’tdothat.”Zeuspushesslowlytohisfeet.“Everydaycountsrightnow,andwe’vealreadyspenttoolongtryingtofindadifferentsolution.Anotherweekortwowon’tmakeadifference.”
Impossiblenottofeelthestingofhisbluntstatement.It’smyjobasApollotobepluggedintoinformationstreamsthataren’taccessibletoanyoneelse.I’messentiallyOlympus’sspymaster,andevenwithmyteamandalltheresourcesatmydisposal,I’vefailed.Betweenthisandmyinabilitytofigureoutwhytheboundaryisfailing,Ican’thelpbristling.“Therehastobeanotherway.”
“We’velooked.There’snot.”
“Youcan’tdenythisfeelslikeatrap.Hehasthewholeworld.Whysettlehere?”
Zeussighs,suddenlylookingadecadeolder—andevenmorelikehisfather.SometimesIwonderwhatitmusthavebeenlikegrowingupknowingthatsomedaytherolewouldbehis.ZeushasbeenaKasiossincethefoundingofthecity.MydistantrelativeshavebeenArtemis,Apollo,Hephaestus,andevenAthena,buttherearenoguaranteesamonganybutthethreelegacytitles.TherewerenomembersoftheThirteeninmyparents’generation,sotheywereparticularlypleasedwhenIwasnamedApollothirteenyearsago.
EachpositionwithintheThirteenisfilledalittledifferently.Demeterisvotedoncitywide.Aphroditenamestheirsuccessoruponsteppingdown.AsApollo,IwasappointedbyvoteamongtheThirteen.
I’vebeentryingtoliveuptotheexpectationsofthatappointmenteversince.Inthisway,Isuppose,ZeusandIarethesame.
“Therehastobeanotherway,”Isay.
“It’sbadnewsnomatterwhichwaywelookatit.Weneedtheinformationhehas,andwecan’tgetthatwithoutbowingtohisdemands.Hehasn’tdoneanythingtojustifymore…extrememeasures.”
“No,hehasn’t.”I’vebeencoordinatingwithAthenatoensurewehaveabeadonMinosandhispeopleatalltimes.Betweencovertoperativesandmyaccesstovariousinformationstreams,wehaveasfullapictureofthesepeopleaspossible.
Whichistheproblem.Theyhaven’tgivenusanythingatall.NoneofthemhavedoneanythingnoteworthysincethecompetitionforAresended.Itshouldbearelief,butitjustmakesmemoresuspicious.“It’satrap,”Irepeat.
“It’satrapwe’regoingtowalkinto.Wedon’thaveanotherchoice.We’rejustgoingtohavetohopewecandealwiththeconsequenceswhenhespringsitonus.”
Iintenselydislikebeingpropelledtoacourseofactionthat’snotofmychoosing.Olympusisn’texactlyasecret,butit’sintentionallydifficulttogetinformationontheritesandritualsthatkeepthecityrunning.Minoshasmorefamiliaritywithourcustomsthaniscomfortable.
Almostasifsomeoneisfeedinghiminformation.
ButevenifIcan’ttrackMinos’shistory,IdokeepaneyeonallpeopleexiledfromOlympus.BestIcantell,Minoshasn’thadcontactwithanyofthem.Unfortunately,Ican’ttrustthatinformation.Ican’ttrustanything.“Ifyou’djust—”
“Apollo.”Hedoesn’tsnap,buttheharshnessinhistoneisenoughtostopmeinmytracks.Zeusholdsmygaze.“Wehavetogranthisrequestforcitizenship.Whateverhe’swaitingfor,heneedsthatfirst.Iwillgetthatprocessstartedsowecanfinallygettothebottomofthis.”
Istandandstraightenmysuit.“Fine.I’llkeeplookinginthemeantime.”I’llcallinmypeopleandseewhatwecancomeupwith.Themeetingssofarhavebeenfruitless,butthepeoplewhoworkformearethebest.We’llfiguresomethingout.Wehaveto.
Thinkingofmyteamhasmethinkingofonememberinparticular.IwishCassandrahadwaitedforme.She’smorethancapableoftakingcareofherself,butshelivesontheedgeoftheupperwarehousedistrict.It’snotsafethere,evenifshecabsin.AtleastifI’daccompaniedher,Icouldseehertoherdoor…
Thethoughtofherresponsetothatalmostmakesmesmile.Shewouldn’tbeafan.Ahwell,boundariesexistforareasonandit’sjustaswell.Shewouldn’tthankmeformyinterest.Shemightactuallypushmeinfrontofamovingvehicle.Cassandra’smadeheropinionoftheThirteenandthepeoplewhoaspiretobethemclear—andhonestly,whocanblameherafterwhattheydidtoherparentsallthoseyearsago?
TheonlyreasonshetookajobwithmewasbecauseIpayhernearlydoublewhatshecanfindanywhereelse.Iwon’tlieandsaythatcharitydidn’tplayintoit.Isawhergetturnedawayfromjobafterjobforweeksbeforeshefinallycameknockingonmydoor.Withherparentsgone,she’sbeensupportinghersisterthisentiretime.Icouldn’tletthemstarve.
Ironicthatsheendedupbeinginvaluabletomyoperations.She’ssmartandseesthingsIdon’t.Herreportshavebeenpricelessovertheyears.Truly,Ishouldgiveheranotherraise.
“Apollo.”FromtheedgetoZeus’stone,it’snotthefirsttimehe’ssaidmyname.
Unfortunately,myfascinationwithCassandratendstohavethissideeffect.WhichiswhyIdon’tusuallyallowmyselftothinkaboutherduringworkhours.“Yes?”
“StayclosetoMinos.Weneedtoknowwhathe’supto.”
Onlyalifetimeofpracticekeepsmydistastefortheorderfromshowingonmyface.It’salogicalthingforZeustocommand,butthatdoesn’tmeanIrelishtheideaofbeingincloseproximitywithMinos.Themaniscunningandthere’saglintinhiseyeIdon’tlike.He’sthekindofpersonwhothinkshe’ssmarterthaneveryoneelseintheroom.
Imeantoprovehimwrong.3
Cassandra
TwoWeeksLater
“You’relate.Iseverythingokay?”
Idropintotheseatacrossfrommysisterandslumpbackagainstthechair.“Sorry,Igotcaughtupinareportandlosttrackoftime.”Apollohasmewadingthroughreportsfromthelowercity.Hadesrulesthereanddoesn’ttakekindlytotherestoftheThirteeninfringingonhisterritory,soinformationcanbescarce,buteversincehemarriedPersephone,there’sbeenslightlymorecommunicationallowed.Whichmeansmoreinformation.
Truly,thelowercitydoesn’tsoundhalf-bad.IfIwasn’tsodeterminedtogetthefuckoutofOlympusthefirstchanceIget,I’dconsidercrossingtheRiverStyxandseeingifthelowercityembracestoxiccultureandruthlesspowerplaysthesamewaytheuppercitydoes.
Mysister,Alexandra,smilessweetly.Everythingaboutherissweet.Noonecanlookatusandmistakeusforanythingbutrelatives—wehaveredhair,skinthatthesunseemstohaveapersonalvendettaagainst,andbodiesthatpeoplecallcurvywhenthey’retryingtobeoblique—butherlipsnaturallyturnupatthecornersinsteadofdown.OurfatherusedtojokethatIcameroaringintotheworldwithawarcryandAlexandraarrivedwithasunnygiggle.Sheleansforward,darkeyessparkling.“ThatseemstohappenalotsinceyoustartedworkingforApollo.I’mgladyoulikethejob.”
“‘Like’mightbeoverstatingthingsabit.”Myvoiceistoosharp,butIcanfeelaflushcreepingacrossmyskin.“It’sinteresting.Apollohasnothingtodowithit.”
“Surehedoesn’t.”
Iopenmymouthtosnap,butI’veworkedhardtoprotectAlexandrafromtheworstOlympushastooffer.She’ssevenyearsyoungerthanmeandwasstillaminorwhenmyparentsattemptedtheirill-fatedcoup.Iworriedthatshe’dseethesamederisionandsuspicionthatIdidonceourparents’exilehadbeenannounced…soImademyselfatarget.Itwaseasyenoughtodo.I’malreadypronetospikesandsnarls.IttookverylittleefforttoensuretheyfocusedonmeinsteadofAlexandra.
Mostly.
Itakeaquicksipofwater.“Enoughaboutme.Howareclassesgoing?”
“Cass,wenevertalkaboutyou.”
“Becausethere’snothingtotalkabout.IworkandIgohome.Themostexcitingthingaboutmyweekaretheseluncheswithyou.”It’sbetterthatway.Mostofthetime,peopleforgetIexist,whichmeanstheyaren’tstaringandwhisperingbehindtheirhandsabouttheliarCassandra,whoonceloudlyproclaimedthattheThirteenhadmurderedherparents.
It’sthetruth.
Notthatanyonebelievesme.
Alexandrasmiles,oblivioustomydarkthoughts.“Classesaregoingwonderfully.We’rejustwrappingupthesummerquarterinacoupleweeksandgearingupforfall.”
Withonlyalittleprodding,sheentertainsmethroughlunchwithtalesofwhatherfriendgroupisgettingupto.IworriedwhensheinsistedonapplyingtotheuniversityinsteadoftakingadvantageofthefreecollegesOlympusoffers.Itputherdirectlyinthepathsofthescionsofthelegacyfamilies,andI’malltooawareofwhatthatcanbelike.
ButAlexandraisn’tlikeme.I’veworkedsofuckinghardtoensureshedoesn’thavetofightherwaythroughlife.Ourparentswereselfishbeyondbeliefwhentheyputtheirownambitionsanddesiresabovetheirchildren’ssafety.
Iwillnevermakethesamemistake.
It’snothinglessthanamiraclethatAlexandrahasmanagedtomaintainhersweetnessthroughtheyears.Iworrythatitwon’tlastpasttherealityofgraduation.Itdoesn’tmatterthatshe’ssomehowmanagedtoavoidtheworstofthebullyingandbullshituptothispoint.Assoonasshestartslookingforherdreamjob,she’sgoingtorunface-firstintothefactthateveryonewithadropofpowerintheuppercityhatesourfamilyandwouldlovetoseeusbothtornapart.
Ihavetofindawaytogetusoutofherebeforethathappens.
ThewaitressbringsthecheckandIglanceatmyphone.“IhavetogetgoingorI’mgoingtobelate.”Apollodoesn’tusuallycareifItakeslightlylongerluncheswithAlexandraonceaweek,buthe’sbeeninastrangemoodsincethatmeetingwithZeus.
“Icanpaythistime.”
IsmileevenasIsnagthecheck.“Savethosepenniesforschool.”
“Youpayformyschool.”
Ipulloutmycreditcardandtuckitnexttothebill.“Here’sawildthought.Whydon’tyoudosomethingfun?”
Mysister’sbrowsdrawtogether.“I’manadultnow,Cass.Youdon’thavetokeepmotheringme.We’reequals.”
“Ofcoursewe’reequals.”Butthatdoesn’tchangetheresponsibilityIfeelforher.Twelveyearsago,Iwasthrustintotheroleofherguardian,andIamstillachinglyawarethatmysisterneedsprotecting.
Whethersherealizesitornot.
Afterthewaiterreturnswiththebill,Isignthereceiptandrise.“Sametimenextweek?”
“Youhaveapermanentspotinmycalendar.”Shepullsmeintoatighthug.“Dosomethingniceforyourself,Cass.Promiseme.”
“Ipromise.”It’seventhetruth,thoughIexpectAlexandrawouldn’tconsideranearlyeveningwithabook,abubblebath,andajumboglassofwinesomethingnice.Butthen,mysisterlikespeople.Idon’t.
“Seeyounextweek.”
Iwalkhertothebusstopthatwilltakeherbacktotheuniversitydistrictandwaituntilthebusarrives.OnlythendoIcheckthetime,curse,andhurrybacktotheoffice.
Ittakesmeseveralminutesafterarrivingbackatmydesktorealizethatsomething’swrongandanotherfewsecondstolocatethesourceofthatwrongness
Apollo’sdoorisclosed.
Istareatit.It’sneverclosed.Ever.Honestly,Iwishitwerebecausehehasthenastyhabitofsingingunderhisbreath,butlikeeverythingelseabouthim,hisbaritonevoiceisdelightful.It’shighlydistracting.SometimesIhavetogooverreportstwoorthreetimesbecauseIcatchmyselfzoningout,tryingtoidentifywhatsonghe’sfocusedon.
Acloseddoorshouldmeanuninterruptedwork.Acloseddoorshouldmakemehappy.
Iglareatit,armscrossedundermybreasts.Ican’tverywellgoknockonitandinvestigate.Notonlywouldthatgivehimthewrongidea,butit’sfranklynoneofmybusiness.
Maybehe’snoteveninthere.Maybeheleftandlockedupbehindhim.Thatmakesmoresensethanhimshuttinghimselfupforprivacy.
Foraspymaster,he’sreallyshittyatbeingsecretive.IfIwerearomantic,I’dbelievethatmeanshetrustsme,butit’sreallythathe’sstrangelyabsentmindedwhenhe’snotfocusedonsomething.Andwhenheisfocusedonsomething,sometimeshemuttersunderhisbreath.Atleastwhenheisn’tsinging.
Gods,I’mamess.WhyamIobsessingoverthisman?Ihaveworktodo.
Istarttoturnformydesk—theonlyotherpieceoffurnitureinthesmallofficethatApolloinhabits.Heownsthewholebuilding,ofcourse,butheclaimsnottodealwellwithpeople—bullshit,peoplelovehim—sohepreferstohavemerunhiscommunicationswiththoseoutsidetheThirteen.Technically,Iguessthatmakesmesomekindofmanager,butmyofficialtitleisexecutiveassistant.
Myjobischallenging,andthere’snothingquitelikethethrillofputtingtogethertwoseeminglyunrelatedpiecesofinformationandhavingthefullpuzzlesnapintoplace.
Thedoorswingsopenhardenoughtobounceoffthewall.Ijumpandthenfighttosmoothmyexpressionintocooldisinterest.Notamomenttoosoon.
ThemanwholimpsoutofApollo’sofficeisabeast.He’sgottobesixtwoandbuiltlikeatankwithbroadshoulders,broadchest,justbroadbody.Medium-brownskin,reddishhaircroppedclosetohisskull,anicelytrimmedbeard,andemptydarkeyes.Hecatchessightofmeandsweepsalookovermybodythatshouldn’tfeelthreatening…butdoes.
Iknowwhothisis.Isawhimcompete—andfail—intheArestournament.Helenherselfeliminatedhim,bustinguphiskneeinthesecondtrialbeforemovingontowinthethirdandbecomeAres.ThefightbetweenthemwasbrutalandIhadn’tbeensureshe’dwin.He’dlookedlikehewantedtomurderher.Ifshehadn’tprevailed,Ithinkhemighthaveattemptedit.
Theseus.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Idon’tmeantospeak,butthewordsflyoutallthesame,sharpandbrittle.Olympusisfullofpredators—Iknowthatbetterthananyone—buttheyusuallypretendthey’rejustliketherestofus.Richer,moreglamorous,morebeautiful,maybe,butaverageandtobeunderestimatedallthesame.
There’snounderestimatingthisman.
Theseusdoesn’tanswer.Hedismissesmenearlyasquicklyasheregistersmyappearance,brushingpastmeandoutthedoor,violenceineveryunevenstep.
Idon’tstoptothink.IjustrushintoApollo’soffice,half-sureI’mgoingtofindhisbodyinsteadofhim
Except…he’sfine.
Hesitsathisdesk,staringatsomethingathousandmilesaway,andappearsentirelyunharmed.Istopshort,butit’stoolate.Hefocusesonme.“Cassandra.Comeinandshutthedoor.”
Annoyedwithmyselfforhavingbeenworried—andworse,betrayingthatworrytohim—Icarefullyshutthedoorbehindmeandmovetosinkintothechairacrossfromhisdesk.Apollo’sofficeistheveryessenceofrich-manchicwithhisoversizedarkwooddesk,awallfilledwithfloatingshelvescontainingbooksandotherknickknacksthatareworthmorethansixmonths’rentonmyshittyapartment,andasinglelargewindowthatoverlooksthestreetbelow.We’reonlyonthethirdfloor,whichprovideslotsofpeople-watchingopportunities;intheblocksaroundDodonaTower,peoplepurposefullywalkthesidewalkslookingtoseeandbeseen.
Hesitsbackwithatiredsigh.“You’reawarethatMinosandhispeoplenowhaveOlympuscitizenship.”
“Kindofhardtomissit.”Thegossipsiteshavegonewildwiththenews.I’msureithastodowiththemcoveringthesameplayersandsamefamiliessincethecitywasfounded.Newbloodisrareenough,letaloneanentirenewfamilytogawkandpokeat.ThelasttimethathappenedwaswhentheDimitrioufamilymovedintothecityproperwhentheirmatriarchbecameDemeter,buteventhen,theywerestillOlympians,ifcountryones.
Minosandhispeoplearedecidedlynot
“I’vebeeninvitedtoahousepartyhe’shosting.”Apollo’sfullmouthtwists.“Tocelebrate.”
“Soundslikeyou’regoingtohaveatonoffun.”Thesarcasmflicksoffmytonguewithoutmythinkingaboutit.WhatamIsupposedtosay,though?He’sApollo.Partofthejobishobnobbingwithpowerfulassholesandgettingclosetopeoplehehatesbecausetheyhaveinformationheneeds.InformationZeusneeds.
Hechosetotakethetitle.Nooneforceditonhim.Iwillnotpityhim,nomatterhowmiserablehelooksrightnow.Hecouldalwayssayno.Hewon’t,buthecould,whichismorethanmostpeopleinthiscitycanmanageiftheThirteenstartmeddlingintheirlives.
“Ihaveafavortoask.”
“No.”
Hegivesmealonglook.“Willyouhearmeoutbeforetellingmeno?”
“Letmethink.”Iglanceattheceilingandthenbackathim.“No.Youhavethatscheminglookaboutyou,andIdon’twantanypartofit.”
“Cassandra.”There’sarareedgeinhisvoice.Theseusmusthavereallygottenunderhisskin.“Hearmeout.Please.”
Icouldwalkout.Refusetohearhimout.Icould…butIdon’t.Mysecondmistakeoftheday,andoneI’llnodoubtcometoregret.
Hedoesn’twaitlongtoprovemeright.“Minoshasulteriormotivesforbeinghere,butIcan’tfigureoutwhattheyare.”
“Iknowthat.”Apollohasbeenmutteringaboutitforweeks,eversinceMinos’spartyshowedupandtwoofthemcompetedforAres.
“HehadbargainedwithZeustotradeinformationforcitizenship,butsofareverythinghe’sofferedhasbeentoovaguetobeofuse.I’msurethat’sintentional.”
“Probably.”Ifit’shisonlybargainingchip,he’llwanttosqueezeouteverybitofitsworth.ItseemsfoolhardytowanttheattentionoftheThirteenonyou,butwhatdoIknow?
“Thishousepartyisgoingtobemybestopportunitytofindthoseanswers.Itwilllastforaweek,whichwouldtheoreticallygivemeplentyoftimetodigaroundforevidence.Someonebankrolledhistriphere,andifIcanfindoutwhoitwas,wewon’tneedMinos.”
Apolloissomethingofajack-of-all-tradeswhenitcomestoinformation.HistitleistechnicallyKeeperoftheLore,andhedoesthatbypreservingrecordsofOlympus’shistory.Buthe’salsomorethanalittlebitofaspymaster,sourcinginformationfortheThirteenandhisownpurposesconstantly.Evenafterworkingforhimforfiveyears,I’mstillnotentirelysurehowhecomesbysomeoftheinfohefinds.Butit’salwaysaccurate.
AweekinMinos’shouseshouldbemorethanenoughtimetogettothebottomofthismystery.Ifrown.“WhydoIsenseabutcoming?”
“But…”Hesighsagain.“You’veworkedformelongenoughtoknowmystrengths.IammorecomfortablewithdataandarchivesthanIamscryingoutpeople’smotives.”
It’strue.IfApollohasonefailing—andI’dhesitatetoqualifyitassuch—it’sthathe’stoohonest.Hisbraindoesn’tworkinthetwisty,deceptivewaysrequiredtounderstandthelayersbeneathlayersofplotsthatplayoutinthiscity.He’snotnaive;heknowstheplotsarethere—hejustcan’tdivinetheshapeoftheminstinctively.“You’vesurvivedthislong.I’msureyou’llbefine.”
“Cassandra.”Hegivesaruefulsmilethatmakesmychestping.“Youknowbetter.I’monlyasstrongasmyteam,andIwon’tbeabletohaveyoualltherewithme.IfIcanonlybringone,Iwantyou.”
Iwantyou.
Notgoingtothinkabouthowthosewordsmakemefeel.Notevenalittlebit.“Well,youcan’thaveme.AskHermes.She’sgoodatthissortofthing.”
“Hermesplaysherowngamesandyouknowit.”Heshakeshishead.“AndI’mnotonherlevel.Ican’twhiskinandoutofroomslikemagic.”
WhatHermesdoesisn’tmagic,thoughanyonewho’swalkedintoalockedroomandfoundherrootingthroughtheirshitmightbelieveotherwise.Mostpeopledon’tpauselongenoughtorealizebreakingandenteringisbasicallyherlovelanguageandthatsheonlydoesittopeopleshelikes,butifIsaythat,thenIhavetoexplainhowIwouldknowsuchathing,andI’mnotabouttogetintomyexeswithanyone,letaloneApollo.
“You’reverygoodatwhatyoudo,butnooneisonHermes’slevel,”Ifinallysay.“You’llhavetofindanotherway.”
“Agreed.Ihaveanotherway.”Helevelsalookatme.“Comewithme.Playthepartofmydate.YouseethingsIdon’t,andIneedthatperspectivetosuccessfullynavigatethis.”
Comewithme.
Playmydate.
Atahousepartythatwilllastaweek.
MybrainskipsandIshovetomyfeet.“No.Absolutelynot.”BadenoughthatIspendsomuchtimeincloseproximitywithhimwhileweworktogether.Attendingapartylikethat…We’llbeexpectedtosharethesameroom.Thesamebed.He’llhavetotouchme.He’sdatedafewpeopleintheyearssincehetookhistitle.ThesoldierHyakinthos.ThemodelCoronis.Enoughthateveryoneknowshe’stouchy-feelywithhispartners.Enoughthatifhewasn’tthatwaywithme,itwouldraisequestions.
Ican’tdoit.
Iwon’t.
“You’reoutofyourfuckingmind,Apollo.Ican’tbelieveyou’daskmethis.”I’mstilltalkingtoosharply,mywordsfilledwithbladesbornofpanic.“Youknowwhatthatwouldmeanformeandwhateveryonealreadythinks.You’dprovethemright,andI’dhavetodealwiththeconsequences.”NooneinOlympusbelievesthatIhavenointerestinpower.Theylookatmeandseethesinsofmyparents.
Thebitterironyisthatifmyparentshadjustbeencontentwiththeirprivilegeandpower,noonewouldlooksidewaysatApollodatingme.Wewerealegacyfamily,whichmeantIwouldbeanacceptablemarriageoptionforoneoftheThirteen.
Everyoneexpectsmetotrytoreclaimwhatwelost.They’vebeenwatchingmelikeabugunderamagnifyingglassfortwelveyears,andwhatApollo’saskingformeansputtingmyselfintothepubliceyeinawaythatinvitesattacks.
EvenHermesknewbetterthantoaskthat
IhadthoughtApollounderstoodwhyIavoidanythingresemblingthespotlight,atleastintheory.He’stheonewhoofferedmethisjob,whopaysmefartoomuchfortheworkandconstantlyseemsconcernedaboutmywelfare.Forhimtoaskmetoplaysacrificiallamb…Ithurts.Ithasnorighttohurtthisbadly.
“No,”Irepeat.“Iwon’tdoit.”
“Okay.”Apolloholdsuphishands,lookingguilty.“I’msorry.Itseemedthesmartestroute,andItrustyoutobeabletoholdyourown.Iunderstandwhyyouwon’t.”Hisvoicegoessoftinawaythatthreatenstomakemeweak.“Cassandra,I’msorry.Ishouldhaveconsideredtheimplications.”
Ican’tlethimbesofttome.Ifhe’ssoft,thenI’llgosoft,andthenI’llendupagreeingtosomethingagainstmybestinterests.Ittakesfartoomuchefforttostraightenmyspineandofferhimcoldnesswhenhe’sonlygivenmewarmth.“Yeah,youshouldhavethoughtofit.Ifthat’sall?”
Hissighisnearlysoundless.“Yes,that’sall.”
Ifleefromhisoffice.Ifonlyitwassoeasytofleefromtheguiltnippingatmyheels.4
Apollo
Imessedup.
IwastoorattledbyTheseusshowingupuninvitedandissuingthecommandthatIattendMinos’sparty.Itwasacommand,too.MinosmightnotbeoneoftheThirteen,butheknowsheholdspowerandhe’sthrowingitaroundforallhe’sworth.Itcan’tlast,butit’sinconvenientintheextremewhileitdoes.
Still,that’snoexcuse.Ishouldn’thavemadesuchaninappropriateoffertoCassandra.Ifshewasanyoneelse,shemighthavefeltcompelledtosayyeseventhoughshedidn’twantto…
Thethoughtmakesmesick.
IhavenoillusionsaboutwhatkindofplaceOlympusis.Poweristheonlylawthatmatters,andasamemberoftheThirteen,Ihaveitinspades.I’veseenthecorruptionthatrunsrampant,thewaythatsomewhoholdtitlesabusetheirinfluencetofurthertheirowngoalsandvices.Ican’tpretendI’manydifferent.I’veusedmyinfluencetopullmyfamilymembersoutofthefiremoretimesthanIcaretocount.Especiallymylittlebrother.
IfIpressuredCassandra,who’salreadysufferedatOlympus’shands…
Fuck.
Idragmyhandsovermyface.Itwasagoodplan,atleastfromtheoutside,butI’llhavetopivottosomethingelse.Iwasn’tlyingwhenItoldhershe’stheonlyonewhocouldaccompanyme.She’soneofthesmartestpeopleIknow.ShemightthinkIhiredheroutofpity,butthetruthisshe’sbecomeanirreplaceableasset.OneItrust,thoughshe’dneverbelieveitifItoldher.
There’sHector,ofcourse,buthe’ssodeliriouslyhappyinhismarriagethataccompanyingmetothiskindofeventwouldgettongueswagging.Hewon’tsayyes.Hismarriagemightbeabletoweatheranykindofmediastorm,buthewouldn’tputhisfamilythroughthat.NotevenforOlympusandthegreatergood.
Therestofmyteamisgood,butthey’renotonHectorandCassandra’slevel
“Apollo.”
Istraightensofast,Isendmychairrollingawayfrommydesk.“Yes?”
Cassandra’sprettyfaceislockeddowntight.Herlipsnaturallyturndownatthecorners,butthey’remoldedintoafrowncurrently.Sheflicksaglanceofftotheside.“Zeusisheretoseeyou.”
Fuckagain.
Ishouldhaveanticipatedthis.I’dtextedhimwhenTheseusarrived,butIexpectedaphonecallrequestinganupdate.Ididn’tthinkhe’dshowupherepersonally.Ismoothoutmyexpression.“Goaheadandsendhimin.”
Zeus,ofcourse,doesn’twaitforhertorelaytheinvitation.Cassandrabarelygetsoutofhiswaybeforehestalksintomyoffice.“Tellme.”
Ibitebackasighandbringhimuptodate.Itdoesn’tevenoccurtometokeeptherejectedoffertoCassandratomyselfuntilhisexpressiongoesthoughtful.Zeusleansbackinhischair.“Bringingheralongissmart.”
“It’samootpoint.Shesaidno,andI’mnotcomfortablecompellingherintoasituationlikethat.”
Hislipsquirkinabittersmile.“Youdon’thavetoplaythebadguy,Apollo.That’smyjob.”BeforeIcangeneratearesponse,heraiseshisvoice.“Cassandra.”
Ittakesseveralbeatsforhertoappearinthedoorway,lookingjustifiablysuspicious.“Yes?”
Zeusmoveshischairsohecanseebothofus.Hestudiesherforalongmoment.“YouwanttogetoutofOlympusandtakeyoursisterwithyou.”
Shecrossesherarmsunderherbreastsandnarrowshereyes.“That’snotnews.”
“Youdon’thavethemoneytodoit.”
“Alsonotnews,”shesnaps.
Later,itmightawemealittlethatshe’soneofthefewpeoplewhodoesn’tseemtocarethatthedefactorulerofOlympussitsbeforeher.Rightnow,I’mtoobusyfightingawaveofunease.Icantellwherehe’sgoingwiththis,andIdon’tlikeitonanumberoflevels.“Zeus—”
Heignoresme.“DothisonethingforusandI’llgiveyouenoughmoneytostartover.Comfortably.Sevenhundredgrand.”
Cassandraglancesatme,andeventhoughIknowherwellatthispoint,Ican’treadherexpression.SheturnsherattentionbacktoZeus.“You’reserious.”
“Iam.”Heholdshergaze.“Thispartypresentsanopportunitywewon’tseeagain.YouworkforApollo.Youknowthepotentialthreatwe’refacing.Weneedthatinformation.There’snolengthsIwon’tgotoprotectOlympus.”Hedoesn’tmove.“Nameyourprice.Aslongasyoudeliveronyourendofthedeal,ifit’swithinmyabilitytogiveittoyou,Iwill.”
She’ssilentforalongtime,hergazeonsomethinginthemiddledistance.Webothwaitsilently,thoughIhavetobitemytonguetokeepfromprotesting.Zeusiscorrectinhisarguments,butCassandrajusttoldmeno.It’snotrighttoputthiskindofpressureonher.She’snotoneoftheThirteen.Shedidn’tsignupforthiskindofresponsibility.
FinallyshenodstoherselfandrefocusesonZeus.“Anyprice?DoubleyourofferandprovidemeandAlexandraasafewayoutofOlympus.Ifyouagreetothoseterms,thenI’lldoit.”
Hedoesn’thesitate.“Done.”
Ican’tstopachokedsound.Onepointfourmilliondollars.That’sherprice.Idon’tblameherforthat,butgods,theaudacity.She’samazing.Still,Ican’taskthisofher.Iknowshedoesn’twantit,andeventhrowingsomuchmoneyatthesituationdoesn’tchangehowuncomfortableshe’llbeactingthepartofmygirlfriend.“I’msurewecanfind—”
“Youwillbepaiduponcompletion.”Zeus’sblunttonedoesn’twaverintheslightest.“Whileyouwon’tbeaskedtodoanythingsexualwithApollo,youwillhavetoselltherelationship,andthatwillmeanactingappropriatelyenamoredinpublic.”Hepauses.“Iwon’trequireyoutobenicetopeople.”
“Iwouldn’tevenifyouaskedme.”Shedoesn’tlookatme.“I’llbeagoodlittlegirlfriendandspy,andthat’sallthatyoubargainedfor.”
Zeusgivesagrimsmile.“SoIdid.”Hepushestohisfeetandfinallylooksatme.“Updateheroneverythingsheneedstoknow.Startsellingthestorynowsoit’snotasurprisewhenyoushowupwithhernextweek.”HepausesandsweepsalookoverCassandrathatmakesmebristle.Zeusfrowns.“Youhavestyle,butthat’sobviouslyfromthesalesrack.Appearancesmatter,andwecan’thaveyoushowinguplookinglike—”
“LikeApolloisfuckingsomeonehepickedupinanoffice,”shesaysdrily.
“Justso.Mywifewillbeintouchtodealwithyourwardrobe.”Heglancesatme.“Findmeanswers,Apollo.Wecan’taffordanotherfailure.”
“Iknow,”Ifinallymanage.I’mstilltryingtoprocesswhatjusthappenedwhenhestalksoutofmyofficeandleavesmetodealwiththemesshejustcreated.OneoftheperksofbeingZeus,Isuppose.Iclearmythroat.“Youdon’thavetodothis.”
“Iknow.”Cassandrashutsthedoorandcomestositacrossfromme.She’sgotherexpressionshuttered,butthere’snewtensioninherbodylanguagethatwasn’ttherebefore.Sheholdsmygaze.“Iwon’tdoitforthegoodofOlympus.ThecitycanburnforallIcare.It’snothingmorethanitdeserves.Butatrueescapethatdoesn’tmeanlosingeverything?”Sheshrugsasingleshoulder.“It’sapriceI’mwillingtopaytogetAlexandraoutbeforethiscitysmothersherinnocence.”
“Ifyouneededmoney—”
“I’mgoingtostopyourightthere.”Sheholdsupahand.“Webothknowyougavemethisjobasacharitycase,andyoupaymenearlydoublewhatothersinsimilarpositionsmake.You’realreadygivingmemoney,Apollo.I’mnotgoingtoaskmoreofyou.”Herdarkeyesgosoftforamoment.“Itmightnotseemlikeit,butIdoappreciatewhatyou’vedoneforme.”
“You’lltakeZeus’smoney.”Itcomesoutlikeanaccusation,butIcan’thelpmyself.Idon’tunderstandherlogic.SometimesIfeellikeIknowCassandrabetterthananyoneelseinthiscity,andsometimesit’slikearguingwithastranger.
Shelaughsbitterly.“FuckyesIwill.Thatbastardhasmorethanhecouldspendinalifetime.Ifhe’sgoingtostrong-armmeintodoingthis,he’sgoingtopaythroughthenose.”
“Cassandra…”SomanythingsIcan’tsaydanceonthetipofmytongue.Letmehelpyou.Letmeprotectyou.Letmetakecareofyou.IswallowthembackdownthesamewayIhaveeveryothertimethetemptationtopressherarises.
Ialwaysknewshe’dfindawayoutofthecityeventually.Ithinktheonlythingsthathaveheldherherearethishigh-payingjobandhersister.Poseidon’speoplearen’taboveacceptingbribestogetcitizensout,butthatcostsmoney.Shewon’tmakethatcalluntilshehasenoughsaveduptoknowshecanlandonherfeetandkeephersisterafloat.Afternextweek,she’llhavemorethanenoughandhavedodgedtheneedtospendanyofitinbribes.
Solittletimeleft.Thethoughtleavesmeillatease.Idon’tknowwhatI’lldowhenshe’sgone.
Sheshakesherheadslowly.“It’sdone,Apollo.Iagreed.Youcankeepfeelingguiltyaboutit,butyou’dbebetterspentupdatingmeonwhatIneedtoknowsoIcanpreparefortheparty.”
She’sright.Iknowshe’sright.Isimplyhaveahardtimepivotinginthisdirectionwithsolittlewarning.Iclosemyeyesandinhaleslowly,stillingmythoughts.WhenIopenthem,I’malmostcentered.“MinoshasbroughtinformationofathreatagainstOlympus.”
“Yes,youmentioned.Ifailtoseewhywe’redancingtohistuneinsteadofjustgettingalltheinfooutofhim.Youcan’tpretendworsehasn’tbeendoneinthenameofthecity’ssafety.”Shenarrowshereyes.“Besides,there’stheboundarytoconsider.Whatisthisenemygoingtodo?Campoutafewfeetfromthecitylimitsandyellatus?”
Iglanceatthecloseddoor.There’slittlechanceofsomeoneoverhearingthis,but…Isigh.“Theboundaryisfailing.”
“What?”
“It’sfailing.It’snotobviousyet,butthereareweakspots.Poseidonbroughtittoourattentionmonthsago.”Monthsoffruitlesssearchingforanswers.I’veneverbeensofrustratedinmylife.TheentirehistoryofOlympusisatmyfingertips,andyetthere’sagiantblankspotwhenitcomestoanythingconnectedwiththebarrier.ItriedtotalktothelastZeusaboutitwhenIfirsttookoverthistitle,buthewasn’tinterestedindevotingfurtherresourcestofindinganswers—andforbademefromtalkingaboutitwithanyonelestIcauseapanic.Nowhe’sdeadandwe’relefttodealwiththefalloutwithoutyears’worthofleadtime.
Cassandrastaresatme.“Youdon’tknowhowtofixit,doyou?”
“No.”Admittingasmuchfeelslikeadmittingmydeepest,darkestsin.“I’velooked,butsomeonescrubbedtherecordsatsomepoint.”SomepastApollo,nodoubt.Mytitleistheonlyonewiththeauthoritytoevenaccesstherecords,letalonemakeacalltoremovethem.Idon’tunderstandwhy,though.
TheboundaryisthegreatestmysteryofOlympus.Theaveragecitizenjusttakesitasfact,whetherchalkingituptomagicorsomeadvancedtechnologythatmightaswellbemagic.Theyassumethatthoseinpower,atleast,knowthedetails.
Wedon’t.
Ifwedid,we’dknowhowtofixitnowthatit’sbroken.
“Fuck,”Cassandrabreathes.“Buthowlikelyisagroundwarorwhatever?Mostofthegreaterworldhaswrittenusoff.Whynow?”
“Idon’tknow.”Anotheradmissionofguilt.Iscrubmyhandsovermyface.“Thisiswhywecan’ttossMinosout,andevenifsomeonewaswillingtoresorttotorture,it’snotasurefirewaytogetaccurateinformation.We’remorevulnerablethanwe’veeverbeen,andhehasmoreinformationthanhe’stellingus.”
“Isee.”Shetapsherthighwithoneblack-paintedfingernail.“Well,Zeusispayingmewellenough.GuessIcanhelpyousaveOlympus.”Shelooksupandmeetsmygaze.“Let’sdothis.”5
Cassandra
IholdofftellingAlexandraaboutmynew“boyfriend”foraslongaspossible,butintheendIcan’tavoiditforever.ThelastthingIwantisformylittlesistertoseenewsofussplashedacrossthegossipsites.
Still,Iwaituntiltheveryendofourlunchtoblurtout,“IhavesomethingIneedtotellyou,andIneedyounottogetyourhopesup.”
Alexandralaughsalittleandfoldsupherclothnapkin.“Withanintrolikethat,I’dalmostexpectyoutotellmethatIwasrightlastweekandyou’vefallenmadlyinlovewithyourboss.”
ItwouldbesomucheasierifIcouldtellthetruth,butifIsharewhat’sreallygoingon,she’llworry.More,IamverycarefultohidehowmuchIgowithouttoensureAlexandrahaseverythingsheneeds.Shehasenoughhurdlesafterwhatourparentsdid.ThelastthingIwanttodoisaddtoherburden.She’dstartmakingherownsacrificestohelpme,andthatIcan’tallow.
IfsheknowsIagreedtoZeus’sbargaintohelpher,she’llfeelbadandtellmeIdon’tneedtodoit.No,bettertokeepupthelieApolloandIareabouttospintothewholeofthecity.
I’llcomecleanattheend,whenIcanexplainwhyitwasallworthit.
Itakeadeepbreath.“Yeah,aboutthat.”
Hereyesgowide.“You’rejoking.”
“I’mnotjoking.”Myskinheats.“Iwantedtotellyoufirst.Youknowhowthiscityis.We’regoingtobephotographedandthey’regoingtosayterriblethingsaboutme.Just,uh,headsup.”
Hersmilefades.“Iwishitwasn’tlikethat.You’renotourparents.You’dthinkaftertwelveyears,they’dhaverealizedit.”
“Theydon’tcare,Alex.Ourparentsdyingwasn’tenough.Theyneedsomeonetopunishandwe’restillhere.”Notthatwehaveachoice.Idon’tknowifourparentswouldhavetriedtoleavethecityafterfailingintheirplan.Theynevergotthechance.Theydiedthesamenighttheyattemptedtoenacttheassassinationclause.
Leavingustopickupthepieces.“They’llkeeppunishingusaslongaswe’rehere.”
“I’msorry.”Shereachesacrossthetableandtakesmyhand.“Youshouldn’thavethemputtingadamperonareallygreatthing.I’mhappyforyou,Cass.Heseemslikeareallygoodguy.”
Iswallowpastthesuddenlumpinmythroat.Ihatelyingtomysister,butit’sforthebest.“Heis.”
Theentirewalkbacktotheoffice,IwonderifI’vedonetherightthinginnottellingAlexandrathetruth.I’vebeenherguardianfornearlyathirdofmylife;atthispoint,keepingthelesssavorydetailsofmylifefromherissecondnature.
I’vedonetherightthing.I’msureofit.She’llbehappywhenIexplainthesituationfullyandhaveasolutiontotheproblemsthathaveplaguedusfortwelveyears.Atrueescape.
Intheend,pretendingtodateApolloinordertoinvestigateMinosisasmallpricetopay.
Beingbackatmydeskfeelsparticularlysurreal.Nothing’schangedandyeteverything’schanged.Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.Apolloisstillmyboss,atleastuntilZeus’spaymentclearsmyaccount.Thatshouldbewhereitends,butIcan’thelpobsessingoverhowwe’resupposedtoplaypretendforallofOlympus.Notjustincarefullyconstructedpublicdates.Atahouseparty.Theintimacythatwillberequiredleavesmebreathlessandalittlesicktomystomach.
Idon’tknowwhatI’mdoing.
IglanceuptofindApollostandinginthedoorwaytohisoffice,lookingadorablyruffledandmildlyuncomfortable.“Cassandra.”Heclearshisthroat.“Wehavelessthanaweekuntilthepartybegins.Weshould,ah,makeanappearancethisweekend.”He’sstillnotquitemeetingmygaze.“I’vetakenthelibertyofbookingusdinnerattheDryad.”
Ofcoursehehas.
It’swherehetakesallhisfirstdates,soIshouldhaveconsideredthepossibilitythatthisfakerelationshipwouldbeexpectedtofollowthesameroute.There’sjustoneproblem.
TheDryadisoneofthemosteliterestaurantsintheentireuppercity.There’sawaitlistforthewaitlist.Thefactthathe’sabletogetareservationsoquicklyisaminormiracle,butitdoesn’tchangethefactthatthere’safirmdresscodefortheplaceandIdon’thaveasinglepieceofclothingthatfitsit.
I’vespentfiveyearspainstakinglybuildingupacapsulewardrobethatwon’tembarrassmewhileworkingforApollo.MyjobputsmeincontactwithanumberoftheThirteenandvariousfamilieswithinpower,andtheymightloathemeonprinciple,mightmakesnidecommentsaboutmybodyjustwithinhearingrange,buttheycannotfaultmystyle.It’sbecomeapointofprideforme.
Shameheatsmyskin,andthefactthatIfeelshameforsomethingsofarbeyondmycontrolstokesmyever-presentangertothesurface.“Yeah,that’snotgoingtoworkforme.”
Surpriselightshisdarkeyes.“Itwon’t?”
Ifhewasanyoneelse,I’dcuthimoffattheknees,butthisisApolloandnotevenIamheartlessenoughtogothere.Ilookaway,alltooawarethatmypaleskinmustbeanunsightlycrimson.“Idon’thaveanythingtomatchthedresscode.”
“Oh.That’sall?”
Iwhipbackaroundtofacehim.“Excuseme?Whatthefuckdoyoumean,that’sall?IfIshowupinoneofthedressesIalreadyown,I’llgetturnedawayandyou’llbelaughedoutofthebuilding.Howdoesthathelpanyone?Maybeyouhaveahumiliationkink,butIdon’t.”
“Kinkshaming,Cassandra?Really?”
Myskinflusheshotter,andIcan’ttellifit’sembarrassmentormedyingasmalldeathatthewordkinkonApollo’stongue.“What?No.That’snotwhatImeant.”
“Iknowwhatyoumeant.”Heconsidersme.“You’veagreedtothisplan.”
Theabruptchangeofcoursepullsmeupshort.“Uh,yes?”
“Soyouagreethatmytakinganymeasurestoensurethesuccessoftheplanisreasonableandnotcharity?”
Iimmediatelyseewherehe’sheadedandglare.“That’slogical,butIdon’tlikeit.”
“Iknow.”Hislipscurve,hissmilemakingmyheartbeaterratically.“You’llbepaidforovertime,ofcourse,butIhaveacalltomake.”
“But—”It’stoolate.Hestepsintohisofficeandclosesthedoorfirmlybehindhim.
Iglanceattheclock.It’salreadythree.Idon’tknowwhatresourceshe’sgoingtopullintooutfitmeinanewwardrobeintwenty-fourhours,butthat’sobviouslyhisplan.Iswallowpastthepridethreateningtochokeme.He’sright.Thisistofurthertheplan,notbecauseit’scharity.Cometothinkofit,Zeusmadeanoffhandcommentaboutmywardrobeduringthatlastmeeting,butI’dbeentooflusteredtothinkmuchaboutit.
Itdoesn’tmatter.IknowwhatOlympuswillthinkwhentheyseemeatApollo’ssideinclothingthat’sblatantlynew.They’llcallmeagolddiggerandwhisperthatI’msleepingmywaytothetoptoreclaimthepowermyparentslost.
It’snotthetruth,butOlympusnevercaredaboutthetruth.Notwhenajuicystoryisdangledintheirfaces.Notwhenaconvenientliecoversupanuglyreality.
It’sfine.Iknewthiswascoming.It’swhyIwarnedAlexandraearlier.
Ipressmyhandstomydeskandfocusonbreathingthroughmyanger.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatthosepiranhasoftheuppercitythink.ThisrelationshipwithApolloisn’trealandit’sonlytemporary.I’vedealtwiththenastycommentsandsidelonglooksfortwelveyears.Icandoafewweeksmore.
Attheendofthis,AlexandraandIgetout.
Icanbearanythingtoreachthatconclusion.AslongasIdon’ttrytofollowinmyparents’footsteps,theworsttheOlympianassholeswilllaunchatmearewords.I’mnotsothin-skinnedtoletthatdetermefrommyendgoal.Zeus’smoneywillgetusfar,andIwon’tdoanythingtogivehimcausetosayIdidn’tholdupmyendofthebargain.
Atfiveo’clockexactly,twodark-hairedwhitewomenwalkthroughthedoor.IinstantlyrecognizePsycheDimitriouandheroldestsister,Hera.Oh,Hera’snameusedtobeCallisto,butsinceshemarriedZeus,she’ssecuredapositionwithintheThirteenasthenewHera.Thesisterscouldn’tbemoredifferent.Heraistallandlean,awalkingbladewithanattitudetomatch.ShecangetawaywithcoldeyesandsnarlingatanyonewhocomescloseinawayIcouldneverdream.
Psycheisafewinchesshorterandmysize,herabundantcurvesclothedinareallycutelittlesundressinapin-upstylewithcherriesprintedonthefabric.I’vemetherafewtimessincesheshowedupatapartyonEros’sarm,newlymarriedandnavigatingthedeepOlympuswaterswithapparentease.She’ssweet,butshemusthaveteethbeneaththatsoftexterior,ortheuppercitywouldhaveeatenheralivealready.
Shefocusesonme.“Cassandra.Sowonderfultoseeyouagain.Youlooklovelyasalways.”
“Psyche.”Ipause,flickingaglanceatZeus’swife.“Hera.”
Herasurveysme.“Well,atleastyouhavestyle.That’sbetterthanthelastone.”
“Callisto,”Psychehisses.“Benice.”
“Areyougoingtotellhertobenice?”
Iraisemybrows.“Icanhearyou.”
“Iknow.”Heraflicksherhairoverhershoulder.“Butyou’reararewomanwhoappreciateshonesty,soI’msureyouwon’tmind.”
“Callisto.”
SheignoresPsycheandstalkstoApollo’sdoortoraponittwicebeforewalkingin.PsychegivesadeepsighthatIrecognizeonacellularlevel.Itbringsareluctantsmiletomylips.“Sisters,huh?”
“Thebestandtheworst,bothatthesametime.”Shecrossestome.“Thisisallveryhush-hush,butI’mtounderstandthatyouneedawardrobe.”
Ihavetoconcentratetokeepmyskinfromheating.ItworksmuchbetterinPsyche’spresencethaninApollo’s.IthoughtIwaspreparedtobejudged,butthisishappeningsoquickly.“It’sforwork.”
“Noneedtobedefensive,”shesaysmildly.“YouknowwhoIam.Inmyopinion,nooneneedsanexcusefornewclothing.”Shecastsalonglookatmybody.Unlikemostpeopleinthiscity,it’snotjudgmentalintheleast.Morelikeshe’sassessingmysize.“Thereisadesignerwho’srecentlybranchedoutintomoreplus-sizedfashionwhoItrustimplicitly.ShehasadecentnumberofitemsinstockthatwillmatchthecriteriaApollorelayed.Zeusispickingupthebill,soIsuggestyoutakeadvantageofthisbecauseshe’sincrediblyexpensive.”
PsycheDimitriouisoneofDemeter’sdaughters.Shemighthavebeenraisedoutsidethecityproper,butevenbeforehermotherwasDemeter,thefamilywasricherthanmostpeopleinOlympus.Forhertosaythisdesignerisexpensive?
Ihavetofightdownashudderattheideaofspendingthatmuchmoneyonclothing.“Likeyousaid,Zeusisfootingthebill.Mightaswellchargeuphiscreditcardorwhatever.”CleverofApollotoanticipatethatImightdiginmyheelsifhewastheonepayingforthings.He’llhaveknownthatIdon’tgiveafuckifImaxoutZeus’screditcards—ifsuchathingisevenpossible
“Perfect.”
Herawalksbackintotheroom,lookingsmug.“Let’sgo.”
WhichishowIendupinthebackseatofatowncarwiththetwosisters,cruisingontooneofthethreebridgesthatconnecttheuppercitywiththelower.I’veneverbeenovertheriverbefore.There’ssomekindofbarriersimilartotheonethatsurroundsthegreatercity,albeitmuchweaker.Itbuzzeslightlyacrossmyskinabouthalfwayacrossthebridge.SupposedlyoneneedsHades’spermissiontocross,butIthinkitmustbemorecomplicatedthanthat.Bothwomenmusthavestandinginvitations,seeingashowtheirsisterismarriedtotheman.Thatmusthavebeenenoughtogetmeoneaswell.
Atleastthistime.
Ifightdownashiverasweturnsouthinthelowercityandfollowthestreetuntilthebuildingsgrowintowarehouses.ThecarparksinfrontofonewithastylizedsignreadingJuliette’s.Recognitionsparks.I’veheardofthiswoman.ShewasrunoutoftheuppercitybythelastZeusbecauseshegotabittoovocalabouthersuspicionsthathekilledhissecondwife,asuspicionmostofOlympusshares,notthatanycasewaseveropened.Sincethen,I’veseenJuliette’spiecesoneveryonefromPsychetoHelen—nowAres—toHades’swife,Persephone.
Movingtothelowercityhasn’thurtJuliette’scareerany.Ifanything,it’saddedtohernotorietyandincreasedherperceivedvalue.There’slittlethepettyassholesintheuppercitylovemorethannovelty,andshe’sselectiveinherclientele,whichonlyhasthemfrothingatthemouthallthemore.IfIshowupateventswearingherclothing,itwillcertainlysendamessage.
Itdoesn’tmatter.Thisisalltemporary.Idon’tcarewhatthoseassholesthinkofme,soI’mnotgoingtolettheirperceptionschangemymindaboutthis
Psycheleadsthewaythroughthefrontdoor.Inside,thewarehousehasbeenconverted,theceilingloweredandashiningcurtainblockingoffthespacetowardtheback.TherearequiteafewracksofclothingarrangedbysomesystemIcan’tquiteidentifyatfirstglance.It’snotcolorandit’snotstyle.Maybesize?ThoughJuliettedoescustompieces,andmostdesignerswhooffersimilardon’tgointoexpansivesizing.Certainlynothingthatwouldfitme.
Thenagain,Psycheisaclient,somaybeI’mwrongthere.Imustbeiftheybroughtmeheretoshop.TheDimitriousistersdon’thaveareputationforbeingneedlesslycruel.More,Apollosignedoffonthis.Hewouldn’tallowthemtosetmeup.
Really,Cassandra?Puttingyourfaithinhim?Hemightbekind,buthe’sstillamemberoftheThirteen.You,ofallpeople,knowwhathe’scapableof.
Maybetoothers.Nottome
OrmaybeI’mafoolandabouttohavepieonmyface.
IstraightenmyspineandfollowPsycheandHeratoaremarkablycharmingsittingareaarrangedaroundaplatformwithahalfcircleofmirrors.Adoorofftothesidemustbethechangingroom.
Psychelooksaround.“Juliette?”
“Here.”TherattlingofarackagainstthestainedconcretefloorprecedesthetallBlackwomanwhoappearsfrombetweentheracks.Sheusedtobeamodel,anditshowsinthewayshecarriesherself,hersimplebutelegantblackclothing,andtheshort,darkcurlsthatleaveherfeaturesonappealingdisplay.Ican’tbegintoguessatherage,butshemustatleastbeinherfortiesifshewasaroundwhenthesecondHerawas.Possiblyevenfifties,sincemostdesignersdon’tmakenamesforthemselvesintheirearlytwenties,especiallywhentheyweremodelsfirst.Somemodelsflickerandfadeinthefaceofage,buttimeseemsonlytohavepolishedthiswomanwithsomethingmorethanbeauty.Strength.
Shearrangestheracknexttothechangingroomandmotionslongfingersatme.“Well,letmelookatyou.”
IholdmychinhighasIapproachanddoaslowspin.WhenIfaceheragain,approvallightsherfeatures.“Ilikeyourstyle.Icanworkwiththis.”Shetiltsherheadtotheside.“Butfirst,whatkindofvisiondoyouhaveforthisevent?”
Ihadn’treallythoughtaboutit,butthewordscomeunbidden.“They’regoingtotalkaboutmeregardlessofwhatIdo.Iwanttogivethemsomethingtotalkabout.”
Juliette’ssmileisknife-sharp.“Thenyou’vecometotherightplace.Let’sgetstarted.”6
Apollo
IarriveattheDryadfifteenminutesearly.WhetherCassandraadmitsitornot,she’sgottobenervousaboutdinnerforanumberofreasons.She’llbethrustintotheverypoolofpeopleshe’sspenttwelveyearsavoiding.Nottomentionthisiswhereourfakerelationshipeitherlaunches…orcrashesandburns.
Weshouldhavedoneadryrunsomewhereprivate.Exceptthat’snotlogicaleither,becausedespiteworkingtogetherforfiveyears,we’veneverbeenproperlyalone.Eventhoughnooneworksinourimmediatearea—theclosestisHectorwithhisofficedownthehall—we’renotreallyisolated.Cassandrahasskippedeveryworkpartyandafter-hoursevent.NotthatIblameher,butIcan’thelplookingforherduringtheonesI’mobligatedtoattend.
Nowwe’resupposedtobedating.
Ican’tbelieveIevensuggestedthisplan,letaloneallowedZeustobullyhiswayintoensuringithappenedafterherinitialrefusal.Myreputationismorepristinethatsomeofmypeers,butthiswillbeablackmarkforcertain.Or,rather,itwillbeconfirmationthatI’mnobetterthantheothers.Datingmyassistant?Howcliché.Thegossip
It’sstilllessapricethanI’maskingCassandratopay.
“Apollo?”
Iturn…andfreeze.
Cassandrastandsafewfeetaway.Shewearsherhairlikenormal,anundisturbedglossyfallofdeepred.Herhairalwayscatchesmyeyefirst.I’mstillnotsureifit’snaturalornot.Isupposeitdoesn’tmatter.
Itrytokeepmygazeonherface,onherartfullysmokyeyesanddark-redlips.Truly,Ido.ButevenasItellmyselftostopit,Ican’thelpsweepingmygazeoverher.
Inallthetimewe’veworkedtogether,I’vegottenusedtoCassandrainaparticularkindofclothing.Yes,shewearspencilskirtsthathugherwidehipsandbigassinawaythathasinspiredmorefantasiesthanIcaretoadmit.Butshealsotrendstowardhigh-neckedfrillytopsthatmighthintathergenerouschestbutnevermorethanhint.
Herdresstonightisworldsdifferent.It’sadarkgraythat’salmostblack,settingoffherpaleskinandhighlightingherhair.It’salsogotadeepVinthefrontthatshowsoffmorethanahintofcleavage.Somuchmorethanahint.Ican’tstopmyselffromfollowingthelineofthefabrictoherwaist,whereitflaresinfoldsthatmakeherhipsseemwiderthannormalbeforenarrowingdowntohughercalves.It’sgotaslightsplitinthefront,probablytoallowhertowalk.Redheelscompletethelook.Withthoseheelson,shemightreachpastmyshoulder.Thethoughtmakesmychestthumppainfully.
“Apollo.”There’ssomethinginhervoice.Nothernormalsnarkordrywit.No,it’salmostpanic.
BecauseI’mstandinghere,gawkingatherlikeshe’sananimalinacage.I’mherbossandI’moglingherandmakingheruncomfortable.I’mactinglikeanunforgivablejerk.Igivemyselfashake.“Youlookadequate.”
“Adequate.”Sheblinks.“BesuretopassyourthoughtsalongtoZeuswhenheseesthebill.”
Adequate.WhatamIsaying?Thedressisamasterpiece.Iwanttorunmyhandsoverit,followingthefolds.Iwanttokneelatherfeetandstartmywayfromthebottom.Or,better,startatthetop.Iwanttopeelthedamnthingoffherand…
Iclosemyeyes,strivingforfocus.“Youlooklovely.I’msorry.Youcaughtmeoffguard.”
“I’mnotsureifthat’sacomplimentbutthanks.”
Iopenmyeyestofindherstudyingtherestaurantbehindme.She’snotworryingherbottomlipthewayshedoeswhenshe’snervous,butit’sanearthing.“SoIguesswe’redoingthis.”
“It’snottoolatetochangeyourmind.”
Shesendsmeanarchlook.“I’msureZeuswouldhavesomethingtosayaboutthat.”
Withoutadoubt,butI’drathertanglewithZeusthanputherinapositionwhereshefeelsunsafe.“LetmehandleZeus.”
Cassandrastudiesmeforalongmomentandshakesherhead,hermouthpullingintoawrysmile.“No,Apollo.IsaidyesandIplantoholdhimtohisendofthebargain.Iwon’tgivehimreasontosayIdidn’tdowhatIpromised.Let’sgetthesetongueswagging.”
Iwanttokeeparguing,butwe’realreadydrawinglooks.It’stoolate.Shewon’tchangehermind,sotheleastIcandoismakethisaspainlessforheraspossible.Iturnsmoothlyandoffermyarm.“Shallwe?”
“Byallmeans.”Sheplacesherhandgingerlyinthecrookofmyarm.
Ishouldleaveitatthat,butshe’sright.Ifwe’regoingtodothis,weneedtosellit.“Cassandra,”Isaysoftly.Iwaitforhertolookupatmetocontinue.Thisclose,hercitrusscentthreatenstoderailmythoughts,butIpowerthrough.“You’veseenmedateotherpeople.”
She’ssmart.Sheconnectsthedotsalmostinstantly.Hermouthgoestightandthenrelaxesintoasurprisinglyconvincingsmile.“Right.Sorry.”Shetakesadeepbreathandleansintome,shiftingonehanduptocupmybicepandwrappingherfreeonearoundmyforearm.Thenewpositionhasherbreastspressingagainstmyarmandmyhandisfartooclosetothejunctureofherthighsand…
Ialmostbreakaway.IactuallytensetoputsomedistancebetweenusbeforeIrememberthatthisisthewholepoint.Imightnottouchmyemployeelikethis,butIcertainlywouldtouchsomeoneIwasdating.More,I’mknownforit.Noteffusivepublicdisplaysofaffection,butthecasualintimacythatletseveryoneintheroomknowwhothispersonistome.
“Apollo?”
Thefaintconcerninhertonegroundsme.Imanageasmile,givemyselfonelastmentalshake,andforcemyselftomaketheswitchtomypublicpersona.I’vebeenApollolongenoughthatIdon’thavetobotherplayinggameswhenIdon’twantto,butoldhabitsdiehard.BeforeIheldthetitle,Ihadtoplayharderthananyone.Icandosoagain.
IgiveCassandraacharminggrinandcan’thelptheslightvindicationatthewayshegoesalittlesoftbeforeshecatchesherself.IfItriedtoseducethiswoman…WouldshebejustassweetbeneaththeharshexteriorasIsuspect?Wouldshegosoftforme,letdownherwalls,andletmetakecareofher?
I’llneverknow.
Thisisn’treal.Itwillneverbereal,becauseafterMinos’spartyhaswrappedup,CassandrawilltakehersisterandleaveOlympusonceandforall.I’llneverseeheragain.
WewalkthroughthedoorsoftheDryad,tradinginthebalmyAugustnightforfrigidair-conditioning.I’vealwayslikedthisplace.Yougetasenseoftheaterfromthemomentyouarrive,thedoorsopeningtoasmalllandingspacethatleadstoanarchingbridgeoverakoipond.Therearerocksoneithersidewithwatertricklingdownthem,thesoundpleasing.Itgivestheimpressionofenteringagrotto,andtherestoftherestaurantonlytakesthatflightoffantasyfurther.
Itmightbethespottoseeandbeseenafterhours,buttheownerkeepsitfrombeingabsolutelyunbearablewithaparticularbrandofentertainmentintheeveningandthebestfoodanddrinkOlympushastooffer.
Speakofthedevil.
Panhimselfisbehindthehostcounter,talkingtothehostessinlowtones.He’swhatmygrandmotherwouldcallacharacter.Heisoneofthefewsuccessstoriesthatdon’tlinkbacktoalineagestretchingtothecity’sconception.EvenI’mnotsurewherehecamefrom—Isuspectthelowercity—butheshoweduponedayandboughttheoldrestaurantthatusedtobeinthisspacewithcash.Withinfiveyears,he’dbuiltareputationthatdrewOlympus’selitefamilieslikemagpiestoglitteringjewels.Now,he’snearlyuntouchable.Noonewantstoriskinfuriatinghimandbeingblacklistedfromthisplace,especiallynotafterhowthingsfelloutwiththelastAphrodite.
Panisashortmanwithlight-brownskinandariotofshortdarkcurls.He’sgotawickedsenseofhumorandaninfectiousgrin,whichhe’spointingourwayrightnow.“Apollo.”Heexcuseshimselffromthehostessandroundsthestandwitharmsoutstretched.“It’sbeentoolong.”
“Pan.Youlookwell.”Iallowmyselftobepulledintoaquickhug.Idon’tknowthatPanandIarewhatcouldbetermedfriends.Ienjoyhiscompanyandwe’vesharedmorethanafewtop-shelfbottlesofliquorafterhours,butwedon’tseeeachotheroutsidehisplaceofbusiness.
IturnhimtofaceCassandra.Here’sourfirsttest.“I’dlikeyoutomeetmygirlfriend,Cassandra.”
Shedoesn’tflinch,butshedoesgivePanadismissiveonce-over.“Niceplace.”
Heburstsoutlaughing,thejoyfulsoundfillingtheentranceway.“Youseemsuitablyimpressed.I’veneverseenyouinherebefore.”Hetakesherhandandpressesakisstoherknuckles.Itshouldbearidiculousmove,butablushstealsacrossCassandra’scheeks,andIhavethecompletelyirrationalurgetothrowPanintothekoipond.Heglancesatme,darkeyesalightwithamusement.“Sheseemsfun.”
“Sheisstandingrighthere.”
“Indeed.”Hisgrinwidens.“Ihavethebestseatinthehousesetupforyou.Havefun,kids.”Heclaspsmeontheshoulderandthenhe’sgone,stridingdownasidehallwaythatleadstotheofficesandkitchen.
Thehostess,apetitewhitewomanwithpale-blondhair,smileswarmlyatus.“Thisway,please.”
TheDryadissetupinaveryinterestingway,andI’mcurioustoseeCassandra’sreaction.Iwatchhercloselyasthehostessleadsusupthetallstaircaseandintothemainrestaurant.Itleavesquitetheimpressionfromabove,theroomcomprisedofthreedescendingringswithacircularstageintheverycenter.Thelowerthecircle,thebettertheseatisconsidered.
Personally,Ipreferthehigherring.Ilikepeople-watching,andspendingtimeintheDryadisagoodwaytoseewherealliancesstandwiththevariouspowerplayersinthecity.Naturally,tonightwe’releddowntotheverybottomring.IpressmyhandtothesmallofCassandra’sbackaswedescend,athrillgoingthroughmeatthecasualtouch.
Gods,I’mactinglikeanabsolutecad.
IpulloutthechairforCassandra,movingtooquicklyandjerkily.Sheraisesherbrowsbutsinksintotheseat.IcanfeeleyesonusasImovetositnexttoher.Anunconventionalchoice,maybe,butitwillallowustospeakinsoftervoices.Thewallshaveearsinthisplace.
Yes,that’sall.It’scertainlynotbecauseIwanttobeclosetoher,tohaveherthighpressedtomineandhercitrusyperfumeteasingmysenses,lettingherpresencedistractme…
IrealizemymistakethemomentIsitdown,butit’stoolate.IfImove,ouraudiencemighttakeitasaslightoruseitasanexcusetogossipinadirectionIdon’twantthemtogo.Itrulyamactinglikeanunforgivablefool.
Foronce,Cassandradoesn’tappeartonotice.She’ssurveyingthestagewithastrangelookonherface.“Howcanyoustandthis?Don’tyoufeellikeabearinacage?”
“Iprefertheupperring.”Ipickupthemenu,mostlyforsomethingtodo.“Thetablesuptherearelesssoughtout—comparably—butit’samore…relaxing…eatingexperience.”
Hergazetracksup.“Yeah,Igetthat.”Shesighsandpicksupthemenu.“I’mgoingtobefrank.I’mstarvingandyou’repaying,soI’mgoingtoorderthemostdeliciousthingIcanfind,andit’snotgoingtobeasalad.IfyouareoneofthosepeoplewhofeelstheneedtocritiquemyfoodchoicesbecauseI’mfat,I’mgoingtodumpwineonyourheadandleave.”
Iblink,tryingtoprocesstheonslaughtofinformation—andtheimplications.Aslowangerflarestolifeinmystomach.“Doyoumakeahabitofdatingpeoplewhocommentonyoureatinghabits?”
“Notanymore.”Shedoesn’tlookatme,butherhandsshakealittlewheresheholdsthemenu.“ButIfinditeasiertostatemyintentionsupfrontandavoidanybullshit.Or,moreaccurately,getthebullshitoverwithbeforeithasachancetoruinmymeal.”
“Cassandra.”Icoverherwristwithmyhand,guidingthemenutothetable.“Orderwhatyouwant.”Ishouldleaveitatthat,butthestrangeangerstealsmybestintentions.“Andtobeperfectlyfrank,fuckanyonewhoactslikeyouneedtochangeyourbodytofitsomebullshitbeautystandard.You’restunning.”
Sheblinksthosebig,darkeyesatme.“Apollo.”
Ijustoverstepped,didn’tI?Iopenmymouthtoapologize,buthersoftlaughstopsmeinmytracks.Cassandradoesn’tlaughoften,andneverlikethis,withastrangesortofwonderonherface.
Shepressesherlipstogetherandturnsbacktohermenu.“I’veneverheardyouswearbefore,andthenyoudroptwoinonesentenceinmydefense.I’mhonored.”
She’smakingfunofme,butIcan’thelpasmallsmileinresponse.“Iswear.”
“No,youreallydon’t.You’repainfullyproperandpolite.”Sheshakesherhead.“Butthanksforthecompliment.”
Compliment.Asifcallingherstunningisn’tpuretruth.Cassandramightnothavethecommonlysought-afterbodytypeinthiscity,butIdon’tseehowthatmatters.Beautyisbeautyinwhatevershapeitcomesin.
Cassandraissobeautiful,ittakesmybreathaway.7
Cassandra
It’ssoeasytobewithApollo.Idon’tknowwhythatsurprisesme,butIthinkI’dconvincedmyselfthathewasadifferentpersonoutsidetheoffice.Hemustbe.I’veencounteredhisfamilyfromtimetotimeovertheyears—firsthisparentsbeforemyparentsweremurdered,andmorerecentlyhisshitshowofalittlebrother,Orpheus.Theyarenotgoodpeople.Oh,OrpheusmightmanageitonedayifhepullshisheadoutofhisasslongenoughtolookaroundandrealizethatinOlympus,beautifultorturedartistsareadimeadozen.Theonlyreasonhegetsawaywithhisbadbehaviorisbecauseofwhohe’srelatedto.
AndApollorecentlystoppedtakinghiscalls.
Butthemansittingnexttome,histhighadistractingweightagainstmine?Heshouldbetheworstoftheworst.He’sreachedthepinnacleofpowerwithinthecity.Heshouldbeabusingitleftandright,atleastaccordingtotheactionsoftheothermembersoftheThirteen.Ifhe’dbeenoneoftheThirteenwhenmyparentsattemptedtoassassinateAthena,hewouldhavebeenpartoftheirmurderandsubsequentcover-up.
Instead,hekeepssneakingglancesatmethroughoutdinnerasifhefeelsfortunatetoshareamealwithme
It’sfake.Iknowit’sfake.Onedoesn’tgrowupwithinthiscitywithoutdevelopingaboatloadofcopingmechanisms,chiefamongthemlearningtocraftapublicpersona.ThisisApollo’s.Hedoesn’tbotherwithitintheofficeunlesshehasmeetingswithcertainpeople,andI’veneverbeeninpublicwithhimbefore.That’sall.
Still,itmakesmefeelstrange.
Dinneris,ofcourse,amasterpieceinculinaryarts.Mymealisnearlybetterthansex—oratleastthesexI’vebeenhavingforthelastcoupleyears.Ican’thelpmoaningalittlebitwitheachbite.Andtheexpensivewinehechosepairssowell…
Thisishowitcouldhavebeen.
Ishutthethoughtdown.It’salittlemoredifficulttodothannormal,probablyduetotheamazingfood.It’salmostworthgettinggawkedatbyeveryonearoundus,mostofwhomarenoteventryingtobesubtle.Ievencatchtheladyaboveussnappingapicturewithherphone.Classy.Nofood,nomatterhowmind-blowing,isworthlivinglikethis.Still,it’snotaterribleevening.
Andthentheshowstarts.
Thelightsdimsoslowly,Ialmostdon’tnoticeit.Notuntilit’sdarkenoughthatI’mleftblinkingatmyplate.“Thisfoodisgoingtoendupallovermydress.”
Apollo’slowchucklemakesmybodygotight.Itvividlyremindsmeofhowhelookedatmeoutsidetherestaurant,hisdarkeyeshot.Itwas…desire.I’malmostsureofit.ExceptevenasIremembertheexpressiononhisface,mybrainoffersuphalfadozendifferentalternativesthatmakemoresensethanApollowantingme
I’mnoslouch,butI’mhardlyAresorAphrodite.
“Cassandra.”Heleansin,hisvoicelowandintimate.“You’rethinkingsohard,you’regoingtomisstheshow.”
Mygazetrackstothecenterstage,nowbeinglitbyawaterymixofblueandgreenandpale,pleasinglight.Thestageitselfismaybesixinchestallerthanourtable,butit’sempty.IglanceatApollo,onlytofindhisfacefartooclosetomine.Idon’tjerkback,butit’sanearthing.Hesmilesandtipshischinupward.
Ifollowthemotion…andgasp.
Aboveus,anaiadswimsthroughtheair.Oh,mybrainisalreadypickingapartthemagicofthemoment,pinpointingthewiresattachedtoacleverharnessonherhipsandtailthatkeepsheraloft.Butitdoesn’tchangethefactthatwiththelightandhersinuousmovement,sheappearstobeswimmingassheslowlydescendsfromthedarknessoftheceilingtowardtheplatform.
Asecondnaiadjoinsherintheair.Theyspiralandseemtodancetogether,andIcan’tquitefigureouthowtheydon’tendupentangledineachother’swires,butit’ssobeautiful,Idon’tcareaboutthelogistics.Theshowendsfartoosoon,andIpressmyhandstomythighs,forcingdownaninstinctivereactiontoturntoApolloandaskwhenwecandothisagain.
Wewon’thavethechanceto.Thisisourpublicfakedatetoconvincepeopleit’snotstrangeforustoshowupataweeklongpartytogether.Therewillbenoseconddates,noreturntripstotheDryad.
Ifinditbestnottowantthingsthataren’tmeantforme,butit’sstillastrangelybitterpilltoswallow.Itakeaslowbreath,andthenanother.WhenIturnbacktoApollo,he’swatchingmeinsteadoftheretreatingnaiads.“What?”Ipressmyhandtomyface.“DoIhavesomethinginmyteeth?”
“No.”Hedoesn’telaborate,though.Hesimplypicksupasmallmenuthatwasn’tonourtableatthestartoftheshow.“Dessert?”
Ihesitateandthencursemyselfforhesitating.Imadeabigshowofputtinghiminhisplaceatthebeginningofthis,andnowI’mgoingtoletinsecuritydeprivemeofthechocolatecakeIsawdeliveredtoanearbytablebeforetheshow?No.Absolutelynot.
Iliftmychin.“Yes,please.”
“Apollo!”Theboisterouscallcomesfromthestairs,wherealargemanwithlight-brownskinandaheadfullofstrikinggrayhairismakinghiswaydowntous.EvenwithoutApollomurmuringinmyear,IrecognizeMinos.He’sbeenalloverthegossipsitesinthelasttwoweeks.He’sanattractivemaninabrutalsortofway.IsawhowtheMinotaurwieldedthatgiantswordinthecompetitionforAres.Ibethelearnedtheskillfromhisfosterfather.MinosmovesthesamewayAthena,Ares,andZeusdo:likehe’sgotcombattraining.
Hefinallyreachesourtableandgivesacharmingsmile.“Quitetheshow,wasn’tit?”
“Panofferspremierentertainment,”Apollosaysneutrally.“Didyouenjoyit?”
“Verymuchso.”Minosglancesupintothedarknessoftheceiling.“I’dpaygoodmoneytoknowhowtheypulleditoffwithoutcrashingintoeachother.”
It’snothingmorethanIalreadythought,andhehadn’tdoneanythingwrongduringthisshortinteraction,butsomethingaboutthismanraisesthesmallhairsonthebackofmyneck.AsfarasIknow,wehaven’tconfirmedhimasanenemyofOlympus,soitmightjustbethatheremindsmeabitofthelastZeuswithhisboisterouscharmandsteamrollingattitude.Itmightbe…butI’vesurvivedthislongbytrustingmyinstinctsandthey’resayingthismanisdangerous.
Ofcourseheis.EveryoneinOlympuswithasmidgeofpowerisdangerous.Minoshasgatheredmorethanasmidgesincehearrivedandstartedmakingwaves.
Heturnsbacktouswithaneasychuckle.“Ihearyou’llbebringingaguesttothepartynextweek.”Hefocusesonmeforwhatappearstobethefirsttimesincehearrivedatourtable.It’snotquitealecherouslook,butthere’sinterestinhisdarkeyesthatsetsmyteethonedge.“Prettything,aren’tyou?Ididn’tknowyouweredatinganyone,Apollo.”
“Minos.”Apollo’svoicedoesn’tgotight,butheplaceshishandonmythigh.Justlikethat,I’mnotthinkingaboutMinosatall.Mybrainkindof…blips.Apollokeepsspeakingasifhe’snotbrandingmerightthroughthethinfabricofmydress.“Thisismygirlfriend,Cassandra.Ourrelationshipisarecentdevelopmentwekeptunderwrapsforobviousreasons.You’vetastedwhatthegossipsitesarelikeinthecity.”
Minosgrins.“Relentless.”
“Exactly.Cassandra,thisisournewestOlympian,Minos.He’s…notfromaroundhere.”
Minosboomsoutalaugh.“Notbyalongshot.”Heholdsoutabroadhand.“Nicetomeetyou,Cassandra.”
Igingerlyplacemyhandinhis,tryingnottotensewhenhebrushesaperfectlypolitekisstomyknuckles.Pandidthesamethingwhenwecameintotherestaurant,butitdidn’tgivemethesamereaction.Hisflirtingfeltharmless
There’snothingharmlessaboutMinos.
HereleasesmyhandandturnsthatcharmingsmileonApollo.“Lookforwardtoseeingyouattheparty.”
“Thefeelingisentirelymutual.”
Minosheadsforthestairsandascendstothethirdlevel,returningtoanemptyseatatalargetable.Icanseeitfrommypositionwithoutcraningmyneck.IrecognizeTheseusandtheMinotaur—whatkindofnameisthat,anyway?Thereareanotherthreepeopleatthetable,butthey’resittingtoofarbackintheshadowstogetagoodlook.“DoesMinoshaveawife?Otherchildren?”Idon’tthinkhisfostersonshavewives.Iftheydo,they’vekeptthewomenoutofthepubliceyesincearrivingbecausewhilebothmenhavebeenphotographedanumberoftimesinthelastfewweeks,they’veneverbeenseenwithanyone.
“Nowife.Adaughterandason.Theyalsohaveanotherwomanintheirparty,butI’mnotcertainofherconnection.She’snotanotherdaughter,though.”
“Isee.”IdropmygazetoApollo.He’sstillrelaxedandsmiling,butthere’snewtensionaroundhisdarkeyes.“Youreallydon’tlikehim,doyou?”
“Idon’tknownearlyenoughabouthim.”
FromApollo,that’ssayingsomething.Heknowseverythingabouteveryone.It’sliterallyhisjob.Itspeaksvolumesthatthere’snothingtofindwhenitcomestoMinos.I’msureitfeelslikefailure,andApolloisnotonetotoleratethat.Atleastwhenitcomestohimself.
Hehasalotmoregracewhenit’ssomeoneonhisteamwho’scomeupshort.
Iopenmymouthtoattemptsomethingreassuring,butthenIregisterthathestillhashishandonmythigh.It’s…anicehand.EverythingaboutApolloisnice.He’snotmassivebyanymeans,butI’veseenhimhaularoundlargeboxesasifit’snothing,sohestaysinshape.Hishandisgraceful,longfingeredwithperfectlymaintainednails.
EvenasItellmyselfI’mbeingridiculous,IknowI’llfeeltheimprintofhisfingerstattooedonmyskinforhoursafterward.It’salltooeasyformyimaginationtotakehold,tofillintheblanksofwhatitwouldfeellikeifheslidhishandhigher,ifhecurvedhisfingersaroundtomyinnerthigh,ifhe—
“Cassandra.”
Iliftmygazefromhishandtohisface.Idon’tknowwhatmyexpressionisdoing,buthenarrowshiseyesandhistensionbleedsaway,replacedby…heat?Hisfingerspulseonmythigh.Ifeelthatpulseallthewaytomypussy,asifheskatedhistouchuptocupmethere.Ishiver.Whatdidhesay?Myname?Ilickmylips,achinglyawareofthewayhiseyesfollowthemovement.“Yes?”
“Aretheywatching?”
Ituckmyhairbehindmyears,usingthemovetocheck.Itseemslikeeveryoneiswatching.“Yes.”
Hesighs.“Ofcoursetheyare.”Again,hisfingerspulseonmythigh.“I’mgoingtokissyounow.”
Hisresignationalmostmakesmelaugh.Oritwouldifapithadn’tjustopenedupinmystomach.Ofcoursehe’snotkissingmebecausehewantsto;it’sallpartoftheroleswe’replaying.“Justlikethat.”
“Justlikethat.”ButApollodoesn’tmove.He’sstillsearchingmyfaceforanswersI’mnotsureIhave.Thisisallpretend.Itwillcontinuebeingpretendforthenextweekorso.I’vekissedpeopleIlikelessthanApollo.Idon’tknowifI’vekissedanyonethatIlikemore.
I’mstillprocessingthatthoughtwhenheleansforward.“Ifyou’renotcomfortable—”
Mybodyoverridesmystill-spinning-outmind.Igrabhistieandtughimdown,liftingmyfacetomeethis.Tohiscredit,hissurprisedoesn’tlastlong.Heslipshisfreehandalongmyjawtocupmyhead.Atfirst,it’sbarelyakiss.Hislipsbrushmine,perfectlypoliteandbarelyworthnoting.Exceptit’sApolloandhe’skissingme.
Hisgriptightenseversoslightlyonmythighandashakyexhaleghostsagainstmylips.Foramoment,Ithinkthat’sit.He’skissedme.Everyonewatchinghasseenit.We’veaccomplishedwhatwesetouttodo.
Butitdoesn’tstopthere.
Heonlypullsawayenoughtoadjusthisangleandthenhismouthreclaimsmine.Idon’tintendtoopenforhim…Idon’tthink.Everythingisalittlehazy,mybrainmisfiringbecauseApolloiskissingme.AndthenhistongueslidesagainstmineandIcan’tthinkofanythingatall.Hekeepsitlight,teasingkissesthatmakemyheadspinandmybodypulse,butnothingsodeepthatI’msweptaway.
Ishouldhaveknown.Apolloisfocusedandintentionalabouteverysinglethinghedoes.Ofcoursehe’dbringboththosetraitstoakiss—tomore.Itrytokeepmythoughtsinorder,butI’msweptawayashereleasesmythighlongenoughtogripmychairandtugmeaninchcloser.ItplastersustogetherfromkneetohipandIshiver.We’refullyclothedandsittinginthemiddleofacrowdedrestaurant,butI’mhavingtroublerememberingwhyIcan’tclimbontohislap.
JustwhenI’mabouttoforgetmyselfentirely,hefinallyliftshishead,breakingthekissgently.Iactuallystarttoleanforwardbeforerealityslamsintome.
Thisispretend.Wewereputtingonashow.Evenifitwasn’t,Iwouldratherflingmyselfintooncomingtrafficthangivealltheseassholesevenmoretogossipabout.
AdeeplysatisfiedsmilepullsatApollo’slips.“Now.Ithinkit’stimefordessert.”8
Apollo
Thedayweleaveforthehouseparty,IpickupCassandraonthecurboutsideherapartment.AsIstepoutofthecar,Ican’thelplookingaroundwithdispleasure.We’reafewblocksfromtheupperwarehousedistrict,andwhilecrimeinOlympusisn’tsomethingofovertconcern,itdoesn’tchangethefactthatCassandralivesaloneandthedoorleadinguptoherapartmentdoesn’tseemverysecure.Ifrownatitasshecomesthrough,battlingtwooversizesuitcases.“Icouldkickthatdownwithoneblow.”
“Ifyoudothat,I’lllosemydeposit,somaybelet’snot.”Sheshovesonesuitcaseatme.“Here,takethis.”
“I’mnotgoingtokickdownyourdoor.”Ireachpastherandpullitshutfirmlyenoughtohearthelockengage.ThenIrattleit.“Iwouldn’tevenhavetokickit.Gods,Cassandra,youshouldletmesetyouupsomewheresafer.”
“It’samootpoint.”
Becauseshe’sleaving.Right.Iblinkdownather.Ididn’trealizehowclosewewerestanding,butIalmosthaveherpinnedbetweenmeandthedoor.Thememoryofourkisswashesoverme.Icanstilltasteheronmylips,eventhoughit’sbeendays.Itwasn’tnearlyenough.Iwantherpressedagainstme.Iwantmyhandsalloverher.IactuallyshiftalittlecloserbeforeIregisterthesuitcaseshekeepsbetweenuslikeashield…Igivemyselfashake.“Sorry.”
“Thedoorisfine.”Shebrushespastmeandheadsforthecaridlingatthecurb.“I’vemanagedtolivehereforyearswithoutsomeonekickingitdown,soIdon’texpectthey’regoingtodoitinthenextweek.”Sheflicksherhairoffhershoulder.“Noteveryonecanaffordtoliveinagildedtower,Apollo.”
“Ifyou’dletme—”
“Youdon’tpayforHector’shousing.”Shestartstowrestlethesuitcaseintothetrunk,andIhavetoabandontheoneI’mholdingtonudgeherasideandhandleit.Cassandrahuffsoutabreath.“Honestly,Hector’sbeenwithyoulonger,andhebarelymakesmorethanme.”
Somethingakintoembarrassmentheatsthebackofmyneck,butIkeepmyexpressionimpassive.“HowwouldyouknowwhatHectormakes?”
“Iaskedhim.”
It’snot,strictlyspeaking,forbiddenforemployeestotalkaboutwagesamongthemselves,butIwishHectorhadbeenalittlelessfrank.“You’reworthwhatIpayyou.”Truly,she’sworthmore.Herinsightispricelesswhenitcomestodiviningpeople’sintentions.She’smuchbetteratreadingpeopleandsituationsthanIam.
“I’mnotarguingthat.”Thewayshesaysitmakesmethinksomeoneargueditatsomepoint,butshecontinuesbeforeIhaveachancetoquestionherfurther.“ButthereareplentyofpeoplewhoalreadythinkI’msleepingwithyousoyou’llpaymybills,sohavingyoumovemesomewhereup-citywouldmakethatunbearable.”
Iunderstandwhatshe’ssaying.Ido.ButIcan’thelparguingasIwrestlehersecondsuitcaseintothetrunk.“Youdon’tcarewhatanyoneinOlympusthinksofyou.Whywouldyoudepriveyourselfofasafeplacetolivejustbecausepeoplewouldtalk?Theyalreadytalk.”
“Idon’texpectyoutounderstand.”
Islamthetrunkclosedandcirclearoundtoholdthedoorforher.Shelookslovelytoday,wearingasundresswithafloralpatternonit.I’veneverbeensoattractedtoflowersinmylife.
Cassandraslipsintothecarandsighs.“Gottaloveair-conditioning.It’shotterthanHadesoutside.”
“Hadesisn’tthathot.”I’maliar.He’sridiculouslysexyinabroodishsortofway,andheonlyseemstohavegottenmoresonowthathe’shappilymarried.Everytimehelooksathiswife,hepracticallylightsuptheroom,whichonlyincreaseshisoverallattractiveness.Notthathe’sawareofit.
“Yes,heis,butthat’snotwhatImeantandyouknowit.”
Idoknowit.I’malsonotgoingtoletherdistractmefrommyearlierquestion.“Explainwhatyoumean.Whatdon’tIunderstand?”
Cassandraleansbackagainsttheseat.“You’renotanasshole.”
Iblink.“Thanks?”
“It’sacompliment.”Shesoundsmildlyfurious.“Ifyouwereanyoneelse,I’dhappilytakeyouforeverythingyouhad,butyou’rethereasonI’mabletoputAlexandrathroughschoolrightnow.Askingformoreisjustridiculous.”
Itrytoparsethroughallthat.Thelogicisastrangesortoftwisted,butshe’sright.Itisacompliment.Still,there’ssomethingIcan’tleavealone.Istifletheurgetotakeherhand—there’snooneheretowatchus—andsettlebackagainsttheseat.ItwilltakejustundertwohourstoreachMinos’scountryhome.Wehavetime.“Cassandra.”
“Apollo.”Shemimicsmytone.“You’reabouttosaysomethingunreasonablylogical,andit’sgoingtopissmeoff.”
“Withoutadoubt.”Ispareasmile.“You’reoneofthesmartestpeopleIknow.Ivalueyourinput.I’mnotbringingyoutothispartybecauseyou’reabeautifuldistraction.YouseethingsIdon’t.It’swhyIpayyousomuch,andit’swhyI’dhappilypayyoumore.Iftheonlycriteriaforthistaskwereaprettyfaceandgorgeousbody,thereareplentyofotherstochoosefrom.Ineedyourkeenmindatmyside.”
ShelooksatmelikeI’vegrownasecondhead.“Idon’tknowhowtodealwithwhatyoujustsaid,soI’mgoingtoignoreit.”
“Cassandra—”
Sheholdsupahand.“Weonlyhavesomuchtimebeforewe’reatMinos’splace.I’massumingwewon’teasilybeabletohavefrankconversationsontheproperty?”
“No.”Ishakemyheadslowly.She’srightthatweneedtotieupanylooseendsbeforewegetthere,butIcan’tshakethefeelingthatshejustchangedthesubjectbecausesheisn’tcomfortablewiththecompliment.Thatdoesn’tmakeanysense,though.CassandraisoneofthemostconfidentpeopleIknow.Whywouldshebeuncomfortablewithmyhonestappreciation?
Ittakesmoreeffortthanitshouldtofocusproperly.“Wehavetoassumehe’sbuggedtheplace,bothwithaudioandpotentiallyvideo.”
Shenarrowshereyes.“He’llexpectyoutosweeptheroom,atleast,andremoveanythingyoufind.”
“Yes.”IamOlympus’sspymaster.Minosiscannyenoughtoknowthat,andhe’llexpectmetotakeprecautions.That’sthetruerub.HeknowsI’mcomingtothispartytofindinformationandyethestillinvitedme.It’sadare.“Ihaveasolutiontothecameras.It’sblunt,andnormallyI’djustplayalongandpretendIdidn’trealizetheywerethere,butIwon’tletanythingthathappensatthispartyharmyou.”
Cassandrawavesthataway.“Myreputationhasbeenintatterssincebeforeyoumetme.Besides,thisisafakerelationship,soit’snotasifwe’reindangerofhavinghimfilmandleakasextape.Ifitservesyourpurposetokeepthecamerasinplace,don’tletmebethereasonyoudon’t.”
Sextape.
Animageslamsintomyhead,tooquicktoresist.Meonmyback,holdingmyphone.Cassandraastridemeand…
Iabruptlystareoutthewindow.Thecityhasgivenwaytorollingcountryside.Ifocusonthetrees,countingthemuntilIhavecontrolofmybody’sresponse.WhenIfinallyturnback,she’slookingatmestrangelyagain.
“Iwon’tletanyharmcometoyou.Thecamerasgo.”Thestatementcomesouttooharsh,toobold.
“Okay.Itrustyou.”Hereasybeliefinmeisstaggering,butshecontinuesbeforeIcanfullyprocess.“Idon’tsupposeyouhaveblueprintsofthehouse?”
“No.”Theadmissiongrates.“ItusedtobelongtoHermes.”HermesisoneofthefewmembersoftheThirteenthatIhavenexttonoinformationon.Shetookthetitleaboutayearafterme.TheHermestitleistransferredbyvirtueofstealinganunstealableobjectoracquiringapieceofinformationaboutoneoftheThirteenthatnooneelseknows.ThisHermesdidboth.
Sheappearedoutofnowhere.Nopast,noactiveconnectionstoanyofthelegacyfamilies,nomotivethatIcansee.ShestoodbeforetherestofusandrecitedthingsabouttheothersthatnotevenIknewwhileholdinganheirloomvasefrommyfamily’svault.Noonecontestedthetruthofthosefacts,andshewasinstatedasHermesimmediately.
Sincethen,she’sbeenanagentofchaos,butsheseemstogenuinelywanttoprotectOlympus.Iwouldn’tcallheranally,butshe’snotanenemy.
Ithink.
Eitherway,despiteherapparentlackofboundariesanddeeploveofbreakingandentering,Hermesisintenselyprivatewhenitcomestoherownhome.Frankly,I’mshockedshesoldthisplacetoMinos.Thecountrymightnotsuither,butshe’sownedthehousesinceshetookoverthetitle.
“Well,shit.”Cassandrasighs.“Thenit’sboundtobefullofsurprises.Hermes’ssenseofhumoristootwistednottohavesecretpassagewaysandthelike.Itwouldappealtoher.”
Ican’targuethat,thoughthefamiliarwayshespeaksofHermeshasmycuriositystirring.“Mostlikely.”
Shehesitates.“I’mstillsurprisedyoudidn’tmanagetogettheblueprints.Thehousedidn’tspringoutofnothing.Someonebuiltit.Ifyoucan’tgettoitthroughpermits,applyingpressuretooneoftheworkersisthenextbestthing.”
Ilovethatshealreadymadethatlogicaljump.Ishakemyhead.“Itried.Shedidn’tuseanyoftheknowncontractorsintheuppercity.”
“Shewenttothelowercity.”
Ismilereluctantly.“That’smytheory.AndtheyhavenoloveformeasamemberoftheThirteen,soit’sadeadend.”NottomentionHadeswouldn’thavethankedmefortrespassinginhisdomain.Therearecircumstanceswhenitwouldbehoovemetotesthim,butnotoversomethingasmundaneasthis.ItaggravatesmycuriositytonoendthatIdon’tknowwhatHermesdidtothebuildingaftersheacquiredit,butultimatelyit’sacountryhousethatIwouldneversetfootin.
OrsoIthought.
Cassandraexaminesherlongredfingernails.“WillHermesbeattheparty?”
“Idon’tknow.”Theguestlistisanotherthingthat’sbeenkeptunderwraps.Minoshasn’tkeptaconvenientlisttoperuse,atleastnotdigitally.
“PoorApollo,”shemurmurs.Hereyesarealightwithamusement.“Itmustbeaggravatingtohaverunintosomanydeadends.Soweneedtomapthehouseasquicklyaspossible,findoutwhereMinoskeepsthekeystothekingdom,andusethemtounlockhismysteries.”
“Nicemetaphor.”
“Itry.”
Weshareagrinthatquicklybecomes…somethingelse.It’smyfault.Mygazefallstoherlips,anddespitemybestefforts,Ican’thelpthinkingaboutthatkisstheothernightagain.She’dtastedofwineandhadpracticallymeltedwhenIdeepenedthecontact.
Notevencoldshowerswereenoughtocombatthatmemoryovertheweekend.Ihaven’thadmybodytakeoversointenselysinceIwasateenager,butbackthen,IwasjackingmyselftowhateverIcouldfindontheinternetthatsuitedmytastes.
Thesedays,myfantasiesallrevolvearoundonewoman.
Cassandrafrowns.“Idon’tunderstandwhythisisallnecessary,though.IfMinosbargainedforinformationinexchangeforhiscitizenship,whyhasn’thegiventhatinformation?”
“Hehas.”Ishrug.“Orsohesays.Hewasrecruitedtoamilitantgroupfifteenyearsago,butaccordingtohim,hewaspartofacellthatwasonlyinformedabouttheArestournament.Whichwealreadyknew,sinceheshoweduphereforthatevent.Wedon’tknowanythingabouttheirleader,theirmotivations,ortheirplans.”
“Youthinkhe’sstillworkingforthem?”
“That’swhatIamtofindout.Hesayshedefected.We’renotnaiveenoughtobelieveit.Ineedevidenceofcorrespondenceoramoneytrailorsomethingtoprovehe’sstillansweringtotheenemy.”
“Okay.Thatmakessense.WeneedtogetyouaccesstoMinos’spersonalcomputer,sinceIdoubthe’sgotpaperfilesjusthangingoutwithincriminatingevidence.”Cassandralicksherlips.“I,uh,supposewe’llbedoingmorekissingthisweek.”
“Yes.”Thewordislow.AcommandI’mpracticallydaringhertochallenge.Ifshedid…
Well,itdoesn’tmatter,becauseshejustgivesajerkynod.“Allforthecause,right?I’vekissedworsepeopleforshittierreasons.”
Idon’tliketothinkaboutherkissingworsepeopleforshittierreasons.IhaveveryintentionallynotlookedintoCassandra’sprivatelife.Oh,everyoneinthecityisawareherparentswerekilledinacarcrashafterdispleasingZeus—andIknowthetruthbehindthatpubliclie—andthatsheandhersisterwerepubliclyshunnedafterward.
That’sonething.Herpersonallifeissomethingelse.
Idon’tpry.Idon’tcheckuponher.Idon’taskherwhoshe’sdatingorwhyshe’schangedherperfumeandstartedwearingredderlipstickaboutayearintoworkingforme.Ihadthoughtshemightbeseeingsomeone,butshewouldn’thaveagreedtoZeus’sbargainifshewas.Shewouldn’tbeleavingherpartnerbehindwhenshewalksoutofOlympusforgood.
Exceptallthat’sanexcuse,isn’tit?
Idon’tcareifsheisseeingsomeone.IwillkeepmyprioritiesinorderandfindtheanswersMinoswantstokeephidden,butIwon’tlie;IamgreedyforeveryminutewithCassandra.Afterthisweek,allI’llbeleftwitharemymemoriesofher.Ionlyhavesevendaystoshoreupalifetime’sworthofthem.
Idon’tknowifit’sgoingtobeenough.9
Cassandra
Bythetimewereachthehouse,I’maboutreadytothrowmyselffromthecar.It’snotthatthingsgotawkwardwithApollo.Hekeepslookingatmewiththatstrangeexpressiononhisface,buthe’smaintainedasteadyflowofeasyconversation.
Still,Icantellitbothershimthathedoesn’thavealltheinformation.NotonMinos.Notevenonthehousewe’regoingtobespendingsevendaysin.Itmakesmefeeltheirrationalurgetocomforthim.Whatalaughableimpulse.Apollodoesn’tneedmycomfort.Nomatterthesetbacks,he’llgettothebottomofthisandfindanswers.It’swhathedoes.Hemightevenendupenjoyingthechallenge.
Thehouseis,ofcourse,sprawlingandbeautiful.Itcreatesanupside-downUshapethatframesthecirculardrive.We’renottheonlycarpullingup,andIcatchsightofHermesherselfbouncingfromthecarinfrontofus,followedbyanexhausted-lookingDionysus.Theymakequitethepair.She’sashortBlackwomanwithdark-brownskinandtightdarkcurlswearingbright-pinkpantsthatsparkleinthesunlightandatealgraphicT-shirtthatIcan’treadfromhere.Dionysus,ontheotherhand,isawhitemanwithmusseddarkhair,atrulyoutstandingmustache,andapenchantfordressinglikehesteppedoutofanothertime.Todayit’sslacks,suspenders,andadarkprintedbutton-downshirtbeneathavest.
IstilllikeHermes.Firstbecauseshe’soneofthefewpeopleintheuppercitywhoknowwhatmyparentsdidanddidn’ttreatmelikeI’mcarryingaroundaknifeandjustwaitingtofinishthejobtheystarted,andsecondbecauseItrulyenjoybeingaroundher.Ourrelationshipflaredbrightandhot,butwequicklyrealizeditwasn’tmeanttobe.I’llneverwillinglytiemyselftoamemberoftheThirteen,andIhighlysuspectHermesgaveherhearttosomeonealongtimeagoandnooneelsecancompare.Thesedays,we’refriendsandthatsuitsusboth.
ApollowaitsuntilHermesloopsanarmthroughDionysus’sandtowshimintothehousebeforeheopensthedoorandstepsoutofthecar.Hecatchesmyquestioninglook.“Wehavetodealwithhereventually,butthere’snoreasontorushit.”
IshouldprobablytellApollothatshe’smyex,butthewordskeepstickinginmythroat.Surelyitdoesn’tmatter?IaccepthishandeventhoughI’mmorethancapableofclimbingoutofthecarwithouthelp.Fortheact,ofcourse.NotbecauseIlikethewayhisfingerscurlaroundmine.Todistractmyself,Isay,“Youreallydon’tlikeHermes,doyou?”
“She’sfine.”
Hisclippedtonegiveshimaway.Ifrownathim.“Isityoudon’tlikeher?Orthatyou’requietlyfuriousthatshe’sdodgedanyofyourattemptstogetmoreinformationonher?”
Apolloshootsmeasharplook.“Idon’tlikemysteries.”
Ibet.“Hasshebrokenintoyourhouse?”
Hisjawgoestight.“Severaltimes.Istillcan’tfigureouthowshegetsin.”
Thatmustirritatehimtonoend.Hereallydoeshatemysteries.Withoutthinking,Ipathischest.“PoorApollo.Thatmustbotheryousomuch.”
Heglancesdowntowheremyfingersstillrestlightlyagainsthischest.Whenhespeaksagain,hisvoicehasdeepened.“I’llgetoverit.”
“Welcome!”
Idropmyhandguiltilyandspintofacethewomanapproachingus.She’saboutmyage,Ithink.Aboutmysize,too,andwearingaperfectlytailoredblouseandshorts.Shemoveswithaneasygracethatreeksofsomekindofexpensivefinishingschool;noonemoveslikethey’refloatingnaturally.
ThewomanmustbeMinos’sdaughter,butshedoesn’tlooklikehimatallasidefromhercoloring.Herlight-brownskinisanidenticaltone,thoughherhairisadeepblackandfallsinastraightlinepasthershoulders.
Shesmilesatus,theexpressionlightingupherdarkeyes.Beingonthereceivingendofthatsmilemakesmyspinestraightendespitemyself.Idon’thaveatype.I’mnotonetonarrowmyoptions,evenifIdon’tdatemuchasageneralrule.Butthiswomanispretty.Very,verypretty.
Ican’thelpglancingatApollotoseehisreaction.Apparentlyhehadthesameideabecauseourgazesmeetfleetinglybeforeweturnbacktoher.Hestepsforwardandoffersahand.“I’mApollo.Thisismygirlfriend,Cassandra.”
“Iknow.”Hersmilewidens.Shelookssohappy.Surelyshe’sfakingit,butIdon’tdetectahintofartificeinher.“I’mAriadne.Mybrother,Icarus,andIareseeingtothesleepingarrangements.Wehaveyourroomready.”
Hehashischildrendoingtheinitialentertaining.It’snotshocking.AftertheencounterwithTheseusinApollo’sofficeandwatchingtheMinotaurduringthecompetitionforAres,Idon’texpecteitherofthemexcelatplayingnice.NotlikeAriadneapparentlydoes.Ican’thelpwonderingifIcarustakesafterhissisterorhisfosterbrothers
Apollosmilesdownather.“Thatsoundswonderful.”
Sheturnsandleadsusthroughthefrontdoorsintoanechoingentranceway.Itlookslikesomethingoutofamoviewithtwostaircasescirclingthespaceoppositethefrontdoortomeetoverhead.IknewHermeshadasenseofthetheatrical,butthislookslikeacrossbetweenaGothicmansionandsomehideouslyexpensivesouthernmanor.
Ariadneheadsupthestairs,leavingustotrailbehind.Thearchwayatthetopofthestairsflowsintoawidehallway.Shemotionsatthedoorsstuddingthewallsallthewaydown.“Theseareconvertedrooms.They’reessentiallysittingroomsandwillbeopentowhoeverwantstousethemthroughouttheday.”
Iraisemybrows.“Howmanypeoplearecomingtothispartythatyouneedhalfadozensittingrooms?”
Shetucksherhairbehindherears.“Theywere,ah,usedforadifferentkindofentertainingpurposebythelastowner,andmyfatherdecidedsittingroomswereamoreappropriateconversion.”
Adifferentkindofentertainment.
Ilookatthedoorswithnewinterest.Hermes’ssexualtastesarejustaseclecticasherfashion.She’skinkyasfuckandaregularinthelowercitywhereit’srumoredthatHadeshasanhonest-to-godssexclub,thoughshenevertookmetherewhenweweredating,understandableconsideringHadeswassupposedtobeamythatthatpoint.Anotherofthesecretsshekeptclosetoherchest.
Still…Sixrooms?
“Isee,”Apollosaysfaintly.Ican’ttellifhe’sactuallysurprisedorscandalizedorifthisisinformationhealreadyhadfiledawayinthatimpressivebrainofhis.
“Dinnerwillbeatseventonight.Papahasapartygameplannedafterward.”Ariadneshootsusasweetsmile.“There’sanagendainyourroomwithdetailsfortheweek.Dinnerandlunchhavescheduledtimes,butpleasefeelfreetohavebreakfastsenttoyourroom.Ifyouprefertodinedownstairs,therewillbeasmallbuffetavailable.”
ImakeashowoflookingaroundaswereachaTinthehallwayandtakearight.“Idon’tsupposethere’samapwiththatagenda.”
“Noneed.”Anothersweetsmile.Isthiswomanforreal?“Justfollowthishallwaybacktotheentranceway,godownstairs,andeverythingisastraightshottothemainareadownstairs.”
Astraightshotdoesn’tsoundveryHermes.Thishouseholdssometricksupitssleeve.I’msureofit.TheonlyquestioniswhetherMinosandhispeopleknowitorifHermeskeptthosesecretstoherself.I’dbetgoodmoneyonthelatter.
Ariadneopensadoorhalfwaydownthehall.“Thisisyourroom.Pleasemakeyourselfcomfortableandfeelfreetoexplorebeforedinnerifyou’resoinclined.Thegardensareparticularlylovely.”
Istepinsidefirst.I’mvaguelyawareofApollofollowingmeintotheroomandshuttingthedoorbehindhim,buttheonlythingIcanfocusonistheoversizebed.Ihadfoolishlythoughtthismightbeafullsuite,butwhilethere’sabathroomthroughtheopendoorvisiblefrommyposition,theonlyotherfurnitureintheroomisanantique-lookingdresserandapairofmatchingnightstandsoneithersideofthebed.
Fuck
Iknewthiswascoming,ofcourse.Ijustdidn’texpecttofreezeupattherealityofit.“Um.”Damnit,Icandobetterthanthat.Iclearmythroat.“Abouttonight,whenwegotobed—”
“Holdthatthought.”Henarrowshiseyesandmotionstowardthebed.“Sitandbesilent.Please.”
Ijerkback,asharpreplyonmylips,beforemybrainkicksintogearandmakesthejumptowhat’sgoingon.He’snottellingmetobequiet.Hewantstosweeptheroomforsurveillance.IsitprimlyontheedgeofthebedandwatchhimdigthroughhisduffelbagforapieceofelectronicsIdon’trecognize.It’sstrangelydifficulttostaysilentashegoesovereveryinchoftheroom.Thedevicedingsthreetimes.Onceinthemirroroverthedresser.Oneinthelampshadeonthenightstand,andonetuckedcleverlyintothedoorjamb.Afourthadditionalonedingsfromthebathroom.
Imakeaface.“Ugh.”
“Notdone.Checkingforcameras.”
Ishudderalittle.Obviouslybeingwatchedandlistenedtowassomethingwe’dtalkedaboutbeforethis.I’mnotsurprisedwhenhepullsatinycamerafromthemoldingatthetopofthemirror,butIfeelvaguelyviolatedallthesame.“Gross.”
“Yes.”Hedepositsitinthesmallpileonthedresserandbrusheshishandstogether.“That’severything.Aboutwhatweexpected.IhaveadevicethatHectorcanusetohackthesystem,butIneedtobeclosertothecontrolroom,whichmeansweneedtoprioritizefindingit.”
“Consideritprioritized.”
“Agreed.”Henods.“Aboutthesleepingarrangements…I’llsleeponthefloor.”Apollohaulsmysuitcasestoaspotnearthedresserandsetshisontheotherside.
“But—”
“Don’targue.”Hedoesn’tlookatme.“Iknowyou’renotgoingtoinsultmebysuggestingI’dallowyoutosleeponthefloorwhileItakethebed.Andno,we’renotgoingtoswitchoff.Idon’tcareaboutbeingfair,sothatagreementwon’twork.”
Alittleforbiddenthrillgoesthroughmeathisfirmtone.Apolloalmostnevergetsabruptwithme,andcertainlynevercommanding.Icancountononehandhowmanytimesit’shappenedinthepastfiveyearsandstillhavefingersleftover.Includingjustnow.
Hefinallyfacesme,browsdrawninaforbiddingline.Thethrillinsidemeonlygetsstrongerinresponse.Heeyesme.“Doyouconcede?”
“Iwasgoingtosuggestthebathtub.It’sgottobemassiveinahouselikethis.”
“Absolutelynot.Youarenotsleepinganywherebutonthatbed,Cassandra.DoImakemyselfclear?”
Yes,sir.
Iclampmymouthshutsofast,Ibitemytongue,butImanagetokeepthesnarkyreplyinternal.UndernocircumstanceswillIbecallingApolloanythingotherthanhisname,andcertainlynotsomethinginatonesosexuallysuggestive.
Nomatterhowmeltyitmakesmefeel.Infact,thatmeltysensationinmycoreisaverygoodreasontoneveradmithowheaffectsme.Ever.
Ibelatedlyrealizehe’swaitingforaresponseandclearmythroat.“You’rebeingridiculous.”Ismoothmyhandsovermydress.“We’rebothadults.It’sabigbed.There’snoreasonwecan’tshare.”
Hisjawgoesslack.“Cassandra—”
“Ifyou’reworriedaboutmewanderinginmysleep,Idon’t.Buttherearemorethanenoughpillowstoputupabarrierbetweenustoprotectyourvirtue.”ThewordsarealittlesharperthanIintend,butIdon’tliketheideaofhimsleepingonthefloor.Icancontrolthemeltiness.I’mnotgoingtothrowmyselfatmyboss,nomatterhowgoodhisfakekissesmademefeel.
Apollorunsahandthroughhisshortblackhair.“Idon’twanttoputyouinapositionwhereyoufeeluncomfortable.”Hegrimaces.“ThoughIguessIcan’tsaythatanylongerbecauseyou’rehereandIknowyou’drathernotbe.”
There’snotmuchtosaytothat,butIcan’tjustnotrespond.“Forwhatit’sworth,IknowI’msafewithyou.Thatwasnevertheissue.”It’sjusteverythingelsethatthreatenstomakethissomessy.NoneofthatisApollo’sfault,though,andIcan’tstandthethoughtofhimblaminghimselfformyshittyattitude.Heshouldknowbynowthatit’smydefault.
Hegivesawansmile.“Well,withthatoutoftheway,let’sgetreadyfordinnerandseeaboutfindingthatcontrolroomtodealwiththecameras.”
“Soundslikeaplan,”Isayfaintly.10
Apollo
IunderestimatedwhatitwouldbeliketobeinsuchcloseproximitywithCassandraoutsidetheoffice.Thesheerintimacyofsittingonthebedandgoingthroughmyemailswhileshestandsinthebathroomwithwethairassheputsonhermakeupis…strange.Verystrange.
I’vedatedseveralpeopleseriouslyasanadult,andnoneofthoserelationshipsreachedapointwhenmovingintogethermadesense,buttherewereintimatemoments.Relationshipsarebuiltofintimatemoments.Idon’tknowwhyitfeelssodifferentwithher.I’dbeafooltochasethatfeeling.
MyphoneringsasCassandrafinishesdoingsomethingtohereyestogivethemasexy,faintlysmokylook.Ibitebackasighatthesightofmylittlebrother’snameonthescreen.It’sbeenseveralweekssinceIcuthimoff,andIdon’ttrusthimnottorevertrightbacktohisspoiledselfthemomenthesensesmewavering.Cuttinghimoffwasn’teasy,butitwastherightthingtodo.
It’sstilltherightthingtodo,butI’mnotheartlessenoughtoignorehiscallsentirely,nomatterhowfrustratingIfindthem.“Orpheus.”
“Apollo.”Hesoundstired,hischarmwornthin.
Guiltpricksme.Ourmother’sworriedabouthim.Shewantshimtomovebackhome,toletherlookoutforhim.Sincethattranslatestohermeddlingwithhislife,Idon’tblamehimfordigginginhisheels.He’smadechanges,too.Downsizedhisapartmentandmovedawayfromthecitycentertosomewheremoreaffordable.Hedoesn’thaveajobyet,butapparentlyhewasn’tascarelesswithhismoneyasI’dassumed.Hehasplentyofittoworkthroughbeforehe’sanythingresemblingtrulydesperate
“Ineedafavor.”
“No.”
Hesighs.“I’mnotaskingformoneyoranythinglikethat.”
CassandrarealizesI’monthephoneandshutsthebathroomdoor.Afewsecondslater,thehairdryerstarts,thesoundmuffledbythethickwood.I’msuddenlyirritatedthatmybrothercausedmetomissbeingabletowatchherdryherhair.“Butyouareaskingforsomething,andthat’snotpartoftheagreement.”
“Ididn’tagreetoanything.Youmadethatdecisionforme.”
“Yes,Idid.Someonehadto.”Ourparentscertainlyweren’tgoingtoreinhimin.Heinheritedourfather’scharmandourmother’saudacityandboldness.Ourparentshavespoiledhimfromthemomenthewasborn,andtheyneverwouldhavestoppedifIdidn’tdrawthelineinthesand.
Mybrotherisaselfishprick,buthe’snotamonster.Notyet.Ifhecontinuesdowntheroadhewason,though?Ican’tmakeanypromises.He’sanadult.Ican’tsavehimfromhimself.Icanonlyremovesomeofthemoretemptingvicesthatpoisonedhim.
Orpheuscurses.“Look,thelastfewweekshavebroughtsome…clarity.”
Clarity.Right.We’llsee.Isettlebackagainsttheheadboard.“Andthefavor?”
“Eurydiceisspendingallhertimeinthelowercity,andIcan’tgettoher.Iwashopingyou’dpassalongamessageforme.”
Ipinchthebridgeofmynoseandstriveforpatience.“Orpheus,thatwomanwantsnothingtodowithyou.Ifshe’snottakingyourcallsoragreeingtoseeyou,theappropriateresponseistoleaveheralone.It’snottofindaroundaboutwayofcontactingher.”
“Iknow.”ForthefirsttimeinlongerthanIcaretoremember,hesoundsabsolutelyhopeless.Maybehe’sneversoundedlikethat.“IknowIfuckedup,Apollo.Ididn’trealizehowmuchatthetime,butnowthatsomestuff’scomeoutaboutwhathappenedthatnight…IthoughtitwasZeuspullingsomeshit.Ididn’tthinkshe’dgethurt.Ineverwantedherhurt.”
I’dbecurioustoknowhowthatinformationcameoutbecauseit’snotcommonknowledgethatthelastZeususedmybrotherasapawninaconvolutedplantoendangerEurydice,getHadestocrosstheRiverStyx,andbreakadecades’oldtreaty.Ishakemyhead.WhatamIthinking?IknowexactlyhowthatinformationgottoOrpheus.AlltheDimitriouwomenhatemybrother—andwithgoodreason,ifI’mgoingtobehonest.Oneofthemnodoubtinformedhimofjustwhattheythinkofhimandwhy.
“Intentionsdon’tmatter,Orpheus.Actionsdo,”Ifinallysay.
“Iknow.That’swhyI’mtryingtomakeitright.”
OrpheusistenyearsyoungerthanmeandsometimesIfeelmorelikeaparenttohimthanouractualparents.Ifhetakesthistothem,they’lltellhimexactlywhathewantstohear.Unfortunately,itfallstometogivehimtheharshtruth.
Still,Ispeakitgentlybecauseevenadmittingthathewaswrongisprogress.“Sometimesthebestwaytomakeitrightistoletthatpersonmoveonwithoutyou.You’renotentitledtohertime,evenifyouwanttoapologize.”
Iexpecthimtoargue.Afewmonthsago,hewouldhave.
Hejustsighs.“Iknow.Fuck,Iknow.You’reright.”He’ssilentforafewbeats.“Ihearwhatyou’resaying,Apollo.IpromiseIdo.ButthefactremainsthatIdoneedtoapologize.Ifitdoesn’tgopastthat,thenitdoesn’t.I’llhavetolivewiththat.”
It’sremarkablymatureofhim,thoughI’mstillnotconvincedheshouldbeanywherenearher.I’veonlymetthewomaninpassing,andshe’sgotafragileairtoherthatmakesmeworrymybrothercrushedhercarelessly.Apologizingwon’thelpthat.
It’sstilltherightthingtodo.“Promisemethatapologizingisallyouintendtodoandthatyou’llleaveheraloneafterthat.”
Silenceforabeat.I’vesurprisedhim.“It’sallIwanttodo.Ipromise.”
Strangelyenough,Ibelievehim.Idraginabreath.“I’mnotgoingtosetupsomemeetingforhertobeambushed,butI’llreachouttoHadeswithaninquiry.Ifsheagreestoseeyou,thenyoucanapologize.Ifshedoesn’t,thisendsnow.”
Hehesitatesbutfinallysays,“Okay.Agreed.”
I’vehadlimitedinteractionswithHadessinceheofficiallyreenteredsociety,butheseemsafairman.He’llatleastpassontherequestandletEurydicemakeherowndecision.Hiswife,ontheotherhand,willnotthankmeforbringingthistohersister’sdoor.Ifightdownashudder.PersephonemighthavebeenasunshineprincesswhenshewasonlyDemeter’sdaughter,butnowshe’saforcetobereckonedwithakintoherhusband.Itdoesn’tmatterthatshe’snotoneoftheThirteen.Underestimatingherwouldbeamistake.
Honestly,alltheDimitrioudaughtersaredangerousintheirownway.Eurydiceseemstobetheexception,whichhasmewonderingifmaybethere’ssomethingaboutherthatI’mmissing.“I’llpassontherequest.”
“Thanks.”
ThebathroomdooropensandCassandrastepsout.She’swearingawrapdressinadeepredthatsomehowmakesherhairappearbrighter.Itclingstoherhipsandstomachandbreastsalmostlovingly,offeringatantalizingglimpseofthighandcleavage.Iclearmythroat.“I’vegottogo,Orpheus.”Ihangupwhilehe’sstillsayinggoodbye.“Youlooklovely.”
“Consideringwhatthisdresscost,Ihadbetter.”
Ifrown.“Whydoyoudothat?”
“Dowhat?”
“EverytimeIcomplimentyou,youdivertit.Thedressisnice,butyoulooklovely.”
Sheblushes,herpaleskingoingadelightfulpink.“Idon’tknowhowtoanswerthat.”
Iwanttopressheronit,butwe’renothereforthat.It’sfrustratingthatIhavetokeepremindingmyselfofthatfact.Iclimboffthebedandputonmyshoesasshedoesthesamewithsometrulytorturous-lookingheels.“Willyoubeabletowalkbytheendoftheweekafterwearingshoeslikethat?”
“Yes.”Shestraightensandsmoothsdownherdress.“They’reonlyalittlehigherthanwhatIwearnormally.It’llbefine.”
“It’snot—”
“Apollo,”shesaysfirmly.“Iknowyouarenotabouttolecturemeonhowwearingheelsisnotgoodformyhealth.JustbecauseIagreednottoargueaboutsleepingonthefloordoesnotgiveyouthegreenlighttostartpolicingmychoices.I’mmorethancapableofdressingmyself,rightdowntosix-inchheelsifthat’swhatIfeellikewearing.Stopit.”
“Sorry,”Imutter.Idon’tknowwhat’swrongwithme.Imovetothedoor.“Shallwedosomeexploringbeforedinner?”
“Exploringsoundsgreat.”
Thehallwayisempty,buttherearefaintsoundsofconversationechoingfromsomewherecloseby.
Cassandralooksaroundwithraisedeyebrows.“Interestingacoustics.”
Somethingwe’llneedtokeepinmindgoingforward.Ifevenalowconversationcarriesthroughthearea,theonlyplacesafetohaveafrankconversationiswithinthebedroom.Butweknewthatalready,evenwithouttheacoustics.
Ioffermyarm.“Let’sseewhoelseisontheguestlist.”
“Can’twait.”Shesoundslessthanenthused,butshetakesmyarm,slidingupagainstme.Herproximitythreatenstomakemybrainskipthesamewaymyheartisattemptingtorightnow.
Ittakesfarmoreconcentrationthanitshouldtoturnandstartdownthehallinthedirectionofthemainentrance.Wefindatriostandingthere.Irecognizeallofthemaswedescendthestairstostandbeforethem.I’msurprisedtoseePanpresent;Ihadn’tthoughthelefthisrestaurantoften.He’sdressedinapairofperfectlytailoredslacksandawhitedressshirt.NexttohimisAphrodite,atallwhitewomanwithlong,darkhairandapropensitytocausemischief.Untilafewmonthsago,shewasErisKasios,daughtertothelastZeusandsistertothecurrentone.She’stuckedunderthearmofahandsomeBlackmanwithashavedheadandabrightsmile.
Adonis.He’sanup-and-comingsocialitewithafamilylegacythatstretchesbackthroughthehistoryofOlympus.Offthetopofmyhead,IcannamethreeofhisdistantfamilymemberswhohavebeenoneoftheThirteen,thoughthelastwashismaternalgrandmother,whowasArtemisforanumberofyears.Ashortreignassuchthingsgo,butshemadeanimpact.
Aphroditecatchessightofusandwavesalanguidhand.“Docomedown,Cassandra.Bringyourlittleboyfriend.”
Atmyside,Cassandratensesandhersmilegoesknife-sharp.“Aphrodite,IknowyoudidnotjustcallApollomy‘littleboyfriend.’Ifyou’retryingtoinsulthim,youcandobetterthanthat.”
“You’reright.”Aphrodite’sgrinwidens.“I’mdelightedtoseethatyourrelationshiphasn’tsoftenedyouatall.Iwasworried.”
Cassandralaughs,andIfindmyselfstaringdownather.I’veneverheardherlaughlikethat.Shecertainlydoesn’tintheoffice.Shereleasesmeandleansagainsttherailing.“Youknowbetter.”
“IguessIdo.”
I’mnotcertainwhetherI’vejustbeeninsulted.Ithardlymatters.Iclearmythroat.“Nicetoseeyouagain,Adonis.”IreclaimCassandra’shand.
Adonis’seasysmileneverwavers.He’snotafoolishman,butheseemstoridethepoliticalwavesofOlympuswithoutovermuchworry.Itbafflesme.“Apollo.”HereachesoutthehandnotwrappedaroundAphroditeandshakesmine.“Nicetoseeafriendlyfacehere.”
“AndwhatamI?”Panraiseshisbrows
“Cranky.”Adonislaughs.
HischarmcomesoffhiminapulsethatIcanalmostfeel.NotevenPanisimmune,aslowsmilepullingathislips.“Ihavereasontobecranky.”
“Idon’tdoubtitforamoment.You’rehereasDionysus’splus-oneandhemadeyoutakeyourowncar.Poorthing.”HesteersAphroditetowardthestairs.“Now,let’sgocheckoutthebedroom.”
ShegivesCassandraalonglookthatseemstobeapromisetospeaklaterbutallowsherdatetoguidehertothestairsandaway.Idon’tquitebreatheasighofreliefwhenthey’regone,notwhenthisthornyinteractionwillbethefirstofmany.“Ididn’trealizeyouandAphroditearefriends.”
“Oh,we’renot.”Cassandrafinallylooksbackatme.“Butwegetalongjustfine.Ilikewatchingherleavechaosinherwake.SheenjoysthewayIsnapandhowmypresenceathersister’spartiesstirsthepotwiththeotherguests.”
Idon’tunderstandthat.Partiesingeneralarehardlymyfavoritething,thoughthey’rerifewithinformationsoIcan’taffordtoskipthemoften.ButCassandracan,andwhatshejustdescribedalmostsoundsliketheysetheruplikeacarnivalattraction.Idon’tlikeit.“Ifyousayso.”
“Ido.”SheturnstoPan.Thistime,hersmileismuchwarmer.“It’sniceseeingyouagain.”
“Thefeelingisentirelymutual.”Heheftshisbagoverhisshoulder.“I’llseeyouatdinner.”
Asweturnandheadforthebackofthehouse,itstrikesmethatIdon’tknowasmuchaboutCassandraasIthought.ItseemslikeeverytimeIturnaround,she’srevealinganewangle,anewpieceofinformation.It’sdisconcerting…andaddicting.
Ican’twaittoseewhatsheshowsmenext.11
Cassandra
Minoshasinvitedquitetheeclecticmixofpeople.Isipmywineandstudythemsituatedaroundthelongbanquettable.Minossitsattheheadofit,hisfostersonsTheseusandtheMinotauroneitherside.It’sinterestingthathe’sblockedhimselfofffromhisguests,butheobviouslyhasaplan.Histwochildren,AriadneandIcarus,arehereofcourse,practicedsmilesinplace.Thelastmemberofhispeople,thoughnotofhisfamily,isaplus-sizedwomanwithlight-brownskinandluxuriouswavyblackhairwhositsnexttoTheseusandhasadelightfullyloudlaughthatcarriesallthewaydownthetable.Idon’tknowwhatshe’slaughingat,becauseit’scertainlynotsomethingTheseusissaying.
TherearesixmembersoftheThirteenhere,mostwithplus-ones.Apollo,ofcourse,sittingonmyright.WesawHermes,Dionysus,andAphroditeearlier.Buthe’salsoinvitedHephaestusandArtemis.They’recousins,bothfromlegacyfamilies,andbothverymuchnotonboardwithsomeofthewavesthenewZeushasbeenmaking.IfIweregoingtotrytodriveawedgeintotheThirteen,they’rewhereI’dstart.Thefoundationisalreadythere.
Butthenwhyinvitetheothers?Hermesplaysherowngames,andshealwayshas.Aphroditemightlikestartingshit,butshe’snevergoingtosideagainstherbrother.Istilldon’tquiteunderstandApolloandZeus’srelationship,buthewantswhat’sbestforOlympusandrightnowhefeelsthatZeusisthewaytothat.
Thentherearethetruesurprises.
IglancetothegroupclusteredattheendofthetablearoundMinos’sson.PanandAdonischateasilywithathirdpersonIrecognizefromschool.AtalantaisanathleticBlackwomanwithascarredfaceandlocsspillingdownaroundhershoulders.Plus-onesforDionysus,Aphrodite,andArtemis,respectively.Ifeveryoneisbringingdatesorfriends,Isupposethat’snotoutsidetherealmofexpectation.
Butthegorgeouswomanwithlight-brownskinandlong,darkhairandthehandsomewhitemanwiththeirheadsclosetogetheracrossthetablefromhim?ThemIdidnotanticipate.EurydiceDimitriouandCharonAriti.Bestguess,they’rehererepresentingDemeter’sandHades’sinterests,respectively,butIcan’tbelieveeitherPersephoneorDemeteragreedtoallowEurydiceintowhatcouldpotentiallybeadangerousevent.They’veworkedhardtokeepherasshelteredassomeonecanbeinOlympus.
Iignoretheflickerofjealousythethoughtbrings.Demetermightbeapoliticalmonster,butnoonewiththetiniestbitofintelligencedoubtsthatshelovesherdaughters.It’sadifferentkindoflovethanmostpeopleexperience,perhaps,butit’sthereallthesame
Apolloshiftscloserandmyfoolishheartpicksupasheleansdownandspeaksdirectlyintomyear.“Eurydiceisasurprise.”
“Iwasjustthinkingthesamething.”
“Ineedtospeakwithher.”
Thatstrangeflickerofjealousythreatenstoignite,butIdomybesttodowseit.IfApolloisinterestedinEurydice,it’snotmybusiness.Inanotherweek,Iwon’tevenbeinthecity.
Inod.“She’sawildcard.”Theothers,Icanhazardguessesastowhythey’dbepresent,thoughI’llneedalittletimetofine-tunethosesuppositions.ThereareseveralpowerfulpeopleheavilyinvestedinkeepingEurydicetuckedawayfromtherestofOlympus.Herbeingheredoesn’tmakesense.
TheproblemwithhavingatablefullofthismanypeopleisthatMinosandhisfostersonsmightaswellbeinadifferentroom.Ican’thearanythingthey’resaying.AriadneonmyothersideisentirelywrappedupinsomestoryHermesandDionysusweaveacrossthetablefromus.Icatchsomethingaboutascooterchase,butI’mnotsureIneedtohearmore.HermesandDionysusmightplayjestersinpublic,butthey’retoosmarttogiveawayanykindofinformationwithoutintendingto.
Still…Can’thurttotry.Wedidn’tmanagetofindthesecurityroominourpredinnerexplorations,thoughwedidmapoutaportionofthedownstairsfloorplan.
DionysuslaughsuproariouslyasHermeswrapsupthestory.Iwaitabeatandthenleanforward,allinterestandintent.“Isittruethisusedtobeyourhouse,Hermes?”
“Guiltyascharged.”Hersmilewarmsseveraldegreeswhenshelooksatme.Itwasthatwarmththatfirstattractedmetoher.Somuchaboutherisfarce,butwhensheenjoysaperson’scompany,shedoesn’tpretendotherwise.“ButI’macitycreaturerightdowntomysoul.It’sashametoletsuchalovelyplacewasteawaybeneathdustandsheets,sowhenourfriendMinosmentionedhewasinterestedinpurchasingahome,Iofferedmineup.”
OurfriendMinos.
Ihavetofightnottonarrowmyeyes.There’sabitofanironiclilttothosewords.There’sabsolutelynowaythatHermesconsidersMinosafriend;he’sfartoosimilartothelastZeus,andI’mintimatelyacquaintedonherthoughtsabouthim
Myvoicecomesouttoosharp.“IwouldhavethoughtahouseownedbythevauntedHermeswouldbelessmundane.”
Dionysuscoughsintohisclothnapkin,almostmanagingtocoveruphislaugh.“Shecalledyoumundane,love.FightingwordsifIeverheardthem.”
“Cassandradoesloveafight.”ThewarmthonHermes’sfacedoesn’tfade,thoughherexpressiongoescraftyinawaythatusedtothrillme.Itusuallymeantawholelotoffunorpleasureinthefuture—oftenboth.Nowitjustmakesmewonderwhatshe’shiding.
“Hermes—”
“Youknowme.”Shedoesn’tquitesinkinsinuationintothewords,butit’sanearthing.“WhatwouldmakeyouthinkI’mthetypeofpersontojusthandawaymysecretsforfree?Ifyoususpectthere’smoretothishouse…gofindit.”
Idon’thaveachancetocomeupwithasuitableresponse,whichisjustaswell.InallthetimeI’veknownHermes,I’venevermanagedtooutwither,andIhighlydoubtI’mgoingtostarttonight.Sheasmuchasadmittedthere’ssomethingtofind,butitwouldalsobejustlikehertopretendthishouseheldgreatsecrets,onlyformetodiscoverit’sjustasmundaneasitappearstobe.WithHermes,youcanreallygoeitherway.
ThetablefallssilentasMinosstands.Hesmilesatus,hisgazeseemingtomeeteachperson’sinturn.Neattrick.He’shadsomepublic-speakingtrainingbecausehemanagestoprojecthisvoicetothewholeroomwithoutseemingtoliftitatall.“Thankyouforhonoringmebyattendingthisevent.Ihopeyou’llindulgemefurthertonightwithalittlegame.”Hissmilewarms.
Gods,he’sgoodatthis.Wesawitabitatdinnertheothernight,butIhadn’trealizedhowgood.He’sholdingtheentireroomenraptured.EvenDionysushasstoppednudgingHermeswithhiselbowandisfocusedentirelyonMinos.
Hespreadshishands.“Throughthebackdoor,you’llfindahedgemaze.I’veleftalittlesomethinginthecenterforwhoevergetstherefirst.”
Ahedgemaze.
Ican’thelpglancingatTheseusandtheMinotaur.ThesecondArestrialwasamaze,anditwasthetrialthateliminatedTheseus—andwasresponsibleforhiscurrentlimp.Surelyit’sleftbadmemories?EspeciallywithAtalantahere,anothercompetitorinthattournament.Ican’ttellfromhisexpression.Heseemstopermanentlyglowerateveryoneexceptthewomanwiththeboisterouslaughatthisside,andevensheonlygetsasmallcurveofhislipsinresponse.
Anotherlookaroundthetableshowsthatwe’remissingAriadneandIcarus,whomusthaveslippedoutatsomepoint.Ifrown.ItmakessensethatMinos’schildrenwouldn’tparticipate,butheseemsthetypetocareaboutappearancesandsohe’llwanttokeephisfamilyandpeopleclose.
Everyonestartsstanding,andApolloisquicktopulloutmychair.HepresseshishandtothesmallofmybackandguidesmealongwiththestreamofpeopleoutoftheroomanddownthehalltotheFrenchdoorsleadingtothebackyard.
Dionysushuffsoutalaughaswefollowawindingpaththroughcarefullycuratedtreestotheentranceofatallhedgemaze.“Really,Hermes?”
Hermesshrugs.“Itseemedromanticatthetime.Turnsoutit’sjustcreepy.”
“Imaginethat,”hesaysdrily.“Youcameouthereatnight,didn’tyou?”
“OfcourseIdid.What’sthepointofahedgemazeifyoucan’texploreitatnightandlookforghosts?”
Aphroditelaughs.“Don’ttellmeyoubelieveinghosts.”
“Everyoneshouldbelieveinghosts.”
IleanharderagainstApollo.“We’replaying?”Witheveryoneoccupied,itmightbeagoodideatousethisopportunitytocontinueexploringwithoutworryingaboutrunningintosomeonewho’sgoingtoaskquestions.
Henods.“Minosisn’treallygivingusanoption.”Hesmilessuddenly,makingmerockbackonmyhighheels.“Besides,Ithinkwehaveasolidshotatwinning.”
Ieyethetallhedges.“Ihopeyou’renotexpectingmetopullaHelenandclimbthese.”Itwashowshepassedthesecondtrial,inafeatofathleticismthathadevenmecheeringatmytelevision.NotthatI’lladmitasmuchtoanyone.Ever.
“No.”Amusementwarmshisvoice.“I’llkeepyoubymyside.”
Minosfinallyreachesthebackyard,abasketinhishands.Wheredidhepickupthat?“Thereareseveralentrancesaroundtheedgeofthemaze,allwithequalchancetoreachthecenter.Youwillpickyourpartnersfromthis.”Heshakesthebasket.“Thefirstpairtoreachthecentergetstheprizecontainedthere.Myhouseholdwill,ofcourse,notbeplaying.Hermeshasalsoagreedtositout,seeingashowshe’dhaveanunfairadvantage.”
Thiswholethingissoweird.Maybeweeklongpartiesandgroupgameswerethenormafewcenturiesago,buttheyhardlyarenow.EveninOlympus.It’salsostrangethathesaidhouseholdinsteadofchildren.Notthatitmatters,butthisentiresituationislikeapuzzleIdon’thaveamapfor.Ican’tevenseetheedgesproperly.Itbothersme.
It’snotuntilwestartsteppingforwardtopicknamesthatIrealizethenewpitfall.Iwon’tbepairedwithApollo.It’ssostatisticallyunlikelyastobelaughable.
Apollodipshishandintothebasketandcomesoutwithapieceofcardstock.“Eurydice.”
Thathorriblejealousfeelingsurges.IcanfeeleyesonmeasIfighttokeepanyevidencefrommyface.WhywouldIbebotheredthatmyfakeboyfriendispairingwiththelovelyyoungestDimitrioudaughter?
IbetDemeterwouldfallalloverherselftoapproveamarriagebetweenthem.
Ishakemyhead,tryingtofocus.Itdoesn’tmatter.IwillkeeprepeatingthattomyselfasmanytimesasIhavetoinordertomakeitstick.ApollobeingpairedwithEurydiceishonestlyagreatmoveforhimbecauseitwillgivehimachancetofigureoutwhatshe’sdoinghere.ItstandstoreasonthatHadeswouldn’ttrusttherestoftheThirteentosniffoutMinos’splans,butthatonlyexplainsCharon’spresence.NotEurydice.NomatterwhatIconsideredearlier,Idon’tbelieveforasecondthatDemeteractuallysentthisdaughterasherrepresentative.
“Cassandra.”
Ijoltatthesoundofmynameinafamiliarvoice.
Dionysussmilesatmefaintly.“You’remypartner,love.”
Ofalltheoptions,he’sprobablytheleastoffensive.Onlyafoolwouldunderestimatehim,butit’snotabadwaytopassthetime.
Everyoneelsepickstheirpartnersupquickly.IgetadarksliverofamusementwhenAphroditestepsforward,forcingMinostolookupather.ShepairswithPan.ArtemisiswithAdonis.AtalantaiswithCharon.AndHephaestusisleftastheoddmanout,giventhechoicetocompeteonhisownorsitthisoneout.
Hesurveysthegroupandshakeshishead.“I’llpass.”
“Verywell.”Minosturnstotherestofus.“Let’sbegin.”
Ittakesaboutfifteenminutestoactuallybegin.AsMinossaid,thereareseveralentrances—I’dbetsix—aroundtheperimeterofthemaze.DionysusandIendupneartherear,farawayfromthelightsofthehouse.Therearecleverlylitlanternsperiodicallyplaced,buttheshadowsreignsupremeinthisarea.
Hetwirlshismustachecontemplativelyashelooksaround.He’swearingaremarkablysimplesuitforonce,aplaidthat’ssolow-contrastitlooksblackinthedarkness.“MaybeHermeswasn’tfaroffwiththetalkofghosts.”
Ifightdownashiver.Idon’tbelieveinghosts,butthere’ssomethingtrulyeerieaboutthisplace.Likewe’vesomehowsteppedoutoftime.Ormaybewe’llreachthecenterofthemazetodiscoverthebodyofoneoftheguests.“Ghostsaren’treal.”
“That’swhatghostswantyoutobelieve.”Withthatconfoundingstatement,abellchimesinthedistance.Oursignaltostart.Heoffershisarmwithaflourish.“Can’tbeeasywalkinginthegrassandgravelwiththose.”Dionysuspeersdownatmyfeet.“Youlookabsolutelydevastating,bytheway.Astone-coldfox.”
Ifhewereanyoneelse,I’dbristleatthecomplimentandstartlookingforthebarbshidingbeneath.ButDionysusisasfreewithcomplimentsasheiswithaffection—atleasttothoseheenjoys.Ifhedoesn’tlikeaperson,thatcharmingwitturnsdownrightlethal.
Itryforasmile.“Thanks.”Iwillabsolutelynotadmitthatmyfeetarekillingme.I’mtrulynotusedtospikeheels,nomatterwhatItoldApollo.
Thehedgewallscloseinonusassoonaswestepthrough.Icanhearlowvoicesinthedistance,butthemazedistortsthem,givingthemanalienquality.Ishiver.“Hermeswouldhaveadamnedhedgemazeinherbackyard.”
“She’sfondofthedramatic,yes.”Wetakeaturnandthenanother,comingupagainstadeadend.
IshouldbeaskingaboutwhatheknowsofMinos,butthatisn’tthefirstquestionthatspringsfrommylips.“Everyonehasaplus-oneexceptHermesandHephaestus.”
“Oh,hedoes.He’ssharingAtalantawithArtemis.Kinky.”
Igivehimthelookthatcommentdeserves.“Nowyou’rejustbeingpreposterous.EveryoneknowsAtalantaistoosmarttogetcaughtupinsomefamilydramawiththosetwo.”
“Noteveryone,love.Justyou.”Hesqueezesmyarm.“Youhaveaknackforseeingwhat’sreallythereinsteadofwhatthepeacockswantyoutosee.”
“Dionysus,you’reoneofthepeacocks.”
Hechuckles.“Andasplendidoneatthat.”
IfIdon’treinthisin,theconversationwillspiral.Itakeadeepbreath.“AndHermes’splus-one?”
“Surelyyou’renotjealouswhenyouhaveApollochasingyouaroundwithheartsinhiseyes?”
Isnort.“Don’tbedramatic.”
“Nowyou’rejusttryingtohurtmyfeelings.”Wemovedeeperintothemaze,hittinganotherfewdeadends.Gods,thisisgoingtotakeforever.Dionysushumsalittle.“Hermeshadsomeonecomingtotheparty.Ithink?”Heshakeshishead.“No,I’mcertainofit.Theyweresupposedtobeherefordinner.Iwonderwhathappenedwiththat?Shewasallsecretsmilesaboutthesurprise.”
Ashivercascadesdownmyspine.Itcouldbenothing.Hermesisn’texactlyfickle,butshepivotseasilyandoften.“Areyousureshedidn’tchangehermind?”
“AssureasIamofanything.”Hepeersatthehighhedgewalls.“Maybetheyweremurderedandwe’regoingtofindthematthecenterofthemaze.Thisisbeginningtofeellikeoneofthosekindsofparties.”
Idon’tlikehowhiswordsmirrormyearlierthoughts.“SurelyMinoswouldn’tstartamurderspree.Whatcouldhepossiblygainoutofit?”
“That’sforsmartpeoplelikeyoutofigureout.I’mjusthereforthefreebooze.”Dionysusgivesamournfulsigh.“Onthatnote,IwishMinoshadparlorgamesamongtheplanstonight.There’stop-shelfliquorintheparlor.”
AsifDionysusdoesn’thavethebestalcoholanddrugsOlympushastoofferinhiswarehouses.LikealltheThirteen,he’sdisgustinglyrich.Callinghimoutonhisliewon’tearnmeanyfavors,though.“Maybetomorrow.”
Wewalkaroundafewmoreturnsbeforeheanswers.“IdoubtI’llbesolucky.Iimaginemostoftheeventsarelikethis.He’lllikelyforceustodoubleupforthem,too.”
Towhataim?Mostofthepeopleinvitedalreadyknoweachother.Therewon’tbeanynewalliancescomingbetweenHephaestusandArtemisandtheothers.Minosisn’tusingtonighttonetwork,notwhenhishouseholdisn’tparticipating…
IstopshortandDionysusnearlydragsmebeforehestops,too.Ilookupathim.“Ishetryingtomarryoffhischildren?”Itwouldmakesense.AlloftheThirteenpresentareunmarried.Ifhecouldn’tsecureoneofhissonsasAres,amarriagetoamemberoftheThirteenwouldn’tbeabadconsolationprize.
It’swhatmostofthelegacyfamiliesalreadydo,afterall.
“Maybe.”Heshrugs.“Goodluckwiththat.I’mnotinthemarketforaspouse.”
“Notnowornotever?”It’snotmybusiness.IknowDionysusisasexual,butIcan’trememberhimeverdatinganyone,either.Maybehe’salsoaromantic.Which,again,noneofmybusiness.Still,hebroughtitupsoIcan’thelpsaying,“YoubroughtPantotheparty.”
“He’safriendandpotentialbusinesspartner.Nothingmore.”Heshrugs.“I’mnotoverlyinterestedatthisjuncture.Idon’tseethatchanging.”
“Well,IguessMinosshouldletthatshipsail,then.”
“Yep.”Westartwalkingagain.Ican’ttellifwe’reheadedtowardthecenterofthemazeorjustgettinghopelesslylost.I’msobusytryingtofigureitout,IalmostmissDionysus’snextwords.“Butlet’snottalkaboutmyromanticlifewhenyoursisrightthereandohsojuicy.”Hetugsmeintoadeadendandputshishandsonmyshoulders.“Spill,dearCassandra.Tellmeeverylittlesordiddetail.”
Thisisit.Thefirstrealtestofthisexperience.DionysusknowsmewellenoughtoknowmyreasonsforneverwantingtopubliclydateamemberoftheThirteen.Ican’tsayI’vechangedmymindwithoutagoodreason.Noonewillbelievethat,letalonehim
Itakeadeepbreathandpreparetolie12
Apollo
“Theweatherisreallynicetonight.”
Eurydicegivesmeapolitesmilethatdoesn’treachhereyes.“Yes,very.”
Gods,thisisridiculous.Imovethroughthemostpowerfulcirclesinthiscity,whereonewrongwordcancreateacascadeofpoliticalripples.I’mgoodatitmostofthetime.AndthebestIcancomeupwithinthissituationisacommentabouttheweather?
Afterseveralminutesofawkwardsilence,Itryagain.“I’lladmit,Iwassurprisedtoseeyouatthedinnertable.”
Eurydicedoesn’tlookatme.“Iwasalast-minuteinvite.”It’sclearshehasnointentionofelaborating,whichisinteresting.
There’ssomethingdifferentabouther.Thiswomanhasspentplentyoftimeinmypresenceatfamilyfunctionsduringthetimeshedatedmybrother,butinthoseinteractions,shealwaysseemednervousandalmostfragile.Thatfeelingisgonenow.She’sstillquietandcomposed,butsomething’schanged.“Howhaveyoubeen?”
“Good.”Heranswerseemstosurpriseher.Shefinallyshootsmeasheepishsmile.“Iwasn’tforawhile,butI’mdoingmuchbetternow.”
Idon’tinquireaboutherobviouscamaraderiewithCharon,don’taskwhetherit’smorethanfriendship.That’snoneofmybusiness.Iglanceupatthestarsoverhead.IhadintendedtoreachoutviaHadesaboutthepossibilityofOrpheusapologizing.Itseemssillytowaitwhenshe’swalkingnexttome,butIdon’twanthertofeellikeI’mcorneringheroutinthedarkmaze,either.
“Apollo?”Shepausesasvoicesdriftfromsomewhereclose,buttheymoveawayquickly.Thismazetrulyisamonster
Whenshedoesn’timmediatelycontinue,Isay,“Yes?”
“Howishe?”SherushesonbeforeIcananswer,someofherpreviousnervousnessshowingthrough.“Iwouldn’taskbecauseImostcertainlydon’tcare,butIsawhimacoupleweeksago.Itwasjustforamomentandacrossabar,but…”Shetakesadeepbreath.“Helookedlikeshit.NotatalllikethemanIknew.”
It’sonthetipofmytonguetotellhereverything,butit’snomoremyplacetoshareOrpheus’sstrugglesthanitistobrowbeatEurydiceintoseeinghim.Ican’tevenpromisehe’schanged,forallthatIbelievehehas,atleastbasedonourrecentconversations.Iclearmythroat.“Hewouldliketoapologize.”Iholdupbothhands.“Youabsolutelydonothavetoagree,though.Youdon’towehimanything.”
“Iknow.”Herlipscurveinafaint,sadsmile.
“Oh.Okay.”Idropmyhands.“Youdon’tneedtoanswertonight,butifyouendupdecidingthatyou’dliketohearhisapology,Icanarrangeit.”
“IfIdecidetohearhimout,I’llarrangeitmyself.”Shestartstomoveforwardandglancesoverhershoulderatme.“Thanks,though.RegardlessofhowIfeelaboutmyex,you’vebeennothingbutkindtome.”
Adozencommentsriseanddiebeforetheyeverleavemylips.ThatEurydiceisagiftandIhopeshefindssomeonewhoappreciatesthatinfull.ThatIwouldhavelikedtohaveherforasister-in-law.ThatIthinkOrpheuswantsherinhislifeagain.ThatIhopeshemovesonfrommybrotherandneverlooksback.
Idon’tsayanyofit.
Awhoopgoesupsomewheretoourright.Iturnthatwayinstinctively,eventhoughIcan’tseeanythingbuthedge.Afewmomentslater,Minos’svoiceboomsfromtheoppositedirection.“Wehaveourwinners!CharonandAtalanta.”
Eurydicesmiles.“Charonreallyisthebest,isn’the?”Shetiltsherheadtotheside.“Iwonderwhattheprizeis.”
Wefindoutalittlewhilelater.I’mabletogetusbacktoourentrancewithouttoomuchtrouble,havingmemorizedtheroute,andI’mnosmallamountofrelievedtoseeCassandraandDionysuschattingastheycomearoundfromtheoppositeside.Pairstrickleinslowly,butthelastoneisn’tapairatall.
It’satrio.
“Youmustbejokingme,”Eurydicemurmurs.
AriadnewalksbetweenAtalantaandCharon,anarmslungaroundbothofthem.“You’vewonme,friends.Whatevershallyoudowithme?”She’sgrinningandseemslikeshe’sactuallyhavingfun.Ican’tblameher.BothAtalantaandCharonareattractiveandcharmingandhaveproximitytopowerthat’salmostasalluringasthepoweritself.Ittakesskilltodowhattheydoandeveryoneknowsit.
I’mprettysureIhearEurydicegrowlalittle,whichisconfirmationenoughthatherinterestinCharongoesbeyondfriendship.Impossibletosayifit’sreturned,buthelaughsandartfullyslipsfrombeneathAriadne’sarm.“Ithinkit’stimeforadrink.”
“Amanaftermyownheart.”
IsearchforCassandraagaininthegroup,finallylandingonwhereshe’sstillspeakingwithDionysus.Istarttopickmywaytowardthem,butMinosappearsbeforemeasifbymagic.Thebigmansmiles.“Apollo,I’dloveaword.”
IfightdowntheinstinctivedesiretogotoCassandrainsteadofbeingdiverted;thisiswhatshe’sherefor.EitherItrusthertobeabletohandleherself,orIdon’t,andifIdon’t,Ihadnobusinessaskingthisofherinthefirstplace.ImanageasmileforMinos.“Ofcourse.”
Wefollowthegroupinside,butheleadsmedownadifferenthallway.Imakeamentalnoteasheunlocksadoorwithanhonest-to-godsskeletonkeyandpushesitopentorevealatraditionallydecoratedstudy.We’rerightintheheartofthehouse,whichisapartofthedownstairsCassandraandIdidn’tmanagetomapbeforedinner.
Whataretheoddsthathekeepsthesecurityroomclosetohisoffice?Or,rather,thatHermesdidwhenshebuiltthisplace?
It’swhatIwoulddo.
IslidemyhandintomypocketandsendouttheprearrangedsignalforHectortogettowork.Iwon’tknowifhe’ssuccessfuluntilIcancheckinafterthis,butheneedsagoodtentofifteenminutestohackintothesecuritysystemusingthedeviceinmyotherpocketasabooster.It’scutting-edgetech,thekindofthingIwouldhavespenttimeinventingifI’dsecuredaspotasHephaestusinsteadofApollo.
Now,insteadofinventingthetech,Ihavetouseit.
Togivemyselftime,Ilookaroundtheroom.There’snothingofMinos’spersonalityhere.Hemightaswellhavepickedthebigmahoganydesk,thetastefulchairs,andthegenericbookshelfoutofacatalog.Iwanderovertothebookshelf,moreoutofcuriositythananythingelse,andhavemysuspicionsconfirmed.Allthebooksarehardcoverswiththewrapsremovedtoshowfoilededges.They’retoouniformnottohavebeenboughttogether,andthey’resonew,they’repracticallyshining.
IfMinosisareader,hiscollectionisn’tinthisroom.
“Drink?”
I’mnotoverlyinterestedindrinkingwiththisman,butwe’redoingadanceasoldastime.“Please.”Imovetotakeoneofthechairsashepullsacrystaldecanteroffanearbycart.Truly,thisroomremindsmeofasetoffthesoapoperasmymotherusedtowatchwhenIwasyoung.I’mreasonablysuretheglasshepassesmeistheexactstylefromtheshow,whichjustconfirmsthatit’sallnew.
Byallappearances,Minosdidn’tbringmuchinthewayofpersonaleffectswhenhecametoOlympus.Thatseemstosupporthisstorythathe’sfleeinganenemywhointendstotakethecity,butitcouldverywellbethathewantsustothinkthat.He’ssmartenoughtotakethatintoconsideration.
Andsomeoneisfundinghim.HegotsomeresourcesfromZeusaspartofthebargainhestruck,butheboughtthishousebeforethatdealwentthrough.
IwaitforhimtotakeasipofhisdrinkbeforeIdothesamewithmine.It’swhiskey,andexpensive,butit’snotmydrinkofchoicesoIdon’tknowitwellenoughtoidentifytheyearandmaker.It’stemptingtobreakthesilence,butheaskedmehereforareasonsoIintendtomakehimexecutetheopeningbid.
Hedoesn’tmakemewaitlong.Minossinksintothechairbehindhisdeskwithanexaggeratedsigh.“Haveyouspentmuchtimeoutinthegreaterworld?”
Iraisemybrows.“No.MyresponsibilitiesliewithOlympus.”I’vehadcausetoleavethecityafewtimesforonereasonoranother,butmostofmyworkishere,whichmeansmytimeisspenthere.
BestIcantell,therestoftheworldisn’tthatdifferentfromourcity.Thepeoplewiththemostmoneyandpowersitatthetop,andtherestarelefttofigurethingsoutforthemselves.ThetruebenefitofOlympus,thereasonwearesuchatemptingfruittoMinos’sformeremployer,isthatwe’reessentiallyasovereignnation.
Whentherestoftheworldrealizedthebarrierkeptthemaway,theywereforcedtobesatisfiedwithtradingagreementssomedistant-pastPoseidonsetup.Idon’tknowifthoseagreementswillholdevenifthebarrierfalls.It’sadifferentworldouttherethanitwasafewdecadesago,letaloneafewhundredyears.Insteadofrazingourcitytotheground,there’smorelikelytobeanattempttotakeoverourpositionsofleadershipinabloodlesscoup.Theycan’tgetaroundPoseidon,Zeus,andHades,butiftherestoftheThirteenareunited,noteventhosethreecandomuchaboutit.
It’swhatIwoulddoifIwantedtotakethecity.
“Itfeelsdifferentoutthere.”Hecontemplateshisdrink.“Irealizeyouhavenoreasontotrustme,butIwantwhatyouhave.Stabilityformeandmyfamily.Surelyyoucan’tfaultmeforthat.”
Boldofhimtocomerightoutandsayit.“Ifyoureallywantthat,thenIdon’tseewhyyou’reholdingbackinformationthatmightkeepyouandyourssafe.”Isetmydrinkaside.“Don’tbothertolie.Webothknowyoudidn’ttellZeuseverything.You’retoosmarttoputinsomuchworkwithoutknowingwhattheendgameis.”
Minossmilesslowly.“Ilikeyou.You’renotthesameastherestofthem.Youactuallycare.”
Thepivothasmymindwhirling.We’rebeingremarkablyfrankwitheachother,soIriskabluntquestion.“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
“ItookthelibertyoflookingintoCassandra.She’slovely,butyoumustknowyourparentswillneverwelcomeher.Notafterherparentsbroughtsomuchshameonthefamily.Olympusdoesn’tliketoforgiveandforget.I’vebeenhereashorttime,andevenIknowthat.”
“Doyouhaveapoint?”
“Byallaccounts,herparentsreachedbeyondtheirmeans,andlookwhathappenedtothem.It’dbeashameifsomethingsimilarhappenedtoherfortheverysamereasons.”
Thesmallhairsonthebackofmyneckraise.IshethreateningCassandra?Ican’ttell.He’sgothisgenialmaskinplace,allconcernedkindness.Thedesiretoshovetomyfeetandrushoutoftheroomtoensureshe’ssafeisnearlyoverwhelming.“I’mApollo.Nomatterwhatmyparentsthinkofmypartners,theywon’triskalienatingme.”Idon’tlikethathelookedintoher.Idon’tlikeitatall.
“Perhaps.”Minosnodseasily.“ButwhataboutZeusandtherestoftheThirteen?Theyaren’tboundthesamewaytherestofusare.”
Zeusknowswhatthisreallyis,butifoneoftheothersthoughtCassandrawastryingtofollowinherparents’footprints?“Thatwon’thappen.”
“Soyousay.Thatgirlhasworkedhardtoavoidthelimelight,andtherehavebeenmorearticleswrittenabouthersinceyourdateafewdaysagothaninthelastfiveyearscombined.Peoplearetalking,Apollo.Ifyoucaresomuchabouther,younevershouldhavebroughtherhere.”
Noreasonforguilttoprickme.Weknewwhatgoingpublicwoulddo.Cassandraisgettingpaidwellandshehasnoplanstostickaroundafterthistaskisfinished.Ican’tquiteunclenchmyjaw.“I’mhonored,Minos.Ihadnoideayouweresointerestedinmylovelifeandthewelfareofmygirlfriend.”Ihonestlycan’ttellifhe’sthreateningherornot.Itfeelslikeheis,buthehasn’tsaidanythingovertthatIcancallhimon.
“AsIsaid,Ilikeyou.”Heswirlsthewhiskeyinhisglass,expressioncontemplative.“You’reanassetandyou’rewastedonthisplace.I’dliketohaveyouinthefamily.”
Iblink.“Excuseme?”
“Takeyourpickofmychildren.”Hewavesacasualhandtowardthedoor.“Icarusmightbeabitflightyforyourtastes,butAriadneisagoodgirl.She’dmakealovelywifetoyou.”
Hisboldnessleavesmeatalossforwords.ArrangedmarriagesarehardlyuncommoninOlympus,butpeopletendtogoaboutitinasubtlerway.Ilookaway.“I’mnotinthemarketforamarriageatthispoint.”UndernocircumstanceswillIallowmyselftothinkofCassandra,dressedinwhiteandwalkingdowntheaisletome.
“Pity.”Heshrugseasily.“Ihadthoughtyoutoosmarttobeswayedbyyouremotions,butit’sclearthataslongasCassandraisbyyourside,youwon’tseethingsmyway.”
Isendhimasharplook.“Ifsomethinghappenstoher,Iwon’tseethingsyourway,either.”
Heholdsuphishands.“Whoa,whoa,nooneismakingthreats,Apollo.Youwantedmetospeakplainly,soI’mjustdoingwhatyourequested.”
Forhimtospeakplainlyabouthismotivations.Surelythere’smoretothispartythanamarriagemart?Ibarelyresisttheurgetolookatmywatch.Howlonghasitbeen?HowmuchlongerdoIneedtokeephimtalking?Maybesomeoneelsecouldsitherewhilehethreatenedsomeonetheycaredabout,butthat’snotme.Itneverhasbeen.“Whyareyouhere,Minos?”
“Ialreadytoldyou.”Helaughs.“Doyouthinkaskingafewdozenmoretimeswillresultinadifferentanswer?”
Thiswholethingfeelslikehejustthrewahandfulofsandintoanalreadymurkypool.Ican’ttellifhe’sbeinghonestaboutwantingtomatchmewithoneofhischildren,butsurelyit’snotthatsimple.Hemustbeholdingsomethingback.“Ifyou’dbetransparent,wewouldn’thavetodothissonganddance.”
“Thereyougo,talkingfranklyagain.”Heheftshimselftohisfeet.It’sratherdramatic,consideringIwatchedhimbounddownthestepsattheDryadlessthanaweekago.Minosobviouslywantstobeunderestimated.It’safamiliarploy—alotofpeopleinOlympususeit,includingmyself—butitirksmeallthesame.“Truly,youstandoutamongtheothers.It’sawondersomeonehasn’ttakenissuewithyourhonesty.”
Anotherthreatthatisn’tquiteathreat.Ifollowhimtomyfeet.“Thanksforthedrink.”HopefullyHectorhadenoughtimetohackthecameras.
“Anytime,Apollo.AndIdomeanthat.”
Ifollowhimbackdownthehallandintoyetanotherlargeroom,thisonedesignedforentertaining.It’sdividedintosmallerspacesbythewaythefurnitureisarranged.Thegrouphasfracturedasaresult.IcatchAphroditeandAdonissharingaloveseat,thoughallherattentionisfocusedonTheseussprawledacrossfromthem,smirkingather.Iflookscouldkill,he’dbebrokenandbloodiedonthefloor.It’sanunwisemovetoantagonizethatwoman.Aphroditemightnotbecuttingdownpeopleinbattle,butshe’smorethanaformidableopponenttothosesheconsidersenemies.
Eurydice,Charon,Hermes,andDionysushavejoinedAriadneonatrioofcouchesandarehavingwhatappearstobeananimatedconversation.PanandIcarusareperchedonchairsoneithersideofasmallroundtableholdingachessboardwhileAtalantawatcheswithinterest,aglassdanglingfromherfingertips.Atfirstglance,Icarusappearstobewinning.
Idon’tseeCassandra.
Ialsodon’tseetheMinotaur.
Minosseemstocometothesameconclusionashesurveystheroom.“Howwillyoukeephersafewhenshe’sobviouslysopronetowandering?”Hechuckles.“Bestofluckwiththat.”
Surelyhe’stoosavvytohurtCassandrainordertogettome?
That’stheproblem,though.Idon’tknowwhatMinoswillorwon’tdo.Ididn’texpectthedirectionofourconversation,andIcan’tspeaktowhatlengthshe’llgotoachievehisgoals.He’sobviouslytargetingher,andthat’senoughtohavemyinstinctsscreamingatmetoact,todowhateverittakestokeephersafe.
Iturnforthedoor.“I’lljustgoseewhat’skeepingthem.”
Hischucklefollowsmeoutoftheroom.13
Cassandra
Idon’tmeantogetseparatedfromthegroup.IwaswalkingnexttoDionysusandrealizedmyshoestrapwascomingundone.Inthefifteensecondsittookmetofixit,therestofthegroupclearedout,leavingonlythehulkingMinotaurbehind.Idon’tknowwhyitsurprisesmethathekeepshisdeep-redhairlongenoughtobrushhisshoulders,but
Itense,waitingforhimtosaysomethingbiting,buthejustlooksupandeyestheclearnightsky.“Walkwithme.”
Underanyothercircumstances,Iwoulddecline.He’sastrangemanandobviouslydangerous,andIhavenointentionofgettingmurderedbeforeZeuscanpayme.IfIdo,he’slikelytosaymysideofthebargainisn’tfulfilledandthenAlexandragetsnothing.
ButhecanmakethesameargumentifhefindsoutIturneddownaprimeopportunitytogetclosetooneofMinos’sfamilymembers.
Really,Ionlyhaveoneoption.“Sure.”Ican’tmakemyselfsoundhappyaboutit,butIturnandheadbacktowardthemaze.TheMinotaurishuge—he’sgottobenearlyafoottallerthanme,ifnotmore—buthematcheshisstridetominewithoutanyapparenteffort.
Ihaveabsolutelynointerestinenteringtheconfinedquartersofthemaze,soIveerwhenthepathbranches,walkingfartherawayfromthehouse.Ikeepwaitingforhimtosaysomething,sincehe’sthereasonwe’reouthere,buthedoesn’tspeak.
Icatchsightofabodyofwaterinthedistance.Apond,judgingbyitssize.Istopshort.“Ifyou’replanningontryingtomurderme,you’llprobablysucceed,butIamanexcellentscreamerandyouwon’tgetawaywithit.”
TheMinotaurstopsandlooksatme.Ican’tseehiseyesclearly.Thelightsthatmadethemazenavigabledon’tstretchouttohere.Ionlyhavemoonlighttojudge,butitsureseemslikehe’samused.“I’mnotgoingtomurderyou.”
Didheputanemphasisonyouoristheadrenalinesurgingthroughmybodymakingmehearthings?“That’swhatamurdererwouldsay.”Idon’tknowwhyI’marguing.There’ssomethingakintopanicflutteringatthebackofmythroat.Iamnotequippedtodealwiththis.Thebackbitingandpolitics,maybe,butthismanwentafterAchillesKallis,oneofthebestwarriorsOlympushastooffer,likehewantedtokillhim.Likehe’dkilledbefore.“Whydidyoubringmeouthere?”
“Cassandra?”
IspinaroundasApollostridesdownthepath.Helookscalmandcollected,buthe’smovingfastenoughtoalmostberunning.Hedoesn’tslowdownwhenheseesus,either.Henarrowshiseyes.“It’stimetogoinnow.”
“Untilnexttime,Cassandra.”TheMinotaurturnsintheoppositedirectionandstalksintothedarkness.
Istareafterhim.Whatthefuckwasthat?Iopenmymouth,butApolloshakeshisheadsharply.“Let’sgobacktotheroom.”Hepracticallyhaulsmeoffmyfeet,movingtooquicklyformyshorterlegstokeepup.
Ifinallyhavetodiginmyheelsandforcehimtostopentirely.Hegrowlsatme.“Move,Cassandra.”
“No.”Ipullback,fightingdownashiverthat’scertainlynotdesirewhenhedoesn’treleasemywrist.“Eitherslowdownorletgo,becauseI’mtiredofyoudraggingmealong.”
Foramoment,itlookslikeheintendstoarguewithme,buthefinallyhuffsoutabreath.“I’llslowdown.”Hemaintainshisholdonmywristasheturnsbacktowardthehouse,butthistime,hecheckshispacesoIcankeepupwithoutstruggling.Westillmakeitbacktotheroominrecordtime.Apollohustlesmethroughthedoorandslamsitbehindhim.“Whatthefuckiswrongwithyou?”
OfallthethingsIexpectedhimtosay,thiswasn’tonthelist.“Excuseme?”
“TheMinotaurisdangerous.Everyoneatthispartyisdangerous.Youcan’tsimplywaltzoffintothedarkwiththemwithouttellingsomeonewhereyouwent.”
Iknowthisisfear.Apollowouldneveryellatmewithoutgoodreason,butmyownresidualfeargetsaholdofmytongue.Idon’teventrytostopit.“Idon’tneedababysitter,Apollo.Youbroughtmeheretodoajob,andI’mgoingtodoit.”
“Notattheexpenseofyoursafety.”
Abitterlaugheruptsfromme.“Right.AsifI’veeverbeensafeinOlympus.”
Hefocusesinonme,narrowinghisdarkeyes.“Thisisn’tharshwordsandgossip,Cassandra.Thisisdangerous.”
Ohgoodgods,he’slikeadogwithabone.Ithrowupmyhands.“Youdon’tthinkIknowthat?TheThirteenmurderedmyparentsandthencoveredituptolooklikeanaccident.”I’dbeenyoungandnaiveandtooshell-shockedtothinkclearlyintheaftermath.It’stheonlyexcuseIhaveforgoingtothepolice.Notthatithelped.Theyallbutlaughedmeoutofthestation.
Apollonarrowshiseyes.“ThenyouhavenoexcuseforwanderingoffwiththeMinotaur.Hecouldhavekilledyouandshovedyourbodysomewhereonthegrounds,andIwouldn’thaveknownanydifferently.”
LikeHermes’splus-one?
Ishutthatthoughtdownfast.Wedon’tevenhaveconfirmationthattherewasaplus-onetobeginwith,letalonethatthey’remissing.Dionysusmighthavemisunderstoodornotbeeninformedwhentheplanchanged.
Eitherway,ithasnothingtodowiththisconversation.“IknewtheriskswhenIagreedtocomehere.Sodidyou.”I’mdonewiththisconversation.AsgratefulasIamthathehuntedmedowntoensureIwasokay,Idon’tneedtobelecturedonthedangersofOlympusbyamanbornwithasilverspooninhismouth.Amanalmostuniversallybelovedbyboththepublicandthosewhoholdpower.
“Don’twalkawayfromme,Cassandra.”Hedoesn’tmovefromhisposition,buthisfirmvoicestopsmecold.“Ifyouwanttobedonewiththisconversation,thensayso.Butdon’tstormoutinthemiddleofit.”
Therebukestings.Ispintofacehim.Ifhewantsareport,I’llgiveittohim.Honestly,thisshouldbearelief.Foralittlewhilethere,IalmostforgotthatApolloisnothingbutmyboss.Ishouldthankhimforremindingme.
Istraightenmyspineandstareatapointjustoffhisrightear.“Idon’tneedyoutoprotectme,Apollo.I’mheretodoajob.Dionysussharednousefulinformationduringthemaze,asidefromthefactthatHermesmayormaynothaveinvitedaguestandtheyhaven’tshown.I’mstillconsideringinformationaboutwhyeveryoneishere,butbasedonthepartyguestsandtheprize,IwouldwagerMinosplanstosetupatleastoneofhischildrenwithsinglemembersoftheThirteen.IdidnotgainanyinformationfromtheMinotaur,whichseemstoindicatethatwholeperformancewasforyourbenefitandyouwalkedrightintoit.”Myvoicetrembles,andIconcentrateonfirmingitup.“That’sallIhavetoreport.I’mgoingtowashmyfaceandchange.”Whenhedoesn’tspeak,Isnap,“ThatmeansIam,infact,donewiththisconversation.”
Hedoesn’tcallaftermeagain.
Iclosethebathroomdoorandslumpagainstit.Myadrenalineisalreadydrainingoutofme,leavingastarkkindofclarity.Apollowasworriedaboutme.HethoughtthesamethingIhad—thattheMinotaurmeantmeill.
Ipushoffthedoorand,afterthebaresthesitation,starttheshower.Ineedtowashthemazeandthefearoffme.Asitheatsup,Iconsidermytheory.Minosstrikesmeasasmartman.Nooneisleavingthispartyengaged,andifhewantedtoplaymatchmaker,whyallowplus-onesinthefirstplace?Somethingisn’taddingup.Drowningmeintheduckpondmightremoveme,buthehastoknowApolloistoosmarttoconsideritanaccident.ItwouldeliminateanychanceofpairingApollowithoneofhischildren.
Butthatlogiconlyholdsifthematchmakertheoryholds.Ifsomethingelseisgoingon,Ican’tassumeI’msafe.
Isighandstripoutofmyclothing.I’mgoingtohavetoapologize.Stormingoutinthemiddleofanargumentwaschildish.I’mbetterthanthat.EspeciallysinceIknowhe’snotjustsnarlingtobeadick.He’sgenuinelyworriedaboutme.There’sagoodchanceheisrighttobe,too.
Itdoesn’ttakelongtoshowerandgothroughmynightlyritual.It’sonlywhenI’mdonethatIrealizeIdidn’tbringmysuitcaseintothebathroom.WhichmeansthepajamasIboughtsolelyforthistripareoutinthebedroom.
IeyethedressIwaswearingbefore,butit’ssillytoputitbackon.Thetowelsarealloversizeandridiculouslyfluffy.Oneofthemwillcovermewellenoughforthethirtysecondsitwilltaketograbthepajamas.
Itfeelslikeamuchbiggerdealthanitis.BeforeIcantalkmyselfoutofit,Iopenthedoorandstepintothebedroom.Apollositsontheedgeofthebed,hiselbowsproppedonhisknees,hisheadhanging.“IjusttalkedwithHector.Hewasabletohackthesystemandshutdownboththecamerasandthemicrophonesplantedthroughoutthehouse.Whentheyfigureoutwhathappened,they’lllikelytrytolockhimout,buthe’sgotagoodhandleonthesystemfornow.He’llkeepusupdated.”
“Oh.”IshouldhaveaskedaboutthatbeforeIstormedoff.
“Ialreadysearchedtheroomagainforbugs.It’sclean.Therestofthehouseholdshouldbesettleddownsoonandthenwecanseeaboutmappingoutthesecondfloor.Oncewefinishthat,wecaneitherseeaboutthethirdfloororfinishupthemainlevel.”
Thereasonwe’rehere.Right.“Okay,”Isaymeekly.
“Cassandra,I—”Heliftshisheadand,thoughhismouthkeepsworking,hiswordsdryup.
I’vebeenabletoconvincemyselfthatApollowasn’tlookingatmelikethatuptothispoint,butthere’snodenyingitnow.Notwhenwe’retheonlytwopeopleinthisroom.There’snoreasontopretend,noonetoperformfor.HestaresatthepointwhereI’vetuckedthetowelinovermybreastslikehecanwillittountuckthroughsheerforceofconcentration.Asifhewantstoseemewithoutanythingatall.
Asifhe…wantsme.Alot.
Ihavethemostabsurdurgetodropthetowel.Toseewhathe’lldo,ifhe’llcrossthedistancebetweenusandfulfillthepromisealightinghisdarkeyes.Willhebegentle?Evenbetter,willheusethatdeliciouslyfirmvoicewithmeasheinstructsmeonwhathewantsmetodo?Ishiver.
Thatseemstosnaphimoutofit.Heshakeshisheadroughly.“Ifyou’redonewiththebathroom,I’lltakeashower.”
Thesinkingfeelinginmystomachmostcertainlyisn’tdisappointment.Istepaside.“I’mdone.”
Apollodoesn’tmoveuntilImakemywayaroundtheedgeofthebedtowhereourluggageis.I’vehungupmostofmydresses,buttherearestillafewthingsinthesuitcaseitself.Ihearthebathroomdoorshutandturnaroundtofindhimgone.
Wehaven’ttalkedaboutthedetailsofhowwe’lldoourafter-hourssnooping,anditbelatedlyoccurstomethatwehaveaproblem.OnceMinosrealizesthecamerasaren’tdoingtheirjob,surelyhe’llsetupsomekindofsecuritypatrol.Ihaven’tseenanyonthegroundsbut…
Istopshort.
Ihaven’tseenanysecurityonthegrounds.Thatdoesn’tmakeanysense.WehavesixoftheThirteenhere,andtheynevertravelwithoutteams,evenifthoseteamsexcelatsubtlety.Whyinthegods’nameswouldtheyagreetocometothecountrywithouttheirsecurityinplace?IknowwhyApollodid,buttherestofthem?
There’snowaythey’rethatarrogant,right?
Ishakemyhead.Yes,theydefinitelyarethatarrogant.Theyallbelievethey’reuntouchable.EvenApollo,thoughhe’slessobsceneaboutit.Idigthroughmysuitcase.Normally,Isleepinthenude,butobviouslythat’snotanoptionforthistrip.Ishouldn’thaveletPsycheconvincemetoaddpajamastothelistofthingsweboughtfromJuliette,butaftershebulliedmeintotryingthemon,Icouldn’tresist.
NottomentionHerainsistedonmypurchasingoneofeverything.NotevenIwaswillingtoarguewithherwhenshehadthatglintinherdarkeyes.
Thereareseveralshorts-and-tank-topcombosthatseeminnocentuntilIputthemon.Thewaytheyhugmycurvybodymakesmefeelsosexy,theyshouldbeillegal.Andthentherearetheotherones.They’reashortshift-dressstylethat,again,lookschasteenoughuntilIputiton.Idon’tknowwhatclevermagicJuliettepulledwiththesewing,buttheyfitasifmadeforabodylikemine.Notclingingwheretheyshouldn’tandgapingelsewhere.Thedamnthingswerecreatedforseduction.
Ishouldhavesaidno.Ishouldhavestoppedonthewayhomeandpickedupsomefleecepajamasthatcovermefromnecktoankles.OratleastleggingsandaT-shirt.IevenpackedsomeofthelatterincaseIchickenedout.
Irunmyhandsoverthepajamas.I’mnotquitebraveenoughtogothatroute,nomatterhowhotApollo’sgazefeltonme.Butmaybeitwouldn’thurttomakehimsquirmalittle?Hedidyellatme,afterall.
Theexcusefeelsflimsyatbest,butIquicklypullononeofthesets,amatchingblackonewithredlaceatthetopofthetankandthebottomoftheshortsthatisalmostthesamecolorasmyhair.IbraidmyhairbackfrommyfaceandamjustwonderingwhatIshoulddonextwhenApollostepsoutofthebathroom.He’swearingapairofloungepants…andnothingelse.
Itrytolookathisface,butIdon’ttrythathard.HowcanIwhenhe’sshirtlessforthefirsttimesinceI’veknownhimandhe’sbeenhidingthatbodybeneathhisperfectlytailoredsuits?Oh,Iknewhehadmuscles;IfeltthemeverytimeIpressedagainsthiminthenameofourfakerelationship.
Butseeingthemisanotherexperienceentirely.
He’snotabsurdlycarvedoranything.ButhischestisdefinedandIkindofwanttotakeabiteoutofhisbiceps.Igivemyselfashakeanddragmyeyestohisface.He’snotsmirkingatthefactthatI’mpracticallydroolingonthefloor,though.
No,he’sstaringatmythighs.
Itense,fightingtheurgetocovermyself.Notoutofshameordiscomfort.Morelikeininstinctiveneedtoretreat,toseeifhe’llstalkacrossthedistancebetweenusandripmyhandawaysohecanlookhisfill.
Ilickmylips.Focus.Wehavetofocus.“Apollo.”Hisnamecomesouttoolow,toointimate.Icandobetterthanthis.IknowIcan.Ireachforsomethinglogicalandreasonabletosaythatisn’t“Takeoffyourpantsrightnow.”Iclearmythroat.“Wecan’tjustwanderaroundinthedark,obviouslycasingtheplace.Doyouhaveaplan?”
“Ididhaveaplan.Itwasaverygoodplan,butthenyouputonthosepajamas.”Heclearshisthroatandsubtlyadjustshispants.Holyshit,Apolloishard.Forme.“NowI’mhavingahardtimerememberingwhatitis.”
Lustclogsmybrain,threateningtowashawaywhat’sleftofmygoodintentions.Asurgeofdesirerushesthroughmybodyandmynipplespebble.“Ican’tthinkwhenyoulookatmelikethat.”
Aflushcreepsoverhischestanduphisneck.“Wehaveajobtodo.”
He’sright.Iknowhe’sright.Ilickmylips.“Whatif…We’redating,right?Orthat’swhattheybelieve.Ifwe’recaught,wecanjustsaywe’re,uh,exploringthekinkyroomsforkinkypurposes.Exhibition.Thatsortofthing.”Ican’tbelievehownormalmyvoicesounds.Asifmyheartisn’ttryingtobeatitswayoutofmychestandclosertoApollo.AsifI’mnotabouttogotomykneesbeforehimandbegforhimtotouchme.
“Wewereexplicitlytoldthey’renotkinkyanymore.”
“Maybeweforgot.”Idon’tknowwhatI’msaying.Thisisn’tfurtheringtheplantoexplorethesecondfloor.It’spure,selfishdesire.Istareatthelineofhisshoulders.Iwanttotraceitwithmytongue.“I’mfeelingveryforgetfulrightnow.”
“Metoo.”Thewordscomeoutlower.Deeper.Heholdsmygaze.TheApolloIknowisthere,ofcourse—evenwhenhewasyellingatmeearlier,hewassopurelyApollo—butI’veneverseenthissideofhimbefore.Hefeelsalmost…dangerous.Heseemstoforcehimselftolookaway,hisjawtight.“Cassandra.”
Ohno.He’sabouttodosomethinghonorable.“Apollo,I—”
“Youdon’thavetodothis.Byinvitingme,Minosallbutdaredmetofindoutwhathe’sreallyabout.Onceherealizesthecamerasaredown,he’llknowwho’stoblame.Ifyouwanttokeepthings…simple…wecansaywe’regoingtogetyouaglassofwaterorsomethingofthatnature.”
Ishouldgowiththatoption.It’saflimsyexcuse,butamuchsaferoneforme.Myemotionsarealreadycompromised,havebeencompromisedsincebeforeIagreedtoZeus’sbargain.I’mleavingthecityassoonasIpossiblycan.GivingintothelustsaturatingtheairbetweenusallbutguaranteesI’llbeleavingOlympuswithabrokenheart.Imightbeabletoseparatesexandemotionswellenoughinnormallife,butthisisApollo
FoolthatIam,Idon’tcarewhatpainI’mguaranteeingmyself.Iwantthistoobadlytosayno.It’ssupposedtobethekissingandstuffthatisdesignedtoexcusethesnooping,butrightnowitfeelslikethesnoopingisgivingustheexcuseweneedtodoawholelotmorethankiss.Itakeastepbackward,towardthedoor.“Comeon,Apollo.Let’sgoseethekinkyrooms.”14
Apollo
Iamnotonetoletmybaserdesiresgetthebestofme.Mybrainrarelyshutsoff,andasaresult,Ioverthinkthingstoaclinicaldegree.It’sbeenthereasonbehindtheendofseveralofmyrelationshipsovertheyears.
Standinghere,staringatCassandra,I’mnotthinkingofanythingatall.
She’salwaysbeenbeautiful.Butinthismoment,dressedinthatlittleteaseofpajamasthathaveherbreastsstrainingprecariouslyagainsttheirthinstrapsandhavepulledtightacrosshergenerouships?She’sdevastating
Iwanttokissthatdown-turnedmouth.Iwanttorunmyhandsoverherlushbodyandpullhertightagainstme.Gods,Iwanttowrapthatbraidaroundmyfistandforcehertomeetmygazeandadmitshewantsme,too.
Ishakemyhead,tryingtothink.“Areyousure?”
“Forfuck’ssake,Apollo.”Shestartsforthedoor.
Ohgods.Ohfuck
Ifthesightofherfromthefrontwasenoughtoshortoutmythoughts,Icanbarelystayonmyfeetattheviewshepresentsmewithassheopensthedoor.Ihaveseenherassintightskirtsandhiddenbehindflareddressesand—ontheveryluckydays—ondisplaywithtailoredpants.I’veneverseenhershowsomuchskin.
Ofcoursenot.She’snotinofficewear.She’sinherpajamasandyou’repantingafterherlikeacreep
“Apollo.”
I’mmovingbeforeIdecidetotakethefirststep.IhavethedisconcertingthoughtthatI’dfollowheranywhereaslongassheletmelookmyfill.“Wait.”
Shestopsinthedoorwaybutdoesn’tlookback.“What?”
“Itoldyouthatnovideoorphotowouldgetoutthatwould…”
“Apollo,please.YousaidthatHectortookcareofit.Ifwefindoutotherwise?”Cassandralooksoverhershoulderatme.“EitherhackMinos’ssystemsanddeleteit—Iknowyou’recapableofit—orI’llaskHermestodoit.”
Iblink.“WhywouldHermesdothatforyou?”
“Weusedtodatealongtimeago.”It’shardtotell,butIthinkshe’sblushing.“We’re…friendsnow.IguessIshouldhavementioneditbefore.”
Ihadnoidea,becauseIveryintentionallydidnotlookintoherpast.WithHermesinthemix,I’mnotsurethere’dbeanythingtofindaboutthisrelationship,butIdidn’tevenlookoutofrespectforCassandra.Thefactthatshe’sofferinguptheinformationnow,freely,isagift.Ineedtoseeitassuch.
I’monlyhuman.
Ican’thelpthespikeofjealousythatrisesinresponsetorealizingthatHermeshasdatedthewomanI…I’mnotevensurehowtotermit.Cassandraisnotforme.Shecan’tbeforme.Askinghertostaywouldbesoselfishitmakesmefeelvaguelyill,andyettheimpulseisthereallthesame.Iswallowhard.“Isee.”
Shestepsbackintotheroomandclosesthedoor.“Ididn’tsayanythingbeforebecauseIwasn’tsureifitwasastrangethingtojustbringuprandomly.”Cassandratucksastrandofhairbehindherear.
Themovebringsmyattentionbacktoherbody.Gods,thosepajamasshouldbeillegal.Ihavenoexcuseforthewordsthaterupt.“Hermesiskinky.”
“Extremely.”Cassandradoesn’tmove,doesn’tseemtobreathe.“Whatareyouaskingme?”
Youdatedher.
You’rekinky,too
“Youshouldhavetoldmeyoudatedher.Hertastesrunacertainway,andifyoursdoaswell,that’ssomethingIneedtoknow.”IalmostsoundnormalasIsayit.
“You’reright.”Shegivesoneofthosedeliciouslittleshiversthatmakesherbreastsshake.Hernipplesarehardpointsagainstthesilkyblackfabricofhertop.“Idon’tlikepain.Weplayedbondageandsomelightdominanceandsubmission.Occasionallyshegotmorecreativewiththegames,butitwasonlyeverthetwoofus.Nosharing.”Shelooksaway.“Andyeah,therewassomenearlypublicstuff.Iwasyoungandfoolishenoughtothinkitwouldn’tmatterifwewerecaught—andHermesensuredweneverwere.”
Mycockgoessopainfullyhard.Bondage.Alltooeasily,IcanpictureCassandra’sbodycrisscrossedwithShibari.Art.Thesexiestartinexistence.Andonceshewaswellandtrulytied…
“Whenwasthis?”
“Sixyearsago,giveortake.Weweren’tpublicaboutitbymyrequest.”Shegivesahalfsmile.“EvenasangryandimpulsiveasIwas,IknewbetterthantobelinkedtooneoftheThirteenofficially.”
Ihavetostepback,havetoturnawaytoavoidkissingherrightnow.Thisisn’treal,nomatterhowvisceraltheattraction.Wehaveajobtodo.“Isee.We’ll…”Iclearmythroatagain.“Let’sgetmoving.”
Shearchesabrow.“Doyouhavebondagegearhidinginthatbagofyours?”
No,butifI’dknowntoaskthesequestions,Iwouldhavepackedsome.“I’msureHermeshassomestashedsomewhere.”
“Whatanexcellentwaytomarkyourterritoryjustlikearealboyfriend.”Shelicksherlips.“Let’sgo.”
She’sright.Atthispoint,I’mstalling.Inexcusable.“Afteryou.”
Westepintotheemptyhallandlookaround.MyarmbrushesCassandra’sbareshoulderandit’severythingIcandonottopresshertothewallandravishhermouth.Withsolittleclothesonourbodies,I’llbeabletofeelherskinagainstmine,willbeabletoslidemyhandsunderthehemofhertopand…
Shestartsmovingdownthehalltowardthemainstairs.Herassistrulyoutofthisworld.Inormallytrytoresistoglingher,butthere’snoresistingthis.Especiallynotwhensheputsabitofextraswayinherstep.“You’redoingthatonpurpose.”
“Doingwhatonpurpose?”Shedoesn’tlookoverhershoulderatme,buttheteasinginhertoneconfirmsmysuspicion.
Imanagetokeepittogetheraswecheckthefirstthreerooms.They’reexactlyasAriadnedescribed—sittingrooms.Truly,they’rejustassoullessasMinos’soffice.
Cassandra’ssoftlaughmakesmelookover.“What?”
“Hemissedthis.”Shepointsuptowhereahookiscleverlytuckedintotheceiling.It’sasturdything,obviouslymeanttoholdenoughweighttosuspendaperson.
Again,theimageofCassandra’sbodypatternedwithropehitsmewiththeforceofafreighttrain.Herarmsboundaboveherhead,givingmefullaccesstoherbody…
“Apollo?”
Ishakemyheadsharply.“Let’smoveontothenextroom.”Idon’texpecttofindanythingduringthissearch,butI’vebeendoingthislongenoughtoknowbetterthantomakeassumptions.Wehavetocheckeveryroomwecangetaccessto,ifonlytoeliminatethemaspossibilities.
Weslipbackintothehallandstartforthefourthdoor.IttakesmeseveralsecondstorealizethesoundI’mhearingisn’tourfootsteps.Someoneiscomingupthestairs.They’removingfastenoughthatwewon’thaveachancetomakeitbacktoourroom.
Idon’tthink.IwrapanarmaroundCassandra’swaistanddragherthroughthefourthsitting-roomdoor.Tohercredit,shedoesn’tmakeasound.Aquickglancearoundtheroomdoesn’tshowmuchtohidebehind.There’sonlythecouch,facingawayfromthedoor.
Ihaulheraroundthecouchandpressherdownontoit.Allsomeonehastodoiswalkfullyintotheroomandlookaroundtheedgeofthecouchtoseeus,buthopefullythatwon’thappen.Still,IpressmyhandtoCassandra’smouthandleandown.“Someone’scoming.”
Heronlyresponseistoshiver.
WhichisrightaroundthetimeIrealizethatI’mcradledbetweenherthighs.It’slikemymindshortsoutandmybodytakesover.Ihaveabsolutelynointentionofmoving,butIthrustagainsther,justalittle.Herbreathcatchesagainstmypalmandshewhimpers.
Thatwhimperstopsmeshort.
Istaredownatherinthedarkness.Thefaintlightfromthewindowdoesn’treachushereonthecouch.Theshadowsaretoodeeptoreachherexpression,butI’vejustmanhandledherinthedarknessandnowI’vepinnedhertothecouch.
WhatamIdoing?
Idon’thaveachancetofigureitoutbecausethefootstepsstopoutsidethedoor.Istraintohearthemovermyracingheart.Didthepersonseeusduckinhere?Oraretheygoingtocheckalltherooms?
Thedooropenssoftly.Iholdmybreath.Beneathme,IcanfeelCassandradoingthesame.Thesecondstickpast,butthepersondoesn’tstepintotheroom.Finally,asmalleternitylater,thedoorclosessoftlyandthefootstepsretreat.Theypauseateachdoor,though.
Lookingforus?
Orjustdoinganightlyroundsincethecamerasaredown?
Idon’tshiftmyhandfromCassandra’smouthuntilIcannolongerhearthefootsteps.“Weshouldbegood.”
Exceptmyadrenalinedoesn’tfade.Notwhensheshiftsagainstme,herbreastspressedtomychestandherthighssosoftaroundmyhips.MybrainglitchesagainandIthrustagainsther.Again.
Shemakesthatdeliciouslittlewhimperingsound.Gods,Iwanttobottlethatsoundup.Iwanttodowhateverittakestomakeherdoitagain.
“Apollo,”shebreathes.
Nowisthetimetomove,toreclaimsomedistancebetweenus.It’sthehonorablethingtodo,andIpridemyselfonbeinganhonorableman.
Instead,Isettledownmorefirmlyontopofher.“Cassandra.”
Sheshiversandshiftsalittle,herthighstensingoneithersideofmyhips.“Youarevery,veryhard.”
“ConsideringthefactthatIhaveyoubeneathme,I’msurprisedthat’sallIam.”IshiftcloserwhenIshouldbemovingaway,untilmylipsbrushherear.UntilIcanwhisper,“Pleaseignoreit.I’msorry.”
“Areyoureallysorry?”Sheshiftsagain.
Thistime,there’snomistakinghermovement.She’srollingherhipsalittle,rubbingherselfagainstmycock.Idropmyheadtothecurveofhershoulder.“Ifyoudon’tstopdoingthat,I’mgoingtoembarrassmyselfbycominginmypants.”
Shedoesn’tstop.Ifanything,myattemptatcontrolemboldensherfurther.“Youwantme.”
“OfcourseIwantyou.”I’mspeakingtoosharplyforallthatImatchherlowtone,butshe’srubbingherpussyonme,andittakeseverythingIhavetoholdperfectlystillandnotgrindagainsther.“Butyou’remyemployeeanditwon’tbeappropriatetomakeyoufeellikeyouhadtodosomethingyoudidn’twanttobecauseofanimbalanceofpower.”It’shardtokeepmyvoicedown,towhispertokeepthisconversationjustbetweenus.Tonotpotentiallydrawtheattentionofwhoeverisroamingthehallstonight.
Shegoesstillforamoment.Ibothcurseandpraisemyselfinequalmeasureforcausingthatdelicioustormenttocease.ButthenCassandrasurprisesmebylaughingsoftly.Iliftmyheadandglaredownather,notthatshecanseemyexpression.“What’ssofunny?”
“InwhatworldwouldIgiveafuckaboutourso-calledpowerimbalance?I’mquittinginsixdays.Youdon’tholdanypoweroverme,Apollo.”Shearchesupalittle,pressingherbreastsmorefirmlyagainstmychest.Herlipsbrushmyjaw.“Unlessyouwantto.Onlyinthebedroom,ofcourse.”
“Cassandra.”Idon’tknowifI’mtellinghertostopitorcommandinghertocontinue
Herlaughislowanddownrightsinful.Butshedoesn’tstartrockingagainstmeagain.Instead,sheseemstoconsidersomething.IfindmyselfholdingmybreathwhileIwaitforhertospeak.Finally,shesays,“Istheonlythingholdingyoubackthatyoudon’twanttotakeadvantageofme?”
Ishouldlie.It’sthesafethingtodo.I’mafraidtohopeI’mcorrectlyanticipatingwhereshe’sgoingwiththis.EvenasItellmyselfnotto,Ianswerhonestly.“Yes.”
“Youwantme,”sherepeats.
“Cassandra,I’vewantedyouforyears.”Idon’texactlymeantosayit.I’vetreadsocarefullyaroundherforaverylongtime,alwayspainfullyawareofherpositionwithinOlympusandherdesiretokeepasfarawayfromtheThirteenandtheirpoliticalgames—fromus—aspossible.
ButIlikeCassandra.Itcreptuponmeslowly,butthat’showitworkswithme.Emotionsandcaringcomefirst,anddesirefollows.HowcouldInotcareforher?She’ssmartandsavvyandprickly,andshemightnotthinkI’venoticedallthesacrificesshe’smadeforhersister,buthowcouldIspendanyamountoftimearoundherwithfalling,atleastalittlebit?
Shockstillsher,butnotforlong.“Gods,Apollo.”Sheexhalesinashakylaugh.“You’reserious.”
It’stoolatetowalkitbacknow.Besides,Idon’twanttolietoher.“Yes.”
“Youknowwhat?”Sheeasesbacktothecouch,openingupthetiniestbitofdistancebetweenus.Myarmsshakewiththedesiretocloseit,butIforcethemstill.Cassandrarewardsmeaheartbeatlaterwhenshesnakesherhandsbetweenourbodiesandpressesherpalmtomystomach.“I’monlyinOlympusforanotherweek.”
“I’maware,”Igritout.
Shestrokesmewithherfingertipsalmostidly,asifshedoesn’tcareabouttheveryrealdangerofmelosingitfromthistouchalone.“Whatifwe…madeitreal?Thesex,Imean.Notthedatingforobviousreasons.”
DisappointmentIhavenorighttofeeltakesrootinmychest.Ofcourseshewouldn’twanttodatemeforreal.Askingsomethinglikethatisabsurd;asshesaid,she’sleavinginaweek.Invitinghertobemygirlfriendinanyrealwayduringthattimeisunfair.
Ifthiswereamonthago—aweekago—Iwouldn’tsayyes.IwouldtellherthatIwantallofherornothingatall.ThatIdon’toperatelikethat;Idon’thavecasualsexwithpeopleIdon’tcareabout.SexmeanssomethingtomeCassandrameanssomethingtome.Shehasforsometime.
AmIwillingtocompoundthepainofherleavingforthepleasureofhavingmoreofhernow?
IknowtheanswerevenbeforeIfinishthinkingthequestion.OfcourseIam.Ifthepainisinevitable,thenatleastI’llhavethesemomentstolookbackon,nomatterhowbittersweet.Iswallowhard.“Idon’twanttopressureyou.”
“Youcouldn’tifyoutried.”Shemovesherhandtomystomachanddipsherfingertipsbeneaththebandofmyloungepants.“CanItouchyou,Apollo?”
Ican’thelpfeelinglikeI’mdamningusboth.Ishouldbetheonetoputonthebrakeshere,butIwanthertoodesperatelytobelogical.WhenIspeak,myvoicegoeslowandcommanding.“Doit.”15
Cassandra
IstarttoslidemyhandintoApollo’spants,buthesays,“Wait.”Ifreeze,suddenlysurethatthisstrangemomenthaspassedandhe’sgoingtocallastoptothewholething.Instead,heleansdown,carefultomaintainthedistanceandnotcrushmyarm,andspeaksdirectlyintomyear.“Givemeasafeword.”
Iwanttoargueoutofhabit,butthere’snothingwrongwithhavingawordjustbetweenusthatmeanseverythingstops.I’veusedonebeforeandI’llnodoubtuseoneagain.More,Ilikethathe’ssettingthatboundaryveryclearlytokeepusbothsafe.Ilickmylips.“Python.”
Hehuffsoutalaugh.“Verywell.”Hislipsbrushmyear,myjaw,thecornerofmymouth.“Touchme,Cassandra.”
Thistime,hedoesn’tstopmeasIslidemyhandsintohisloungepantsandwrapthemaroundhiscock.Ifelthimearlier,ofcourse,butthere’ssomethingabouthislengthfillingmyhandthatmakesmybreathcatchinmychest.Istrokehimlightly,teasingly.“Allthisforme?”
“Justforyou.”Hisarmsshakealittlewherethey’repressedagainstmysides.“I’mgoingtokissyounow.Givemeyourmouth.”It’snotarequest,buthegivesmeabaremomenttoprotest.Idon’t.OfcourseIdon’t.I’vebeenthinkingaboutourlastkisssinceithappened,replayingitinmymindmoretimesthanI’lleveradmitaloud.
Apollokissesmeasifdiviningeveryfacetofmytaste.Short,druggingkissesthatdistractmesomuch,Iforgettokeepstrokinghim.Instead,Ichasehimeverytimeheretreats,littlewhimperingprotestsslippingpastmylips,onlyforhimtotakemymouthagain,longerthistime.
Hereachesbetweenustoclaspmywristinafirmgripandliftmyhandtopresstothecouchbesidemyhead.Apollodoesn’tbreakourkissashedoesthesamewithmyotherhand.Imightcomplainaboutnotbeingabletotouchhim,buthechoosesthatmomenttolowerhimselfontome,pressingmeintothecouch.Mybrainshortsout.It’sbeensolongsinceIallowedanyonecloseenoughtobelikethis.I’mstarvedformore…forhim
Hebreaksthekissslowlybutdoesn’tmoveaway.“Tellmehowtomakeyoufeelgood,Cassandra.”Again,there’snoquestioninhisvoice,noinvitationtoargue.He’scommandinginthatquiet,sternwayofhis.
“Thisfeelsgood.”
“Mmm.”Hethrustsagainstmeslowlyandletsoutatorturedgroan.“Toogood.”Hehooksthebackofmyneckandpullsmeupasheshiftsback.Ibarelyhaveachancetoprocessthefactthatwe’rechangingpositionswhenhesitsmeuponthecouchandkneelsbetweenmythighs.Ireachforhim,butheshakeshisheadandgrabsmywristsinthatsamefirmgrip.Hepressesthemtothecouchoneithersideofmyhips.“Ifyoutouchme,thiswillendtooquickly.”
Surelyhedoesn’tmeanhewantsmesomuch,he’sabouttocomesoonerthanhe’dliketo?Ithoughthewasjokingwhenhesaiditbefore.Ialmostlaugh,butmyentirebodyshakeslikealeafoverthefactthatwe’rehereandwe’redoingthis.IfhewantsmeevenhalfasbadlyasIwanthim,thenmaybeit’sbestIkeepmyhandstomyself.
Fornow.
Apolloliftshishandsslowly,makingasatisfiednoisewhenIkeepminewhereheplacedthem.“Goodgirl.”Icanbarelyprocessthatwhenheclaspsmykneesandgentlypressesthemwider.Thebottomsofmypajamasgape.Hestaresatthejunctureofmythighswithanintensitythatmakesmesquirm.
Hecoastshishandsslowlyupmythighs,guidingthemwideryet,untilhisthumbsbrushthelacehemofthepajamas.“I’mgoingtotouchyounow.”
Iexhaleshakily.“Youdon’thavetonarrateeverymovebeforeyoudoit.”
HegivesmeasharplookIcanfeeldespitetheshadows.“YousquirmsobeautifullyeverytimeIdo.Ilikeit.”Heedgeshisthumbsintothegapbetweenthesilkyfabricandmyoverheatedskin.“Nopanties?”
“No,”Igasp.“They…don’tworkwiththepajamas.”
“Bestmoneyeverspent,”hemurmurs.Hebrushesmypussyandappliesthebarestpressure,spreadingmyfolds.“You’rewet.Justforme?”
Ittakesseveralbeatsformetorealizeit’snotarhetoricalquestion.Itrytoholdstill,butIcan’thelpsquirmingjustlikehepredicted.“Apollo—”
“Tellme,Cassandra.”Hestrokesupanddowneithersideofmypussyasifhehasallthetimeintheworld.AsifI’mnotgoingtocomeapartthemomenthetouchesmyclit.“Tellmewhatgetsyouoff.Tellmewhatyoulikeandwhatyoudon’t.Tellmeeverything.”
IwillcutoutmyowntonguebeforeIadmitthatI’mafraideverythingworksformebecauseit’shim.Imighthavepropositionedhimforafling,butthatdoesn’tmeanI’mgoingtobaremyheart.Iswallowhard.“IlikeknowingIaffectyoulikethis.Itmakesmesquirm.”
“Mmm.”Herewardsmebydippinghisthumbsalittledeeperintomyfolds.“Isthatall?”
Damnhim.I’mpantingasifI’verunagreatdistance.Ican’tthinkpastwherehetouchesme,hissoftbutcommandingquestions.Ishakemyhead.“No,that’snotall.”Thistime,Idon’tmakehimprodmefurther.“Ilikeditwhenyouhauledmeinhereandpinnedmetothecouch,evenifyouweredoingittokeepushiddeninsteadofasforeplay.I–Ilikethis.”
“Ilikethis,too.”Heleansdownandpresseshisfacetothefabricrightovermypussy.HeinhalesdeeplyandInearlycomeonthespot.Apollokissesonethighandthentheother.“Whenwegobacktothebedroom,you’regoingtoletmelookatyou.”
“Apollo…”
“You’resobeautiful,Cassandra.”Hekissesalittlehigheronmythighs.“Youwouldn’tdenymeafterI’vespentyearspicturingyounaked,wouldyou?”
Iwhimperashepressesakisstomypussythroughthesilkofmyshorts.“Ohgods.Thatfeelsgood.”Betweenhismouthandmydesire,thefabrichasgoneslipperyandwet.Herubstheflatofhistongueagainstmyclit.Iwanttotouchhim,todigmyfingersintohishair,toholdhiminplaceuntiltheorgasmrushingtotheforeoverwhelmsmecompletely.
Instead,Ipressmyhandshardertothecouch,obeyingtheunspokendemandhegavewhenheplacedthemthere.Ican’tstopmyselffromspeaking,though.“More.”
Hedoesn’trespondwithwords,buthedoesn’tneedto.Hejustkeepsupthatdevastatingstroke.Islumpbackagainstthecouch,writhingevenasItrytoholdstill.“I…”Imoan.“Ican’tbequiet.Itfeelstoogood.We’regoingtogetcaught.”
Withoutmissingabeat,hereachesupandcoversmymouthwithhisbighand.It’snotaharshtouch.EvenwhenApollocaughtmeearlier,hisgripwasfirmbutnotpainful.It’ssoperfectlyhimthatIloseit.
Myorgasmdrawsacryfrommylips,andhepresseshishandalittleharderagainstmymouthashekeepsworkingmewithhistongue.Pleasurerisesandrises,crestingagainandagain.Toomuch.It’stoomuch.HowamIsupposedtomoveonafterthis,knowinghowgooditcanbewithhim?Thiswasamistake,butIdon’tcarethatmyparachuteismalfunctioning.
I’minafreefallandlovingeverysecondofit.
Apollomoveshishand,onlytoreplaceitwithhismouth.Itastemyselfonhistongue,anditdrivesmewild.More.Ineedmore.IfI’msettingmyselfupforpain,IwilldrawouteverybitofpleasureinthetimeIhave.Idigmyhandsintohishairandpullhimcloseashekissesme.Thistime,there’snoteasing.Hedevoursme.
Footstepssoundinthehallwayagain.
Itense,expectinghimtostop,buthetugsmedowntothefloor.I’mstillprocessingthefactthatIlikehowhemovesmearoundwhenhearrangesmeinfrontofhim,kneelingonthefloorfacingthecouchwithhimatmyback.Heslidesonehanddownthefrontofmypajamabottomstocupmypussyandwhispersinmyear,“Besilent,Cassandra.Otherwise,we’regoingtogetcaught.”
Holyshit,he’sreallynotgoingtostop.
Mysafewordisonthetipofmytongue.NotbecauseIwanttostop,butbecauseweshouldstop…
Iclampmylipsshutandspreadmythighs.Aclearinvitationthathedoesn’thesitatetotakemeupon.Hewedgestwofingersintome,catchingmygaspwithhishandovermymouth.Apollofucksmeslowlywithhisfingers,asifwecan’tbothhearthefootstepscomingcloserandclosertothedoor.
IknewIhadabitofanexhibitioniststreak,butthisfeelsdifferent.Heightened.Weshouldn’tbedoingthis,butIdon’tcare.Idon’twanttostop.Irollmyhips,rubbingmyselfagainsthiscock,andamrewardedbyhissharpinhale.
Thedooropens.
Ican’tseemorethanthetopfewinchesofitfrommyposition.Notenoughtoseewhoeverisstandingthere.Ifreeze.
Apollodoesn’t.
Hekeepsupthatslowslideofhisfingersinandoutofme,thoughhisbodyistensebehindmine.Thisisoutofcontrol.Weareoutofcontrol.I’m…goingtocome.Ishiveragainsthim,notsureifIwanthimtostoporkeepgoing.Notsureifwhoever’sstandinginthedoorwaywalksuptothecouchandlooksdowntoseeApollofingeringme.
Cantheyhearus?
He’snotbeingrough,butsurelytheycanhearthefaintsoundoffingerfucking?IleanbackharderagainstApollo,andherespondsbywedgingathirdfingerintome.
Ohfuck,Ireallyamgoingtocome.
Thedoorclosesslowly.Theclickofitshuttingmightaswellbeagungoingoff.IreachdownandcoverApollo’shandwithmine,urginghimtokeepgoing,tofinishthis.Ican’tstopshaking,can’tstopthelittlewhimpersthathispalmbarelymuffles.
Hekissesmyneckandnibblesonmyear.“Comeforme,Cassandra.Iwanttofeelit.”
Mybodyrespondstohiscommand,clenchingaroundhisfingersasmyorgasmcrestshardenoughtomakemyheadspin.Heeasesmedownslowly.“That’smygirl.”
I’mnothisgirl.Notinanypermanentway.Ijustcan’tquitemakemymouthworktotellhimso.
“Thatwasagoodstart,butI’mnowhereneardonewithyouyet.”Hepressesonelastkisstothespotbehindmyear.“DoyouwanttowalkorshallIcarryyou?”
Habithasmesaying,“Icanwalk.”
Hedoesn’timmediatelymoveback.“Cassandra.”There’squietcensorinhisvoice.“Doyouwantmetocarryyou?”
Verymuch,butmyheartisalreadydoingsomethingfunnyandIneedtowrestleitbackundercontrolandquickly.AllowingApollotocarryme—tocareforme—isaterribleidea.NomatterhowmuchIcraveit.“Iwanttowalk.”Iattempttosayitfirmly,butthewordsemergeasaquestion.
Apollofinallynods.“Verywell.”Hestands,easilypullingmetomyfeetwithhim,thoughhekeepshishandscuppedundermyelbowsasifheknowsexactlyhowshakymybalanceisrightnow.
“Thanks.”
Itshouldfeelsillytolacemyfingerswithhisandallowhimtoleadmeoutoftheroom.Whowalksaroundholdinghandswhentheydon’tneedto?EvenwithHermes,thiswasn’thowIoperated.Shewasintocasualintimacy,butshewasn’tsweet.Andthisissweetenoughtomakemyteethache.
Thefeelinglastsuntilweturnthecornerandcomeface-to-facewiththeMinotaur.
ApollomovesbeforeIfullyregistertheman’spresence.Heuseshisholdonmyhandtotuckmeneatlybehindhimandangleshisbodytostaybetweenmeandthelargerman.Wherebeforehisbodylanguagewaslooseandeasy,he’snowsorigid,Ipressmyhandtothemiddleofhisbackinsupport.
“Minotaur.”
TheMinotaurlooksdownathimwithnoexpressionatall.Apolloistall,buttheothermantowersoverhim.Hisscarredfacelooksevenscarierinthelowlightingofthehallway.“Youshouldn’twander.”
ThatsurprisesmeenoughthatIburstoutlaughing.“I’msorry,butwhynot?Surelyyouaren’tgoingtotryandconvinceusthatthereareghostshauntingthesehalls.”
Heshiftsthateerieattentiontome.“Yoursafetyisn’tguaranteed,Cassandra.”
Iblink.“Whatdoyoumeanit’snotguaranteed?”Ishetalkinggenerally?Oraboutmespecifically?
“Yoursafetyisn’tguaranteed,”herepeats.“Nocamerasnow.Whoknowswhatcouldhappentoyouinthedark?”Withoutanotherword,heturnsandstalksdownthehallintheoppositedirection.
Apollodoesn’tmoveuntiltheothermanisoutofsight.Onlythendoeshereclaimmyhandandleadmebacktothebedroom.Heclosesthedoorbehindusandchecksthelock.“Well,wehavenocamerastoworryabout,butapparentlythey’regoingtousethatasanexcusetowashtheirhandsofanythingthathappenshere.”
Afrissonoffeardampensmylust.“Theyreallyareplanningsomethingforthisparty,aren’tthey?”
“Idon’tknow.”Hisjawgoestight.“Andthatworriesme.”
Mybodyisstillflushwithtwoorgasms.Itmakesthinkinghard,butItryanyway.“Doweignorethewarningandkeeplookingtonight?”
“Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingtofindonthesecondfloor.Thesittingroomsareallexactlywhatwaspromised,andtherestoftheroomshaveoccupants.We’llhaveabetterchancewiththethirdfloorandfinishingoutthemainone.Wealsocan’texcludethepossibilitythathe’susingthegarageorsomebuildingonthegroundsforstorage.”Hedragshishandthroughhishair,makingitstandonend.“We’vedoneenoughfortonight.Mightaswellcallitandgetsomesleep.”
“Orwecoulddoexactlyaspromisedearlierandfinishwhatwestartedinthesittingroom.”
“Cassandra.”
Iignorethewarninginhistone.Infact,itsendsadeliciouslittleshiverdownmyspine.Wecan’ttakebackwhatwedidinthatsittingroom,butIwouldn’tevenifIcould.Hewantsme.Icanbarelybelieveitaftersolongofdesiringhim.
I’mleavinginaweek.I’llbedamnedifImissasingleopportunitytofulfillthepromiseheldintheheatedwayhelookedatme,touchedme.Ifwe’renotcontinuingthesearchtonight,thenthere’snoreasonnottogiveintotheinfernooflustthatmakesithardtobreathewhenIlookathim.
Evenso,ittakesmorecouragethanIwanttoadmittoholdhisgazeandpullmytopovermyhead.IbarelyregisterhissharpinhaleasIshimmyoutofmyshorts.Thewaythismanlooksatmeshouldbeillegal.Hisgazesweepsovermeasifhecan’ttakeinmyfeaturesfastenough,asifthisisagiftI’llsnatchbackatthelastmomentandhewantstoimprinttheimageofmeinhisbrain.Itwashesawaythelastofmyhesitance.Thisishappening.Webothwantthistohappen.
Insteadofcrawlingonthebed,Isinktomyknees,takingupthetraditionalsubmissiveposition.
“Cassandra,”Apollomurmurs.“Wedon’thaveto.”
Gods,butIcouldfallinlovewiththisman.Iignorethatthoughtandshiftmystancealittle,archingmybackandspreadingmythighs.“Wecoveredthis.Idon’tdoanythingIdon’twanttodo,andrightnowIwanttodoyou.”
“Youwanttodome.”Hislipsquirkinaskepticalsmile.“Isthatso?”
“Yes.”Ieyethehardlengthpressedagainstthefrontofhisloungepants.“Ithinkyouwanttodome,too.”
Hestepscloserandsiftshisfingersthroughmyhair,tighteningthemabruptlyatthebackofmyhead.Ijolt,butitdoesn’thurt.He’sjustholdingmeimmobile.Heconsidersme.“Youhaveyoursafeword.Iwillrespectit,regardlessofwhatwe’redoingwhenyouuseit.”
Ilickmylips.“Iknow.”
Thatreassureshim.Ofcourseitdoes.Anydominantworththeirsaltcaresabouttheirsubmissive’sneeds.NotthatI’mApollo’s…Iswallowhard.Bestnottothinkaboutthat.Bestnottothinkaboutanumberofthings.
Hetightenshisgriponmyhair,bendingmebackwardalittle.Apollo’sgazecoastsovermymouth,downmythroat,tomybreastsandbelly.Istarttotense,expectingself-consciousnesstorise,buthowcanIfeelself-consciouswhenhe’sstaringatmelikeamanwho’sfinallyallowedtotouchtheonethinghe’scravedforyears?
“Apollo.”
“Don’trushme.”
Ismileandrelaxbackagainsthishold.Instantly,heshiftsfromfistingmyhairtocuppingthebackofmyhead.Ilethimtakemyweightalittleandliftmychin.“Youhaveme.Whatareyougoingtodowithme?”16
Apollo
AsmallvoiceinthebackofmyheadwhispersthatI’mdoingsomethingunforgivable,butthosewarningsarewashedawayonatideofdesiresointense,it’sawondermykneesdon’tbuckle.
HavingCassandranakedandkneelingatmyfeetisanexperienceIneverthoughttohaveformyself.I’mtemptedtosimplylookatherforhours,butourtimeislimited.
Dutycomeswiththedawn.
Iintendtohavehercomingplentymoretimesbeforethathappens.Itugonherhair,carefultokeepittensionratherthanpain.“Youcankeeptryingtoprovokeme,butI’vetoldyouwhatIlike,Cassandra.Beagoodgirlandgiveittome.”
Sheshivers.“Ihateitwhenyoudothat.Enoughtalking.Let’sgettotheforeplay.”
“Talkingistheforeplay.”Iprefermykinkwithasoftertouch,butanyonewho’sexperiencedknowsyoucancutapersonrightdowntotheirvulnerablecenterwithwordsaseasilyasyoucanwithaflogger.There’snothingmoresatisfyingthanseeingmysubmissivefightbetweentheirpridedemandingtheystaysilentandtheirknowledgethatgivinginwillensureIdoexactlywhatthey’recraving
Whatwe’rebothcraving.
Sheglaresupatme,butit’snowherenearherusualcuttingexpression,notwhenhereyesareheavy-liddedandshe’sallowingherselftorestagainstmyhold.Trustingmenottoletherfallbackward.
Peopletendtofillsilences.It’sanimpulseI’venevershared.Silencescanserveallsortsofpurposes,andtheyarevaluableforanumberofreasons.Likethisone.Icanseetheargumentshe’shavingwithherself.Shewantstosubmit,butshe’snotthetypetohandthatoverfreelywithoutafight.
Ihavenointerestinfighting.
Cassandrawillgivemehersubmission,andshe’lldoitgladly.Shejustneedsafewmomentstorealizeit.
Shedoesn’tmakemewaitlongbeforehuffingoutabreath.“Okay,fine.”Shestaresupatme,achallengeinthosebigdarkeyes.“Iwouldverymuchliketosuckyourcockuntilyoublowinmymouth.”
IttakeseverythingIhavetoholdperfectlystillandgivehernoreaction.“Andthen?”
“Andthen…”Herlipscurve.“Thenwhenyou’vehadsufficienttimetorecover,Iwouldverymuchlikeyoutofuckme.”
Gods,thiswoman.
Itugherhairalittle.EvenifIcancontainthemajorityofmyreaction,thefactremainsthatshe’saffectingmedeeply.Ilikethatevenhersubmissionhasthorns.MyvoiceismorethanalittlehoarsewhenIfinallyreply.“Earnit.”
“Excuseme?”
Ijerkmychindown.“SuckmycockwellandI’llconsiderfuckingyou.”
Herjawdrops.“Idon’tknowifIwanttotellyoutofuckrightoffwiththatnonsenseorcomeonthespot.”
“Youwanttodoboth,butyouwon’ttellmetofuckoff,becauseyouwantmetomakeyoucomeagain.”There’srewardinthesubmissionfreelygiven.IcouldnudgehereasilyintodoingwhatIwant—whatwebothwant—butthisissignificantlymoresatisfying.“RememberhowwellIrewardedyouinthesittingroom.”
Shelicksherlips,hereyesgoinghazy.“Youbarelyaskedanythingofmethere.”
“Iwantedyourwords.NowIwantyourmouth.”Ipullherhairalittle.Areminderofwhatcamebefore.Apromiseofwhatcomesnext.“Andyouwanttopleaseme,Cassandra.”
Shereachesupandhooksherfingersinthewaistbandofmypants.“Don’tletitgotoyourhead.”
“Alwayswiththesmartcomments.”Iallowhertotugmecloserandeasemypantsdownmyhipsenoughtofreemycock.“Clever,spitefulCassandra.Let’sputthatmouthtogooduse.”
Shewrapsafistaroundthebaseofmycockandlicksherlips.Icanhardlybelievethisisreal.I’vefantasizedaboutthiswomanmoretimesthanIcaretoadmit,buthavingherbenddownanddraghertonguealongtheundersideofmycockwhenIcanstilltasteheronmylips?
IhavetotiltmyheadbackandstareattheceilingwhileIfightforcontrol.Cassandra,thelittletroublemaker,chucklesandthencloseshermoutharoundmycock.Shesucksmedeep,notgivingmeamomenttoadjust.Fuck,I’mnotgoingtolastlong.
Evenknowingitwillfraymycontrolfurther,Ilookdown.She’sstaringupatme,andthesightofhersuckingmycock…Idon’tmeantotightenmygriponherhair,butshemoansinresponseandsucksmeharder,faster.
“Gods,”Ibreathe.“Youreallywanttoearnthatfucking.”
Sheeasesoffmeandbrushesmycockagainstherlips.“Fuckme,Apollo.”Sheflickshertongueagainstme.“Butnotyet.I’menjoyingthis.”
“Iknow.”Ihardlysoundlikemyself.
Cassandralooksupatme,somethingwickedinhereyes.“WouldyouliketoknowwhatelseIwant?”
“You’regoingtotellme.”Theorderlashesoutofme.
“Comeinmymouth.”Shedoesn’tgivemeachancetorespond.Shesimplysucksmedownasifherverysalvationliesontheotherendofmyorgasm.
IholdoutaslongasIcan,makingherworkforit.Cassandraseemstobegoodateverythingshedoes,andthisisnoexception.ButIdon’twantittoendtoosoon.
It’sgoingtoendtoosoonnomatterwhathappenstonight.
Iignorethatthought.Idon’thaveforever,butIhaverightnow.Itwillhavetobeenough.Shesucksmedeep,untilherlipsmeetmybase.EvenifIwasdeterminedtoholdoutlonger,thisistoomuchpleasuretodeny.ItwashesawaythelastofmycontrolandIcupherfaceandbeginthrustingintohermouth.Cassandrarelaxesinstantly,submittingasIfuckhermouth.I’mnotrough,butIdon’tgivehertimetodecideshewantstoretakecontrol.
“Takeit,”Igrindout.“You’vemorethanearnedit.”
Shehumsalittleinresponse,herexpressionentirelyblissedout.Thetrustsheputsinme,herwillingnesstosubmit,tipsmeovertheedge.Icurseandcome,pumpingintoherassheswallowsmedown.Onandonitgoes.
WhenIfinallyeaseoutofhermouth,shelicksherlipsandsmilesupatme.Withoutthinking,Igotomykneesinfrontofherandkissher.Shemeetsmehalfway.Ofcourseshedoes.Cassandraismyequalineverywaythatmatters.Aperfectpartner…atleastfornow.
“Apollo.”Sheleansbackandbitesherbottomlip.“Fuckmetonight.Please.Ineedyourcocksomuch.Pleasedon’tmakemewaitanylonger.”
It’sastruggletorisetomyfeet—toleaveher—andmovetomysuitcaseandpulloutastringofcondoms.Itossthemontothebed.Cassandraisstillkneeling,stilllookingabitdazed.IcirclebacktoherandleandowntocupherelbowssoIcanlifthertoherfeet.Iintendtokissherlightly.Butthoseintentionsvanishthemomentshewrapsherarmsaroundmyneck.
Suddenly,Ican’tgetcloseenough.Can’ttouchherenough.Can’ttasteherenough.Igrabherhipsandjerkheragainstme,closingthelastminisculedistancebetweenus.Herbreastsandstomachpresstomychest,shortingoutwhatlittlethoughtIhadtogoslow.
Myrecoverytimeisusuallylonger,butnoneoftheusualrulesapplywhenit’sthiswomaninmyarms.MycockgoeshardasIbackhertowardthebed.ShetastesofmeandneedandI’mdrunkoffthefeelingofhertongueagainstmine,oftheknowledgethatIcankissCassandraasmuchasIwantto.
Atleastforthenextfewdays.
Ibreakthekissenoughtosay,“Liedown.”
“Apollo,ifyoudon’tfuckmerightnow,Imightactuallydie.”Shehooksthebackofmyneckandgivesmeanothersearingkiss.“I’mwetandI’machingandIneedyourcock.Now.”
Ipushherdownontothebedandthesightofherstopsmeinmytracks.She’ssoftandbeautifuland,gods,Iwanthertobemineintruth.
Stopit.It’stoomuchtoask.
Cassandramakesawhimperingsound.“Stopstaringatmeandcomehere.Don’tmakemebeg.”
Anothertime,Iwould.Anothertime…
Igrabacondomandmakequickworkofrollingitdownmycock.CassandraspreadsherlegsasIclimbontothebed,givingmeadevastatingglimpseoftheperfectionthatisherpussy.
Ineedtobeinsideher,butIcan’tstopmyselffromdippingdownanddraggingmytongueuphercenter.Shegivesacryanddigsherhandsintomyhair.“Getuphere.”
DespitethefactthatI’mhavingahardtimebreathingthroughthesheerwaveofdesirebearingmealong,Imanagealaugh.“Alwayssoimpatient.”
“Don’tactlikeyou’renot.”Shewrapsafistaroundmycockandsqueezesalittle.“Thatrecoverytimewas,what?Aminute?”Shesmilesagainstmylips.“Youwantmesobadly,you’reshaking.”
Ikissdownherjawandnipherearlobe.“Areyouexpectingmetodenyit?”Iholdmybreathassheguidesmycocktoherentrance.“Now,beagoodgirlandtakethiscock.”
Sheshivers.“IhatethatIlovethatsomuch.”
“No,youdon’t.”Ihaveeveryintentionofgoingslow.Butlikewiththekiss,mywiresgetcrossedsomewherebetweentheintentionandthedoing.Ithrustintoher,sheathingmyselftothehilt.
Cassandracriesout.Itense,reasonwarringwithdesire,butshemakesthedecisionforme.Shedragsherfingersdownmybackandsetshernailsagainstmyass.“Deeper.Harder.”
Ithrustdeeper.Harder.Allthoughtleavesmyhead.Thereisnothingbuthersoftbodywrappedaroundme.Nothingbuthowgoodherpussyfeels.Nothingbutherwords,urgingmeon.Thereisnoslowingdown.Noteasingthisoutuntilwe’rebothshakinganddesperateforeachother.Thereisonlyaroughfuckingthatfillstheroomwiththesoundsofourbodiescomingtogetheragainandagain.
Itrytoslowdown,toregaincontrol,butCassandraarchesagainstme,cryingoutasherpussyclampsaroundmycock.SheerpleasurewrenchesacursefrommylipsandthenI’mpoundingintoher,chasingmyownrelease.Icomesohard,Igetlight-headed.“Cassandra.”
Weendupinatangleonoursides.Distantly,I’mawarethatIneedtogetupanddealwiththecondom,butIdon’tquitehavecontrolovermylowerbodyatthispoint.
Shepressesalightkisstomynose.“Damn,Apollo.Just…damn.”
Iwantnothingmorethantolosemyselfinthiswoman,toforgettherestoftheoutsideworldandmakehermineforaslongasshe’shere.Todowhateverittakestoconvincehertostay.It’sthewrongcall,theselfishone.Justlikelettingthisescalatewasselfishintheextreme.MaybeI’llregretitlater,butIcan’tseemtorightnow.
Icatchherchinandkissherdeeply.“You’vepleasedmegreatly.”
Shegrinsagainstmymouth.“Well,withyouIactuallywanttoearnthegood-girltitle.Whoknew?”
Me.Iknew.Ieaseoffherandtakeafewminutestodisposeofthecondom.Walkingbackintotheroomissurrealinthewaythatdreamsare.
Cassandrahascrawledbeneaththecoversandshesmilessleepilyatme.“GivemeafewminutesandI’llbeupforroundtwo.”
Whatsheneedsnowisn’tanotherroundofsex.It’sasofteasingdownintosleep.Thisweekisfarfromover,andwe’llneedallourwitsaboutusforwhateveriscoming.Idon’tknowwhatMinosisplanningyet,butonethingiscertain:I’lldowhateverittakestoensureCassandraremainssafeandthathertrustinmeisn’tbetrayed.
Nomatterthecost.17
Apollo
WhenCassandraandIagreedtosharethebed,Iexpectedsleeplessnights.ThatwasbeforeIknewhertaste,knewhowdevastatingshelooksonherknees,knewtheexactsoundshemakeswhensheorgasms.
Ituckusbothintobed.Cassandramakesasiftomoveawayfromme,butIcatchherwrist.“Comehere.”Whenshehesitates,Icontinue.“Youdon’thavetostayallnight,butyouwillallowmetoholdyouforalittlewhile.”
Shehuffsoutafaintlyamusedbreath.“Youreallyareadom,aren’tyou?Wedidn’tevendoanythingparticularlykinky—”
“Cassandra,youknowbetter.”Kinkisn’tdefinedsoacutelyandshe’sdamnwellawareofthat.She’sprotestingforthesakeofprotesting.
Anotherhuff,butsheslidesbacktowardme.“Fine,fine.You’reright.Getyourcuddlesandaftercare.”Forallhersnark,shedrapesherselfovermychestandburiesherfaceinmyneck.Irunmyhanddownherspine,urgingheralittlecloser,andshemakesasoundperilouslyclosetoapurr.Immediately,shetenses.“Youheardnothing.”
Ismileintothedarkness.Therewillbeplentyoftimetoworryaboutcomplicatedthingstomorrow.Inthismoment,Iamsocontent,I’mindangerofpurringmyself.“Ilikethis,too.”
“Areyousureyou’retired?Wecould…”Herhandstartstowandersouth.
Icatchitandpressakisstoherpalmbeforeplacingitbackacrossmychest.“Nomoretonight.Sleep.”
“Bossy.”
IalmostretortthatIamherboss,butI’mnotkeentoberemindedofthatrightnow.Instead,Ikeepupmygentletouchagainstherback.Iwanttotouchsomuchmoreofher,butshe’sputhertrustinmeandIwon’tgiveherreasontoregretit.Rightnow,Cassandraneedssleepmorethansheneedstohavesexagain.
I’mprovencorrectwhen,afewminuteslater,herbreathingslowsanddeepensandthelastbitoftensionleavesherbody.OnlythendoIallowmyselftheshakyexhaleI’vebeenholdingforwhatfeelslikehours.
Iwanttokeepher.
IalreadywantedtokeepherevenbeforeIknewwematchedupsowell.CassandraisoneofthemostconfoundingandfrustratingpeopleI’veevermet,andshewilllashoutfirsttopreventthepeoplearoundherfromsensinganythingresemblingweakness.She’sdownrightmeanattimes.
She’salsoincrediblythoughtfulandkindwhenshethinksnooneislooking.She’ssacrificedmorethananyonecouldhaveaskedforhersister,hasriddenthewavescreatedbyherparents’assassinationattempt.Nottomentionshe’sprobablythesmartestpersoninOlympus.ShenoticesthingsImiss,canmakelogicaljumpsthatseemtodefytheminusculefactsinfrontofher;she’sveryrarelywrong.
Andaftertonight,Iknowthatshehasaplayfulsideinthebedroom.Thatshe’sboldandfearlessandcomfortableinherdesires.Thatherkinksseemtobeaperfectfitformine.
Iclosemyeyesandwillmybodytocalm.It’salosingbattle.JustlikehavingfallenforCassandrais.She’sleaving.Shewasalwaysleaving.ShehatesithereinOlympus,andI’dneverusehertrustinmetoconvincehertostay.More,beingwithmemeansinsertingherselfintotheverythingsaboutthiscitythatshehatesthemost.She’llbetargeted.NotevenIcanprotectherfromthat;Icanguardherbody,butwhatabouttheassaultsonherreputation?
Onhersister’sreputation?
Whatwouldkeepthetwoofthemoutofthepoliticalgamesthatarethiscity’sbeatingheart?Everydaywithmewouldbeareminderofthepriceherparentspaidfortheirambition.EverydaywouldbeachanceformyenemiestouseCassandraandhersisteragainstme—tobruisethemjusttoseemesuffer.
Ican’taskthatofher.Ican’tbethatselfish.
Irefusetobe.
***
Iwakeupachinglyhard.We’veshiftedduringthenight,thoughnotmuch.I’monmysidewithCassandratuckedbackagainstme,herperfectasspressedagainstmycock.Sheshiftsagain,andIwakefully.“You’redoingthatonpurpose.”
“Who,me?”
Itwouldbesoeasytoletthisspiraloutofcontrol.Infact…IchecktheclockandbitedownanunkindstatementwhenIseewhattimeitis.“Wecan’t.”
“Wecan’twhat?”Cassandralightlydragshernailsdownmyarmsandburrowsbacktighteragainstmybody.“Thisfeelsnice.”
Niceistheunderstatementofthecentury.Butifwegetgoing,IhighlysuspectwewillmissourchanceatbreakfastandalltheeventsMinosnodoubthasplannedtoday.Wecan’taffordtoallowthattohappen,nomatterhowgreatthetemptationorinevitablepleasure.“Cassandra.”
Shesighsdramatically.“You’vebeingveryresponsiblerightnowandIdon’tlikeit.”
“Ilikethis.”Igiveherasqueezeandkissherbareshoulder.“BeverygoodtodayandI’llrewardyoutonight.”TheMinotaur’sappearancelastnightallbutensuredmidnightwanderingsareoffthetable.Weneededthecamerastogo,butwithoutanyrecordingstoholdpeopleaccountable,there’snoguaranteethatsomeonewanderingthehallsatnightwon’tsufferanunfortunate“accident.”It’snotworththerisk.
We’llhavetofindadifferentway.ItryveryhardnottobepleasedwiththefactthatCassandraandIwillbeessentiallytrappedinourroomfromnightcaptobreakfast.
“I’mnevergood.Youshouldrewardmeanyway.”Shegivesonelastwiggleagainstmeandthendisentanglesherselffrommyarms.Ialmosttugherback,butI’mtheonewhoputastoptothingsandIcan’tverywellwalkbackonitnow.
Except,assheclimbsoutofbedandpadstothebathroomdoor,mymouthactuallywaters.Gods,thiswoman.Itraceeverycurve,drinkinginthesightofher.She’sperfect.Utterlyperfect.Iwanttomapherskinwithmyhandsandmouth,tolearnexactlywhatshelikesandwhatdrivesherwild.Lastnightwasonlythebeginning.
AsIwatch,herskinblushesacharmingpink.“You’restaring.”
“IsaidIwantedtolookmyfill.”Godshelpme,Iactuallylickmylips.“Thisisagoodstart.”
Cassandrablushesharder.“Ordermetogotakeashowerandgetready,orI’mgoingtocomebacktobedand—”
“Gotakeashowerandgetready.”Iinjectabitofsnapintomyvoiceandamrewardedwhensheblushesevenmore.“Noplayingwiththatgreedylittleclit,either.Whilewe’rehere,yourorgasmsaremineandminealone.”
Hermouthworksasifshewantstoargue,butshegivesajerkynodinstead.“Betterkeepmesatisfied,then.”
“Oh,Cassandra.”Irakemygazeoverher.“Iplanonit.”
Shehesitatesonemomentmoreandthenturns,givingmeanotherspectacularviewofherass,andgoesintothebathroom.Islumpdownontothebedandcursemyselfformytiming.MyresponsibilitytoOlympushastooutweighanypersonalpleasureorhappinessImighttrytoseek.Especiallyconsideringthatitwillbeshort-livedwiththiswoman.
Icannotallowmyselftobederailed.
Ineedtogetupandmoving,butastheshowerturnson,Ican’tstopmyselffromstrokingmycock.Idon’tteasethewayCassandradidlastnight.No,Ijackmyselfalmostharshly,aslideshowofherflashingbehindmyeyes.
Thewayitfelttobecradledbetweenherthighs,sinkingintoherwetheat.
Hersweetlittlemoansthatshedidn’ttrytohide.
Hertaste.
IyankmyhandawayfrommycockbeforeIcancome.I’mnotnormallyamasochist,butifI’mdenyingherorgasms,it’sincrediblyunfairtonotholdmyselftothesamerule.
MyphoneringsandthemomentIseethenameflashingacrossmyscreen,thedesireleavesmybody.Istilltakeafewsecondstocomposemyselfbeforeanswering.“Apollohere.”
“Canyoutalkfreely?”
Ieyethebathroomdoor.Theshowerisstillrunning.Judgingfromyesterday’stimetable,itwillbeagoodhourbeforeCassandraemerges.“Yes.”
“Updateme.”It’snotsurprisingthatZeuswantstobekeptintheloop,buthecouldhavegivenmeatleasttwenty-fourhoursbeforehestartedcalling.
“Ihaven’thadmuchtimetogatherinformation.”
“Indulgeme.”Histonebrooksnoargument.
Ibitedownasigh.“AllIhavearetheoriesandtheguestlist.Minosandhispeoplearehere,ofcourse.SixmembersoftheThirteen,includingmyself,Hephaestus,Artemis,Hermes,Dionysus,andAphrodite.Thenthere’sPan,Adonis,Charon,Eurydice,andAtalanta.InformationseemsconflictingonifHermesbroughtaplus-oneornot,butifshedid,Ihaven’tseenthem.”
“Godsdamnit,Eris.”Hespeakssosoftly,Ichoosenottorespond.Thatstatementwasn’tmeantforme,afterall,butforZeus’ssister—formerlyEris,beforeshetookthetitleofAphrodite.Zeusdoesn’tletAphrodite’spresenceheredistracthimforlong.“Andyourtheories?”
“Cassandrathinksitmightbeamatchmakingattempt.Everyoneinvitedispubliclysingle—orwasuntilrecently.”Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingonwithAphroditeandAdonis.Theyseemtobeinoneofthoseon-again,off-againrelationships,butthey’renevermessyinpublic.Sometimesthey’repicturedtogetherforweeksormonthsatatimeandthentheyseemtobemovingindifferentcircles,onlytogravitatebacktowardeachother.EvenbeforeshetookthetitleofAphrodite,though,shehadtoknowherbrotherwouldneveragreetohermarryingAdonis.Hecomesfromalegacyfamily,butthey’refarenoughdownthefoodchainthattheywon’tseeanewmemberoftheThirteeninthisgenerationatleast,ifeveragain.
“Ididn’taskwhatCassandrathinks.Iaskwhatyouthink.”
Ihavetofightnottobristleathowdismissiveofhertheoriesheis.Imightthinkthere’sanothercomponenttothisparty,butthatdoesn’tmeanCassandraiswrong.Minosseemsfartoosmarttoonlyhaveoneplan.HearrivedinOlympussupposedlysohissonscouldcompetetobecomeAresbutdidn’tmissabeatwhentheyfailedtodoso,pivotingtoleveragehisinformationaboutasupposedenemytoensurehisplaceinthecity.
Somethinghedidn’tspeakawordofuntiltheylost.
“Isuspectthatthematchmakingmightbeafeint,thesamewaytheArestournamentwasafeint.”Ihesitate,butultimatelythere’snoreasontokeepitsecret.“There’soneotherthing.”IquicklyrecapmyconversationwithMinosinhisoffice.“There’ssomethingelsegoingonhere.He’sstrangelyfocusedonCassandraandallbutthreatenedherexplicitly.Andagainlastnight,theMinotaurdidthesame.Idon’tseehowthatfitsinwiththeinformationwealreadyknow.”
“Findoutwhatitis.”
Iclenchmyjawforthreebeatsinanattempttostuffmyfrustrationdowndeep.It’snotZeus’sfault.He’sdifficultandabrupttothepointofrudeness,buthe’sdoingthebesthecanwiththegivensituation.Knowingthatdoesn’tmakedealingwithhimanyeasier,though.“ThatiswhatI’mheretodo.”
“I’maware.”Hecurses.“Youknowhowimportantthisis.Wecan’taffordtomisstep.”
“Iwillcallwithanyupdates.”
“Apollo…”Hehesitates.“Becareful.”
“Ialwaysam.”Ihangupanddragmyhandovermyface.AsfrustratingasIoftenfindmyconversationswithZeus,thisonewastimelytoremindmeofwhatI’mreallyherefor.
Unfortunately,continuingmyseductionofCassandrawillhavetowait.
Theshowerisstillgoing,soIpullonsomeclothesandheaddownstairsinsearchofbreakfast.EatinginourroomwillgiveusachancetocomeupwithagameplanforthedaybeyondmakeCassandracomeasmanytimesaspossible
IbetthereisanotherentrancetoMinos’soffice.ThisplaceusedtobelongtoHermes,afterall.Butthatalsomeansitwillbecleverlyhidden,andwiththeMinotaurroamingthehalls,we’relikelytogetcaughtsearching.No,ourbestbetisgoingthroughthedooritself,thoughwedon’thaveagoodexcusetobeinthere,borderlineexhibitionismorno.
We’llhavetotryfortheofficetodayduringoneofthedowntimes.
Therearefewpeopleabout.IcatchsightofAphroditeandAdonisthroughthewindowthatlooksoutoverthegrounds.Theywalkdownthepathinthedirectionofthemazewiththeirarmslinked.She’slaughingatsomethinghesaid.Theymakequitethestrikingcouple,buttheyaren’tmyproblemrightnow.
Aspromised,there’sabreakfastspreadwaitinginthesameroomwedinedinlastnight.Iconsidermyoptionsandthengrabtwoplates.Cassandradoesn’tseemtoeatheavybreakfasts,butI’mnotentirelycertainwhatshelikes.Iputalittlebitofeverythingonherplateandthengettoworkonmyown.
I’mjustfinishingupwhenHephaestusandArtemisstrideintotheroom.Theygivemenearlyidenticallonglooksandthenveeraroundtotheothersideofthetable,pointedlycontinuingtheirconversationandignoringme.
Ibitebackasigh.It’snaiveintheextremetowantallmembersoftheThirteentogetalongandworktowardacommongoal.Ithinkthetitlesthemselvesweredesignedtoensurethatneverhappened—oratleastthat’swhatitfeelslikemostdays.Toomanyofthemhavespecialtiesthatoverlap,whichincitesrivalrieseveninthemostlevel-headedofpeople.AthenaandAreswiththeirmilitaryforces.MeandHermeswithinformation.DemeterandPoseidonwiththeirtradeagreementsandresourcegathering.
Evenwithoutthatfactorinplay,thefracturesrundeepinourcurrentThirteen.HowcantheynotwhenmostofusaremembersoflegacyfamilieswhohavelongOlympianhistoriesfilledwithalliances,feuds,andthekindofpoliticalbackbitingthatensuresthereisnotrusttobefound?
“Oh,Apollo.”Artemisturnstomewithfalsecheer.“Iforgottocongratulateyouonthatgirlfriendofyours.”Shelaughs,thesoundedged.“Though,honestly,ifIknewyouweresohardupastodatethehelp,Iwouldhavesetyouupwithoneofmysisters.”
Hephaestusdoesn’tgivemeachancetorespond.Hislaughterjoinshiscousin’s.“Itwouldn’tbemorethanslightlyscandalousifshewasjustanemployee,butamemberoftheGatakifamily?”Heshakeshishead.“Youmustreallylikelivingontheedge.You’reliabletowakeupwithaknifebetweenyourribs.”
Igriptheplatessotightly,IhavethedistantthoughtthatImightshatterthem.ThedesiretodefendCassandrawarswiththeneedtocontinuemyeasygoingpublicpersona.“Cassandraisnotthesameasherparents,”Ifinallysay
“Iguesswe’llsee,won’twe?”
Irefusetocontinuethislineofconversation.“Where’sAtalantathismorning?”
TheyexchangealookIcan’tquitedecipher.Ifrown,butArtemisspeaksbeforeIcanquestionfurther.Shewavesanidlehandthroughtheair.“Oh,Isentheronatasklastnight.Shemustbesleepinglate,asIhaven’tseenhersince.”
“Yousentheronatask…inthemiddleofthenight…atahousepartyhostedbysomeonewho’sessentiallyanenemytoOlympus.”TheMinotaur’sroughvoiceechoesthroughmymind.Yoursafetyisn’tguaranteed.DidhehappenuponAtalantainthehalls?
Idon’tliketothinkaboutthat.LikeeveryoneelseinOlympus,IwatchedtheirconfrontationattheendofthesecondtrialintheArescompetition.Shefoughthardandlost,andforamoment,I’dbeencertainhewouldkillherrightthenandthere.“TheMinotaur—”
“Thankyouforyourconcernaboutoneofmypeople,butIcanassureyou,it’snotneeded.”ArtemissmirksandstridesoutoftheroombeforeIcancomeupwithasuitableresponse.
Hephaestus,ofcourse,lingers.Heeyesthetwoplatesinmyhands.“You’replayingthiswrong.Throwyourlotinwiththeloserandyou’llgodownwiththem.”
Iholdhisgaze.“IsAtalantaokay,Hephaestus?Whyisn’tArtemisworriedthatshehasn’treportedback?”
“She’snotoneofmine.It’snotmybusiness.”Heshrugs.“Sheknowsthecostofloyaltyandshe’swillingtopayitifit’saskedofher.Alessonyoushouldtaketoheart.Minosmeansfreshblood.Achancetodisruptsomeoftheoldwayofdoingthings.”
Iholdhisgaze.“Yourfamilycomesfromtheoldwayofdoingthings.Minedoes,too.”
“Yeah.”Heshrugs.“Butwe’retheThirteen.Nothingcantouchusnow.”
“Hephaestus—”
“YoumayhavethisZeus’sear,butweallknowhowquicklythewindscanchange.WhoknowswhatkindsofopportunitiesandconnectionsMinoscanbringusfromoutsidethecity?Ifyoumissoutbecauseyou’retoobusyplayingwithafailedassassin’sdaughter,thenIdon’tknowwhattosaytoyou.Goodluck,Iguess.”Hefollowshiscousinoutoftheroom.
Nothingcantouchusnow.
Thewordshavetheringofafalseprophecy.ItrulyhopeI’mwrongaboutthat.18
Cassandra
Iexpectthingstobeawkward.Ishouldreallyknowbetterbynow.ApolloandIshareanicebreakfast,andthenhegetsreadyinafractionofthetimeittookme.Ichosemyclothingwithcaretoday:oneofthemanydeceptivelysimplesundressesfromJulietteandapairofflats.Ifthemazewasanyindicationofhowthegameswillplayoutduringthisweek,I’mgoingtosaveheelsforevening.Ihavenoproblemwearingthemalldayintheoffice,butIdon’tspendmostofthedayonmyfeetatwork.
Apolloeyesmyshoechoicebutwiselysaysnothing.Hejustopensthedoorformeandmotionsformetoprecedehimthrough.“Itwillbelunchbeforetoolong.Let’sseewhoelseisabout.MaybeAtalantaisbackbynow.”
“Ihopeso.”Idon’tlikethefactthatArtemissaidshehadn’theardfromher,thoughwiththecontentiousrelationshipArtemisandApollohave,it’sentirelypossiblethatshewasjustfuckingwithhim.Wewon’tknowuntilwecanconfirmAtalantaismissing.
Ifsheis…Thatmightbetwoplus-ones.Orit’stwoifHermes’sactuallyshowedup.We’veneverhadconfirmationofthat,soweneedtotrytogetittoday.
IfMinosistargetingtheThirteen’scompanions…Why?
Itdoesn’tmakeanysense.
IslidemyhandintothecrookofApollo’sarmandwalkwithhimdownthehalltothestairs.Wetakeacircularroutetothediningroom,exploringapartofthedownstairswedidn’tgettoyesterday.
Thehouseisutterlycharming.EvenwiththechangesMinoshadmade,itstillfeelsveryHermes.Recognizingthatisbittersweetintheextreme.Sheneverbroughtmehere.Sheneverevenoffered.Idon’tblameherforit.Wehadveryclearparametersonourrelationshipwhenwestarteddating.Itwasnevergoingtobeforever;itwasneverevengoingtobepublic.VeryfewpeopleinOlympusevenknowithappened,whichishowwebothpreferit.HermesmightbeoneofthemostostentatiousoftheThirteen,butshe’sfiercelyprivate.Mostpeoplejustnevernoticethatbecausethey’resobusybeingthrownoff-centerbyhershowingupwheretheyleastexpecther.
Weclockamassivelibrary,threemoresittingroomsthatmayormaynothavebeenkinkyplayroomspreviously,andatrulylovelysunroomthatseemstobegpeopletospendlazyafternoonsthere.
Hermesisplayingcourtinthelivingareajustoffthediningroomwhenwefinallymakeourwaythere.Sheloungesinachair,onelegthrownoverthearmandherleanbodyslouched.Todayshe’srestrainedherselfabit,wearingjeansandagraphicT-shirtthat’slargeenoughIsuspectitbelongstoDionysus,andshehashercurlyhairstyledintwobunsontopofherhead.Comparedtoeveryoneelseintheroomintheirgarden-partybest,shestandsout.
Butthen,Hermesalwaysstandsout.
Sheleapsoutofthechairwhensheseesus,nearlytopplingDionysusofftheartsystoolhe’ssittingon.Helooksalittlegreen,obviouslynursingahangover,andblinksblearilyather.“You’reawfullyspryrightnow.”
“Ihavetousethelittlegirls’room.”Shesweepsthroughtheroom,somehowmanagingtoinsertherselfbetweenmeandApolloonherwaytothedoor.Evenexpectingit,I’mstillmildlysurprisedtofindmyselfholdingherarminsteadofhis.ShebeamsatApollo.“Ihopeyoudon’tmindifIstealyourgirl.Houserules.Can’tpeealone.”
Idon’tevenknowwhatApollointendstosay—helookslikehe’sabouttoargue—becauseshedoesn’tstopmoving,towingmeoutoftheroomwithher.“Hermes—”
“Hush.”Shedoesn’tquitedrophercheerypublicpersona,butathreadI’mdeeplyfamiliarwithcreepsintohervoice.Shepracticallydragsmepastthebathroomandthroughadoorintoyetanothersittingroom.Thisoneisunderstated,withaveryneutralcolorschemeanddaintyfurniturethatlookslikeitmightbreakunderanormalhuman’sweight.
Ilookaround.“Wasthisalwaysasittingroomoristhisanotherconvertedkinkyone?”
“Aladynevertells.”Sheshakesherhead.Whensheturnstolookatme,she’suncharacteristicallyserious.“AtleastApollodidsomethingrightandtookcareofthecamerassowecantalkfrankly.”Shegripsmyshoulders.“Youhavetoleave,Cass.”
“What?”
Sheholdsmygaze.“Youneedtoleave.”
“Iheardyouthefirsttime.Iwasn’taskingyoutorepeatyourself;Iwantedclarification.”Ilethertakemyarmandguidemedeeperintotheroom.Ican’taffordtobehonestrightnow,notevenwithher.“Myboyfriendisn’tgoingtolikeyoudraggingmeofflikethis.”
“Yourboyfriend.Right.”Hermesrollshereyes.“WebothknowyouwouldneverpubliclyconsortwithoneoftheThirteen,evenifApolloisasweetbabyangelbycomparisonwiththerestofus.”
Ishouldhavesuspectedthiswouldhappen.TherestofOlympusmightbewillingtobelievetheworstofme,butHermesknowsmetoowell.Iliftmychin.“Ilikehimverymuch.”
“Oh,thatIdon’tdoubt.”Shesmilesalittle,eyesgoingsoft.“Iseehowyoulookathim.It’sthesamewayyouusedtolookatme.”
Beingcalledoutlikethismakesmewanttowalkoutoftheroom,keepwalking,andnevercomeback.Ishouldleavethisalone.IknowalltoowellhowcircularconversationscangetwithHermes,especiallyifshe’sgothermindsetonsomething.I’mnearlyasstubbornassheis,though.“IfyouseehowIlookathim,whyisitsohardtobelievewe’redating?Jealousydoesn’tlookgoodonyou.”
“Seelastpoint:Iknowyou.”Shewavesthataway.“AndI’mnotjealous,eventhoughyou’reacatchandahalf.Youwerenevermeantforme.That’snotwhatthisisabout.Youneedtoleave,Cass.It’snotsafehere.”
“It’snotsafeanywhereinOlympus.”That’swhyIhavetobehere.IneedtogetAlexandraout.Idon’ttellHermesthat.Shealreadyknowsmygoaltoputthisdamnedcityinmyrearview.ShealsolikelyhassomeideaofZeusandApollo’splantosussoutwhatMinosisupto.
Infact,thiswholeinteractionisoff.TheHermesIknowneverwouldhavepulledmeasidelikethis.Inarrowmyeyes.“What’sgoingon?You’veneverwarnedmeoffanythingbefore.”
“Youwouldn’tlistentomeifI’dtriedtobefore,andyouknowit.”Shetriestomaintainhercheerypersonabutabandonsithalfwaythrough.Hermesglancesawayandthenbacktome.Thefriendshipthatdevelopedinthewakeofourill-fatedrelationshipcanbespikyattimesandoccasionallyuncomfortable,butitdoesn’tfeellikethat’stheproblemrightnow.Thisisn’tHermesrandomlyacquiringajealousstreak.She’sactuallyworried.
“Hermes—”
“Ifyoutrustedmeatallbefore,Ineedyoutotrustmenow.Getoutofhere.”
Ifrownharder.“Ifit’ssodangerous,whyareyoustaying?WhyisDionysus?Infact,whereisyourplus-one?”Hermescanbecruelandruthless,butshewouldneverputthefewpeoplesheactuallycaresaboutatrisk.
Hencethisconversation.
“Oh,Tychewenthomesickbarelyafterarriving.Foodpoisoning,youknow.”Shesaysitlikeshedoesn’tcareifIbelieveitornot.“AndDionysuscantakecareofhimself.”
AndIcan’t.
ItrytoignorethestingandfocusongatheringwhatinformationIcanget.“ArtemissaidAtalantadisappeared,too.DoyouhaveconfirmationthatTychemadeitbacktothecity?”
“Iwouldlikeconfirmationthatyouareheadingbacktothecity.”
Adodge,andnotevenagoodone.I’mnotleaving,butifHermesiswillingtosharewhatsheknows,thatwillputusaheadofwhatevergameMinosisplaying.“Ifyou’renotwillingtobehonestwithme,youcan’texpectmetoleave.”
Shecurses.“You’resodamnedstubborn.”
“Ittakesonetoknowone.”Iholdhergaze.“IfyouknowsomethingaboutMinos’splansforOlympus,youshouldsharewiththegroup.”
“SincewhendoyoucareaboutOlympuspolitics?”Sherollshereyes.“Really,Zeuscouldhavepickedhalfadozenbetterpeopleforthis,butheletApollorunaroundthinkingwithhiscockandnowthey’veendangeredyou.Itshouldn’tmatterwhyyouneedtoleave.Ifyoutrustmeatall—ifyouevertrustedme—thengohome,Cass.”
Istepbackandtuckmyhairbehindmyears.IfIwerehereforanyotherreason,Hermesaskingmetoleavewouldbereasonenoughtodoexactlythat.Frustrationbloomsinsideme.“WhyisMinostargetingtheplus-ones?”It’sastabinthedark,butIfireitoffwithouthesitation.
“Whywon’tyouleave?”Sheshakesherheadslowly.“Isitthemoney?GohometodayandI’llpaywhateveryoulostinthatdevil’sbargainwithourfearlessleader.”
Gods,shereallywantsmeoutofthishouse.Foramoment,I’mtemptedtotakeheruponheroffer.She’srightthatIhatebeinghere,playingthesegameswithpeopleImostlydespise.ButApollo…
Apollo.
Itrytofocus,toparseoutwhatshehasandhasn’tsaid.Ifthere’sdanger,it’snotonlytomeandtheotherplus-ones,orshewouldn’thavesaidDionysuscouldtakecareofhimself.“Hermes.”Istarttoreachforherbutletmyhanddropwithoutmakingcontact.“Issomeonegoingtogethurthere?Hassomeonealreadybeenhurt?”
“Aladynevertells.”Thewordsareright,rifewithherusualtricksterpersona.Hertoneisoff,though,almostbittersweet.“Withgreatpowercomesgreatrisk.Everyoneatthispartyknowsthat.Exceptyou,apparently.”
“That’snothowthatsayinggoes,”Isayfaintly,mymindracing.“Minoswouldn’tdarestrikeanyonehere,notwiththekindofconnectionstheyallhave.Zeuswouldtearhimintotinypieces.”Really,I’mtheonlyonewithoutadozenstringstyingmetopowerfulpeopleinthiscity.EvenPanhasstrongalliances.
Forabreath,itseemslikeshemightgivemesomeactuallyusefulinformation,butHermesshakesherheadinstead.“YouknowIcareaboutyou,Cassandra.”
Damnit.Thisisgoingthewayofsomanyofourconversations,thoughusuallythestakesaresomuchlower.Gossipinganddrinkingandsneakingaroundtolittlehole-in-the-wallrestaurantsdon’tusuallycomewiththiskindofwarning.Butallthataside,IneverdoubtedforamomentthatshegenuinelycaresaboutmeasmuchasIcareabouther.“Iknow.”
Shesighs.“ThisisnotgoingatallhowIwantedthisconversationtogo.”
Igiveachokedlittlelaugh.“Yeah,well,ourconversationsneverquitegohowIpicturethemeither.”It’satestamenttoourhistoryandourfriendshipthatsheeventriedtowarnme.Itryforasmile.“Iappreciatetheconcern,butIhavethingsundercontrol.”Ihope.
Forasecond,itlookslikeshe’llcontinuearguing.Butshefinallygivesanotherofthoseworld-wearysighs,hercustomaryjoynowhereinevidence.“Justpromisemeyou’llbecareful.”
It’saneasypromisetomakeforallmybargainwithZeus.Ihavenointentionofputtingmyselfindanger.MoneyandawayoutofOlympusaregreatintheory,butIcan’tgetmysistertosafetyifI’mdead.I’mcertainlynotgoingtosacrificemylifeforthiscity.Theverythoughtisabsurd.Hermeswouldknowthatifshewerethinkingclearly.Thefactthatshe’sapparentlynotworriesme.
Inodslowly.“IpromisethatIwon’tputmyselfinanyunnecessarydanger.”Thepromiseissmallandleavesmuchtobedesired.Ifshe’sright,I’malreadyindangersimplybybeinghere.
Sheshakesherheadonelasttime.“IfyougetkilledbecauseofApolloandZeus’sscheme,I’llmurderthembothmyself.”Again,hercustomarycheerinessisnowhereinevidence.ThisistheHermesthatIlostmyhearttoallthoseyearsago.Ilovedhermischievousnessandherabilitytotalkherwaybothintoandoutoftrouble,butlikecallstolike.
Herinnercoreisjustasdarkandhauntedasmine.
We’vealwayshaddifferentaims,though.It’sthereasonwhywewerenevergoingtowork.IalwayswantedtoleaveOlympusbehind,andHermeswants…Well,she’snevertrustedmeenoughtotellmeexactlywhatshewants.
HermotivesmightbeakintoApollo’saimtobringaboutwhat’sbestforOlympus,butI’mnotsosure.Hermeshasalwaysplayedonadifferentlevelfromanyoneelseinthecity.NotoneoftheThirteenisawareofhowdeepshegoes.Theyallseetheflighty,mischievousthief,theonewhoshowsupwhereshe’snotinvitedandstealsthingsforshitsandgiggles.Theydon’tseethislookinhereyethatIseenow.
ThisHermeswillkilltoaccomplishhergoals.
I’mnearlycertainshehas,althoughweneverspokeofit.
Myglassesarenotrose-tintedenoughtothinkthatshe’llkillforme,exorno,currentfriendorno.OratleastIdidn’tthinkso.MaybeIshouldletitgo,butifthere’seventhetiniestchanceshe’lldropsomeusefulinformation,Ihavetotry.“Whyareyouhere,Hermes?Ifit’ssodangerous,andthere’sthingsgoingonthatI’mnotprivyto.Ifpeoplemightgethurt.Whyareyouhereatthisparty?”Icrossmyarmsovermychest.“Iknowit’snotbecauseyouplantoletMinossetyouupwithoneofhischildren.”Anotherstabinthedark.It’sallIhaveatthispoint.
Sheburstsoutlaughing,thatjoyfultingereturningtohertone.“Marryoneofhischildren?”Shelaughsagain.“Haveyouseenthem?Ariadneisn’tsobad,butthesons?Absolutelynot.I’dbreakthosepoorboys.”
She’sprobablyrightaboutIcarus,buttheothers?BothTheseusandtheMinotaurtopherbyafootandahalfandaremorethanwillingtodoviolenceinpursuitoftheirgoals.ThoughI’mnotentirelycertainthatshecouldtakethem.Atleastnotinafairfight.I’mnotsureHermeshasbeeninafairfightevenonceinherlife.Soactually,ifIwerethosemen,I’dbewatchingmybackwhenshe’saround.
Still…“Thatwasn’tananswer.”
Hersmilegoesalittlesad.“Youknowbetterthanmostthatnomatterwhatquestionsyouask,thereareanswersIcan’tgiveyou.”
Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantowastemybreathasking.Shekeepshersecretsclose.Evenfromthoseshecaresaboutthemost.Ihadtotry,though..“I’vealwaystriedtorespectyourprivacy.NowIneedyoutorespectmine.”
Anotherofthosejoyfullaughs.“Oh,Cass,youknowIdon’trespectanyone’sprivacy.”Hersmilefallsaway.“ButI’lltry.Justthisonce.”
ApollomighttechnicallybetheKeeperofLore,butHermesisthekeeperofmoresecretsthanIcouldbegintoguess.AndyetourhistoryhaswordsspringingtomylipsthatIknowbetterthantospeak.ShemightalreadyknowthatI’vemadeadeal,butIcan’thelptellingherwhy.“I’mgettingout.MeandAlexandra.We’rebothleaving,forrealthistime,tostartanewlifesomewherenooneknowsourhistory.”
Hersmilefallsawayentirely.“I’mhappyforyou,Cassandra.Truly.Iam.”Shereachesoutandtakesmyhand.“I’mnotgoingtopretendIwon’tmissyou,though.”
Nomattermyfeelingsonthegreatercity,nomattermyfeelingsontheThirteenasawhole,myrelationshipwithHermeshasbeenabrightspot.Neverapermanentfixture,butbrightnonetheless.“I’llmissyou,too.”
There’snothingelsetosayafterthat
Wemakeourwaybacktotheroomwhereeveryonehasgathered.Apollosendsmeaconcernedlook,ahintofsuspicioninhisdarkgaze.Suspicion…orjealousy?Ialmostmissastep.Surely,he’snotjealousofHermes?Itdoesn’tmatterwhatourhistoryis.There’sareasonit’shistory.NottomentionthatwhatIhavewithApollorightnow,realsexorno,istemporary.Ourrelationshipispretend.Fake.
IhatethatIhavetokeepremindingmyselfofthat,butit’snecessarytoavoidfallingintohiminawayI’llneverrecoverfrom.AsIjusttoldHermesthirtysecondsago,I’mleavingOlympusinlessthanaweek.Noonecanchangemymindaboutthat.
Ifitwasjustme…
Butit’snotjustme,isit?It’smeandAlexandra.AndifourparentsweretooselfishtoconsidertheirdaughterswhentheyattemptedtoassassinateAthena,Iamnotgoingtomakethesamemistake.Irefusetoputmysisterinharm’swayandcompromiseherfuture.
Certainlynotforsomethingasmundaneasgoodsex.
EvenasIcrosstoApolloandslipmyhandintoacrookofhisarm,Ifeellikealiar.It’snotjustsexwithApollo.Ifitwere,thingswouldbesomucheasier.Ifwedidn’thavefiveyearsofworkingtogether,fiveyearsofknowingwhatakindandthoughtfulmanheis,fiveyearsofhavinghimtakecareofmeasmuchasIwouldallow.
NowthatIknowthathewouldtakecareofmebothinthebedroomandout…Ishakemyhead.Itdoesn’tmatter.Iwillnotletitmatter.Iwillnotbedivertedfrommypath.
Nomatterhowmuchithurtsintheend.19
Apollo
Something’swrongwithCassandra.Idon’tknowifherconversationwithHermesmadeherdoubtherpresencehere,oriftheotherwomantriedtorekindleanoldflame,oriftheproblemissomethingelsealtogether.
WithHermes,Icanneverbesure.
Ihavenorighttobejealous.Iknowthat.I’mverypainfullyawareofthat.Nomatterwhatphysicalagreementwe’vecometo,Cassandra’snotmine.Evenifshewas,herhistoryisherown.IhavenorighttothishorribleroilingfeelinmygutwheneverIlookatherandHermestogether.I’veneverbeenoneforjealousyorworryingaboutmypartners’exes.Theychoosetobewithme,andthat’senough.Ihavemyownhistory,afterall.
ItfeelsdifferentwithCassandra.Thefeelingsarereal.Theattractionismorethanreal.Butourrelationshipisassubstantialasmorningmist,andthathasmeoff-balance.
Ican’tevenaskherwhattheyspokeaboutbecausewe’restandinginaroomsurroundedbyMinos’sguests.Wemustkeepupthefacade.ItwouldbesignificantlyeasierifIcouldconcentrate.
Despitemyself,Ican’thelplookingdownather,notingthefurrowbetweenherbrowsandthetensionnowhighinhershoulders.Shelooks,asever,absolutelygorgeous.Herdresstodayisblackwithafaintlychaoticprintonitthatmyeyecannotquitemakesenseof.Itgivesafainthintofcleavagethatmakesmymouthwaterandshowsoffhergenerousfiguretoperfection.Thegarmentremindsmeofthewomanherself.
SheholdsasmanysecretsasHermesdoes.
Irealizedearlyoninheremploymentthatthereweregreatswathesofthiswomancutofffromme.Itriedveryhardnottopryintoherlifeandtorespectherprivacy,butIplaymyrolewithinOlympus’spowerstructureforareason.ThetemptationtodelvedeepandfindouteverythingtherewastoknowaboutCassandrawasalmosttoomuchtobear.Instead,IsettledforacursorybackgroundcheckandcomfortedmyselfwiththebeliefthatIkneweverythingthatcouldmakeherapotentialthreatorasset.Imightnotknowhersecretthoughtsorinnermostworkings,butatleastIknewenough.
“Everythingokay?”Iasksoftly.Aperfectlynormalquestionfromaperfectlynormalboyfriendwhoisn’thavingaminormeltdownfromfindingouthisfakegirlfriend’sex—theonepersonwho’sconstantlybestedhimateveryturn—isnear.
Sheshootsmeavaguelyworriedlookandgivesahalfsmile.“Ofcourse,everything’sperfect.”
Lie.
She’snoteventryingtocoverupthelie,whichisastrangesortofcompliment.CassandraknowsI’llseethroughherfalsereassurance.Sheexpectsit.Idon’tknowifthatcomfortsmeormakesthisworse.Idon’thaveachancetofigureitoutbecauseMinoschoosesthatmomenttoentertheroom,hisboisterousenergyflowingoutaheadofhim.
“Goodafternoon,”hebooms.“Itrustyouhadagoodnight’ssleep.”HisgazeskittersovermeandCassandra,lingeringabeattoolong.
Idon’tlikeit,especiallyontheheelsofhisvaguethreatandthemoreexplicitonetheMinotaurleveledlastnight.
Minosspreadshisarmsandgivesawinningsmiletoallhisguests.He’sjustasmuchashowmanasthelastZeus,andeventhejadedpeopleinthisroomcan’thelprespondingtohim.IseeitinthewayAphroditesetsdownhercupandDionysusmanagestoopenhiseyestoactuallyfocusonourhost.
“Ihaveanothergameforus.Ihopeyou’llforgivememyexcitementathavingsuchacaptiveaudience.”Helaughs.“Callmeabitsentimentalandindulgeanoldman.”
Everyonelaughspolitelyalongwithhim,somemoregenuinelythanothers.Cassandradoesn’tbotherandneitherdoI.ThegamesfeellikeMinosattemptingtopullusintohisorbit.Everytimeweagreetoplayalong,itallowshimmorecontroloverus.Itallowshimtoslipthatmuchdeeperbeneathourskin.
Hecirclestheroomandstopsbeforethefireplace.“Thisafternoon…”Hepauses,andeverysinglepersonintheroomleansforwardalittleinanticipation.“Thisafternoon,we’regoingtoplayhide-and-seek.”
Achorusoffaint,amusedgroansgoesupamongthosegathered.Hewantsustoplayachild’sgame.Whenaddedtothemazelastnight,ittrulydoesseemthatMinosisseekingtorecreatesomestrangesortofhistoricalhouseparty.
Asacity,Olympushasatendencytostandabitoutoftime.Wearemorethancapableofkeepingupwiththetechnologyofthegreaterworld,andPoseidonandhispredecessorshavedonetheirjobwellwhenitcomestoprovidinganyresourcewecouldpossiblyneed.Butourrulesandlawsareourown,andsoareourcustoms.
Minosdoesn’thavethatexcuse,andeveninthiscity,thiskindofeventisoutofplace.Ishakemyhead.ThetemptationtowriteMinosoffasexactlywhatheappearstobeanindulgentoldmanwithmoremoneythansense—isstrong,eventhoughIknowbetter.
He’sgood.
Aphroditetoyswithastrandofdarkhair.“Whatifwedecidetopassontheselittleadventuresyou’veplanned?Thisgamesoundstedious.”
It’sonlybecauseI’mwatchingMinossocloselythatInoticehowhisjawgoestightforaheartbeatbeforeheturnsinherdirection.“I’mafraidparticipationismandatoryforallguests.Shouldyouwanttorescindyouracceptancetotheparty,I’mmorethanhappytocallacarforyou.”
Herbrowswingup.“Isee.”SheglancesatAdonis,somethingpassingbetweenthemtooquicklytoidentify.“Thegamesoundslovely,Minos.Whendowestart?”
“Rightaboutnow.”Hemotionstothedoor.“MyfostersonTheseuswilldothefindingthistime.Begentlewiththeboy.Youknowhiskneeisnotwhatitusedtobe.Whoeverevadeshimlongestisthewinner.”
“Andwhatdowewin?”Hermessays,adeepamusementinhertone.“Anotherdatewithyourchildofchoice?”
Minos’sgazedoesn’twaver,butasharplookflaresinhisdarkeyes.“Ofcourse.Wouldyouexpectanythingelse?”
“Absolutelynot,”shesays,merrimentstillpaintedacrossherprettyface.“Youhaveaone-trackmind,Minos.Icanappreciatethat.”
Hisattentionskatesbacktous,onceagainlingeringonmeandCassandra.“Thegroundsandhouseareallfairgame.Wewouldn’twanttomakeittooeasyondearTheseus,wouldwe?”Hestrokeshisbeard.“Thoughhe’safinehunter.Idobelievehe’llgiveyouagoodrun.”
Thisisagamewithinagame,aninvitationofsorts,afirstparry.HeknowswhatI’mherefor.He’spracticallyinvitingmetosearchhishouseandseeifIcanmanagetosussoutwhathe’suptowithoutgettingcaught.
“Onemorething.”Heslideshishandsintohispockets.“Dobecareful.Thereareplentyofwaysforapersontogethurtifthey’rewanderingwheretheyshouldn’tbe.”Hislipsquirk.“We’vealreadylosttwoofourhouseguests.I’dhatetolosemore.”
Awarning…oradare?
Andwhatdoeshemeanbylost?
There’sonlyonewaytofindout.Weonlyhavesomanydayshere,andI’mnotlikelytogetanotherinvitationtosearchopenly.IsqueezeCassandra’shand.“Let’sgo,love.”
Hersmilewaversalittlearoundtheedges.“Rightbehindyou.”
“You’llhavefifteenminutestofindyourhidingspace.”Minosliftshishand.“ThenTheseuscomeshunting.”
Peoplefileoutthedoorwithremarkablespeed,scatteringthemomenttheyhitthehallway.HermesandDionysusheadtothebackdoor,theirheadsclosetogetherandtheirlaughterfloatingbehindthem.Afteralongspeakingglance,HephaestusandArtemisheadinthesamedirection,breakingapartoncetheypassthroughthedoorandmovinginoppositedirections.AphroditeandAdonisduckintoadiningroom,nodoubtplanningtoexitontheothersideandthroughthekitchen.
Andtherest?Well,theyfollowthesameroutethatCassandraandIdo,takingthehallwaytowardthefrontofthehouse.WereachthefrontentrancewayandwatchPanduckoutthefrontdoor.EurydiceandCharonstartupthestairs.Theyaren’tholdinghands,butthewayhemovesatherback,onehandspreadasiftocatchherfall,furtherconfirmsthere’smoretotheirrelationshipthanstrictlyfriendship.
Theyaren’tmybusinessatthemoment,though.
Mostpeoplehavepairedup,thoughthegamedoesn’tspecifytheneedforthat.Ipause,filingthroughtheoptionsofthebestplacestousethisopportunitytosearch.NotMinos’soffice;it’sfartooobviousandit’sthefirstplaceTheseuswilllook.It’stemptingtosplitupwithCassandratocovermoreground,butIdon’tliketheideaoflettingheroutofmysight.Notwhenwe’velosttwootherpeopleatthisparty.“Stayclosetome.”
“I’mnotgoingtoarguethat.”
IglancedownatCassandra.Thefaintlineisbackbetweenherbrows.Shelooksmoreworriedthanshehassincewearrived.WhatdidHermessaytohertoputthatlookonherface?“Timetoheadtothethirdfloor?”
“Yes,thiswillbeourbestchancetocheckoutthefamilyrooms.”
“Right.”I’mstartingtowonderifthere’sanythingheretofindatall.
Orifwe’reactuallyplayingrightintoMinos’shands.20
Apollo
Thehallwayofthesecondfloorisempty.There’snotellingifEurydiceandCharonhavesplituporduckedintooneofthesittingroomstohide;thereareenoughofthemthattheymightbeagoodoptionifthegoalwastrulytohidefromTheseus.Betterforusifthat’stheirplan.Ihavenodesiretohavetoexplainwhywe’reintentionallyaimingforourhost’sprivatebedroomwhenthereareplentyofgoodalternatives
Cassandrawaitstillweturnthecornertopullherhandoutofmine.“Let’shurry.Minosseemsthetypetocheat,soit’sentirelypossiblethatTheseuswillheadstraightforus.”
Idon’targue,butIdon’tlikethewayshewon’tquitelookatme.“WhatdidHermessay?”
“We’lltalkaboutitlater.”ShemustcatchthewayIalmostmissastep,becausesheexhalesinahuff.“It’snotnewinformation,ifthat’swhatyou’reworriedabout.It’sjust…odd.Thiswholethingisodd.”
There’snoarguingthat.It’snotjustthegamesortheunderlyingthreatthatseemstobecomemoreblatantastimepasses.Participateorbebanishedfromthehouse.Watchoutfordangeronthegrounds.Don’twanderatnightorsomethingunfortunatemighthappen.
Buttowhatend?
Islow,butCassandrapicksupthepace,tuggingmealongbehindher.“Ifwe’relucky,Theseusisn’tcheatingandwillalsocoverthegroundsfirst,butIwouldrathernotbetonusbeinglucky.Wedon’thavetimetowaste.”
She’sright.Wehurrydownthehallwaypasttheguestbedrooms.Thissectionofthesecondfloorlooksmuchthesameastherest,thegrandhallwaystuddedbydoorsatregularintervals.We’dhavetochecktobesure,butthenumberofroomsmatchesthenumberofguests,andeveryoneatthepartyseemstobestayingonthesecondfloor.“Hermesisoneperson.Whatcouldshepossiblyneedwithahomethislarge?”BestIcantell,shewasn’tentertainingouthere.Orifshewas,thepartiesweresoexclusivethatnoonespokeaboutthemafterward.WithhowOlympusconsidersgossipanelitesport,I’minclinedtothinktheformeristhetruth.
“You’llhavetoaskher.Ididn’tevenknowthisplaceexisted.”She’sfrowningharder.“Idon’tunderstandwhynooneisblinkingattwomissingpeople.Oratleastonemissingperson.Wecan’tverifythatTycheactuallymadeittotheparty,butAtalantawashere.”
Isqueezeherhand.“Everyoneisherefortheirownreasons.”
“Andit’snottheThirteenindanger,sowhybothertoquestionit.”Bitternesscoatsherwords,andtheworstpartisthatIcan’targuewithher.I’mnotentirelysureofeveryone’smotivations,butthere’safeelingofbeinguntouchablethatcomesafteryou’veheldthetitleforafewyears.Hephaestussaidithimself.
Thatdoesn’texplainwhyHermesandArtemisareokaywithlosingtheirplus-ones.
Wefinallyfindthestaircasetothethirdfloortuckedbackintoarelativelyunassumingalcove.ItgivesthefeelingofahauntedVictorianmansionwithitsnarrowwallsthatalmostfeelliketheyleaninoveraperson.Ican’ttellifthey’reactuallyatanangleorifit’sjustacleverpaintjob,butIhavetofightnottohunchmyshoulders
“Hermescertainlyhasaflareforthedramatic,”Imanageaswehurryupthestairs.
“Yeah,”Cassandrasaysshortly.“Shedoes.”
Onthethirdfloor,thehallwaylooksverymuchthesameasthesecondfloor:broadspace,thickcarpetonthefloors,thewallslinedwithmoredoorsthanarereasonable.
Cassandraonceagainpullsherhandfrommine,andthistimeIallowit.Wemightbesearchingtogether,butitisn’tareasonableasktomaintainmyholdonherthewholetime,nomatterhowcomfortingIfindit.“Youtakeleft,Itakeright?”
“Thatworksforme.”
Thedoorsarelocked.Ofcoursethey’relocked.IglanceacrossthehallwayatCassandraassherattlesanotherdoorknob.“Idon’tsupposeyou’readeptatlockpicking.”
“WhywouldIbeadeptatlockpicking,Apollo?That’snotaskillsetthatpeoplehavetuckeduptheirsleevesoutsidefiction.”
“YoudiddateHermes.”
Cassandraeyesme,expressionguarded.“Iknewyouweregoingtobeweirdaboutthat.”
“I’mnotbeingweirdaboutit.”
“Youaremostassuredlybeingweirdaboutit.”Shehuffsoutabreath.“Lockpicking?Please.Youhaveapropensityforkickingdowndoors.Goforit.”Shemotionstothedoorbehindher.“Besides,you’rethespymaster.Ifoneofusshouldbegoodatlockpicking,it’syou.”
Imakeaface.“There’sareasonIbuilttheteamIdid.I’mgoodatmanagingandinterpretinginformation,butIwouldhavebeenmuchbettersuitedtobeHephaestus.Thespy-workpartofthejobdoesn’tcomenaturallytome.Hectortriedtoteachmetopicklocks,butI’mterribleatit.Icangetin…eventually,buttimeisoftheessencerightnow.”Iclearmythroat.“AndIdon’tactuallykickdowndoors.”
“Fromhowworriedaboutityouwereyesterday,Iwouldhavethoughtitwasjustascommonanoccurrenceaslockpicking.”
Embarrassmentheatsmyskin.“Yourpointisnoted.”
“Gladtohearit.”Shereachesthelastdoorinthehallwayandtriesthedoorknob.Ittwistsinherhandandthedoorcreaksopen.Cassandrablinks.“Didn’tseethatcoming.”
“Theoddsweren’tinourfavor.”
Weshareaglance.“Thisfeelslikeatrap,”shesays.
“Ican’targuethat.”
“Well,afteryou.”Sheopensthedoorandstepsbacktoallowmetoprecedeher.Insidetheroomisbathedinshadows,thickcurtainsdrawnoverthewindows.It’saboutthesamesizeasourguestroomdownstairs,andIcanmakeouttheshapeofacanopiedbed,dresser,andtwonightstandsoneithersideofthebed.Ifeelaroundforalightandfinallyflicktheswitch.Disappointmentsoursmystomach.
EverywhereIlookisevidenceofMinos’sdaughter.Thedecoroftheroomleanstowardfrothyanddainty:thecanopymadeoflace,thecomforterlookinglikesomekindofantiquebridalstyle,andeventherugbeneaththebedseemingtobemadeofruffles.
ThisisnotMinos’sroom,anditcertainlydoesn’tbelongtotheMinotaurorTheseus.Ifrown.“Well,thiswasawasteoftime.”It’slikelythatMinos’ssonshavesomeknowledgeofhisplan,butI’mnotcertainAriadnedoes.Iknowbetterthantotakethingsatfacevalue,butAriadneseemstobeexactlywhatshepresents:alovelywomanwhohasresignedherselftobeingapawnforMinosonthemarriagemart.
“Youdon’tknowthat.”
Ilookaroundagain.“IsupposethiscouldbelongtotheotherwomaninMinos’shousehold.HernameisPandora.”She’snotafosterlikethetwomen,butshecamewiththemtoOlympusallthesame.“It’sunlikelyeithersheorAriadnehavevaluableinformation.”It’sevenlesslikelywhentheunlockeddooristakenintoaccount.Minoshasn’tmissteppedyet.It’sunlikelythisistheexceptiontotherule.
“Don’tbesorash.”Cassandraslipspastme.Herbreastsbrushmyarmasshedoes,andIhavetoswallowpastaphysicalresponsetohernearness.Ishouldbefocusingonthemission,onfindingasmuchinformationaspossiblewiththetimeallottedus,butsuddenlyallIcanthinkaboutiswhethershe’sasbareunderthatdressasshewaslastnight.Iactuallyclenchmyfiststokeepfromreachingforherinsteadofusingthisopportunitytosearchtheroomasshe’sbegunto.
Theholdthiswomanhasonme.Iswallowhardandfollowherintothebedroom.
Ittakesthreeminutesofriflingthroughthedresser,feelingliketheworstkindofcreep,beforeIstraighten.“There’snothinghere.”WhatdidIexpect,though?MinosisdefinitelykeepingtheinformationIneedinhisstudy.Alltherestofthissearchingisonlytoensurewe’renotmissingsomethingwhilewefigureoutawayintothatlockedroom.FrustrationsurgesandbubblesforthbeforeIcancallitback.“Fuck,”Ibreathe.
“Language.”Shetuts.Shedoesn’tlookatme,flippingthroughanotebookleftonthedresser.“Keeplooking.Ifthisistheonlyroomwecangetintothisafternoon,thenweneedtoensurewesearchitfully.”Shecarefullysetsthenotebookbackdownexactlywhereshefoundit.
“Minosdoesn’tseemtobethemostforward-thinkingfeministindividualinexistence,”Ifinallysay.“It’snotentirelysurprisingthathisdaughterandherfrienddon’thaveusefulinformationintheirrooms.”
“Isuppose.”Sheplantsherhandsonherhipsandlooksaroundtheroom.“We’remissingsomething.I’mcertainofit.”Cassandrawalkstothebookshelftuckedagainstthewallnexttotheclosetandstartstuggingonthebooks.
Irecognizewhatshe’suptoimmediately.“Youreallythinkthattherearesecretpassagewaysinthishouse,don’tyou?”
“It’sallbutguaranteed,considering.”Shenarrowshereyesatthefull-lengthmirror,positionedagainsttheoppositewall,andcirclesthebedtocomeandstandbeforeit.“Itwouldbereallyconvenienttobeabletofindoneofthoserightaboutnow.”
She’snotwrong,butwehaven’tbeenluckytodate,andIdon’texpectthattostartnow.“There’slittleconvenientaboutreality,Cassandra.Youknowthataswellasanyone.”
“Yeah,IsupposeIdo.”Shepressesherhandsaroundtheornategildedframethatsurroundsthemirror.Ifindmyselfholdingmybreath,eventhoughIknowbetter.Asshesaidearlier,somethingsoccurfarmoreofteninfictionthaninreality.Thisisnotthepartofthestorywheretheframeclicksandgivesway.YetIhalfexpectittohappen.
Idragmyhandthroughmyhair.“Damn.Ithoughtthatmightactuallywork.”
“Metoo.”Shesighsandtucksherhairbehindherears.“Howembarrassing.”21
Cassandra
Ihadn’thonestlyexpectedthemirrortocontainsecrets.It’stooobvious.IbetHermesputthismirrorinherespecificallytomakepeoplethinkthattheremightbesomethinghiddenbehindit.It’sexactlythekindofjokeshe’dfindsoamusing.I’mnotentirelysureshe’swrong,becausewe’rethefoolsstandinghere,pawingatthemirrorframeandhopingforamiracle.
IturntoApollo,disappointmenttakingroot.He’sright.Thiswasadeadend,awastedopportunity.WhenIfirstagreedtoZeus’sbargain,aweekfeltlikeaneternity.Now,I’mworrieditwon’tbelongenough.“Well,itwasworthashot.”
Forthefirsttime,IwishIactuallyhadlearnedtopicklocks.Hermesofferedtoteachmeoncelongago,afunlittlegamewhileshedistractedme,butshewasfartoogoodatdistractionformetogetclosetopickinguptheskill.Ishouldhaveaskedhertoteachmeproperly.Shewouldhavesaidyes.Itwouldhaveamusedhergreatlytodoit.ButIdidn’t.Ithonestlydidn’tevenoccurtomeatthetime.Lockpickingissomethingoutofthrillersandspymovies.It’sfiction.WhenwouldIeverneedthatinreallife?
Nowistheanswer.
Ineeditnow.
Icouldn’thaveanticipatedthatI’dbefailingApollobynothavingthisskillset.I’mprettysurehedoesn’tconsidermefailing,butitstingsnonetheless.“I’msorry.”
“Youhavenothingtobesorryfor.”Heturnsslowly,darkeyesnarrowed.“Thisentiresituationislessthanideal,andwe’redoingthebestwecanwiththeinformationwehave.”Apolloglancesatme,expressiongoingsoft.“You’redoingwonderfully,Cassandra.”
Histoneringswithsincerityandthepraisewarmsmerightdowntomycold,shriveledheart.Idropmygaze,unabletolookhimdirectlyinthefacewhenIknowI’mblushingfuriously.“Ihaven’thelpedatall.”
“Onthecontrary,you’vedonequiteabit.Youjustbeingherehasshonethelightoncertainthings,andIdoubtMinoswouldhavebotheredtopullmeasidewithoutyourpresencepushinghimtoaction.”Hehuffsoutabreath.“Icanberatherdenseaboutthosesortsofthings.”
Isnort.Ican’thelpit.“Yeah,well,youdidn’tnoticememakingeyesatyouforfiveyearssoIguessthatstatementchecksout.”
Achokedsoundhasmeglancingathim.Hiseyeshavegonewideandhismouthismovingbutnosoundcomesout.Ijolt.“Apollo,areyouokay?”
“Whatdidyousay?”
There’sabsolutelynoreasontoblush.I’vehadsexwiththisman.He’sseeneverybitofme.ThereisnoreasonthatadmittingI’vehadathingforhimshouldmakemefeelmorevulnerablethanthat.Evenifhe’slookingatmelikeIjusthithimintheheadwithmypurse.
Ilickmylips.“Apollo,youhaveaccesstoamirror.Youknowthatyou’reoneofthemostpainfullyattractivepeopleinthisdamnedcity.”
Hesurprisesme—healwayssurprisesme—withhisresponse.“Don’tdothat.”Heshakeshisheadslowly.“Don’tactlikeyouwouldletsomethingassimpleaslustturnyourhead.”
“Thereisnothingsimpleaboutlust.”Whenhejustwaits,Irelent.“Okay,fine.Ilikeyou.I’vethoughtyouwereattractivesinceItookthejob,butworkingwithyousocloselyonlyaddedtothat.You’realegitimatelygoodguy.I…likeyou.”
Hedragshishandoverhisface.“Whydidn’tyousaysomething?”
“Ithoughtyoudidn’twantme.”Idon’tmeanforthewordstocomeoutalmostsmall.“Idon’tknowifitwouldhavemattered,but…Ihonestlythoughtyouweren’tattractedtome.”
Heatandfrustrationflareinhisdarkeyes.“Cassandra,afterfiveyearsofworkingwithme,Iwouldhopethatyou’dunderstandthatIwouldneverputyouinapositionwhereyoufeltuncomfortable.ThemoreIgottoknowyou,themoreIwasattractedtoyou,whichjustmadememoredeterminedtoensureyoudidn’tfeelobligatedto…”Hemotionsbetweenusalmosthelplessly.“Anything.”
“Ifyouknowmeaswellasyousay,thenyou’dknowIwouldn’tfeelobligatedtodoshit.”
Heshrugs.“Iwasn’tgoingtomakeyourlifeharderjustbecauseIwantedyou.”
Lastnight,wedefinitelycrossedawholebunchoflines,andIwon’tpretendit’sbecausewe’refakedating.Wewerebothprettydamnclearthatwewereonthesamepageaboutwantingeachother.Still,itcan’thurttomakethingsevenmoreexplicitlyclear.“Apollo.”
“Yes?”
Ican’ttellifhelookshopefulorifI’mjustimaginingthings.Itdoesn’tmatter;I’vecometoofartobackoutnow.Iswallowhard.“Iwouldliketohavemyfilthywaywithyouagainthefirstopportunitythatpresentsitself,andalsoasoftenascanbemanagedbeforethisthingbetweenusends.”
Thetipsofhisearsgoabitpink,buthesharpensinthesamewayhedidlastnight.“Consideritapromise.”
“Great.Good.Perfect.”I’mstammering,butIkindoflikethatheflustersmebecauseIknowhewon’tusethatflusteredfeelingagainstme.Heseemstoenjoyit,too,hisattentionsnaggingonmycheeksandlipsbeforecoastingdownmybodyinaslowdragIcanalmostfeel.
Istarttoturntowardthedoorbutstopshort.“Apollo,look.”Ipointtothebedwithitsabsurdnumberofpillows.Pillowsthat,untilIstoodatexactlythisangle,hidwhatappearstobealaptop.
Weexchangeaglanceandmovequicklytothebed.Hegrabsthelaptopandopensit.“Surelywe’renotabouttogetluckynow.”
Itbootsupquickly,showingadesktopwithahandfuloficonsonit.“Notpasswordprotected,”Isaysoftly.
Heanglesittowardhimselfandstartstyping,agilefingersmovingsofastthroughaseriesofcommandsthatitmakesmyheadspin.I’mdecentwhenitcomestocomputers,butApolloisonanotherlevel.Withinseconds,hehasAriadne’ssearchhistory,herpasswordstorage,andawholelotoffilesofwhatappearstobefanfiction.“Thisisworthless.”
“Givemeasecond.”Henarrowshiseyesandleansforward.“There.”Anewbrowserwindowpopsupforadifferentemailaccount.“Minosloggedintohisemailonthiscomputer.”
Ileanback.“Thatseemsveryfoolishofhim.”He’sgonethroughallthistroubletokeepthingssecure,andheloggedintohisemailonacomputerthatisn’tevenpasswordprotected?Itdefiesbelief.
“Notlookingthegifthorseinthemouth.”Withafewkeystrokes,heselectshundredsofemailsandbeginstoforwardthemtoHector’semail.“Thiswilltakeasecond,andHectorisgoingtohavealottowadethrough,butthisisthebestleadwehaverightnow.”
Allsortsofstuffisstoredinemailaccounts.Log-ininfo.Banknotices.ItwillgiveaskilledhackerlikeHectormorethanenoughtoworkwith.“Thisisbig,”Isay.“Butwealsocan’tdiscardthefactthatitmightbearedherring.Doesn’titseemalittletooconvenient?”
“Yes.Absolutely.”Theemailsfinishsending,andhecarefullyexitsoutofeverythingandwipesthehistory.“Butwecan’taffordtoignoreit.”Hegoesstill.“Doyouhearthat?”
Ihadn’tnoticedearlier,buttherearefootstepscomingdownthehallway.“Apollo—”
Ithappenssoquickly.OnemomentI’mfranticallytryingtodecideifwe’resupposedtohideorallowourselvestobecaught.Thenext,Apollotossesthelaptopbackintothepileofpillows,sweepsanarmaroundmywaist,andtowsmebackwardintothecloset.
Hepushesthehangersoutofthewayandshutsthedoor,bathingusindarkness.I’mstillblinkingandwonderingwhatthefuckjusthappened.I’veneverseenhimmovesofast…exceptlastnightwhenhedraggedmedowntothecouch.
Despitethecurrentcircumstances,Ican’thelptheforbiddenthrillthatgoesthroughme.I’mnotasmallwomanandI’malsoacontrolfreak,sothethoughtofsomeonehaulingmearoundhasneverfullyappealed,eveninkinkyplay
Igettheappealnow.
Ishakemyhead,tryingtofocus.Sexisnotonthemenurightnow,andwehavebiggerissuesathand—likewhoeveriscomingevenwiththebedroomdoorrightnow,theirfootstepsfirmandthudding.
TheonlyproblemisIcan’tseewhoitis.Apollo’sshutthedoorentirely,cuttingoffanychanceatidentifyingourvisitor.Ireachforthedoor,intendingtocrackitalittlebitsowecanviewwhocomesintotheroom,buthecatchesmywristwithouthesitation.
Itugonhishold.Surelyfiguringoutwho’sapproachingisabetterideathanjusthidingandhopingforthebest?It’snotTheseus.ThecadenceofthestepsisnotuneventhewayTheseus’sis.Thisissomeoneelse,andtheknowledgeoftheiridentitymightbeakeypieceofinformation.
ButasIopenmymouthtogiveawhispereddemandforhimtoreleaseme,Apolloplaceshishandfirmlyovermylips.Thecontactofhiscallousedpalmshocksmetostillness.Hetakesthatopportunitytoleandownandspeaksoftlyinmyear.“Silence,Cassandra.”
Irealizewithinafewsecondsthatthisisnotsomeonelookingforus.Iftheywere,theywouldn’tbepawingthroughthingsthesamewaywewereseveralminutesago.No,thisissomeoneelselookingforanswers.Ifrownintothedarknessofthecloset.Whoisit?
NotHermes.Shewouldneverbesocrassastoallowherfootstepstogiveheraway.Thewomanmoveslikeacat,silentandalwayspoppingupwhereyouleastexpecther.It’sunlikelyit’soneofMinos’sfamilymembers.Therearestillnearlyhalfadozenpeopleitcouldbe,nottomentionthestaffMinoshasflittingaboutinthebackground.
Toomanyoptions.
IfIhadtoplacebets,I’dlaythemonCharonorAphrodite.Zeusisthetypetohedgehisbets,whichmeanssendingsomeoneinadditiontoApollotosearchforinformation.Hewon’ttrustmostoftheotherThirteenwithatasklikethat,butAphroditeishissister.AndCharonisobviouslyhereforHadesfortheexactsamereason—hedoesn’ttrusttherestoftheThirteentopassontherelevantinformationtoensurethelowercitystayssafe.
ButIcouldbewrong.Iwon’tknowforsureunlessIseethem.
Thetemptationtocracktheclosetdoorisnearlyoverwhelming.Mycuriosityisalivebeastinsideme,allclawsandteethandirresistibleurgetomove.OnlyApollo’spresence,hisstrongbodypressingmetotheclosetwall,keepsmestillandsilent.Hiswordsechoinmyear.
Silence,Cassandra.
Ishiver.
HesmellslikeexpensivesoapmixedwithpureApollo,andit’severythingIcandonottoburymyfaceinhisthroatandinhaledeeply.Ishiftagainsthim,notactivelytryingto…Exceptthat’salie,isn’tit?Ilikethefeelingofhimholdingmedown,eveninsuchafiniteway,andIcan’thelppushingbackagainsthisstrength.Justalittle.
Apolloshifts,pressingastrongthighbetweenmine,andallthoughtfleesmyhead.Thereareonlythismanandmeintheclosedarkness.Wemightaswellbetheonlytwopeopleleftintheworldrightnow,andthatsuitsmejustfine
Igoalittlesoftagainsthim.There’ssomethingaboutthisthatIrespondtoonsuchadeeplevel.I’vespentthelastfiveyearsconvincingmyselfthatthisisnotwhatIwanted,andthefirstopportunityforthingstochange,it’sasifadamburstandallmyneedsanddesirescamefloodingout,overwhelmingeverything.
IwantApollo.ButIcan’tpretendit’sjustsex.I’vecaredaboutthisblastedmanforyears,andiftherewasanyoneinthiscitythatwouldmakestayinghereworthwhile…
Ican’tdoit.
Hehasn’tofferedmeanything,forone.Evenifhehad,inthatsweet,strongwayofhis,Ican’taccept.He’sApollo.He’samemberoftheverybodyofpowerfulpeoplethatIhateaboveallothers.NomatterwhatIfeelforhim,surelymybitternesswouldpoisonanychanceofalong-termrelationship.Morethanthat,eventuallyhe’dresentme.MyparentsensurednoonewouldevertrustmeenoughtoallowmetoplaythegamesrequiredofapartnerofoneoftheThirteen.
Heneedsafullpartner,andIcanneverbethat.Notwithmyhistory.
WhatamIthinking?
Apollohasn’tmadeanyoffers.Hemightwantme,whichmeanshecaresaboutmeenoughtodesireme,buthe’shardlytriedtoconvincemetostayinOlympus.
Heintendstoletmego,andIintendtowalkaway.22
Cassandra
Forhispart,Apolloisnotunaffected.Hishardcockagainstmyhipismorethanevidenceofthat.Hisfingersagainstmymouthmovetogripmyjawlightly,andheshiftsbackjustenoughforhismouthtobrushmine,alightkiss,bothawarningandatease.Thethingsthemandoeswithhiskissesshouldbeillegal.HowamIsupposedtokeepmyheadonstraightwhenhekissesmeasifI’mhisfavoritedessert?It’sjustnotfair.
Heshiftsovertospeakdirectlyinmyear.“Besilent.We’regoingtogetcaught.”
Ihavenever,everconsideredgettingcaughtinanintimatemomentasanythingotherthansomethingtobeavoided.Inthelasttwenty-fourhours,Apollohasshownmetheerrorofmyways.MybreathhitchesandInodshakily.
“Goodgirl.”Hetrailshisfingersdownmyarmtomywaist.Teasingme,thebastard.Imightmakeasoundofprotest,butheorderedmetobesilent.Ipressmylipstogetherhard,andherewardsmebycuppingonebreastandplayinghisthumbovermynipple.It’sasifthethinfabricofmydressandbradon’texist.He’sscorchingme.
“Youwantmore,don’tyou?”Hisvoiceispitchedlowerthanawhisper.It’sbarelyanexhaleagainstmyear.Hetouchesmeasifhe’llnevergetanotherchance.AsifIamapieceofartworkthatheplansonappreciatingateverylevel.Asifwe’renottuckedintoaclosettogether.ThethoughtmightmakemelaughifIhadthebreathforit,buthe’sstolenitall.Andhowcouldhenot?
Thismaniseverything
Inodshakily.OfcourseIwantmore.Iwantitall,nomatterhowilladvised.Apolloisafireinmyblood,andhemightburnmealive,butI’llstrikethematchhappilyaslongashedoesn’tstoptouchingme.
Hepresseshisleghigheruntilheactuallyliftsmealittle.Irollmyhips,thedeliciousfrictionmakingmecatchmybreath.Or,rather,hecatchesitforme,hismouthclaimingmine.Thistime,thekissesarenotteasing,notlight,notconveyingsomehiddenmessage.He’shadhistasteandnowhewantsitall.
IfinallyrememberthatI’mabletomoveanddigmyhandsintohishair,pullinghimcloser.Inthismoment,Idon’tcarewhereweare.Idon’tcarewhomightoverhearortheimplicationsiftheydo.AllIneedisApolloasclosetomeaspossible.
Ineedeverything.
“Cassandra,”hegroansagainstmyskin.Onhistongue,mynamefeelslikeacurseandapromiseatthesametime.I’veneverfeltmoreintoxicatinginmylifethanIdointhismoment.I’vebroughtthisman,oneofthemostpowerfulpeopleinthecity,tothebreakingpointwithdesire.“Showmewhereyouneedme.”
Icouldn’tstopnowifIwantedto,andIdesperatelydon’twantto.Ieasebackagainstthewallandgrabthewristofthehandgrippingmychin.Itughishanduptocovermymouthagain.AsilentdemandforhimtokeepmequietbecausegodsknowIwon’tbeabletodoitonmyown.
Apollogoesperfectlystillforabeat,two.Onthethird,hecatchesthebackofmykneeandurgesmyleguptocurlaroundhiswaist.Thenewpositionopensme,andhewastesnotimetakingadvantageofit,pressingevencloserandhitchingmehigheragainsthisthigh.
Igaspagainsthispalm,thesoundmorphingintoamuffledmoanasheskateshishandupthebackofmythightogripmyass.“Nopanties,Cassandra?”Hereleasesashudderingbreath.“Youpleaseme.IlikeknowingIcanhaveyouthiswayatawhim.Thatyou’rewetandreadyforme.”
Hisgripguidesmetoridehisthigh.Thepressureandfrictionmakemythoughtsshortout.Itdefiessomekindoflawthatit’salwayssogoodwithhim.Itdoesn’tmakesense,exceptit’sApolloandsomehowitwasalwaysgoingtobeworld-endingwithhim.Ihelplesslygrindagainsthim,seekingthatrisingtideinsideme.Itshouldn’tbethiseasy,butsomethingaboutApollotakesshouldn’trightoutoftheequation.
“Someone’sgoingtohearyoucomeallovermythigh.”Hedragshismouthdownmythroatandbackupagain.“Idon’tcare.Letthemhear.Don’tstop.”
Hislowwordsonlydrivemehigher.Mybreathcomesharshly,makingmelight-headed.I’msoclose.Ijustneed…
Apollosetshisteethtothesensitivespotwheremyneckmeetsmyshoulder.It’snotquiteabite,moreanintensepressurethatdoesn’tveeracrosstheboundaryintopain.It’sperfect.
Iorgasm,mymoanmakingitpastevenhishandcoveringmymouth.
“Areyoufuckingkiddingme?”
BeforeIprocessthatApolloisn’ttheonetospeak,thedoor’sthrownopenandlightspillsoverus.
Itrytojumpback,butthere’snowheretogowiththewallbehindme,andIbumpmyheadagainstit.“Ow,”Isayagainsthispalm.
“Damnit.”Hereleasesme,onlymovingbackenoughtotugmydressdowntoensureI’mcovered.Apollosiftshishandthroughmyhair,feelingforabump.“Areyouokay?”
HowcanhesoundsonormalwhensecondsagoIwascomingalloverhisthigh?I’mshakyandlight-headedandstilltryingtoprocessthefactthatwewereinterrupted,buttheonlyevidenceinhistoneisaslightgruffnessthat’snotnormallypresent.
Thatandtheimpressivehard-onIcanstillfeelpressingagainstmyhip.
“I’mfine,”Imanage.Itakehiswristandtugitawayfrommyhead.“Seriously.I’mgood.”
“Okay.”
Weturnasonetolookatthepersonstandingontheothersideofthedoors.Ariadne.Ifrown.Howlongwerewemakingoutthatwedidn’tnoticetheotherintruderhadlefttheroomandsomeoneelsehadentered?
Thesheerlevelofdistractionisworrisome,butthere’snospacetoletthatworrytakehold.Notwhenwecurrentlyhavesomeexplainingtodo.Igiveapatheticallynervousgiggle.“Oh,youcaughtus.Whoops.”
Sheplantsherhandsonherbroadhipsandgivesusanexasperatedlook.“Iunderstandthatagameofadulthide-and-seekisexactlythekindofopportunitytosneakoffandbonesomewhere,butifyoucouldnotdothatinmyroom,Iwouldgreatlyappreciateit.”
“Sorry.”Iactuallysoundmorelikemyselfthistime.Thedesireisburningoff,embarrassmentwaitinginthewingstomakemewishthefloorwouldopenupandswallowmewhole.
Apollogivesthebackofmyheadonelastcaress,stilltestingforabump,beforehedisengagesandstepsback.Icatchhimsubtlyadjustingthefrontofhispantsandfindmyselfgrinninglikeafooldespitetheblushthat’snodoubtturnedmecrimson.Ican’tdenythatIlovehowthoroughlyhereactstome.It’saheadything.Somethingtogetdrunkonlater.
Rightnow,Ineedtofocus.
Herlaptopwasagoodfind,butthewomanherselfmightbemoreso.Itstilldefiesbeliefthatsheleftherdoorunlockedandacomputersittingaroundbyaccident.It’senoughtomakemewonder…
Ituckmyhairbehindmyearsandstepoutofthecloset.“Wedidn’tmeantogetcarriedaway.”Myvoiceisstillnotquiteright,butIthinkIcouldbeexcusedconsideringhowshejustfoundus.“Isthegamealreadyover?”
“Oh,that?”Shewavesherhand.“No,Theseusisstillhuntingdowntherestofthepartyguests.Ithinkhe’soutinthemazenow.”Sheglancesoutthedoor,herbrowsdrawingtogether.“Itwasn’tthis…Idecidedthat…I’mnotparticipatinginthegamerightnow.”
“Itmustbeabitofareliefnottobetheprizethistime.”
Sheturnstometooquickly.“Right.Thistime.”Hergazedropstothefloor,whichfurtherconfirmsmysuspicionsthatMinos’sdaughterlikelydidn’thavemuchsayinthiswholecircus.
ItseemedaclumsymovewhenIfirstthoughtaboutit,butnowthatIhaveconfirmationfromHermesthatsomethingelseisgoingon,Ithinkit’sdesignedtobeclumsytomakeusunderestimateMinos.Istilldon’tquiteunderstandwhathecouldhopetoaccomplishbydouble-crossingtheThirteen.IfMinosisfacilitatinganinvasionorwhateverelseZeussuspects,surelyherealizeshewon’tsurvivetheattempt?
Butwhatifhedoes?Whatifhesucceeds?
ApollowillstillbeherefightingtoprotectthiscitythatdoesnotdeservehimwhileI’moffputtingthisallbehindme.Whowillwatchhisbackwithoutmehere?NotthatI’mthegreatestprotector,butnooneelselooksoutforhim.Hectorisagreatmemberoftheteam,buthewillunderstandablyputhisfamilyfirst.Samewiththerestofthe
ZeususesApolloasablunttoolorscalpelbyturn.TherestoftheThirteenaretoobusyengaginginbackbitingandbullshitpoliticstoevercareforoneanotherbeyondwhatpowertheiralliescanprovide.Beinganallyisasfraughtasbeinganenemy.
Apolloalonestandsapart.IfIwereMinos,anewcomertothiscitywho’sobviouslylookingtomakehisowngrabforpower,ApolloiswhereIwouldstrike.He’sthecornerstoneofthealliancethatpledgestoZeus.Withouthim,ZeuswouldkeepAresandAphroditeathisside,byvirtueofthembeinghissisters,butwouldhebeabletokeeptherest?
Idoubtit.
“Areyouokay,Cassandra?”Apolloclaspsmyshouldergentlywithafirmhand
“I’mfine.”Idon’tsoundconvincing,butwhatcanIsay?EvenifAriadnewasn’there,nothingisgoingtodivertApollofromhismission.HeisoneoftheThirteen;morethananyoneelse,heknewtheriskwhenhetookthetitle.
Thethoughtbringsabittersmiletomylips.EvenifIlostmymindandbeggedhimtocomewithme,he’sfartoohonorabletoleaveOlympus,letalonewhenitneedshimmost.
Ironicthatthethingthatdrewmetohiminthefirstplaceistheveryreasonwe’llneverbetogether.23
Apollo
Ican’tdenythesurgeofsatisfactionthatgoesthroughmetorealizethatmykissesandmytouchturnCassandraintothisblushing,stammeringperson.It’saheadythingtoknowthatIaffectherjustasdeeplyassheaffectsme,butnow’snotthetimetoletmyselfgetdistracted.Mycockhasn’tquitegottenthememo,notwiththememoryofhersoftnessimprintedonmybody.Iclearmythroat.Whathadshejustsaid?She’sfine.Ofcourseshe’sfine.She’sneveranythingbutfine
IpressmyhandtothesmallofCassandra’sbackandpaintacharmingsmileonmyfaceasIturntoAriadne.“You’renotafanofhide-and-seek?”
Shegrimaces,theshadowofsomerememberedpainflashingoverherface,gonealmosttoofasttocatch.“No,Idon’tlikethedark.”Hertoneisnotquiterightfortheapparentlightnessthatshe’sstrivingfor,butherfearsarenotmybusiness.Theinformationshepossessesaboutherfatheris.
IstepoutoftheclosetafterCassandraandstartinchingtowardthedoor,takingmytime.Ifshethinkswe’reattemptingtoextractinformationfromher,she’llkickusout.BettertomakealltherightappearancesofleavingandseewhatIcangleaninthepreciousfewsecondsavailabletome.“HowareyoulikingitinOlympus,Ariadne?”
“It’salovelycity.”There’sareservationinherthatwasn’tpresentthelasttimewespoke.Ican’ttellifthat’sbecauseshe’sunhappythatwe’veintrudedonherprivatespaceorifsheknowsmorethanshe’ssaying.IpulsemyfingersagainstCassandra’sbackandshe,smart,savvywomanthatsheis,fakesastumbleandcatchesherselfonthedresser.
“Oh,sorry,”shesays.“I’mjustfeelingalittledizzy.”
Ariadne,truetomysuspicions,isfartoonicetoignoresomeoneblatantlyinneed.“Here,sitdown.”SherushesforwardandguidesCassandratoperchontheedgeofherbed.Shedoesn’tlookparticularlypleasedaboutit,butherfeelingsarelessimportantthantheopportunityCassandrahasprovidedus.
“Olympusissomewhatofanacquiredtaste,”Ioffer.
Cassandrasnorts.“Acquired,ifyouhavethepowerforit.”Sheshakesherhead,pressingherfingerstohertemples.EvenknowingheraswellasIdo,IwouldbefooledbythemiseryonherfaceifIdidn’tknowthiswasallanact.“SomepeoplefindOlympustobeexactlywhatitis,allglitzandglamourcoveringarottedcore.”
Ariadnegivesafaintsmile,thoughhereyesremainserious.“Seemslikeyoudon’thaveahighopinionofyourcity.”
“It’sthetruth,evenifmostpeoplepretendotherwise.”Cassandrashrugsoneshoulder.“Butit’sallIknow.Wasitlikethiswhereyoucomefrom?”
“No,”Ariadnesaysslowly.“AeaeaisnothinglikeOlympus.ItwaslovelywhenIwasachildbut…thingschanged.”
IexchangealookwithCassandra.I’veneverheardofAeaea.Isitacity?Atown?Anamedpropertythewaysomepeoplefavor?“Whatchanged?”
Ariadneshakesherheadslowly.“Youseemlikeaniceman,Apollo.”
Idon’tgetachancetorespondbeforeCassandralaughs.“UnlikeeverythingelseinOlympus,Apolloisexactlywhatheseems.Youcan’tsaythesameformostoftheguestshere,letalonethemembersoftheThirteen,butApollosomehowmanagedtoberaisedinalegacyfamilyandtakeoveroneofthethirteenmostpowerfultitlesinthecity,andyethe’sagenuinelyniceguy.He’spracticallyamythicalcreature.”Sheliftshergaze,herfauxdizzinesswashingawayandonlyseriousnessremaining.“ThereareplentyofpeopleinpowerinOlympuswhodeserveanytroubleyourfathercouldbringandmore,butnotApollo.”
“Yes,well,myfatherdoeswhathewants.”Shesaysitwiththeairofsomeonewho’sgivenupallhope,astarkcontrastfromthepersonalityshe’sshownustodate.Sheseemstorealizeit,too,becausesheforcesabrightsmile.“Youknowhowitis.Parents,right?”
It’snotmybusiness,Iremindmyself.Thiswomanisnotmybusiness.Olympusis.
Icannottakeeveryinjureddoveundermywing,nomatterwhatCassandraaccusesmeoffromtimetotime.EvenhiringherfiveyearsagohadmyfamilyblisteringlyunhappywithmeformonthsbeforetheyfinallygaveinandadmittedthatI’mmorethancapableofmakingmyowndecisions.Theystillthinkshemanipulatedme,seducedherwayintomylifetotakeadvantageofmyposition.Theyespeciallybelievethatnowthatwe’republiclydating.
That’sneitherherenorthere,though.
“Ariadne,ifyoueverneedasafespace,”Ifindmyselfsaying,“Iknowafewplacesthatoffersanctuary.”Therearen’tmanyinOlympus,buttheyarenotable.ThelowercityoffersaspecialsortofrefugeforthoseHades—andnowPersephone—deemsworthy,andthestrengthofthatrefugehasonlyincreasedsinceheforcedtheentirecitytoacknowledgethathe’smorethanamyth.
TheotherlieswithinHera’sdomain,atempleofsortsthatnowhousesorphansbutusedtoextendtoanyonewhoclaimedsanctuary.IthasbecomemostlytoothlessoverthelastfewHeras,courtesyofthelateZeus,butourcurrentHeraismakingmovesbehindthescenestoreclaimwhatpowerbelongedtohertitlebeforeitwasguttedbyadangerousandgreedyman.
IamverycurioustoseewhatournewHerawilldo,givenenoughtime.
Ariadneraisesherbrows.“That’squitetheoffer.Youdon’tknowme.Icouldsayyesandthenturnaroundandworkagainstyou.”
Ishrugagain.I’mnotnormallyonetoletinstinctsguideme,butthere’ssomethingaboutthiswomanthatmakesmefeellikeshe’sintrouble.Minosmightplaythepartofthedotingfatherinpublic,buthe’salreadyprovenhimselftobeasuperiorliar.AfterthelastZeus…
Ididn’thavethepowertofightthatmanandwhathedidtohisownhousehold.IwastoogreenwhenItookoverasApollo,andevenwhenIhadenoughexperiencetounderminehimwherepossible,itwasliketryingtouseacolandertobailoutasinkingship.Zeuswassimplytoopowerful.
AriadneisnotHelenorErisorPerseusorHerculesoreventhelastfewHeraswhodiedfartooyoungfrommysteriousaccidents…
ButIwouldn’tbeabletolivewithmyselfifIdidn’tatleasttry.
“Theofferisastandingone,”Ifinallysay.IholdoutahandtoCassandra.“WeshouldgetgoingandleaveAriadnetoherpeace.”
Ariadneletsusgettothedoorwaybeforeshespeaks.“I,uh,appreciatetheoffer.I’mnotgoingtotakeyouuponit,butIdoappreciateit.”Shehesitates.“I’mgladIwasrightaboutyou.”
Rightaboutme?“LikeIsaid,theofferstands.”Igiveherhalfasmileandturnthroughthedoorway,tuggingCassandrabehindme.
I’mnotsurewhattheplanisnow.Thegamecontinues,butuntilHectorhasachancetogothroughthoseemailsandchasedownanyleadshefinds,wewon’tknowifthismissionwasasuccess.Still,it’sourbestlead,andwithhowthingshaveplayedoutsofar,it’slikelytheonlyonewe’llhave.Besttogobackdowntothesecondfloorandmaketheappearanceofcontinuingtoparticipate.
IglancedownatCassandra,realizeshe’stryingnottopantasIallbutdragherbehindme,andforcemyselftoslowdown.“Sorry.”
“Pennyforyourthoughts.”
“Weshouldleave.”
Cassandramissesastep.“What?”
“Weshouldleave.”Islowdownfurtherandlookaround.Hidinginourroomisfoolish.Bettertoaimforoneofthemanysittingrooms.Goingbackdownstairsisawasteoftime.Theseuswillbeheadeduponceheclearsthegroundsandthefirstfloor.IreadjustmygriponCassandra’shandandtowheraroundthecorner.Thehallwayisempty,butinthedistance,Ihearsomeonecacklingwithdelight.ItsoundslikeDionysus
“Iheardyou.”Cassandradigsinherheels.“Thisone.”Sheopensthedooronherrightandpullsmethrough.It’ssetupsimilarlytotheonewewereinlastnight,thoughthecolorschemeisavarietyofpurplesthatmakemyeyesache.It’salmostseamless,butthere’ssomethingoff,andsothemanytonesclashdespiteessentiallybeingmonochromatic.
Ishutthedoorbehindusautomatically.“There’snogoodplacetohidehere.”
“Idon’tcare.”Shetakesastepbackandpropsherhandsonherhips.“Whyareyousuddenlysayingweshouldleave?”
“We’renotgettinganywhere,asidefromthatluckyfindwiththelaptop.Atthispoint,I’dbebetterspentbackinthecitycenter,workingwithHectortogothroughallthatinformation.I’muselesshere.Idon’tknowwhatgameMinosisplayingat,andhe’slaughinghimselfsillybecausehehasusplayingparlorgames.”Sayingitaloudfeelslikealmosttoomuch.I’msofrustrated,Icouldthrowsomething.“More,we’vebeenwarnedtwicenowaboutyourpresencehere.Atleastonepersonmightbemissingandthat’senoughformetogetyououtofherenowthatwehavesomethingtoshowforallthis.”
“Thatwasn’tanaccident.”Hergazeisfocusedonsomewhereinthemiddledistance.“Thelaptopandtheemails.Didyoucatchwhatshesaid?Thatshewasrightaboutyou.”
Ishrug.“Ihaveareputation.Itdoesn’tmeanmuch.”
“Apollo,youaretooinnocentsometimes.”Sheshakesherhead.“Ibetwe’regoingtofindexactlywhatwe’relookingforinthoseemails,andIwouldbetAlexandra’scollegefundthatAriadneknowsthat.”
Thatstopsmeshort.“Youthinkshe’sworkingagainstherfather?”
“It’spossible.”Cassandrafrowns.“Orit’sadoublebluffandheputheruptothis,butMinosdoesn’tgivethevibeofsomeonewhoputsalotofvalueonpeopleheconsiderssoft,andAriadneissoftrightdowntohersunnycenter.”
Italwaysamazesmehowshecanmakethesejumps.Icanusuallyreachthesameconclusion,butittakesmealotlonger—andalotmoresecond-guessingmyself—togetthere.“Ifthat’strue…”
Excitementlightsupherdarkeyes.“Wecouldhavesomeoneontheinside,orattheveryleast,ifwecouldfliphertoourside,we’dhaveaninsidetracktomoreinformation.”
“Whichmeanswecan’tleave.”Upuntilthisparty,MinoskeptAriadneawayfromthepubliceye,andIdon’texpectthattochangegoingforward.Wewon’thaveaccesstoheragain,notifweleavenow.“We’llhaveto—”
Inthedistance,someonescreams.
Ifreeze.“DidIjust—”
“Yes.”Cassandrastartsforthedoor.“Thatwasascream.ItsoundedlikeEurydice.”
Isnagherwrist.“Stayhere.”Ifthere’sdanger,Iwantherasfarfromitaspossible.“Or,betteryet,gotoourroomandlockyourselfin.”
“You’reoutofyourmindifyouthinkI’mnotcomingwithyou.”Shejerksherwristfrommygrip.“Areyougoingtokeepwastingtimearguing,orareyoucoming?”
She’sright.Wedon’thavetimetowaste.“Stayclose.”Ileadthewaythroughthedoorintothehall.Already,voicesareraisedsomewhereinthedistance.Downstairs.“Comeon.”
WefindEurydiceandCharoninthelibrary.Atfirst,Idon’tseewhattheproblemis,butthenCharonwrapsanarmaroundhershoulderandstepsback,revealingthebodyofPan.Heliesonhisstomach,bloodpoolingthecarpetbeneathhim.“Ohno.”
TearspourfromEurydice’seyesandsheallowsCharontopullherintohisarmsandtuckherfaceagainsthischest.“Howdidthishappen?”
“Idon’tknow.”Helooksatmeoverherhead.“WewerewaitingintheparlorafterwewerefoundbyTheseusandcameinherewhenweheardacrash.”
“Didyouseeanything?”
“No.”
CassandrapushespastmeandmovestokneelnexttoPan,carefultoavoidtheblood.BeforeIcansayaword,shepressesherfingerstohisthroat.Afewsecondstickby.Shelooksupsharply.“He’sstillalive.”
Justlikethat,thissituationbecomesvastlydifferent.“Charon,callanambulance.Now!”
HepauseslongenoughtoguideEurydicetoachairjustoutoftheway—andoutofsightlinestoPan—andthenrushesoutoftheroom.IjoinCassandraatPan’sside.“Dowemovehimontohisback?”
“No.”Sheshakesherhead.“Therecouldbeaspinalinjury.Wecan’tmovehimuntiltheparamedicsarrive.They’llknowwhattodo.”
Istaredownattheman.“Whatwashedoinginhere?Ithoughthewentoutthefrontdoor.”
“Hemusthavecircledback.”
Itdoesn’tmatterwhyhe’shere,onlythatheis.Isitbackonmyheelsandlookaround.Weexploredthelibrarybrieflythismorning,butit’sjustlikeeveryotherpersonallibraryI’vevisited.It’srelativelysubduedcomparedtotherestofthehouse,areasonablysizedroomwithdarkbookshelvesandseveralcozyoverstuffedcouchesarrangedaroundalargebaywindow.It’sprobablyalovelyplacetospendanafternoon.
There’salsonothingsharptoaccidentallystumbleandfallagainst.NottomentionPan’swoundisonthebackofhishead,asifsomeoneclubbedhimwhenhewasn’tlooking.Butwhat…
“Apollo?”
IlookuptoseeEurydicestandingontheothersideofthechair,amarbletortoiseheldinherhands,bloodspatteredacrossitscarvedback.“Ifoundthisundermychair.Tuckedawayasifsomeonetriedtohideitfast.”
It’salltheproofweneed.
SomeonetriedtokillPan.24
Cassandra
Thingshappenquicklyafterthat.Mostoftherestoftheguestsappearinagroup,andunderdifferentcircumstances,ImightbeamusedbythesheerchaosofhalfadozenmembersoftheThirteentryingtotakechargeofthesituation
HardtobeamusedaboutanythingwhenI’mwatchingPan’sbacktoensurehehasn’tstoppedbreathing.
Ilikedthecheerfulman.Idesperatelywanthimtobeokay.
Minossweepsinfiveminuteslaterwithtwomeninnondescriptuniformswhomightbeparamedics,butthey’renotdressedlikeanyI’veeverseen.HestopsshortandlooksdownatPan.
Myadrenalineissurging.Ican’tstopshaking.It’salmostenoughformetomissthepurefuryonhisface.Hemasksitquickly.I’msureI’mtheonlyonewhowitnessedit,kneelingatPan’ssideasIam.
Minossnapshisfingers.“Stopbickering.Weneedtohelpthisman.”Hemotionstothetwomenwhoaccompaniedhim.“Getastretcherandpreparehimfortheambulance.Itshouldbehereshortly.”
TheimpulsetothrowmyselfoverPan’sbodysotheywon’ttakehimisnearlyoverwhelming.Someoneattackedthisman,andtheonlyreasonhewashereinthefirstplaceisbecauseMinosinvitedhim.NooneelseatthispartywantsPandead…
Dothey?
IlookhelplesslyatApollo.He’sgothisexpressionlockeddowntight.Hecirclesaroundandcupsmyelbow,guidingmetomyfeet.“Letthemedicshelp,Cassandra.”
“Iftheyhurthim—”
“Theywon’t.”Hesaysitloudenoughthateveryonestopsarguingandlooksathim.“Panisafriend.Anumberofpeopleinthisroom—andbeyond—wouldtakeitamissifanythinghappenedtohim.”
It’sonthetipofmytonguetosnarlthatsomethingalreadyhappenedtohim,butifApollocanassurenoonefinishesthejob,that’stheonlythingthatmatters.
“Ofcourse.”Minossmiles,allcharminghostoncemore.“He’sundermyhospitality.”
“Notthatthathelpedhim,”Imutter.“Hewasattackedwhileunderyourhospitality.”
ThemedicsmakequickworkofgettingPanontoastretcherandwhiskinghimoutoftheroom.Oncehe’sgone,we’releftstaringateachotherwithanincreasingamountofdistrust.Pandidn’tslipandfallonthestonesculpture.Someonehithimwithit.
Someonelikelyinthisroom.
Eurydiceopenshermouth,expressionstilldistraught,butbeforeshecansayanything,Aphroditestormsthroughthedoor.Shetakesinthescenewithasinglesweep.“Whydoeseveryonelookliketheirfavoritedoggotkicked?”
“Pan—”
ThedooropensagainbehindAphrodite,cuttingEurydiceoffasecondtime,andinwalksTheseuswithhisarmslungaroundAdonis’sshoulders.Adonishashissmilefirmlyinplace,andnotevenIcantellifit’sfakeornot.Ah.ThatexplainsthefuryinAphrodite’seyes.
Theseusdoesn’timmediatelyreleasehim.“Adoniswon.”
“Wonderful.Let’stakeaquickbreakto,ah,dealwithafewthings.”Minoslooksaroundtheroom.“We’llrejoinfordinner.”
“Rejoinfordinner,”Eurydicerepeats.Shetakesastepforward,ignoringthelighttouchCharonplacesonherarm.“Youcan’thonestlyexpectustoignorewhathappenedtoPan.Ithoughthewasdead.”
“He’snotdead,”Minossaysmildly.“HewasdrinkingwithDionysusduringlunch.Heobviouslytrippedovertherugandinjuredhimself.”
Iblink.Surelythey’renotgoingtobuythat?Itdoesn’tmaketheslightestbitofsense.
Dionysuschoosesthatmomenttohiccup.“Hewasputtingitaway.Chapcandrinkmeunderthetable.”
IglareatHermes,butshe’sgotasmallsmileonherfaceand,foronce,apparentlyhasnothingtosay.Aphroditepropsherhandsonherhips.“Someoneexplainwhathappened.”
“Ijustdid,mydear.”Minosmovestothedoor,steppingeasilyoverthebloodstain.“Shallwe?”Hewalksoutwithoutanotherword.
TheseustightenshisgriponAdonis’sshouldersandsteershimafterhisfosterfather.It’satthatmomentthatIrealizenooneelseinMinos’shouseholdisintheroom.
Oneofthemwasresponsible.
Exceptwehavenowaytoproveit.Itcan’tbeAriadne.There’snowayshegotdownstairsintimetoattackPan…butshe’stheonlyoneIcansafelymarkoffthelistofsuspects.IstepbackandtakeApollo’shand.“WeshouldcallAres.Thatwasn’tanaccident;itwasattemptedmurder.”
Charonshakeshisheadslowly.“Nowaytoproveit.”
Iblink.“Excuseme?”
“There’snowaytoproveit,”herepeatspatiently.“Theywillcomeinandthefirstthingthey’lldoissweepforprints.Doyouknowwhoseprintsareonthattortoise?”
Eurydice’s.
Apollosighs.“Theremightbeothers.”
“Itwillmuddythewater.”HeturnstoEurydice.“Wecanleaveifyouwant.Idon’tthinkwe’regoingtofindtheanswerswe’relookingforhere.”
Herlowerlipquivers,butshemakesanobviousefforttostillit.“I’mfine.There’snoreasontoleave.Notuntilyou’veaccomplishedwhatyousetoutto.”
ThatallbutconfirmsmysuspicionsthatCharonishereonafact-findingmissionforHades,thesamewayweareforZeus.It’sasmallblessingthatHades,atleast,isn’tlookingtoallyhimselfwithMinos.Ican’tsaythesamefortheothers,exceptAphrodite.
“Eurydice—”
“WouldyouleaveifIwasn’there?”Hissilenceisanswerenough.Sheturnstotherestofus.“Areyouleaving?”
“Nope.”Hermeslaughs.“Thisisjustgettinginteresting.”
Dionysusshrugs.“He’sgotgoodwine.”Hisnormalgoodcheerisnowhereinevidence,though.Ifanything,helooksfarsickerthanalcoholcanexplain.
IcannotbelievewhatI’mhearing.Theyshouldallbeheadingforthefrontdoor.Instead,they’re…staying.“You’reserious.SomeonejusttriedtokillPanandyou’rejustgoingtostickaroundandwaittogivethemanothershot?AndwhataboutAtalantaandTyche?That’sthreepeople.”
“Panwillbetransportedtothehospitalinthecity.”Dionysushiccups.“I’msurehe’llbeokay.”
“Atalantatextedme.She’sfine.”Artemisexaminesherfingernails.“Sometimespartiesgetwild,Cassandra.You’dknowthatifyouwereinvitedtomoreofthem.”Behindher,Hephaestusmakesachokedlaughingsound.
“Asifsomeonecouldn’ttakeherphoneanduseittotextyou.”I’msorelytemptedtopickupthatfuckingtortoiseandflingitather,butasidefromthatthinglookingheavy,assaultneversolvedanyproblems.Iftheywon’tseereason,tryingtobeatsomesenseintothemisn’tgoingtowork.“You’refools.Oneofyouwillbenext.”
Hephaestussnorts.“Please.We’retheThirteen.We’llbefine.”
“Ofallthe—”
“Collaryourgirlfriend,Apollo.Beforeoneofushasto.”Artemisturnsaway.
Herexitstartsacascade.Onebyonetheyfollowher,evenEurydiceandCharon.Hermesisthelastonestandingandsheshakesherheadslowly.“Itoldyoutoleave,Cass.It’snottoolatetogo,butnooneisgoingtobelieveyourwarnings.”SheleavesbeforeIcancomeupwitharesponse.
Whatistheretosay?She’sright.
IturntoApollo.Helookstroubled,butevenknowinghimaswellasIdo,Ican’tsayifit’swhatjusthappenedthat’sbotheringhimorthoughtsofthefuture.Hefinallymeetsmygazeandsqueezesmyhand.“Ihatetosayit,butshe’sright.Youshouldleave.”
Idon’tmisstheemphasisonyou.“Whataboutyou?WhataboutAriadne?”
Heignoresthequestion.“Idon’tknowwhysomeonewouldtargetPan,butit’sgettingmoreandmoreobviousthatyou’renotsafe.”
“Apollo—”
“Ifyou’reconcernedaboutZeusdeclaringthedealnullandvoid,Icanmaketheargumentthatyou’vemorethandoneyourdutyandyouneveragreedtobeinginphysicaldanger.Hemayattempttodockthepay,butI’llmakeupthedifference.”
Exasperationtakeshold.He’snothingifnotstubborn.“Youcan’tjustwritemeacheckforoveramilliondollars.Yourfamilywouldchasemeoutoftownwithpitchforksandtorches.”
“Youalreadyintendtoleave.Whatdoyoucarewhatmyfamilythinks?”
He’sright.Ofcoursehe’sright.Thatdoesn’tchangethefactthatthethoughtofleavingApolloherealonemakesmyentirebodyclenchindenial.“That’snotthepoint.”
Hestepscloseandcupsmyface.“Letmeworryaboutthemoney.Gohomewhereit’ssafe.”
Icoverhishandswithmyown.“I’llleaveifyoucomewithme.”
“Ican’t.”Hesighs.“NotiftherereallyispotentialforAriadnetofliptoourside.”
“Thenwe’llcallAres.”I’mreaching,andIknowit,butIcan’tshakethefeelingofimpendingdoom.
“Arescan’tinterferewithoutadirectinvitationoranorderfromZeus,whichhewon’tgiveforfearofalienatingthosemembersoftheThirteenwhoareguests.”Apolloshakeshishead.“Ican’tleave.Notyet.Butyoucan,Cassandra.Please.”
“No.Notwithoutyou.”Iwrapmyhandsaroundhiswristsandsqueeze.“IfI’mnothere,youhavenoonetowatchyourback.I’mnotAresorAthenaorevenArtemis,butIcan’tleaveyoualone.Don’taskmeto.”
“I’mnottheoneindanger,Cassandra.”Irefusetobudge.Helookslikehewantstokeeparguingbutfinallysighsagain.“Shortofstuffingyouinatrunkanddrivingbacktothecitymyself,I’mnotgoingtoconvinceyou,amI?”
Despiteeverything,Ilaughalittle.“No.Shortofkidnapping,it’snotgoingtohappen.”
Hepressesaquickkisstomyforeheadanddropshishands.“Allright.Ifyou’renotleaving,let’sgoseewhat’snext.”Hepauses.“Nogoinganywherealone,Cassandra.Iwon’triskyou.”
“Okay.Iwon’t.Ipromise.”
Apollotakesmyhand.“Comeon.”
Wefindtherestoftheguestsgatheredbackinthelivingroom.AphroditesitsonthecouchnexttoDionysus,herarmscrossedanddarkeyesfurious.Heblinksatherbutforoncedoesn’tseemtohaveawittycommentready.Infact,helookstobeindangeroflosinghislunch,paleskinwaxyandsweatdottinghisforehead.
TheseussitsnexttoAdonisononeoftheothercouches.Theyaren’tquitecuddledup,butTheseushassprawledhisbigbodyoutsothathe’spressedagainsttheotherman…andAdonisdoesn’tappeartobecomplainingforreasonsIcan’tfathom.
Theydolookquitethepair,though.
Adonis,forhispart,hashischarmingsmileinplace.I’veneverbeenabletofigureoutifhe’strulysoeasygoingthatnothingruffleshisfeathersorifhe’sgotthebestmaskI’veeverseen.Ican’thonestlysayforcertain,whichwouldbothermeifIgaveashitaboutOlympuspoliticsbeyonddeterminingwhotoactivelyavoid.
Theseus,though?He’sgotaterriblepokerface.Satisfactioncomesoffhiminwaves,thereinthepossessivewayhetouchesAdonisandthesmirkhesendsinAphrodite’sdirection.ConsideringIhaven’tseenhimlooktwiceattheothermansincetheyarrived,thismustbeforherbenefit.
AphroditehasmanagedtopissoffoneofMinos’sfostersons—maybejustbyvirtueofbeingrelatedtoHelen,whocausedhimsomuchdamageandstolehischancetobecomethenextAres—anditcertainlylookslikehe’sgoingtomakeherchokeonhis“date”withAdonis.
IfMinosintendstomatchhischildrenwithpowerfulpeople,Adonisshouldn’tbeonthelist.He’sarguablytheleastpowerfulpersoninthisroom,exceptingme.
ItmakesaboutasmuchsenseasattackingPan.
I’mmissingsomething.Somethingimportant.IfIjusthadsometimeandspacetoreasonitthrough…
“Cassandra?”
IstartleandglanceatApollo.It’sonlythenthatIrealizeIwasstaringatTheseusandAdonistoointensely.Itryforasmile.“Justthinkingtoohard.”
Hedoesn’tlooklikehebelievesme,butthenI’manormalhumanbeingwhojustwentthroughashock.Littletremorskeepshiftingmylimbswithoutmypermission.Idon’tunderstandhoweveryoneischattingeasilyasifoneofMinos’speopleisn’tinthelibrary,cleaningbloodstainsoutoftherug.OnlyCharonandEurydiceseembothered,andtheymakesomevagueexcusesandleavetheroomquickly.
EvenApolloseemsmostlyfineasheguidesmeovertositnearDionysusandAphrodite.Hedropsintotheirconversationeasily,charmingAphroditeenoughthatshestopssendingmurderouslooksatherboyfriendandTheseus.Mostly.
ThisiswhatitmeanstobeoneoftheThirteen.
Iknewtheyfunctioneddifferentlythantherestofus,butspendingsomuchtimewithHermesandthenApollolulledmeintoafalsesenseofthinkingItrulyunderstoodwhatthatmeant.
Ididn’tthen.
Isureasfuckdonowastheafternoonstretchestowardevening…anddinnertime.
IwouldliketosaythatIfocusheavilyonalltheconversationsaroundmeduringdinner.Minosisthereplayinghischarmingkingroutine.Theothersarespeakingabout…something.ButallIcanthinkofisthatPanwasnearlykilledandnotasinglepersonhasinquiredaboutanupdatefromthehospital.NotevenDionysus,whoisthereasonPanwasatthispartytobeginwith.
Everyoneisverycarefullynotlookingatme.TheyallthinkI’mparanoidandweak.EvenCharonandEurydice,whoarehandlingthisathousandtimesbetterthanIam.Andwhynot?NeitherofthemhaveseenexactlywhattheeliteinOlympusarecapableof.
IsthishowtheThirteenactedaftertheyorderedmyparentstobemurdered?
DidtheysitaroundanddrinkandlaughwhileAthena’sassassinschasedmyparentsthroughthestreetsofdowntown,endingintheirfierydeath?
ItwasadifferentApollowhoheldthetitleduringthattime,butIcan’tpretendthatmyApollowouldhavemadeadifferentcall.Notwhenhisprioritiesarevividlyclear.HewilldoanythingtoprotectOlympus.Evenifitcompromiseshispersonalmorals.Heknowswhatwouldhappentothiscityifinformationabouttheassassinationclausegotout.Hewouldn’trelishsentencingmyparentstodeath,buthe’ddoittoservethegreatergood.
Ifithadbeenmeinthelibrary,bashedovertheheadandlefttodieonthefloor?Ican’tguaranteehe’ddoanythingotherthanwhathe’sdoingrightnow—chattingeasilywithAphrodite.Hemightenjoyme,mightcareaboutmeonsomelevel,buthewon’tputmebeforethecity.
Expectinghimtowillonlyendinheartbreak.
Ican’tbreathe.Ohgods,Ican’tdothis.
Timemovesstrangely.Ononehand,itfeelslikewejustsatdownfordinnerwhenthestaffisclearingawaydessertandit’sover.Idon’teatanything.It’stakingeverybitofwillpowerIhavetositstillandnotfleetheroom.Apolloshootsmeafewlooks,butAriadneisseatednexttousandhe’sfocusingoncharmingher.
It’sonlyasdinnerendsthatIrealizewestillhaveanotherofMinos’sgodsdamnedgamestosufferthroughbeforewecanescape.
Minossurprisesme,though.Heclearshisthroat.“Ithink,giventheeventsofthisafternoon,thatitwouldbebestifwepostponedtonight’sentertainment.Therewillbeanafter-dinnerdrinkservedinthelounge,butit’shardlymandatory.”
IgrabApollo’sarmashestartstoshifthischairback.“Ican’t—”Myvoicecomesoutragged,andIhavetoclearmythroatandtryagain,quietenoughonlyhecanhear.“Apollo,Ican’tdomoresmalltalk.I’mgoingtostartscreamingandneverstop.”
Hisdarkbrowsdrawtogetherinconcernandhegivesajerkynod.“Ofcourse.Ihadnoideayouwerethatdistressed.”
Ihavenoideahowyouaren’t
Idon’tsayit.It’snotfair.It’snotevenhisfaultthatwe’rebuiltsodifferentlywhenitcomestothis.Ifmyparentshadbeensuccessful,maybeI’dbejustasblasé.Maybe.
Whateverheseesonmyfacehashimfrowningharder.“Let’sgobacktotheroom.”
“Okay,”Iwhisper.I’munravelingattheseams.I’mnotbuiltforthiskindofthing.IthoughtHermeswasbeingdramaticwhenshesaidIwasindanger.
Ishouldhaveknownbetter.Shenevergambleswiththoseshecaresabout,evenifshewon’tstepintosavethemfromthemselves.Ichosetostay.
Ineverexpectedtobedraggeddownmemorylane,triggeredbyoneofthemosttraumaticexperiencesofmylife.Myparentsdidn’tbelievemethattheThirteenwouldneverstandforthemtotriggertheassassinationclause.Thepolicedidn’tbelievemethattheThirteenmurderedmyparents.Nownooneisbelievingmeaboutthedangerthispartyrepresents.
AmIdoomedtorepeatthesamewarnings,onlytohavetostandbyandwatchthepeopleIcareaboutbehurt?25
Apollo
I’vemadeamistake.Ididn’trealizeCassandrawassoupsetuntilthemomentshesaidsomething.Insteadoftakingcareofher,IwasfocusedonthemysteryofwhoattackedPan.Onspeculatingwhatmotivationscouldpossiblykeeptheothershereaftertheattack.Nomatterhowtheyacted,theThirteenarenotusuallysofoolhardy.Andtothebest
It’senoughtomakemewonderifsomeofthemknowmoreaboutMinosandhisconnectionstothisenemyofOlympusthanthey’resaying.
IleadCassandrabacktoourroomandshutthedoorsoftlybehindus.GuiltswarmsmeasItakeherin.She’sshaking.“I’msorry.”
“I…”Sheexhales.“Iforgetsometimesthatyou’reacompletelydifferentspeciesfrommostpeople.Youinthepluralterm.Notyouspecifically.”
Icatchherhands.“Cassandra.”She’spalerthannormal,drawn.“Letme—”
“Youshouldgohaveadrinkortwo.”Shegentlyextractsherhandsfrommine.“Ariadneisstilldownthere,andifyoucangetherawayfromthegroup,youcangiveheraproperoffertogethertochangesides.”
She’snotwrong.Allthroughdinner,Ariadnewaslaughingabittoohardandtalkingabittoofast.She’sobviouslyscared,andImightbeamonsterforusingherfeartoOlympus’sgain,butit’saleverIcanpulltoconvincehertodowhatIwant.
ButitmeansleavingCassandraalone,upsetandvulnerable.
“I’mnotleavingyou.”
“Apollo.”Shegivesasadsmile.“Youdon’thavetoplaytheheroforme.IknowOlympusisyourgreatloveandresponsibility.Doyourduty.I’lllockthedoor.”
She’sright.Iknowshe’sright,butnowthatwe’rehereandalone,theeventsoftheafternooncomecrashingbackoverme.Idon’tknowwhysomeonewouldtargetPan,buttheattackcouldhavejustaseasilybeenagainstCassandra.She’sbeenthreatenedseveraltimessincearrivingatthisparty.
Ifsomeonesnuckupbehindher,hitherbeforeshecouldrun…
Thethoughthasmereachingforher.“Comehere.”
“Apollo—”
“I’mnotfuckingleavingyou,Cassandra.Youcankeeparguingoryoucancomehereandletmeholdyouuntilwebothfeelbetter.”
It’satestamenttohowrattledsheisthatsheplacesherhandinmineandallowsmetopullhercloseandwrapmyarmsaroundher.Withherbodypressedtomine,Icanfeelthelittletremorsworkingthroughher.Partofmestillwantstoinsistsheleave,butshe’smadeherchoiceandI’llrespectit.
I’llalsodomybesttoensureshedoesn’tpayapricestaying.
Butit’sneitherherenortheretonight.I’lldowhateverIcantomakeherfeelbetter.Withanyoneelse,thatwouldincludewrappingherupandtuckingherinuntilshefallsasleep,butI’velearnednottomakeassumptionswiththiswoman.“Whatdoyouneedfromme?”
Shegivesahoarselittlelaughagainstmychest.“You’llthinktheworstofme.”
“Cassandra,Icouldneverthinktheworstofyou.”
Alongpause.IstrokeherbackasIwaitherout.Finally,shefistsherhandsinthefabricofmyshirtandmutters.“IneedyoutofuckmeuntilIcan’tthinkanymore.”
Ifreeze.“I—”
“Ifyoudon’twantto,that’sfine.Irealizeit’sanunconventionalchoice.”She’sstillspeakingsoftly,stillpressingherheadtomychestsoshedoesn’thavetolookatme.“Butifyou’reabouttoremindmethatIdon’thavetofeelobligatedtohavesexwithyou,Iwillpointout,onceagain,thattheonlypoweryouhaveovermeiswhatIchoosetogiveyou.”
Myheartgivesapainfullurch.“Cassandra,lookatme.”
Shereluctantlyliftsherhead.Someofhershakinesshasdisappeared.“Please,Apollo.”
Icandenyhernothing.There’sakindofcareinkinkandsex,andit’snotarouteIwouldhavesuggested,butifsheneedsthis,I’monlytoohappytogiveittoher.AtleastthisIcanfix.Ibrushmythumboverhercheek.“Tellmeyoursafeword.”
Cassandragivesafaintsmile,reliefevidentonhergorgeousface.“Python.”
It’ssoeasytoslipintotherolewithher.Ipressasoftkisstoherforeheadandstepback.“Takeoffyourdress.”MyvoiceissofterthanI’veusedwithherinthepastduringthesemoments,butsheneedsasoftplacetolandaftertheeventsoftoday.
Icanofferherthat.Iwanttoofferherthat.
Cassandraisnotoneforunquestioningobedienceinlife,andIappreciatethatdeeply.Ihonestlyexpectedhertobemoreofabratinthesekindsofinteractions,butshesubmitssosweetly.Shedoesn’thesitatetopullherhairoverhershoulderandturnaround.“Willyouunzipme?”
Istepforwardandcatchtheabsurdlytinyzipperatthetopofthedress.Itwouldbesoeasytorip,butwhileIcanenjoythatkindofgame,it’snotwhateitherofusneedsrightnow.Thismightbeworkingitswaytosex,butit’saboutcare,notpurelust.
Idragthezipperdownthelengthofthedressandthenrunmyknucklesupthecenterofherspine.She’ssosoft,itdrivesmetodistraction.EventhoughItoldhertoremovethedress,I’mtheonethateasesthestrapsoffhershouldersanddownherarms.ThenIcoastmyhandsdownhersidesandoverherhips,pushingthefabricbeforeme.
AsIdiscoveredearlier,she’snotwearingpanties,butsheiswearingabra.Idoawaywithitquickly,flickingtheclaspopenandrepeatingthemotionofeasingthestrapsdownherarms.IpressakisstooneshoulderbeforeIstepback.
ThenIallowmyselftolookmyfill.
Itdoesn’ttakelongforCassandratostartsquirming,eachmovementmakingherassflex.Ihavetoclenchmyfiststokeepfromreachingforher.Notyet.Thisisacarefuldancebetweenus,thetensionstrungtight.Toomuchanticipationwillhaveherbrainclickingon.Toolittlewilldampentheescapesheneeds.More,Ilovelookingather.
She’sperfect.
Thickwaist,widehipsandass,thickthighsthatIreallyenjoyedhavingclaspedaroundmyhead.Itakeaslowbreath.Yes,that’senough.“Turnaround.”
She’sslowertoobeythistime.AsCassandraturnstofaceme,sheactuallystartstoraiseherhandstocoverherselfbeforesheletsthemdroptohersides.
Iclearmythroat.She’sjustasperfectfromthefrontassheisfromtheback.Oh,notintheglossed-overlookthatsomanypeopleseemtostrivefor;Cassandraisreal.Moreimportantly,fortonightatleast,she’sminetocarefor.
Iglancearoundtheroomandfinallysettleonthechairtuckedintothecornerbythedresser.Istrideoverandsinkontoit.“Comehere.”
Sheobeysalmosttentatively.Ileanbackinthechairandwatchhermakeherwaytome.She’sstandingonfirmerground,butshe’snotquiteherewithmeyet.“Gods,Cassandra,thethingsyoudotome.You’retemptationpersonified.”
Shemissesastep,hergazesnappingtomine.“Excuseme?”
“It’sthepencilskirts.Everytimeyouturnaround,yourperfectassisrightthereandI’mfightingformylifetokeepthingsproperandprofessional.”
“Apollo.”Sheraisesherbrows.“IamreasonablyconfidentinhowIlook,butnooneisgoingtolookatmyassandlabelitperfect.”
“Areyoucallingmealiar?”
Sheworriesherbottomlip.“Iguessnot.”Shestopsinfrontofme,afewinchesshortofmyknees.“I’velookedatyou,too.”
“Tellme.”
Theblushbeneathherskindeepens.Forsomeonewhocanbesocoolandcollectedwhilefacingdownanynumberofpowerfulpeople,it’sremarkablyeasytomakeherblush.Ilikethat.Itfeelslikeit’sjustforme.Cassandratugsatastrandofherhair.“Youknowyou’resexyasfuck.Don’ttrytopretendyoudon’t.Andyoushowupeverydayintheseperfectlytailoredsuits.I’mhuman.OfcourseI’velooked.”
Icheckherexpression.She’sentirelyfocusedonmenow,notthinkingaboutthescarythingsthathappenedearlier.Good.“Haveyoudonemorethanlook?”
Shelicksherlips.“ItwouldbetheheightofunprofessionalismformetofingermyselfthesecondIwalkthroughthedoorofmyapartmentbecauseIspenttwohoursinameetingstaringatthehollowofyourthroatafteryouloosenedyourtie.”
Ileanforwardandcatchherhips,urginghercloseruntilshestandsstraddlingme.Better.Thistime,IkeeptouchingherasIleanback,runningmyhandslightlydowntheoutsidesofherthighsandbackupagain.Herskinissosoft.Itmakesmewanttotasteeveryinchofher.
Allingoodtime.
“Didyoudothat,Cassandra?”
“Yes.”Sheanswerssosimply.“Morethanonce.Itinfuriatedmeeverytime.Ididn’twanttowantyou.”
“Andnow?”
“Istilldon’twanttowantyou.”Thewordscontainnoedge,buttheyfallbetweenuslikestones.It’sgoingtohurtherwhenthisends,too.Maybethatshouldbeenoughtomakemechangecourse,butthetruthisthatwe’vegonetoofartoescapeunscathed.
Wehadevenbeforewekissedthefirsttime.
“Doyoutrustme,Cassandra?”
“Yes.”Nohesitation.
Itmakesmychestacheinthemostgloriouswaytoholdthetrustofthisprickly,capablewoman.Iloveher.I’veknownitforsometime,butIcanadmitittomyselfrightnow,inthismoment.It’sgoingtobreakmyheartwhensheleaves,andI’mnotselfishorcruelenoughtotellherhowIfeelwiththatdeadlinebearingdownonbothofus.Shecaresforme,butevenifshefeltexactlyasIdo,Iwon’tputherinapositionofchoosingbetweenmeandhersister.She’ssufferedenoughastheresultofthepowerfulinOlympus.
“Gotothebedandliedownonyourback.”
Sheblinksdownatme.IfindmyselfholdingmybreathasCassandraconsidersme.Shedoesn’tmakemewaitlong.“Okay.”
Imakemyselfstayseatedassheobeys.Igetaflashofherpussyasshecrawlsalongthemiddleofthebedandeasesontoherback,andthesighthasmefightingdownagroan.Patience.Icanhavepatience.Tonightisn’taboutmeandwhatIdesire.It’saboutgivingherwhatsheneeds.
“Whatdidyouthinkaboutthelasttimeyoutouchedyourself?”
“I—”
“Iwouldliketohearit.Inexplicitdetail.”Ipushslowlytomyfeetandshrugoutofmyjacket.MyfingersfumbleabitasIunbuttonmycuffsandstartontheonesdownthecenter.Ipauseaftertwoandraisemybrows.“I’mwaiting.”
Shesmilesfaintly.“Youlikehearingmetalk,don’tyou?”
“It’soneofmyfavoritethings,”Ianswerhonestly.“You’rethesmartestpersonI’veevermet,andIloveyourmind.”Ismile.“Ialsolovehearingyougobreathlesswhenyoutalkaboutwhatyoudesire.”
“WhatIdesireisforyoutotakeoffyourshirt.”
Itugatthethirdbutton…andthenstop.
Shehuffsoutabreath.“Okay,fine.ThelasttimewasafterthatmeetingaboutAphrodite—thepreviousAphrodite.”
Irememberexactlywhatshe’stalkingabout.ThelastAphroditewasexiledfromOlympussomemonthsago,butshe’snotthetypetodisappearquietlyandleaveeveryoneinpeace.Inthetimeshe’sbeengone,she’sattemptedtolaunchnolessthanthreesmearcampaignsagainstPsycheDimitriou.AtZeus’sinstruction,I’vemanagedtocatchallofthemearlyanddispelthem;hedoesn’twantawhisperofscandaltotouchhisnewwife’sfamily.
Thatparticularmeetinghadgonelongwhilewesatinonavideocallwiththeteamtaskedtotakedownallthepostsshe’dmanagedtopublish,alongwithaparticularlydamninginterviewscheduledtogolivethenextmorning.Afterward,IwasfuriousenoughtohavegonethroughthesamesonganddancethreetimesthatIorderedmyteamtofindawaytoplantavirusinhercomputeranderaseeverything,withathreatthatherfinanceswouldbenextifshecontinuedonthisroute.“Whatwasitaboutthatmessthatgottoyou?”
“Youweresomad.”Sheshiversandmymouthstartswatering.CassandrawatchescloselyasIunbuttonmythirdbuttonbeforeshecontinues.“Youneveryellwhenyou’remad.Youjustgetsterneranditmademesohottoimagineyoutalkingtomelikethat.”
“I’veneverhadtotalktoyoulikethat.”
“Youdidlastnight.”Shelaughsalittle.“You’redoingitrightnow.”
Ipauseonthefourthbutton.“Keepgoing,Cassandra.Youwenthomequicklyafterthemeeting.”
“OfcourseIdid.MypantiesweresoakedandIwashalfwaytherebeforeIevenwalkedoutthedoor.”Sheclenchesherthighstogether.“IpicturedyoutellingmetostripthemomentIwalkedthroughthedoor,kindoflikeyoujustdidearlier.AndthenItouchedmyself.”
“Showme.”
Herhandimmediatelyshiftsdowntoherpussy.ShecreatesaVwithherfingersandpresseshardtoeithersideofherclit.“Iwassoclose,IknewI’dfinishtooquickly,soIteasedmyself.”Shepulsesherfingers,partingherpussyalittle.“Iwantedyourmouthonme.”Shesuckedinabreath.“Iwantyourmouthonmerightnow.”
Ifumblemywaythroughunbuttoningtherestofmyshirtandshrugitoff.Myhandsareshaking.Ineedtotouchher,tasteher,makeherfeelgood.ItakeonestepbeforeIcatchmyselfandmanagetoexertsomecontrol.“WhenIfuckyouinyourfantasies,howdoIdoit?”
Herfingerspauseandsheblinksupatme.“Youholdmedown,butIfeelsodamncaredforevenasyourestrainme.You…”Herblushdeepens.“Yougoslowandtormentmeuntilyoulosecontrolandthenit’salittleroughandhitsexactlywhereIneed.”
“LikeIdidlastnight.”
Shegivesajerkynod.“Yes.Likethat.”
“Itwon’tbehardtonight,Cassandra.It’snotwhatyouneed.”
Herbrowsdrawtogetherandsheopenshermouthlikeshewantstoarguewithme.Iwait.Shefinallygivesacutelittlegrowl.“Fine.You’reright.It’snotwhatIneedtonight.”
Iconsiderher.“Spreadyourlegsforme.Letmeseeallofyou.”
Sheeasesherthighsfartherapart.Asshedoes,Cassandrabecomebolderwithhowshetouchesherself.Shepressesasinglefingerintoherpussyandthenbringsherwetnessuptocircleherclit.Mycockgoessohard,Igetalittledizzyfromthebloodrushingsouth.
“Betterhurry.”Hervoicehasgonebreathyandlow.“OtherwiseI’llfinishbeforeyoueverreachthebed.”
“No,Cassandra.”Whenherhandpauses,Ishakemyheadsharply.“Keepgoing.”IcirclethebedandhesitatewhenIcatchaglimpseofsomethinggoldenandshininginmysuitcasethatmostcertainlywasn’ttherewhenwelefttheroomearlier.Ibenddownandpickitup,disbeliefmakingmelaugh.“Godsdamnit,Hermes.”
“Whatisit?”
Iturntoherwiththegoldenbondageropedrapedbetweenmyhands.“Yourexleftusalittlegift.”
“She’srealthoughtfullikethat.”Cassandrahasn’tstoppedworkingherself.“Probablydidittofuckwithyou.”
“Undoubtedly.”ButforthefirsttimesinceIrealizedCassandraandHermeshaveahistory,thatpricklyjaggedfeelinginsidemehasbeenwashedaway.Itmightbeonlyforashorttime,butCassandraisnakedandwrithinginmybed.She’sallowingmetotakecareofher,toseetoherneeds.
Itestthelengthofrope.It’sdifferentfromwhatI’veusedinthepast,silkyinsteadofsturdy.“Cassandra—”
“Yes,youcantiemeup.”Shesaysthesentencesofast,thewordsareallmashedtogether.“Iwouldlikethatverymuch,andyesItrustyou,andyesIpromisetousemysafewordifsomething’swrongandcommunicateifanythingfeelslikeit’scuttingoffcirculation.Please,Apollo.”
Ilikethatshe’salreadyanticipatingthethingsthatwouldmakemepause,thatshe’scommunicatingwithmewithouthesitation.She’srightherewithme.“Situpandputyourhandsinfrontofyouinaprayerposition.”
Cassandraobeysimmediately.She’sbreathinghard,butshemanagestoraiseabrowatme.“AmIgoingtobeworshippingtonight?”
“No,love.You’regoingtobetheoneworshipped.”26
Cassandra
Maybe,givenenoughtime,I’deventuallybecomeusedtothewayApollo’svoicegoesdeepandsternwhenhe’sturnedonandlookingatmelikeI’mabuffetlaidoutforhispersonalenjoyment.Maybe.
Nomatterwhatelseistrue,I’mnotthinkingofanythingbuthimandwhathe’lldonext.It’sareprieveIdesperatelyneed,andhe’sgivingmeexactlywhatIaskedfor.
HecirclesbacktothedresserandgrabsarandomhairtieI’dleftthere.Itgivesmethechancetotakeanothermomenttoappreciatehowfuckinggorgeousheis.Hehasthekindofbodythat’sseenonclassicalstatues,muscledwithoutbeingoverthetopaboutit.Heobviouslyworksout—somethingIwaswellawareofbefore,sincehedoesitonhislunchbreaks—butseeinghissmoothskinondisplaymakesmeweak.Iwanttotastehimandtouchhimandjustpressasmuchofmyselfagainstasmuchofhimaspossible.
Hemakesmefeelsafe,asifwhenhe’sintheroomwithme,nothingelsecantouchme.IfI’mhonest,he’sbeenmakingmefeelsafeforaverylongtime.
Heturnsandhiscockisapainful-lookingimprintonthefrontofhisslacks.Iswallowhard.“Youshouldtakeyourpantsoff.”
“WhenI’mready.”
Ishakemyhead.“Iwantyoutohaveagoodtime,too,Apollo.Thiscan’tallbeaboutme.”
Hiseyesgowideandthennarrow.“Cassandra.”Gods,IlovethatfirmtonehetakeswhenI’vedonesomethingtotesthim.“TonightI’llhavemyhandsonyournakedbody.Nomatterwhatelsehappens,I’mhavingthetimeofmylife.”He’ssmilingasheclimbsontothebed,andmybraindoesnothavecapacitytoprocessApollocrawlingtowardmewiththatlookonhishandsomeface.
Iexpecthimtostopashortdistanceaway,butapparentlywe’repastthatnow.Henudgesmylegstogetherandmovestokneelstraddlingthem.Hispowerfulthighspressedagainsttheoutsideofminesendashiverthroughme.
Apolloreachesbehindmeandgathersmyhairincarefulhands.Ittakesafewmomentstogetitintowhatfeelslikeamessybun,andthenherunshishandsovermyneckandshouldersandupperback,obviouslycheckingforstrayhairsthatmightgettangledintherope.Ihavetofighttheurgetopracticallypurratthewayhe’stakingcareofme.Seemingtobesatisfied,hesitsbackandbeginsrunningtheropethroughhishands.
I’veseendominantsgothroughthisritualofcheckingropebeforeputtingitontheirsubmissives,butthisfeelsdifferent.Apollolendsalevelofintenttotheprocessthatfeelsnewandstrange.Itfeelsgood
Thesoftsoundofthesilkenropeagainsthispalmssoothesmeevenasitmakesthetensioninsidemecoiltighter.Idon’tunderstandhowthesetwothingscanexistatthesametime,butnoneofmyrulesseemtoapplywiththisman.
Apolloreachestheendoftheropeandgivesalowhumofapproval.“Hermestakesgoodcareofhertoys.”
Iswallowhard.There’snoneofthetightnessinhistonethatwasthereearlier,butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthat…“Idon’twanttotalkaboutheranymore.”
Hislipscurve.“Okay.”Hesiftsbackthroughtheropetotheapproximatemiddleandgentlyhooksitaroundthebackofmyneck.Heeyesmeandlickshislips.“Ifanything…”Apolloshakeshishead.“Thisshouldfeelfirmbutnotpinching.Ifanythingstartstotingle,tellmeimmediately.”
“Iwill.”Whenhestillhesitates,Iadd,“Ipromise.”
Finally,Apollonodsandbegins.
It’sslow,sensualwork.Thatfeelingofbeingtakencareofamplifiesandexpandswitheachbrushofhisknucklesandtugoftheropeashecarefullybindsme.Theropecrisscrossesinfrontofthehollowofmythroat,anglingdowntocatchmyelbowsinaverysupportivepositionthatallowsmetoresttheminthecradleofthesilk.Thenitcrossesinadifferentpatternbetweenmybreaststobindmyhandstogether,palmtopalmintheprayerposition.Thewayhehasmyarmsliftsmybreastsandhasthempressingtightlyagainstmyforearms.
Hesitsbackandstudiesme.“Perfect.”Apolloshiftsaroundtomybackandcatchesmychininafirmhand,turningmyfacetothemirroroverthedresser.“Lookhowbeautifulyouare,Cassandra.”
AsIlookintothemirror,it’snotmyreflectionI’mstaringat.It’sApollo,andthewayheislookingatme.Herunshishandslightlyovermyarmsandbrushestheundersidesofmybreastswithhisthumbs.“Doesanythingfeeltootight?”
There’snotenoughairintheroom.He’steasingmerightnowandImightdieifhedoesn’ttouchmeproperlysoon.“Itfeelsgood.”
“Mmm.”Helightlycirclesmynippleswithhisfingers.They’realreadypebbled,buthistouchmakesthemtighten.Iwhimperandinstinctivelyleanback,tryingtogetawayfromthepleasuresoacutethatitfeelslikepain.
Exceptthere’snowheretogo.Apollo’shardbodyisbehindme,andhe’sunyieldingevenasIsquirmbeneathhistouch.“Apollo,please.”
“Iwillgiveyoueverythingyouneed,love.”Italmostsoundslikeathreat.
Ican’tprocessthefactthathecalledmelove.Mymindskipsrightoverthatwordonhislips,spokeninthatdeep,firmtone.“But—”
Heplucksatmynipples,drawingawhimperfrommylips.“Youcanargueallyouwant,butIwillhavemyway.”
Ipressmythighstogether,butitdoesnothingtoassuagetheneedpulsinginmypussy.“Ireallyhopeyourwayincludesorgasmsandquickly.”
Hischucklemakesthingslowinmystomachclench.Partofmestillcan’tbelievethisishappening,evenasheresumeshispositioninfrontofmeandeasesmeontomyback.Apollo’stouchisjustasgentleandfirmasheis,hishandslingeringonmystomachandhipsinawaythatfeelsdownrightworshipping.
Aspromised.
Henudgesmythighswideandexhalesshakily.“NowIcanfinallyseeyouproperly.”
“Apollo—”
“Hush.”
Iliftmyheadandgivehimanincredulouslook.“Didyoujusthushme?”Hedoesn’trespondwithwords.Instead,hedragshisthumbsuptheoutsideofmypussy,spreadingme,andgivesanotherofthosedeliciouslyshakyexhales.Ibitemybottomlip.“IsupposeIcanbehushedifyoukeepdoingthat.”
“Iappreciateyourobedience,”hesaysinadistractedsortofway.Heeasestwofingersintomeandasoundrumblesfromhischestthat’salmostagrowl.“Isallthisforme?”Hepumpsslowly,exploringme.It’sbothsimilartowhathedidlastnightandentirelydifferent.“You’resowet,you’regoingtoruinthesheets.”
Istarttomakeasnarkyresponse,buthepresseshisfingertipstomyG-spotandmyabilitytothinkflees,leavingonlystarktruthinitswake.“It’sforyou,”Icryout.“It’sallforyou.”
“Goodgirl.”Hislowwords,hisapproval,sendmeovertheedge.Iorgasmwithacrythatsurelycanbeheardthroughthehouse.Apollodoesn’tstop,though.Hestartsstrokingmyclitwithhisotherhand,watchingmyfaceevenashekeepsmyorgasmgoing.“Givemeanother,love.Youcandoit.”
AsifIhaveachoice.
Heleansdownandpressesakisstomykneeevenashewindsmeuptighter,urgesmypleasurehigher.And,gods,thewayApollolooksatme.Hisheartisinhiseyes,anditfeelsasifhe’slayingitatmyfeeteventhoughhe’smostassuredlyinthedominantrole.Everytouch,everysweepofhisgazeovermybody…It’sworshipful,butitgoesbeyondthat.He’snotjusthappytobefuckingsomeoneingeneral.
Apolloseesme.
Therealizationcomesasheshiftsdownandpressesalingeringkisstomypussy.Hekeepsworkingmewithhisfingers,buthisclevertonguedragsleisurelyovermyclit,againandagain.Ireachforhimwithoutthinking,onlytobebroughtupshortbythebondageholdingmyhandstogetherandmyarmsbent.“Iwant—”Ifightagainstthebonds,whichdrivesmyneedhigher.“Ineed—”
Heliftshisheadlongenoughtosay.“WhenI’mfinished,youcanmakerequests.”
Iblinkdownathim.“Whenyou’refinished.”
“Yes.Youaskedmetotakecareofyou.I’mdoingitmyway.”Henipsmythighlightly.“Ifmynightswithyouarenumbered,thenI’llbedamnedbeforeIcutanypartofthisshort.”Ashadowflickersthroughhisdarkeyes,thereandgonetooquicklyformydesire-addledbraintoidentify.
Somethingcracksandgivesinmychest.Tomyhorror,mylowerlipquivers.“Apollo.”Somuchinthatsingleword.Icareforyou.Imightmorethancareforyou,butIcan’tadmitthatbecauseifIdo,thenI’llneverleave.Ican’tstay.
“Cassandra.”Hisresponsecontainsjustasmanylayers.Iknowhimwellenoughtopickuponsomeofthem,ifnotall.Icare,too.Iwon’taskyoutostay.
Themomentstretchesoutbetweenus,andallthethingsIcan’tsaypressagainsttheinsideofmylips.Ididn’texpecttofeelthisconflicted.Ididn’texpect…anyofthis.Itdoesn’tchangethecircumstances,though,andwebothknowit.
EvenifIwasn’tplanningtofleethecitytosavemysister,theeventsofthisafternoonhavebeenanunwelcomereminderofjusthowdangerousitistobeamongtheThirteen.Itwasn’tAphroditeorHephaestusorDionysuswhowasattacked.ItwasPan.Itcouldhavejustaseasilybeenme.IfIstayed,itmightverywellbemenexttime.
WhathappenstoAlexandraifIgethurt?
IfIdie?
ApollokissesmebeforeIcanruinthiswithmessyemotionsandanimpossiblesituationneitherofuscansolvewithoutsomeonegettinghurt.Betterwebetheonestohurtthanthosewhodependonus.
Again,Itrytoreachforhim,andagain,theropepullsmeupshort.
Thistime,hedoesn’tleavemefrustrated.Hekeepskissingmeashestartstounwindtherope.Theproblemwiththemoreelaborateformsofbondageisthatittakesalmostmoretimetogetoutofitthanitdoestogetin,butwithhim,itdoesn’tfeellikeachore.It’sjustadifferentformofforeplay.
Theropesagsandheslipsthelastbitofitfromme.Ireachforhim,buthecatchesmywristsinalightbutfirmgrip.“No.”Henipsmybottomlip.“Tonightisaboutyou.”
“Well,Iwanttotouchyou.”
Heleansbackenoughtogivemearuefulsmile.“Later.Ipromise.”
“Apollo…”Somethingresemblingawhineworksitswayintomyvoice.“Please.”
Hissmilefallsaway.“Atthebeginningofthis,youtoldmewhatyouwant.I’mgoingtogiveittoyou.”Hepicksuptheropeagain.“ButIwantbetteraccesstoyourbreasts.Yourhands.”
It’snotquiteacommand,butit’scloseenough.Islowlyextendmyarmsandwatchashebindsmywriststogether.He’sgood.Theropeloopsseveraltimesdownmyforearmsandaroundinthosecarefulknots,ensuringthatitdoesn’tputtoomuchpressureonanyonepartofme.
Hetestsit.“Tootight?”
Iwanttobeabratabouthimremovingtheabilitytotouchhimagain,butIcan’tseemtosummontheattitude.“No,”Ianswerhonestly.
“Good.”Heurgesmeontomybackandloopsthetailoftheropebehindtheheadboardandoverthetop.Thenthebastardpressesthelooseendintomyhands.“Itrustyoutoobeyme,love.Holdthis.”
Holdthis.
Whathemeansistoholdmyselfcaptive.Ican’tpretendhe’styingmedownandthatIcan’tgetfree—safewordexcepting,ofcourse.No,he’sensuringI’mawillingparticipantinthisbecausethat’sjustwhoApollois.
It’saheadfuck.Partofmewantstoreleaseitjusttobeperverse,toseewhathe’lldo.Therestofmeonlywantstopleasehim.That’sthepartthatwins.Iwraptheropearoundmypalmandtightenmyfingers.“Okay.”
“Goodgirl.”Hesitsbackonhisheelsandjustlooksatme.Again,Ican’tshakethetruththatheseesme.Notjustmybodyattheexpenseofmymind.Notmymindattheexpenseofmybody.Me.Allofme.
Apollolickshislips.“Now,wecanbeginproperly.”27
Apollo
Inthepast,I’veviewedsexasanintricatedancebetweenmyselfandmypartners.Oneofconsentandpowerexchangeandfindingoutexactlywhatmakesthemtickinordertobringthemasmuchpleasureaspossible.AllthoseimpulsesaretherewithCassandra.IamwhoIam,afterall.
Butthey’resupersededbysheerneed.
Mylogicalsidehasclickedoffandthere’sonlydesire.IttakeseverythingIhavenottolosecontrolnowthatshe’snakedandspreadout,lookingatmelikeIholdthekeystoeverythingsheneeds.IwanttobethatforCassandra.Desperately.
IfIcan’tgivehereverything,atleastIcangiveherpleasure.Escape.Comfort.
Ismoothherhairbackfromherfaceandpressakisstoherforehead,thetipofhernose,herlips.Shetriestoarchandtodeepenthekiss,butIkeepmovingbeforeshecan.Ican’tquitekeepitlight,though.Idragmymouthoverthecurveofhershoulder,thesoftnessofherarmuptowheretheropebindsher,andthenrepeattheprocessontheotherarm.
Sheshakeslikealeaf,littlewhimpersslippingpastherlipsthatI’mnotcertainsherealizesshe’smaking.It’saheadythingtoaffectthisself-possessedwomansodeeply.Tohavehertrustmetoguidethis,togetherwheresheneedstobe.Icherishthefeeling,doingmybesttomemorizeitasImovetoherbreasts.
Ilavishattentiononthem,pressingthemtogethersoIcanalternatebetweenhernipples.Ican’tgetenough.Gods,Icanbarelybelievethisishappeningatall.Itfeelslikeaparticularlyvividfantasy,asifatanymomentI’llopenmyeyesandfindmyselfaloneinmybed,myfistwrappedaroundmycock.
Ikeepplayingwithheruntilhershakinghasgraduatedtofulltremors.Eachbreathisgaspingandneedyandherdarkeyeshaveglazedoverwithdesire.OnlythendoImovedown,givingherstomachandhipsthesamethoroughtreatment.She’ssolovely,itmakesithardtobreathe.
Astemptingasmakinghercomeagainis,Ipromisedtofulfillherfantasyandthat’sexactlywhatIintendtodo.Idenyusbothandbypassherpussy,worshippingfirstonelegdowntoherankleandthentheother.
BythetimeIfinallykneelbetweenherthighs,we’rebothbreathinghardandshe’ssowet,she’sglistening.Idragmyknuckledownhercenter.“Perfect.”
“Youkeepsayingthatword.”Hervoiceisraggedandhoarse.
“Imeanit.”IwatchherfaceasIpresstwofingersintoher.She’sevenwetterthanshewasearlier,herbodymorethanreadyformine.“You’reboldandsmartandkind,Cassandra.It’saprivilegetotakecareofyoutonight,andI’mgladyoutrustmetobethereforyou.”
Shesmiles,thoughhermouthtremblesalittlearoundtheedges.“You’remakingitverydifficulttoprotectmyheartrightnow.”
Youdon’thavetoprotectyourheartfromme.
Idon’tsaythewords.
Irunmyhandsupherthighsandpressthemwide.Hereyesslidehalf-shutasIgrabacondomandripopenthepackage.It’squickworktogetiton,butImakemyselfgoslowerthannormal,ensuringit’sproperlydone.Thisclosetoparadise,I’mdeterminedtodonothingtotainttheexperience.
Nowthatthemomentishere,itfeelssurreal.Ipropmyselfupwithahandonthebedathersidetobracemyselfandpressmycockintoher.WebothmoanasIworkintoherinslow,shallowstrokes.Shewrapsherthighsaroundmyhips,urgingmedeeper.“More.Givememore.”
“Impatient.”
“Foryou?Always.”
Kissingheristhemostnaturalthingintheworld.Ican’tbelieveI’vespentthelastfiveyearsnotkissingCassandraGataki.Shekissesmelikeshe’llnevergetenough,likeshewantstoimprintthisexperienceonhermemorywiththesameintensitythatIdo.
Ittakesmeamomenttogathermywitsaboutme,tosmothermyinstincttodriveintoherasdeeplyaspossible.Shetoldmewhatshewants,andI’llbedamnedbeforeIgiveheranythinglessthanperfection.
Ibegintomoveinsideherslowly,buteachstrokefraysmyabilitytothink,toplan.Itfeelstoogoodtohaveherinmyarms,herankleslockedatthesmallofmyback.Ilosemyselfalittlemorewitheachwaveofpleasurethatrises.
Timeceasestohavemeaning.ThereisonlyCassandra.Herlittlehelplesssounds.Herbodymovingagainstmineinarhythmasoldastimeitself.Hereyesglazedwithpleasureandyetfocusingonmewithanintensitythatstrikesrighttomycore.
Don’tleave.
Iloveyou.
WordsIwillneversay.
Icanonlyshowherwithmymouth,myhands,mycock.Inthismoment,everythingIamisdevotedtoherpleasure.IchangemyanglesoIcanreachbetweenourbodiestostrokeherclit.Cassandracriesout.“More.”
“Anythingforyou.”Thewordshavetoomuchintensity,toomuchtruth,butthere’snorecallingthemnow.Ikeepuptheexacttouchsheseemstofindthemostpleasingandwatchasshecomesapartbeneathme.Iwillnevergetenoughofthemomentoftotalsurrenderwhensheorgasms.Thetrustsheplacesinmeisstaggering.I’lldoeverythingIcantoensuresheneverregretsit.
Islowdown,givinghertimetocomebacktoherself,givingmyselftimetowrestlebackfromthebrink.Sheblinksupatme,darkeyeswide.“Iwanttotouchyou.”Ihesitate,butshepressesharder.“Apollo,please.”
Again,Icandenyhernothing.ThetruthisthatIwantherhandsonmeanddesperately.Inodjerkily.“Yes.”Ifumblefortheropebindingherwrists,finallygettingitloosewithacursethatmakesherlaugh.
ThefirstthingCassandradoesiscupmyfaceinherhandsandtugmedownforadevastatingkiss.Everythingfallsaway.Thistime,whenImoveinsideher,it’swithlesscontrol.Itfeelstoogood.Shefeelstoogood.Sheshiftsonehandintomyhairandcoaststheotherdownmybacktograbafistfulofmyass.
Justlikethat,mycontrolsnaps.Idriveintoher,needingtobedeeper,needingtotakeherharder,simplyneeding.Shecriesoutagainstmylips.Toosoon.It’stoosoon,butneitherofourbodiesseemtocare.Cassandraorgasms,herpussyclenchingaroundme.
Wordsspillfromme,drawnforthbysheerneed.“You’reperfect.Fuckingperfect.”IburymyfaceagainstherthroatasIcome.Mybodykeepsmovingevenasmymindshortsout,grindingintoherandmakingbothofusmoan.
Slowly,ohsoslowly,theracingheartbeatinmyearsstartstorecede.IbecomeawareofCassandratracingabstractpatternsovermyback.Itfeelsgood.Reallygood.
Still,there’sthecondomtoconsider.
Igroanandstarttoshiftaway.She,naturally,respondsbytighteningherlegsaroundmywaist.“Justalittlelonger.”
It’stemptingtogivein,butthelongerwestaylikethis,themorelikelyforthecondomtonotworkthewayitwasdesigned.Ileanbackenoughtokissher.“I’llberightback.”
It’sfarmoredifficultthanithasarighttobetoleaveherinbedandduckintothebathroomtodisposeofthecondom.Itakeafewsecondstocleanupandhurrybackintothebedroom,half-surethatthemomentwillhavepassed.
CassandraisexactlywhereIlefther,herbodyrelaxed,hereyesclosed.SheopensthemasIapproachthebed.“Comehere.”
I’malltoohappytodoexactlythat.Iclimbontothebedandsettlenexttoher.It’sthemostnaturalthingintheworldtopullherclose.Shefitsperfectlyagainstmeandshedoesthisachinglyadorablelittlesnugglingthingagainstme.She’snottenseandupsetlikeshewasbefore.I’vegivenherexactlywhatsheneeds,andthatknowledgesitslikeacomfortableweightinmychest.IknowIshouldholdherlooselyinallthings,butIcan’thelptighteningmyarmsaroundheranddrawinghercloseryet.
IfIonlygetthisforafewmoredays,Iwilltakeeverythingshegives.Eventheseintimatelittlemoments.Especiallytheseintimatelittlemoments.
“Apollo.”Shesaysmynameslowly,dreamily.“Yousaidfuckthreetimes.That’sgottobesomekindofrecord.”
Thatsurprisesalaughoutofme.“Inthatmoment,Iwas…inspired.”
“I’mtakingitasthehighestofcompliments.”Shesmilesagainstmyskin.“Idon’tthinkIcanwalk.MylegsaredoingthislittletremorthingthatwouldbeworrisomeifIwasn’tridingthehighoflike…multipleorgasms.”
Mychestcan’tdecidewhetheritwantstoexpandorclose.Isettleforsimplybreathing.It’senough.Righthere,rightnow,it’smorethanenough.“Youcomesobeautifully,Cassandra.HowcouldInotwanttoexperiencethatasmanytimesaspossible?”Ihesitate.Maybenowisn’tthetimetogetintoit,butIwanthertoknowthetruth.“I’msorrythatIbroughtyouhereandputyouinapositionwhereyouwereexposedtoviolenceagain,butI’mnotsorrythatthishashappenedbetweenus.”
“Thisafternoon…”Sheliftsherhead,herexpressiongoingseriousinawaythatmakesmystomachdrop.“Iknowwedon’tmoveinthesameworld,forallthatwebothliveinOlympus,butit’sneverbeenclearer.”Sheswallowshard.“ButIdon’tregretthistimewithyou,either.”
That’sthecruxofit.Ifitwasamatterofmoneyorpower,ImightbeabletoconvinceCassandratostay.ButtherealitythatIcannotguaranteehersafetyifshedidn’tleave…It’stoohighapricetoaskofher.Nomatterwhatmyfeelingsareinthematter.
“Cassandra.”Icatchherchininalightgrip,enjoyingthewayhereyesflutterabitatthecontact.“Ourtimenumbersinthedays,thehours.I’mnotgoingtodoasinglethingtoshortenit.”
“Meeither.”Shelaysherheaddownonmychestagainandtightenshergriparoundmyribs.
Thespacebetweenusisfilledwiththingswe’veagreednottospeakabout.Iholdhercloseandsmoothahandoverherhair.Thismomentisanothertotattooonmymemory.Justasvaluableaswhatprecededit.More,really.
Still,IamnotgoingtowasteasecondofmytimeleftwithCassandra.
Istarttopressherontoherback,butshewigglesoutofmygrip.WhenIraisemyeyebrows,shesmilesalittle.“Ifeelabitbetternow,anditseemsashametowasteallthesehoursalonewithyou.”Hersmilegoesdeviousasshetrailshernailslightlydownmystomach.“MayI,Apollo?”
Icandenyhernothing.“Anythingforyou,love.”28
Cassandra
Wedon’tsleepmuchthatnight.Everytimewestarttodriftoff,it’sasifafrenzyovertakesusandthenwe’reatitagain,burningthroughApollo’scondomstash.Thewaythismanlooksatme…Evenaspleasurewashesawaymythoughtsagainandagain,Ican’tquiteshakethefearthatthisisthebestitwilleverbe.
ThatI’llneverbewithsomeonewhotouchesmethewayApollodoes.
ThatI’llneverfindsomeonewhoseesmethewayApollodoes.
Thetemptationtostayinthisbedroomandhideawayfromtheworldisalmostoverwhelming.Hefeelsit,too.It’sthereinthealmostdesperatewayhereachesformeuponwaking,flippingmeontomystomachandpleasuringmewithhismouthuntilI’mbegginghimtofuckme.Thistime,there’snoslowteasingorrampingup.Hebarelypauseslongenoughtorollonanothercondombeforehegrabsmyhipsandfucksmelikehecan’tgetcloseenough.Iloveeverymomentofit,evenifIcan’tfullyescapethespecterofwhatcomesnext.
Notevencomingaroundhiscockenoughtimestolosecountcanfullybanishthethreatofthefuture.
Orthememoryofwhathappenedinthelibrary.
Hefinisheswithacurse,grindingintomehardenoughtoshovemeovertheedgeintoyetanotherorgasm.Isobintothesheets.It’stoomuchandyetatthesametimeI’mterrifiedthatitwillneverbeenough.Notenoughpleasure,notenoughmemoriestoholdbackthetideoftime.Yearspassinghaveawayofdullingtheedges,bothgoodandbad.
IwillneverforgetApollo,butwillIalwaysrememberthefeelingofhisfingersimprintedonmyhips?Willtimeeventuallysmudgetheexactwayhelooksatme,asifthesunrisesandsetsatmypleasure?
I’mterrifiedoftheanswer.
Hepressesakisstothebackofmyneckanddisappearsjustlongenoughtotakecareofthecondom.Hegathersmeinhisarmsthemomenthereturnstobed.AllIwanttodoisacceptthecomfortofhispresence,hisbody,hiscontrol.Theworldseemssofarawayrightnow,andaselfishpartofmewantstokeepitthatway.
Wecan’tkeepdoingthis,though.Wehavetotalkabouttheparty.AboutPan.“Ofeveryonehere,whyattackPan?OrmakeAtalantagomissing,ifthat’swhathasactuallyhappened.Orthreatenme?Whytargettheplus-ones?That’swhatIcan’tmakesenseof.”
“Ican’tmakesenseofit,either.Paniswell-likedandthere’snostrategicreasontoattackhim.It’spossiblehehasdangeroussecrets,butIdon’tknowwhytheattackwouldhappenhere,ofallplaces.”
That’sthekicker.TheprobabilityofPan’sattackernotbeingaguestissolowastobenonexistent.Lookingatitfromthatangleisthewrongchoice;I’msureofit.“Ithastobesomeonehere.MaybeMinoswantstheDryad?”
“EveryonewantstheDryad.”Apollosoundssofrustrated,Iwanttohughim.“Itseemsheavy-handed,butIsupposethatcouldbepartofit.Panhasnofamily,soifhedieswithoutawill,theDryadwillgoupforauction.Butthat’salotofifs,andevenifitwenttoauction,therearepeoplewithmuchdeeperpocketsinthiscity.Dionysus,forone,wouldbethefirstinlineandhecanaffordit.”
Ithinkabouthowsickhelookedaftertheattack.Surely…Isitup.“DoyouthinkMinosisofferingtogethishandsdirtysothepartyguestsdon’thaveto?”ItseemsareachwhentheThirteenaremorethancapableofmurderontheirown,butthisZeusisnotthesameasthelastone.ThisZeuswantsstability,andyoudon’tgetstabilityinatimelikethisbymurderingforprofit.
Idon’tlikethinkingaboutDionysusagreeingtothatsortofbargain,buthe’soneoftheThirteen.Ican’taffordtoassumeanything.
“It’s…possible.Gods,Ihadn’tevenconsideredthatitmightbeanoption.”Apollofrowns,obviouslythinkinghard.“Butthatdoesn’texplainthethreatsagainstyou.”
“Right,butyou’renotheretobargainwithMinos.You’reheretoinvestigatehim.”ThemoreItalkmywaythroughit,themoresenseitstartstomake.“Maybehethoughtifhethreatenedme,itwoulddistractyoufromyourtask.”
Heglaresattheceiling.“Hewasn’tentirelywrong,ifthat’sthecase.”Hepinchesthebridgeofhisnose.“ButwhataboutAtalanta?She’sfromapowerfulfamily,butshedoesn’thaveanyholdingsliketheDryad.”
Isigh.“Idon’tknow.MaybeshedoeshavesomethingArtemiswants,butwejustdon’tknowaboutit.”That’stheproblem.Evenwiththeprogresswe’vemade,wejustdon’tknowenough.“Butthatwouldatleastexplainwhynoneofthemareworriedaboutbeingtargeted—becausetheybroughtthetargetswiththem.”Thistheorydoesn’tapplytoCharonandEurydice,butthey’rehereforthesamereasonweare.Tofindanswers.
IwishIcouldsaythesameforAphroditeandAdonis,butasmuchasIlikeher,thefactremainsthatshe’saKasios,andthatfamilyhasmorethanproventhattheywilltramplepeopletoreachtheiraims.I’mnotentirelycertainwhatpurposeremovingAdoniswouldserve,butIcan’tignorethepossibilitythatshe’smorethanruthlessenoughtomakethatcall.
Idragmyfingersthroughmyhair.“IneedtotrytotalktoHermesagain.Outofeveryonehere,sheseemstohavesomeideaofwhat’sactuallygoingon.Idon’tknowifshe’lltellmethetruth,butIhaveabettershotthananyoneelse.”I’mnearlycertainTycheneveractuallyarrivedatthisparty.Idon’tknowherwell,butshe’sthemischievousyoungestdaughterofoneofthelegacyfamilies.She’snotinlinetoinheritandshe’swell-likedbymosteveryone.
ExceptTyche’sparents,whodon’tlikethatshespendstimewithHermes.
SurelyHermeswouldn’thurtthewomantopunishherparents?
No.I’mright.IknowIam.HermescanbejustasruthlessastherestoftheThirteen,andevencruelwhenitsuitsher,butshewouldn’thurtafriendjusttopunishanenemy.
Wouldshe?
“YouhaveabetterchanceatgettinginformationoutofherthanIdo.”Hemakesaface.“Thoughafteryesterday,Idon’tliketheideaoflettingyououtofmysight.”
Idon’treallyrelishtheideaofwanderingthishousewithouthimatmyside,either.“It’stheonlyway.Shewon’ttalktomefranklyifyou’rethere.”Shemightnotevendoitifwe’realone,but…Ihavetotry.AndnotonlytofulfillmysideofthebargainwithZeus.WhathappenedwithPanyesterdaymorethanprovedthatHermes’swarninghasmerit.Evenifwedon’tfullyunderstandwhyPanwasattacked,wedon’tknowwhodiditoriftheyintendtostrikeagain.ThatmeansApolloispotentiallyindangeraswell.
IhavetokeepremindingmyselfthathewasmovingthroughOlympus’sshark-infestedwatersyearsbeforeIevercameintohislife,andnoonestuckaliteralknifeinhisribsduringthattime.Thatthey’reunlikelytodoitnow,evenifMinosisanunknownfactor.Apollodoesn’tactuallyneedmetowatchhisback.TheonlyrealvalueIhaveisthatI’vespentsomuchtimeonthesidelines,studyingthepowerfulinordertoescapetheirwrath,thatIhaveinsightintopeople’smotivationsthathedoesn’t.Ifitcomesdowntoafightofanysort,I’mworsethanuseless.
Apollodoesnotneedme.
Thethoughtshouldreassureme,butitfeelsstrangelylikealie.“Pleasebecareful,”Iblurtout.
Hisdarkbrowsdrawtogether.“Iwon’tbereckless,butIdon’tknowthatIcanpromisetobecareful.Ifanopportunitycomestogettheinformationweneed,thenIhavetotakeit.”
Iknowthat.OfcourseIknowthat.Butthepanicbleatinginsidemewon’tlisten.“IsOlympusreallyworthyourlife?”
Hesmoothsmyhairback.Anyoneelsewouldattempttosoothemewithmeaninglessreassurances.NotApollo.He’sohsoseriousasheholdsmygaze.“Youdon’tthinkhighlyoftheThirteen,andwithgoodreason.ButthefactremainsthatweworkforOlympus’sbenefit.”Heclearshisthroatatmylookofdisbelief.“SomeofusworkforOlympus’sbenefit.Youmightnotlikethemethod,butthepeopleofthiscityareprotected,bothuppercityandlower.Noonegoeshungry.Ourcrimeratesarelowerthananycityofcomparablesize.”
“Thosethingsmightbetrue,butit’snotthefullpicture.”Ishakemyhead.“Webothknowthatcrimescommittedbythepowerfulgetsweptundertherug.”
Heopenshismouth,seemstoreconsider,andfinallynods.“Fairpoint.It’snotaperfectsystem,andI’dbelyingifIsaiditwas.”Hesighs.“Ididn’ttakethetitleofApollotomakeagrabforpower.Thatmayhavebeenwhatmyfamilywanted,butIknewtheremightbesacrificesinvolvedwithbeingamemberoftheThirteen.Iwilldowhateverisrequiredtokeepthiscityandallthepeopleinitsafe.”
TheanswerissoperfectlyApollo.Ofallthepeoplewhocurrentlyholdtitlesforselfishreasons,hewouldbetheonewhosawthetitleasacustodianshipinsteadofathroneelevatinghimovertheheadsofallthoselesser.
Iloveyou.
Iclampmylipstogethertokeepthewordsfromspringingfree.It’sgettingharderandhardernottotellhimhowIfeel,nomatterhowselfishandunfairitwouldbetoconfess.There’snothingelsetodobutgetreadyandcarryonwiththemission.Astemptingasitistotrytoseducehimintostayinginbedwithmeandpretendingtherestofthepartydoesn’texist…it’simpossible.
Everythingaboutthissituationisimpossible.
“I’lltakeashower,then.”
Hestopsmewithhishandonmyshoulder.“Iwon’tletanythinghappentoyou.”
Iforceasmile.“Andwhataboutyou?”TherisktoMinos’sotherpartyguestsmightbenonexistentifmytheoryiscorrect,butthesamecan’tbesaidforApollo.He’sathreatandMinosknowsit.
Apolloshrugs.“LikeIsaid,riskgoeswiththeterritory.”
Wecouldgoroundandroundlikethisforhours,butnothingwillchange.I’mleaving.He’sstaying,noblewhiteknightthatheis.It’swhyIlovehim,evenifrightnowIwishhe’dbeselfishforonce,looktohisowninterestsinsteadofOlympus’s.
ButevenifIwasstaying,thiswouldneverworkinthelongterm.He’sathomeswimminginwatersdeepenoughtodrownme.
Iheadforthebathroomandtakemytimegettingready.Normally,mymorningritualsandbeautyregimenmakemefeelbetterandmorecenteredbytheendoftheprocess.It’sthekindofmindlessrepetitionthatusuallyallowsmybraintoworkoutproblemsthesamewaythatdrivingissupposedto.
Instead,IseemtoblinkandI’mready.There’snopeacetobefound.Iglanceatthebathroomdoor,worrygnawinginmystomach.WhenIagreedtocomehere,Ihonestlythoughttheonlythingindangerwouldbemyheart.Ididn’texpectactualassault.
I’mdoingthisforAlexandra.
Onimpulse,Igrabmyphoneanddialmysister.Thephoneringsseveraltimesbeforeclickingovertovoicemail.Herhappyvoicesays,“You’vereachedAlexandraGataki.I’mprobablyinclassorworkingrightnow,butifyouleaveamessage,I’llgetbacktoyouassoonaspossible.Haveagreatday!”
Isighandhangup.She’sworkingherassoffinordertopavethewaytoabetterfuture.Icandonolessthanthesame.
IopenthedoortofindApolloonthebed,workingonhislaptop.Helookssodeliciouslymussedwiththesheetsgatheredaroundhiswaistandhisblackhaironendfrommerunningmyfingersthroughit.Helooksupandsmilesasifjustthesightofmeisenoughtomakehisday.
Itcouldbelikethis…
Iignorethelittlevoiceinsidemyheadandmovetogetdressed.Ifeelalittleshaky,asifthegroundisshiftingbeneathmyfeet,soIchoosethedressI’dsavedforatimewhenIneededtheemotionalboost.Myfavorite.It’sadeepsilverthat’salmostblack,andIimmediatelyfeelbetterwhenIhaveiton.Ilearnedlongagothatclothingcanchangeaperson’sperspective,boththeoneIhaveofmyselfandthatofotherswholookatme.It’sadifferentkindofarmorthanAres’ssoldierswearbutitservesmuchthesamepurpose,eveniftheweaponsbeingsharpenedbytheuppercrustinOlympusarewordsandambitioninsteadofgunsandknives
Itwon’tprotectmeagainsteither,though.
Truetoform,Apollodoesn’ttakelongtoshowerandgetready.Hesweepsaglanceovermeashestepsoutofthebathroom.“Youlookdevastating.”
“Thanks.”Icheckmylipstickinthemirrorandpullonmyheels.Ican’tlookathimdirectlybecauseifIdo,I’mgoingtotouchhim,andifItouchhim,Ican’taccountforwhathappensnext.It’stemptingtodoitanyway,toprolongthisrelativepeacewhenit’sonlythetwoofus,butImanagetorestrainmyself.“IsHectorstillworkingthroughtheemails?”
“Yes.He’smanagedtoeliminateeverythingthatdefinitelywasn’tusefulandnowhe’swadingthroughtherest.”Hefinishesbuttoninghisshirt.“Ittakestimetotrackdownallthethreads,butheshouldhaveanupdatelatertoday.”
“Good.”
Heoffershisarm.“Shallwe?”
Downstairs,mostoftherestoftheguestshavebeatenustothetable.TheonlytwospotsleftarebetweenHermesandPandora.I’msurprisedwhenApollopressesahandtothesmallofmybackandurgesmetotaketheseatnexttoHermes.Thenagain,isitreallythatsurprising?Fromthestart,he’saimedtoprotectme.ThoughfromthebeamingsmilePandoragiveshimashetakeshisseat,maybehe’llbemoresuccessfulateasingherintoconversationthanIwouldhavebeen.
Thensheturnsitonme.
SheremindsmeabitofPersephoneDimitriou,atleastbeforesheranoffandfellinlovewithHadesandshedthehappyprincesspersona.Except…more.Havingthiswomansmileatmeislikegettingastraightshotofthemidsummersun.Icanonlyblinkinresponse.
“Idon’tthinkwe’vebeenproperlyintroduced.”ShereachesacrossApollowithacharminglyapologeticwince.“I’mPandora.”
“Cassandra.”Herpalmiswarmandsmoothagainstmine.“Nicetomeetyou,”Isay.Idon’tstammer,butit’sanearthing.She’sbeautiful
“Thefeelingisentirelymutual.”
Onmyotherside,Hermessnickers.Iremembermyselfenoughtoturnandshootaglareather.“Shutup.”
“Alwayssocrankyuntilyouseeaprettyface,andthenyouforgetthatyouknowhowtotalk.”Shenudgesmewithhershoulder.There’snoedgetohervoice,justadeepfondnessthatspeaksofourlonghistory.
Apollo,though,tenses.“Leaveheralone,Hermes.”
Sheholdsupafinger,nailspaintedmatteblack.“One:youshouldknowbetter,sinceIdon’tleaveanyonealone.”Sheliftsanotherfinger.“Two:Cassandraismorethancapableofdefendingherselfifshefeelstheneedto.”
“Justbecauseshecandoesn’tmeansheshould.”
Thisfeelsstrange.Ican’tdecideifit’sagoodkindofstrangeorabadkindofstrange,butI’mnotinclinedtoletthemargueovermeliketwodogswithabone.Evenifthey’rebothcomingattheconversationwiththeintentionofprotectingme.“That’senough.”
Apolloopenshismouthbutseemstoreconsiderwhateverhewasabouttosay.Hegivesashortnodandturnstohisplate.Hermesnarrowshereyeslikeshewantstokeepprovokinghim,butIcatchhergazeandshakemyheadsilently.Shesighs.“Fine.I’llbehave.”
Lunchisasurrealexperience.It’sso…normal.Everyonechatseasilyasifamanwasn’talmostmurderedafewroomsawaylessthantwenty-fourhoursago.IknewtheThirteenandthoseclosetothemweredifferentanimals,butit’sneverbeenclearerthaninthetimesincePanwasattacked.
Especiallyconsideringmynewtheorythatthey’rehereforMinostodotheirdirtyworkinreturnforpartoftheprofits.
Don’ttheyrealizethatthiswillgivehimleverageoverthem?Ordotheyreallythinkthey’rethatuntouchable?
Ormaybethey’replanningadoublecrossoncetheygetwhattheywantfromhim?Allthegainandnoneofthepossibilityofsharingtherewardsorfutureblackmail.
Thepossibilitiesmakemyheadspin.Ican’tbetheonlyonewhoseesthedangers.SurelyI’mnot.Butthey’veignoredmywarningsofar.Theytrulythinkthey’reuntouchable.EvenApollo,inhisownway.He’swillingtoendangerhimselfforthegreatergood.
Bythetimetheyrealizetheymightbewrong,itwillbetoolate.29
Apollo
PandoraisalovelyconversationalistandIdetectsomesocialtraininginthewayshe’ssoeffortlesslyabletokeepthetopicslightbutinteresting.Safe.Shealsosuccessfullydodgesallmycarefulprobesforinformation.She’scheerfulintheextreme,butshe’snofool.
Thenagain,nooneinMinos’spartyappearstobeafool.Unfortunate,that.
EvenAriadneismakingherselfscarceaftersittingnexttomeatdinnerlastnight.
Minosclearshisthroat,andIcan’thelptensingupinresponse.Anotherpartygameiscoming,anotherfrustratingsetofhoopstojumpthroughforhisamusement.Theywereirritatingbefore.Nowparticipatingfeelsparticularlyghoulish.
ThefacadeofconcernisgonefromMinostoday.He’ssmilingasbrightlyasI’vebecomeaccustomedto,andhisvoiceisboisterousashecommentsonthequalityofthemealwejustconsumed.Butthere’ssomething…Ican’tquiteputmyfingeronit.Somethingoff.
Cassandrasqueezesmykneeandleansclose.“You’reglaring.”
Imakeanefforttosmoothmyexpression,butit’smoredifficultthannormal.Whatisitabouthimthat’smakingmyinstinctsstir?
Minosgesturesbroadly.“ThisweekhasbeenmorethanIcouldhavedreamed.Iamincrediblygratefulthatyou’veallconsentedtocomehereandallowmetoentertainyou.”
Morelikehe’stheoneentertainedbythewholeprocess.It’snotasifhe’sparticipating.He’ssittingbackandwatchingus—watchingme—runaroundlikearatinamaze.Icatchmyselfclenchingmyjawandfocusagainonrelaxingmyexpression
“Didyouknowmydeardepartedwife,Pasiphae,wasagreatfanofhistoricalromancebooks?”Hecontinueswithoutwaitingforananswer.IcatchsightofAriadneacrossthetable,lookinglikeshewantstomeltintotheground.“It’sinherhonorthatweplaythesegames.”
Iraisemybrows.AndhereIthoughtitwassolelytohumiliatesomeofthemostpowerfulpeopleinOlympusforyourownamusement.Or,ifCassandraisright,tocommitviolentactstogainleverageonthosesamepeople.
Asifsensingmythought,Cassandrasqueezesmythigh.Shedoesn’tlookatme,butit’senoughofaremindertostopglaring.I’veneverhadthismuchtroublecontrollingmyexpression,butI’veneverdealtwithafrustrationlikeMinosrepresents.Evenwiththeprogresswe’vemade,herepresentseverythingthatiswrongwiththiscity.Powerandcorruption,andtoomanyofmypeersarewillingtowadeintothemuckifitmeansgettingahead.
Minoscontinues,ignoringthelookspeopleareexchangingaroundthetable.“Withthatinmind,thisafternoonisherparticularfavoriteforherfavoritechild.I’mnotsurewhy.Sincehewasalittleboy,hehasn’tdoneasingledamnthingright.Alwaysthefuckup,aren’twe,Icarus?”Helaughs,butnooneelseatthetabledoes.
Thisisn’tthefirsttimeI’veheardaparentbeterribletotheirchildinwhatamountstoapublicsetting,butit’sextremelyuncomfortable.Icaruslooksalittlesicktohisstomach,buthe’sbeenparticularlyquietduringthewholemeal,hisfacedrawnanddarkcirclesbeneathhiseyes.
Minoscontinues,blatantlyignoringthestrangecurrentsthathecaused.“Blindman’sbluff.”
“Whatthefuckisthat?”Cassandramurmurs.
There’snowayMinoscouldhearher,butheanswersallthesame.“Oneofthepartyisblindfoldedanddisorientedandmustguesstheidentityofthepersontheytouch.”
It’sastrangegame,andanevenstrangerchoicetopicka“winner”through.Aphroditeleansback,herdarkeyeschallenging.She’stuckedunderAdonis’sarm,butthere’sanewtensioninhersincetheeventsofyesterday.Shekeepstouchinghimalmostpossessively,andwhileshehasn’tlookedatTheseusonceduringtheentiremeal,there’snodoubtit’sforhisbenefit.
Now,shesarcasticallyraisesherhand.“Aquestion.”
Minos’ssmiledoesn’tflicker.“Yes,Aphrodite?”
“Thegameendswhentheblindfoldedpersonguessestheidentityofthepersontheytouch.Howcantherebeagroupwinner?”
“Ah,yes,thatistraditionallyhowthegameisplayed.Forourpurposes,though,Iproposeanalternativeway.”Hechuckles.“Theoneblindfoldedwillgoaroundthecircleandguessasmanyidentitiesaspossible.ThepersonwiththemostcorrectguesseswilltakeIcarusoffmyhands.”Hischuckleturnstoaboominglaugh.“Sorry,Imisspoke.TheywinadatewithIcarus.Ifonlygettingridofthissonwassuchaneasytask!”
“Isee,”shesaysslowly.
“Shallwebegin?”Heturnsandleadsthewayoutofthediningroom.
IexchangealookwithCassandra.“Waituntilafter.”Idon’tdaresaymorewithsomanywitnesses,notevenspeakinglowinherear.She’llunderstand.There’snopointintryingtopullHermesasidetotalknow.
“Ofcourse.”Sherollshereyes,thoughtheexpressionishalf-hearted.“Let’sdothis.”
Onceagain,wefindourselvesbackintheelaboratelivingroom.IfbeforeIcouldnotdefinewhyMinosmadehischoiceswiththesegames,todayit’sabundantlyclearthatheintendstohumiliateIcarusforsomeunknownreason.Minossitsintheso-calledplaceofhonorinahigh-backedchairthatweformareluctantringaround,withIcarusatthehead.Asatthetable,helookslikehewantstobeanywherebuthere.
ItmakesmewonderifIcarusisjustasunhappywithcomingtoOlympusasAriadneseemstobe.Ifonechildiswillingtoworkagainsttheirfather,maybetheotherisaswell.I’llaskCassandraafterthis.Ifmyinstinctsareoccasionallywrong,hersrarelyare.SheseesthingsthatImissallthetime.Perhapsnowisoneofthosetimes.
“Forourfirstattempt…”Minos’ssmilegoessly.“Aphrodite,ifyouwouldbesokind.”
Shestandsgracefully.Todayshe’swearingapairoftailoredblackpantsandavioletsilkblousethatleavesherarmsbare.HerdarkhairhangsinacurtaindownherbackasshestridestoMinosandturnsaroundsohecanslipablindfoldoverherface.
“Now,ofcourse,wewon’twanttomakeittooeasy.Shiftyourselvesabouttheroom,please.”
CassandrahuffsoutanexasperatedbreathasIfollowher,movingtostandnexttothefireplace,acrossfromwherewe’dbeen.Shedoesn’tsayanything,though.We’retoobusywatchingMinoscarefullyspinAphroditeinplace.Toomanytimes,bymycount,butI’mnottheonerunningthegame.
Asitis,whenhereleasesher,shestumbles.Notasinglepersonmakesasound.It’sstrangelyeerietowatchhermoveforwardwithherhandsoutstretched.ShefindsAdonisfirst.Heholdsperfectlystillasherhandscometorestonhischest.Frommyangle,Icancatchhersmileinprofile.Shecoastsherhandsuptohisshouldersandoverhisnecktohisstrongjawline.Hesmilesassheexploreshisfacewithherfingertips.
Aphroditelaughslightly.“Iwouldknowthatsmileanywhere,Adonis.”Sheleansupandpressesakisstohislips.
Thenshemoveson.She’sbetteratthegamethanIwouldhavereckoned.ShemixesuptheMinotaurandTheseus,butthatmaybebecausesheseemsreluctanttotouchboth.ShealsomistakesEurydiceforArtemis,whichhasArtemisglaringholesinherback.Therestofus,sheguessescorrectly,workingherwayaroundthecircleuntilshestandsbeforePandora,who’sonmyotherside.
Thoughnoonehasconfirmedordeniedtheguesses,shemustknowwhoitisshetouchesassheghostsherfingersovertheotherwoman’sarmsandcupsherfaceinsurprisinglygentlehands.Aphroditegivesawickedsmile.“Onlyonewaytosayforcertain.”
ThenshekissesPandora.
Withoutthinking,IlooktoTheseus.ThisisjustanotherpowerplaybetweenhimandAphrodite,butIcan’thelpashudderatthesheerfuryinhiseyesashewatchesthem.Ihadn’tpeggedhisrelationshipwithPandoratobeoverlyromantic,butthey’reobviouslyclose,andhe’sundeniablyenragedtoseeAphroditekissingher.
Aphroditeliftsherhead,smiling.“Hello,Pandora.”
“Hi.”Forherpart,Pandora’salittlebreathless.
Andsoitgoes.
Eachturn,Minosspinstheblindfoldedpersonandtherestoftheguestsrearrangethemselves.IgiveuptryingtostaynexttoCassandraafterthesecondround.There’snoreasonto.Sheneverleavesmysight.
TheMinotaurdoeshorridly,onlyguessingTheseus,Icarus,andPandoracorrectly.CharonandHephaestusonlydoslightlybetter.Dionysusseemstodopoorlyonpurpose,thoughwithhimit’simpossibletosayifthat’sfeignedorno.Adonisdoesn’tseemtocareatall,rattlingoffnamesthemomenthetouchesaperson,usuallyguessingincorrectly
Hermes,ofcourse,hasaperfectround.ShetweaksTheseus’sbeard,plantsakissonDionysus’sforehead,flirtsshamelesslywitheveryoneshetouches,andkissesCassandrawithalittletoomuchgustoformypeaceofmind.
Myjealousyhasfaded,though,nowherenearaspointedasitwasyesterday.IthelpsthatablushingCassandrasendsmeanapologeticlookthemomentHermesmoveson,thathergazelingersonmeevenaswemoveontoEurydice,whogetsabouthalfherguessescorrect.
Thenit’sfinallymyturn.
Whilewatchingeveryoneelse,Iunderestimatedhowdisorientingitwouldbetobeblindfolded.Itrytolistenforthemovementsoftheothers,butwithMinosspinningme,it’sanimpossibletask.Whenhefinallyreleasesme,Ihaven’ttheslightestcluewhereeveryonehasrelocatedto.
Ihatethisgame.
IfeellikeanabsolutefoolasIstretchoutmyhandsandmovedirectlyforward.Idislikehavingmysensesdistorted,andthesensationonlygetsworsewhenIgingerlytouchaman.He’sbuiltlean,andthemomentIreachhisbeard,Iknow.“Dionysus.”
Imovearoundthecircleslowly.Mostofthesepeople,Iwouldnotconsiderfriends,letalonesomeoneI’dintentionallytouchlikethis.ItrytokeepmyhandsuphighenoughthatIdon’taccidentallybrushagainstsomethingIshouldn’t,butitmeansthatIendupbumpingintoHermes’sforeheadinsteadofhershoulderwhenIreachher.“Sorry,Hermes.”
Ifumblemywaythroughtherestoftheguests.Thoughit’stemptingtorush,mypridewon’tallowit.IguessaswellasIcan,finallyendingonCassandra.Iknowherthemomentmyhandclosesonhersoftshoulder.Still,Icoastmytouchuptocupherjawandfeelforherdistinctivelips.
Ismile.“Hello,Cassandra.”
She’stheonetoremovetheblindfoldfrommyeyes,andshesmilesupatmeasIblinkattheabruptchange.There’snotimetosayanything—I’mnotevensurewhatIwouldsay,sincethisisjustasillygame—becauseMinosstepsintothecircle.“Wehaveaclearwinner!Hermes,congratulations.”
HermesgrinsandwinksatIcarus.“We’llhavesomefun.”Inthefaceofherunrelentingcheerfulness,evenIcarusmanagesasmile.
Minoslaughs.“Withoutadoubt.Now,Idobelieveteaisreadytobeserved.I’llgocheckonthestatusofthat.Pleasemakeyourselvescomfortable.”Hestridesoutthedoorwithoutlookingback.
“Teatime.Ofcourse.Whynot?”EurydiceshakesherheadandsinksdownontotheloveseatnexttoCharon.They’resittingslightlyangledtowardeachothersotheirkneestouch,andthecarefulwayheholdshimselfatarespectfuldistancewhilemaintainingthatnot-so-casualtouchmakesmebothgladforEurydiceandsadformyfoolishbrother.
Charongivesafaintsmile.“Youliketea.”
“Yes,Ido.I’malsoreadytogohome.Thiswasn’tfunbeforePangothurt,andnowI’mjumpingateverysound.Ithoughtstayingwastherightthingtodo,butthatwasobviouslythewrongcall.We’rewastingourtimehere.”
Charontakesherhandandlowershishead,speakingsoftlyenoughthatIcan’thearwhathe’ssaying.Bymybestguess,they’llbegonebeforedinnertime.WhateverCharoncameheretofind,ifhehasn’tfounditbynow,Idoubtanextradayortwowouldchangethat.
Speakingof…
IturntosuggestCassandrataketheopportunitytospeakwithHermes,butshe’snowhereinsight.Bothwomenaregone.30
Cassandra
Hermesslipsthroughthedooraspeoplestartsettlinginforthecomingtea,andIdon’tpausetothink.Igoafterher.IstepintothehallwayandfindHermes’sdarkhairandbrightyellowsweaterdisappearingaroundthecorner.
Whereisshegoing?
She’salreadybypassedthebathroomconvenientlylocatedhalfwaydownthehall,andshe’snotheadinginthedirectionofthestairstothesecondfloor.Ifrownandstartafterher.Ireachthecornerintimetoseeherduckintowhatappearstobearandomdoor.Strange.
Iglancebacktowardthelivingroom.ThetemptationtocheckinwithApollobeforegoingfartherisnearlyoverwhelming,butIalreadytoldhimIplannedtotalktoHermes.ThismightnotbegoinglikeIexpected,buteveryoneinthehouseisinthatlivingroomandIhardlythinkoneofthestaffisgoingtoharmme.Probably.
Ireallyhopethatisn’tthelastthoughtPanhad,too.
WorrypricksmeasIhurrydownthehalltothedoorHermeswentthrough.Istepinsideandpause.
Theroomisempty.
“Hermes?”Hernamecomesoutinawhisper,butIcan’tmakemyselfraisemyvoice.Ilookaroundtheroomslowly.It’samundane-lookingbedroom,nowherenearaselegantastheguestroomsupstairs.Theking-sizebedisassimpleasthedresserandnightstands.There’snotevenadoortoabathroom.There’salsonowhereforHermestobehidingunlessshe’sunderthebed.
Ishudder,butImakemyselfcrossoverandcrouchdowntocheck.Nothing.Nomatterwhatherreputation,Hermesisfleshandblood.Ifshe’snotinthisroom,there’sanotherexit.Asecretdoor.I’msureofit.
Istraightenandexaminethewallsmoreclosely.There’snowayshecouldhavemovedthedresser,soIbypassthatandexaminethemirroracrossfromthebed.It’snotasornateastheoneinAriadne’sroom,butit’sstillonaheftyframeandstretchesagoodsevenfeetfromfloornearlytotheceiling.Theperfectsizeforadoor.Ifeelalittlesilly,butIholdmybreathasItouchtheframe.
Itmovesbeneathmyfingers.
“Whatthefuck?”Iwhisper.Again,Iglanceatthedoor,butmygutsaysthatthisisalimited-timeopportunityandifIgobacktoloopApolloin,whateveritiswillpass.
IfIcanfindanswers,we’llhavenoreasontostayhere.Wecanleave,andthatmeanshewillbesafefromwhateverfateMinosmighthaveplannedforZeus’sspy.
That,morethananything,decidesme.Islipoffmyheelsandtugthemirroropenalltheway.Itleadsintoahallwaythat’sdustyenoughformetoseethefaintprintsofConverseshoesleadingawayfrommyposition.IhardlyneedconfirmationthatHermescamethisway,andyethereitisallthesame.
Followingmeansleavingmyowntrail,butthisistoogoodanopportunitytomiss.I’lldealwithHermesknowingwhatI’muptolater.Istepintothedarkhallwayandtugthemirrormostlyshutbehindme.Thespaceisnarrowenoughtomakemefeelvaguelyclaustrophobic,butthewallsdon’tactuallybrushmyshouldersasIstartforward.
Whywouldshebotherwithsecretpassagewaysrightnow?Thehouseisallbutemptyandeveryonewhomightbecuriousaboutwhatshe’suptoisinthelivingroom.It’sonlyasItakethenarrowturnandblinkintothedarknessthatIpausetowonderifMinoshiredallnewstafforifthepeopleworkingherewereinheritedwhenheboughtthehouse.
Hermeswouldn’t.
Shewouldn’t
IpickupmypaceasmuchasIdareandnearlyrunintothewallattheendofthepassageway.Icatchmyselfatthelastmoment,stoppingjustshortofit.NowthatI’mthisclose,Icanseeafaintoutlineoflightaroundthedoorway.Itwasallbutinvisiblefromevenafootaway.Ipressmyfingertipstoitbuthesitate.
Chargingintowhatevermayormaynotbegoingonintheotherroomisamistake.ImighthavefollowedHermeswiththeintenttotalktoher,butultimatelyI’mhereforinformationandthisseemslikeexactlythesituationthatmightrelaythekindofinformationApolloislookingfor.
Withthatinmind,Icarefullyleanforwardandpressmyeartothecoolwoodofthedoor.I’minstantlygladIdidn’topenit.Therearetwopeopletalking,botheasilyidentifiable.
ApparentlyMinosmadeapitstoponthewaybackfromorderingtea.
IwishIcouldsee,butIdon’tdareopenthedoor.Instead,Iclosemyeyes,blottingouteventhefaintlight,andfocus.Minosispacing;IknowHermes’sfootsteps,atleastwhensheallowsherselftobeheard,andtheyarenottheheavytreadpracticallyvibratingthefloorbeneathmybarefeet.
“You’resurethiswillwork.”
Hermes’sshrugisapparentinhertone.“Itwouldworkifyouweren’twastingopportunitiesoninnocentpeople.Panwasn’tpartoftheagreement.NeitherwasAtalanta.”
“Takethatupwithmyfuckupofason.ItoldIcarustodealwithAphrodite,butsomehowhe‘mistook’Panforher.”Hecurses.“Don’tlookatmelikethat,Hermes.It’sthestoryhespun.”
“It’snotaverygoodone.”
“Itwon’thappenagain.Myotherboysaren’thalfsoinept.”Helaughsharshly.“AndAtalantaistiedupinthebasement.She’sperfectlyfine.Ijustcan’triskherinterferingwithwhatcomesnext.YousawherintheArestrials.She’sformidable.”
“Formidableenoughtoalmosttakedownoneofyourprizedfostersons.”
“Yourjokesleavesomethingtobedesired.”Apause.“You’resuretheywon’trunusoutoftownforthis?”
“Thelawsarethelaws,evenifmostpeoplehavenoideawhatlittlesecretsfromourfoundingtheThirteenhavehiddenalltheseyears.Ifyourboysfollowmyinstructionstotheletter,theclausewillbetriggered.ButIneverpromiseditwouldwork.”
“Hermes.”Minospracticallygrowlshername.
“Whatdoyouwantmetosay,Minos?Therearenoguaranteesinthisworld.YouaskedmehowtoaccomplishyourgoalsandIprovidedtheinformation.”Hervoicegoeshard,harderthanI’veeverheardit.“Now,stoptoyingwithmeandgivemetheinformationthatwaspromised.”
Silenceforseveralbeats.Idon’thavetoseehisfacetoknowthathe’sdebatingwhetherhecanriskcrossingHermes.Finally,hecurses.“Verywell.Thewomanyouseekismybenefactor.”
“Excuseme?”
“SheapproachedmeayearagowithanofferthatcenteredOlympusastheprize.She’snotamongthoseIbrought,though.”
“Minos.”SomethingdarkanddangerousflitsintoHermes’stone.“Youhavestrungmealongformonthswiththepromiseofpreciseinformationonher.Ihaveprovidedyouahouse,insiderknowledge,andavotetobringyouintoOlympusasacitizen.Isincerelyhopeyouhavemorethan‘she’smybenefactor’aspayment.”
IcanbarelyprocesswhatI’mhearing.InallthetimeI’veknownHermes,she’sbeensomethingofanenigma.EvenwhenIsharedherbed,therewasalwayspartofherheldinreserve,andIrespectedthatbecauseI,too,heldpartsofmyselfback.ButIneverdoubtedforamomentthattheprotectionofOlympuswashermaingoal.
I…
Iclosemyeyesandtrytokeepmybreathingundercontrol.Idon’tknowwhoshe’stalkingaboutorwhat’sgoingon,soallIcandoislisten.Icanhaveanemotionalreactiontothislater,whenit’ssafe.
But…
Whatthefuck,Hermes?
Minosissilentforsolong,Ibegintothinkhemightnotrespondtoherthreat.Finally,hesighs.“IagreedtothosetermsbeforeIrealizedyouknowmoreaboutherthanIdo.”Ahesitation.“Ihaveawaytocontacther,thoughIcan’tguaranteeanythingwillcomeofit.”
“Isthatall?”
Iflinch,butMinosdoesn’tseemaffectedbytheicyangerHermesexudes.“She’snotonetomakeherselfavailable,whichyoushoulddamnwellknow.ThisisallIhave.”
Atappingofafootagainsthardwoodfloor.“Iamverydispleased,Minos.YoucanplaytherestoftheThirteenallyouwant,butplayingme?”Shelaughssharply.“Ihighlysuggestyoucomeupwithsomethingmore—andsoon.”Theslideofachair.“DonottellherthatI’mlookingforher,oryouwon’tlivetoseeyourlittleplanenacted.”
“Iunderstand,”hegritsout.
Thisiswindingdown.Ididn’tgetnearlyenoughinformationtofigureoutwhatHermes’sgameis,otherthanherwantinginformationon…someone…butIknowenough.There’sonlyonelawtheycouldbespeakingof,andit’soneIamentirelytoofamiliarwiththankstomyparents’ambition.
MinosmeanstokillamemberoftheThirteenandtaketheirplace.
PossiblymultiplemembersoftheThirteen.
ThethoughtmakesmyentirebodybreakoutingoosebumpsandIshudder.IholdlittlelovefortheThirteenasageneralwhole,butMinosisanunknowninanumberofways.Isawhisfostersons’brutalityinthearena.Iftheybringthatsameviolencetotherulingbodyofourcity…
Iwon’tbeheretoseeit.MaybethatshouldmeanIdon’tcare,butIdo
There’snohelpforhidingmyfootprintsandHermesistoosavvytomisstheirexistence,unlessshe’sdistractedbythenewinformation,butIcan’thopeforthatunlikelyoccurrence.Wipingawaytheproofisawasteoftime,too.
InthesplitsecondittakesmetorealizeIhavenowaytoconcealthefactthatsomeoneoverheard,HermesandMinosarewrappinguptheirconversation.I’moutoftime.
IhurrybackdownthepassagewayasquicklyasIdare,unabletoresistcastinglooksovermyshoulder.ThedoorremainsclosedasIturnthecornerandrushbackthroughthemirrorandintothebedroomwhereIleftmyshoes.Ilookdownatmydirtyfeet,butthere’snohelpforit.There’snotime.
ThetemptationtoconfrontHermesisstrong.Evennow,whenI’mquestioningeverythingelse,Idon’tquestionthatshemeansmenoharm.Shewouldn’thavewarnedmeawayfromthisplace,thisparty,ifshedidn’tcarewhathappenedtome.
Similarly,Ican’tbelieveforasecondthatshe’dsetDionysusuponthechoppingblock.ShemusthavenegotiatedhissafetyaheadoftimewithMinos.
Buteveryoneelse?
Thethoughtleavesmecold.Isliponmyheelsandstrideoutthedoor,carefultocloseitsoftlybehindme.IwanttorushbackintothelivingroomandgrabApolloandgethimasfarfromhereaspossible,butImakemyselfwalkslowlytothebathroomandslipinside.Itakethetimetowashmyhands.Toattempttosteadymyself,thoughitfeelsafool’serrand.Myreflectionstaresbackatme,toopale,eyestoowide.I’mshakingandIcan’tseemtostop.
Wewerewrong.Sofuckingwrong.Panwasamistake.Atalantadisappearedbecauseshe’stooformidableandwouldstandbetweenArtemisandathreat.HermeshasbeenworkingwithMinostopotentiallyassassinateoneormoreofourleadersatamomentwhenthecityismostvulnerabletooutsidethreat.AnoutsidethreatMinosseemstobeplayingvanguardfor.
Treason.
They’retalkingabouttreason
Themurdershavetohappenattheparty.Soon.ItwasastrokeofpureluckthatthemistakewithPandidn’tsendeveryonescattering.Oncetheyreturntotheirlivesinthecentercity,therewillbesecurityandotherthingsinplaythatwillmakeithardertotargetthem.Noonebroughtsecuritytothisparty,whichIdidn’tfindstrangeuntilnow.IknowwhyApollodidn’t,butwhynottheothers?
Unless…MaybeIwasn’taswrongasIthought.Maybethisreallyisthedoublebluff;it’sjusthappeningsoonerthananyonecouldhavedreamed.IsawDionysus’sfaceafterPanwasattacked.Helookedsick.Withguilt?
IftheythoughttheyweremakingdarkdealswithMinos,theywouldn’tbringsecurityheretowitnessit.Peopletalk,andifyoustartovertlybetrayingfriendsandyourpeople,youwon’thavemanyfriendsorpeoplestandingaroundyouinthefuture.
OnlytheThirteenwouldbearrogantenoughtothinktheyhadnothingtofear.
Charon,Adonis,andEurydiceshouldbesafe,barringmoremistakes.TheirvalueliesintheirconnectiontothevariousmembersoftheThirteenandthepowertheyholdindividually,butkillingthembringsMinosandhispeoplenobenefit.
Whowillbethetarget?
I’msowrappedupinworryingattheproblemthatIdon’thearHermescomein,don’tevennoticeheruntilsheappearsatmyshoulder.“Someone’sbeeneavesdropping.”
Ijumpandthencursemyselfforjumping.Ihadn’tplannedonconfrontingher,butshe’shereandwehavetoomuchhistorytoletthisgo.“Whatareyouthinking?Minos?Murder?Treason?”
“Everyonewhoisindangerknowsthelaw.”Foronce,shedoesn’thavehereasysmileinplace.“JustliketheyunderstoodthatacceptingthetitleofoneoftheThirteencamewithrisks.Iftheychoosetoignorethat,it’stheirmistake.”
“You’reamemberoftheThirteen,”Igrindout.“Hecouldstickaknifeinyourribsandthenallyourplottingandplanningwillbenullandvoid.”
“Hecouldtry.”Shenodsslowly.“ButI’mbetterthanheis,andheknowsit.”
“Hermes…”IsearchherfaceforthewomanIfellforallthoseyearsago.“Ineverthoughtyouwouldhurtthiscityforyourownambitions.Whyareyoudoingthis?”
“Ihavemyreasons.”Ananswerandyetnoansweratall.
Ishakemyheadslowly.“Youwon’tgetawaywithit.Notyouandnothim.I’lltelleveryone.They’llleaveandtheopportunitywillpass,andZeusandApollowilldriveMinosandhispeoplefromthecity.Allthiswillbefornaught.”
“Youcantellthem,Cassandra.”Shesmilesnow,butit’sbittersweetintheextreme.“Buthoney…NooneotherthanApollowillbelieveyou.Atleastnotuntilit’stoolate.”31
Apollo
Iknowsomething’swrongthemomentCassandrawalksbackintotheroom.She’sthekindofwhitethat’sleaninggreenandhereyesaretoowide.InalltheyearsI’veknownthewoman,I’veneverseenherpanic—notevenwhenwefoundPan—butIhaveafeelingthat’swhatI’mwitnessingnow.
Mybodytakesoverevenasmymindprocessesthelittledetails.Herhandsaredamp,andherfeetaredusty-lookinginherheels.Ireachherintwostridesandtakeherhands.“What’swrong?”
“It’sbad,”shewhispers.
Itdoesn’toccurtometomakeexcuses.Isimplyslipmyarmaroundhershouldersandguideheroutthedoor.Thisclose,Icanfeellittletremorsworkingtheirwaythroughherbody,andIgritmyteethagainstthequestionspilingup.
Shewasgonelessthanfifteenminutes.Iknow,becauseIcouldn’thelpwatchingtheclockevenasIchattedwithCharonandDionysusaboutanewbatchofwinethelatterhadcreatedoverthewinter.Itisn’tindistributionyet,andCharonwantedtonegotiatesomethingclosetoanexclusivedealforthelowercity.
Inthattime,somethinghappenedtoshakeCassandraupthisterriblyandIwasn’ttheretoprotecther.Ihugherclosertomeaswereachthestairs.“Areyouhurt?”
“No.”
That’senoughtokeepmequietaswemaketherestofthewaybacktoourroom.Ishutthedoorandshestaggerstosinkontotheedgeofthebed.NowthatIcanseeherclearly,shelooksevenworse.Itfrightensme.
Icrosstoherandsinktomykneesbeforeher.“Tellmewhathappened.”
“Noone’sgoingtobelieveme.”Thesorrowradiatingoffhermakesmychesthurt.Iwoulddoanythingtodispelit
Icoverherhandswithmine.“Iwill.Tellmewhathappened,”Irepeatfirmly.
Shewon’tmeetmygaze.Hereyesdartaroundtheroomandherlowerlipquivers.“Idon’tknowifIbelievemeandIactuallyheardthemtalking.It’stoowild,toomuch.”
Ithinkbackoverthelastlittlebitandmakeafewconnections.“HermesandMinos.”Ithastobe.Surelythestafftalkingwouldn’tshakeCassandralikethis.Fromthere,it’sanotherleapinlogictoguesswhatscaredhersobadly.“Theyweretalkingabouttherealreasonheinvitedeveryonehere.It’sworsethanweguessed.”
“Panwasamistake.”Shecloseshereyesandhershouldersslump.“MinosisgoingtokilloneoftheThirteenandtaketheirplace.”
Impossible.Ibarelykeepthewordinside,butshesomehowknows.Sheopenshereyesandstaresdownatme.“Iknowitsoundsunbelievable.Trustme,I’vealreadygonethroughthedenialphase,butthefactremainsthatMinosplanstousethesamelawthatmyparentsattemptedtoexploittosethimselfupasamembertheThirteen.”Shegivesabitterlaugh
Againthedenialnearlygetspastmylips.Itightenmygriponherhands.“Howcouldhepossiblyknowaboutthatlaw?Mostofthecityisunfamiliarwithit.Theykeptyourparents’attemptunderwraps.It’sinnoone’sbestinterestforeveryambitiouspersoninOlympustostartsharpeningtheirknives.”NoonehassuccessfullyoustedamemberoftheThirteeninthiswayingenerations,wellbeforewebecamethecenterofacultureoffandomandsocialmediaandgossipsites.
“HeknowsbecauseHermestoldhim,”shesayssimply.“Idon’tknowthedetails,butshe’sworkingwithMinosinexchangeforinformationonhisbenefactor—thepersonwho’stherealthreatagainstOlympus.Youwererightinsuspectingthatheheldbackinformation,butHermesisafteritforherownreasons.Sheadmittedittomeherselfafterward.”
Itense.“Youspoketoherafter?Sheknewyouoverhead?”
“Yes.”
HermescouldhavekilledCassandra.ItwouldhavebeenthewisemovetoensureherandMinos’splanstayedsecret.Or,attheveryleast,shecouldhavelockedCassandraupsomewhereandpretendedshewentbacktothecity.Imightnothavebelievedit,butI’dhavenowaytoproveotherwise.Mostoftherestofthepartyguestswouldn’tcareenoughtobesuspicious.“Whydidsheletyougo?”
“Idon’tknow.”Shelookssowretched,Iwanttohugher,butifwhatshe’ssayingistrue—andnomatterhowmuchIdon’twanttobelieveit,itmustbetrue—thenweneedtomove.Now.
“Ifhetriesthis,he’llbemakingitunsafeforeveryone,”Imutter.“Ican’tbelieveHermeswouldhandhimthatkindofdangerousinformation.Ithasthepotentialtohurther,too.”Wemight—might—beabletokeepitunderwrapsagain,butthecityhasitsattentiononMinos.
Zeusensuredthatwhenhemadethemanandhisfamilycitizensinapublicceremony.IfMinosissuccessful,thenitwilldestabilizeOlympusmoreefficientlythanliterallyanythingelse.Marriageorpolitickingorthenormalwaysofgainingpowerwillforeverbesecondtomurder.Ishudder.“Wehavetomovenow,beforeeveryonescatters.Wehavetowarnthem.”
“Theywon’tbelieveyou.Notwhentheinformationcamefromme.”
“I’llmakethembelieve.”Irisetomyfeetandtugherupwithme.“Changeyourshoestosomethingyoucanmoveeasierin.Hurry.”
“Apollo…”
Evenwiththeurgencyclamoringinmyveins,Ican’tignorethemiserywrittenacrossherface.Ipullherintomyarmsandhughertightly.“Ibelieveyou,love.Therestofthemaretooinvestedintheirownsafetytodisregardathreattotheirlives.Ineedyoutotrustmeonthat.”
Shenodsagainstmychest.“Okay.”Anotherpause.“Okay.”Cassandrapushesawayfromme.“Let’smove.”
Iwaitforhertochangehershoes,mymindalreadygoingtowhatcomesnext.NomatterwhatItoldCassandra,therewillberesistancefromsomeofthepartyguests.It’sthenatureofthefractiousnessoftheThirteenthatifIsaytheskyisblue,severalothermemberswillshoutthatit’sgreen.Ihopethattheirself-preservationwilloverridetheinstinctivedesiretodigintheirheelssimplybecauseI’mtheonedeliveringthenews,butI’lldealwithwhateverwavesariseassoonaswegetbackdownthere.
Cassandrapullsonapairofflatsandrushestothedoor.I’mrightonherheels.Shekeepsupwellenoughaswestartdownthehall,butIstillhavetocheckmystridetoaccommodatehershorterlegs.Shehuffsoutabreath.“Justgo.”
UndernocircumstancesamIleavingheralone.Hermesmighthavesparedher,butifMinosdiscoversthatsheknowshisplan,hewon’t.“Wegotogether.”
Anotherhuff,thoughthisonesoundsalmostfond.Shefrownsaswehitthestairs.“WhatwillhappentoHermes?”
“Likelynothing.Shebrokenolaws.”EvenifinvitinganenemyintoourcityistraitorousfromwhereI’mstanding,it’snottechnicallyillegal.ThemostunforgivablethingisthatsheendangeredCassandraintheprocess.Ican’tsayasmuchaloud.Cassandrawon’tthankmeforfeelingsoprotectiveofher,andHermescouldn’thaveknownthatI’dbringCassandrahere.
Whichisenoughtomakemewonder…DidHermesplanonmebeingoneofthevictims?
Weracedownthestairsandthroughthehallwaystothelivingroom.Ibarelymanagetokeepfromburstingthroughthedoors.Thesightthatgreetsmemakesmystomachsink.
Theroomishalf-empty.We’remissingfivepeople.Minos,Theseus,theMinotaur…andArtemisandHephaestus.“No.”IspintopinHermeswithaglare.She’srecliningonthecouch,herheadproppedonherhand,pickingataloosethreadonthecushion.“Wherearethey?”
“HowwouldIknow?”Sheshrugsasingleshoulder.“I’mnoone’skeeper.”
“Hermes.”Cassandracomestostopnexttome.“Please.”
Aphroditerises,lookingbetweenus.Hersharpdarkeyesnarrow.“What’sgoingon?”
It’stoolatetoplaythishandclosetomychest.“Minosintendstoutilizetheassassinationclause.”
Sheflinches,hergoldenskingoingpale.Tohercredit,shedoesn’tflounderlong.ShespinstowhereAriadne,Icarus,andPandoraarehuddledtogetheronthecouchacrossfromHermes.“Isthistrue?”
Ariadnewon’tmeetanyone’seyes,butIcarusliftshischin.“Askourfather.He’stheonemakingplans.”
“Oh,Iintendto,”Aphroditesaysacidly.Sheturnsforthedoor,butAdonisisthere.HemovesquickerthanIexpect,catchingherarm.Shetriestoshakehimoff.“Letgo.”
“We’regettingoutofhere.”
Sheblinks.“Excuseme?”
Adonisshootsmealookandthenfocusesonher.“It’snotsafe,Eris.YoucancallforMinos’sheadlaterifyouwant,butrightnowmypriorityisgettingyoutosafety.”
Hergazegoesflinty,andforamoment,Ithinkshemightargue,butshefinallynods.“Let’sgo.”Theyhurryoutoftheroom.
AsmuchasI’mnotkeenonthegroupsplittingfurther,AdoniswastrainedbyAthena.Hemightnothavestayedwithherspecialforces,buthe’smorethancapableofkeepingAphroditesafe.Justaswell.IfsomethinghappenstoZeus’ssister,Ican’tguaranteewhathe’lldo.Hisfatherwouldn’tletalittlefamilialmurdergetinthewayofhisambitions,butPerseus—Zeus—isadifferentkindofman.Harsher,yes,buthecaresverydeeplyforhissiblings.
Hemightrazethecitytothegroundtogettothepersonresponsibleforharminghisfamily.
IturntofindCharonusheringEurydicetoherfeet.“You’resafeenough.”
“Safeenoughisnotsafe.”Hestartsguidinghertothedoor.“Besides,HadesandPersephoneneedareportonwhat’shappenedhere,evenifwedon’tknowthefinaloutcome.Goodluck.”Thenthey’regone.
There’sonlyDionysusandHermesleft.Ieyethem.“WheredidArtemisandHephaestusgo?”
Shetugsthestringonthecouchagain,freeinganotherfewinches.Iclenchmyfists.Ifshewon’ttellus,we’reataseveredisadvantage,butwecan’taffordtowaitmuchlonger.Finally,shelooksup,thoughsheisn’tlookingatme.“TheMinotaurofferedtoshowArtemistheduckpond.HephaestuswentwithTheseustothegarage,”shesaystoCassandra.
“Thankyou,”Cassandrawhispers.
Noonemoves,whichmeansnooneelsewillhelpuspreventwhat’sabouttohappen.MaybeI’mbeingfoolish.It’sentirelypossibleMinosintendstowaitandnotstrikeinthisspecificmoment.
ButIcan’tbesure.
Irushoutoftheroom,Cassandraonmyheels.Wheretogo?Thelocationsaretoofarflungtoreachthembothinatimelymanner.Ihavetopick.Idragmyhandthroughmyhair.“Thisisfucked.”
“Wesplitup.”
Iturntolookather.Hereyesaretoowide,butshe’sgotadeterminedsettoherchin.“It’stheonlywaytowarnthemboth.YoutakeHephaestusandI’lltakeArtemis.”
She’sright,andIknowshe’sright.Butevennow,therearenoguaranteesthatwe’llgetthereintime.IfIsendCassandratowarnoneandshegetstheretoolate,theMinotaurmightdecideshe’salooseendinneedoftyingup.Ican’tforgethowlargeandmenacinghelookednexttoherthatnightbytheduckpond.Hecouldclaimitanaccident.Hadn’tIthoughtasmuchthen?
“No.”
Shegrabsmyarm.“Apollo,it’stheonlyway.”
“No,”Irepeatharshly.
“IfoneofthembecomesamemberoftheThirteen—”
“Idon’tcare!”Istopshortandlowermyvoice.“Idonotgiveafuck,Cassandra.Iwillnotriskyou.”NotforOlympus.Notforanything.“Iloveyou,andIwillletthiscityburnbeforeIintentionallyputyouinharm’sway.WegoforArtemisfirst.Together.”She’stheclosestandwhileshe’sfierceandcapable,againsttheMinotaur,Ican’tguaranteethatshe’llprevail.
Cassandra’sjawdrops.“Apollo—”Sheshakesherhead.“Right.Artemis.Okay.”
Wehurryoutthebackdooranddownthepathtowardtheduckpond.I’vestoppedcheckingmypace,butCassandrakeepsupwellenoughaswesprintpastthemaze.It’sonlyasweroundthecornerthatIrealizewehavenothingresemblingaweapon.Sheernumberswillhavetodo.
Thepathopensupandwegetaviewofthepond.Artemisisleaningoverthewater,lookingatsomethingtheMinotaurpointsat.Shedoesn’tseehisbighandcomingforherback.Oncehegetsthosestrongfingersaroundherthroat…“Artemis,run!”
Toofar.We’retoodamnfaraway.
TheMinotaursurgesforward,reachingforthebackofherneck,butthankthegodsArtemisisalreadymoving.Hisfingersbarelybrushherlonghairassheducks.He’sfast,though.ThesamespeedthatservedhimintheArescompetitionserveshimnow.
Shebarelyhastimetotakeastepbackwhenhestrikes,plowingoneofthosemassivefistsintoherstomach.Artemiscrumples.
“No!”Cassandrashouts.
TheMinotaurglancesatus.It’sthebriefesthesitation,butArtemisisn’tsomehelplesscivilian.Sheclaimedhertitlethroughtheviolenceofahunt,andshe’sobviouslykeptherskillssharpintheinterveningyears.Shemaynotunderstandthefullscopeofwhat’shappeningyet,butshe’sreadytodefendherself.
Shelashesoutwithherfeet.TheblowappearsaimedfortheMinotaur’sknee.Hetakesastepback,butshe’sreadyforhim,sweepinghislegsoutfrombeneathhim.Abaitandswitch.
HehitsthegroundwithanimpactI’mcertainIcanfeelevenatthisdistance,andArtemisdoesn’thesitate.Sheleapstoherfeetandlaunchesherselfintothepond.Shehitsthewaternearlysixfeetfromtheshoreandisalreadyswimmingdeeper.She’sfastenoughthattheMinotaurwillhavenohopeofcatchingherandsmartenoughthatshe’lldisappearintothecountrysidethemomentshehitsthefarshore.
Artemisissafe,fornow.
IstopseveralyardsawayandholdoutanarmtostopCassandrafrompassingme.TheMinotaursitsupandwatcheshispreyescapehim.“Luckytiming.”Forthelifeofme,Icannotdecideifhe’sangryordisappointedtohavebeeninterrupted.Hisfaceandvoicegivenothingaway.
“Youwon’tgetanotherchance.I’llmakesureofthat.”
“Nottoday.”Hegivesaslow,feralsmile.“Willyoubeabletostopmybrotherthough?Idoubtit.”Hegivesadry,raspychuckle.“We’vealreadywon.”
That’swhatI’mafraidof.32
Cassandra
I’mholdingApolloback.
I’mhealthyenoughbutIamnot,andneverwillbe,arunner.Notlikeheis.Notlikeheneedsmetobeinthismoment.We’rehalfwaythroughthehouseonthewaytothegarage,andmylungsareonfireandthestitchinmysidesearsthroughmewitheveryharshbreath.I’mslowingdown,andIwasn’tparticularlyfasttobeginwith.
Apolloisslowingdownwithme.Igaspoutacurse.“Go.I’llbefine.”
Heshakeshisheadsharply.“No.”
We’vealreadytakentoolong.Inordertotriggertheclause,thewould-beassassinhastokilltheirtargetwiththeirownhands,inclosecombat.Consideringhowuntouchablehefelt,Hephaestuswon’tbeonhisguard…andTheseushashadmorethanenoughtimetocornerhisprey.IfHephaestusisalive,it’llbeasheermiracle.
“Apollo,please!”
“Iamnotleavingyou.”Thevehemenceinthesentencenearlymakesmetripovermyownfeet.It’ssimilartohowhesoundedwhenhesaidwewouldn’tsplitupearlier.
Whenhetoldmehe’dletOlympusburnifitmeankeepingmesafe.
Whenhetoldmehelovedme.
Ifhewon’tleaveme,thenthere’snochoicebuttopushthrough.Idraginaharshbreathanddomybesttopickupmypace.Wegetthroughthehouseandburstoutthroughthefrontdoor.Idon’tallowmyselftostop;ifIstop,I’mgoingtoneverstartagain.
Iclockedthegaragewhenwefirstarrived,andIheadinthatdirection,Apolloatmyside.ThebastardisbarelywindedandI’llhatehimforthatlater.Hethrowsanarmoutinfrontofmeaswereachthegarage.“Letmegofirst.”
Thetemptationtoargueforthesakeofarguingisnearlyoverwhelming,butIpressmylipstogetherandnodtightly.Heshovesthedooropenandheadsthroughit.Ifollowclosely.I’mnotabouttolethimoutofmysight.
ThedetachedgarageishugeenoughthatIspareathoughttowhatthefuckHermeshadinherebeforeshesoldtheplace.Itcertainlywasn’tcars.Sheownsone,whichisonemorethanIhaveorneed,butsheisn’tthetypetohaveagaragefilledwithvehiclesshe’llneverdrive.Minosdoesn’tseemtosharethesentiment,becausetherearefivevehiclesinhere.Asidefromanexpensive-lookingredconvertible,they’reallnondescriptSUVsandtowncarsinauniformblacksimilartotheoneseveryotherrichfamilyinOlympusdrives.
Acrossfromtheneatlineofvehiclesisasetofshelvingfilledwithvariousshitthatseemstobeinallgarages.Apparentlytherichalsoliketostoretheirtiresandmiscellaneoustoolsjustlikenormalpeople.Richpeople,they’rejustlikeus.Ibitedownahystericalgigglethatisentirelyspurredbyexhaustionandstress.
Apolloslowsandlooksaround.Thelightingisrelativelydiminhere,thankstothesmallwindowsoverhead,butwecanseeclearlyenoughthatitappearstobeempty.Heglancesatmeandjerkshischininaclearcommandtostayclose.
Hehasnothingtoworryaboutthere.Imighthavevolunteeredtosplituptowarnthosewhomightbeindanger,butI’mnohero.IhaveabsolutelynodesiretogetmyselfkilledforsomememberoftheThirteenwhowouldn’tpissonmeifIwasonfire.
Asoftthudsoundssomewherenearby.
Apollosprintsinthedirectionofthesound,leavingmetodomybesttokeepup.WhenIroundthecornerofthefarthestSUV,IwishIhadn’t.
TheseusstraddlesHephaestus’schest,hisbigfistsdescendinginasteadyrhythmashebeatstheotherman.Ican’ttellifHephaestusisalive,buthe’snotfightingback.Andthere’s…somuchblood.Ipressmyhandtomymouthandtakeastepback.
Apollodoesn’thesitate.
HethrowshimselfatTheseus,takinghimtothegroundinaflyingtackle.Anormalpersonwouldrespondtobeingattackedbysurpriseorfreezeup.NotTheseus.I’mhardlytrainedincombat,buthelookslikehesimplyswitchesthemomentumofhispunchesfromHephaestus’slimpformtoApollo.IcanfeeltheimpactofhisfiststrikingApollo’sribsfromhere.
I’mnearlycertainIhearsomethingcrack.No,thathastobemyimagination.Ithasto.Istandtherehelplesslyastheywhaleoneachother.Forseveralseconds,itseemslikeApollowillwin.He’sstrongandhe’strainedandhe’sfuriousenoughtohavetheupperhand.
ButTheseus’spuncheshaveanimpact.
Everytimehelandsastrike,Apollocrumplesalittlebitmore.Fromhere,IcanseetheprecisioninTheseus’sattacks.He’saimingforApollo’sribsandside.Thenexttimehegoesinwithoneofthosenastyattacks,Apollolowershisarmtoblock.
AndthenTheseushammershisfistintoApollo’sface.HetakesadvantageofApolloappearingdazedbyrollingthem,cominguptostraddleApollo’schestthesamewayhestraddledHephaestus.
Hephaestuswhostillhasn’tmoved.
MyheartstopsasTheseusliftsoneofthosemassivefists.
He’sgoingtokillApollo.Hephaestusmightbeapowerfultitle,butApolloisarguablymorepowerful.IfTheseuskillsthemboth,he’llhavehispick.FromthebloodygrinhegivesApollo,heknowsit,too.
Idon’tmakeadecisiontomove.IblinkandIfindmyselfspinningtolookforaweapon.Myattentionsnagsontheshelveswiththetires,allperfectlystoredinbags.Surelytheremustbesomethingthere.
Irushtotheshelvesandhauloneofthetiresdown.It’sheavierthanIexpectandIlosemygriponitimmediately.“Fuck!”Iriskaglanceovermyshoulder.Apollostillhashisarmsup,protectinghisfacefromTheseus’sattacks,butwhoknowshowlongthatwilllast.He’sbloodiedandhurt.
Ispinbacktotheshelves.“Comeon,comeon,comeon!”TherehastobesomethingtherethatIcanuse.Therehastobe.
Agleamofmetalcatchesmyeye.Atireiron.Igrabitandimmediatelyhavetoshiftmygripbecausemypalmsaresosweaty.Idon’tletmyselfhesitate.Apollo’slifehangsinthebalance.Isimplyact.
IsprinttowhereTheseuscontinuestobeathim.Nowarning.Ican’taffordone.Iplantmyfeetandswingthetireironwithallmystrength.HemustseemeatthelastmomentbecauseIdon’thithisheadlikeIwasaimingfor.Hegetsanarmupandgruntsastheblowlands.Itbarelymoveshim.
IfIdon’tstophim,he’sgoingtokillthemanIlove.
Fearandpanicgivemethestrengthtohithimagain.“Lethimgo!”
“Stophittingme,oryou’renext.”
“Run,Cassandra,”Apollorasps.
Fuckno.I’mnotleavinghimtodie,noteveniftosavemyself.Iswingthetireironathirdtime.Inevermakecontact.Theseusgrabsitandyanksitoutofmyhands.Hegivesmeabloodygrin.“Checkmate.”
“No!”ApollosurgesupandknocksthetireironoutofTheseus’shands.Theothermangoestopunchhim,butApolloisalreadyflippingthem.Thistime,hecomesoutontop.HepunchesTheseus.Once.Twice.Onthethirdtime,Theseus’seyesrollbackinhishead,andheslumpstotheground.
Istareattheunconsciousman,half-certainthatthisisaployandthemomentIblink,he’llattack.
Apolloshoveshimoffandstaggerstohisfeet.“Areyouokay?”
“Me?”IhavetolookawayfromTheseuswhenApollotipssideways.Igrabhisarmtokeephimonhisfeet.Hewincesandclutcheshisribs.Ifollowthemovement.“Aretheybroken?”
“No.”Heflinchesagain.“Idon’tthinkso.”
Asone,weturntoHephaestus.Hestillhasn’tmoved.Idon’tknowifit’sadrenaline,butIplantmyfeetandcan’tmakemyselfapproachhim.ThisissomuchworsethanthescenewithPanyesterday.There’sbloodeverywhere,spatteredalloverthesurroundingarea.Toomuchviolence.Ineversignedupforthis.
Hephaestusneverdidmeanykindness—infact,hewascruelonthefewoccasionswehadreasontointeract—butcrueltyisnotadeathsentence.Noonedeservestodielikethis,aloneandinpain.
Apollogentlyextractshimselffrommyhold.“Staythere.”
“Apollo—”
Hereachesdowntograbthefallentireironandpressesitintomyhand.“GuardTheseus.”
It’sabullshittaskandwebothknowit,butIcan’thelpthegratitudethatwellsupinsideme.Thismancontinuestoprotectmeasbesthecan.Inod,notquiteabletocleartheburningfrommyeyes.“Okay.”
“Cassandra.”Hecatchesmychinforthebriefestmoment.“Thankyou.Ifyouhadn’tintervened…”
Awetprickleatthecornerofmyeyebetraysme.Ican’tmakemybottomlipstopquivering.Youcouldhavedied.Icanbarelythinkit,letalonesayit.Ican’tcomprehendaworldwithoutApolloinit.“Checkhim,”Ifinallymanage.
Hehesitatesnowwhenhedidn’tbefore.“Areyouokay?”
“No.Notevenalittlebit.”Thetireironslipsagainstmysweatypalms,forcingmetoreadjustmygrip.“Wehavetoknow,Apollo.Wehavetoendthis.”
Hefinallynods.IwatchhimcloselyashewalkstoHephaestus.Apolloiscoveredinbloodandisholdinghisribsinawaythatscaresme.Surelyhe’dknowiftheywerebroken?Yes,butwouldhetellyouthetruthiftheywere?Theanswertothatisaresoundingno.Ican’ttrusthimtotakecareofhimselfifhethinksI’mindanger.“Apollo—”
“Fuck,”hemutters.“He’sdead.”
Mystomachtriestorevolt,butIfightthroughthenauseathathitsmeinwaves.Weweretoolateandnowamanisdead.“I’msorry.IfIhadn’t—”
“It’snotyourfault.”Hepushestohisfeet,swayingalittle,andturnstofaceme.Oneofhiseyesisswollenalmostcompletelyshut.“IhavetocallZeus.”
Inod,tooquickly.Ican’tlookattheman—thebody—onthefloor.“I’lljust…”
“Cassandra,IneedyoutostayinthegaragewhereIcanseeyou.”Hewalkstomeandguidesmetofaceawayfromthescene.“Don’tlook,love.Butdon’tgoanywhere.It’snotsafe.”
Consideringoneoftheculpritsisgroaningfaintlyafewfeetaway,I’mnotcertainit’ssafehereeither,butatleastI’mneitheralonenordefenseless.Itightenmygriponthetireironandgiveashakynod.“Okay.”
“Iwon’tbelong.Isawaphoneneartheentrance.I’llstaywithinsight.”Hemovesinthatdirection,leavingmewiththebodyandthemurderer.Tostandguard?Orbecausehe’sbetweenmeandtheentrance?Impossibletosay,butit’seasiertofocusonthatthanthescenebehindme.Istillcan’tquiteprocessthatithappenedatall.This…
IlistenquietlyasApollomakeshiscalls.FirsttoZeus,explainingthesituation.Itgoesaboutaswellascanbeexpected.Afterhegivesaquickreport,therearealotoflowmurmursandapologies.Itinfuriatesme.Apollowassenthereonafact-findingmission.There’snowayhecouldhaveknownwhatwouldhappen.Nooneknewwhatwouldhappen.
ExceptHermes.
Ican’tthinkaboutthattoocloselyrightnow.IalwaysknewwhatHermeswascapableof,butknowingintheoryandseeingitplayoutaretwoverydifferentthings.Shetriedtoprotectmeinherownway,butI’mnotsureifthatmakesitbetterorworse.
They’llhaveonechancetokeepthisunderwraps,andeventhenIdon’tknowifit’spossible.Thisisn’tlikemyparents.Theyweretheonlytwowhoplannedtheassassination,theonlytwowhoactedonit.Theydidn’thaveoneoftheThirteenintheircorner.
TheThirteenarestillgoingtotrytocoveritup.Itmeansmoreblood.Moredeath.Maybeafirethistimeinsteadofacarcrash.
Abrokenlaughescapesmylips.IguessIhavemyansweronwhatApollowouldhavedoneifhe’dheldthetitlewhenmyparentsattemptedtoassassinateAthena.Theseusgotfartherthanmyparentsdid,buthehasn’tbeensuccessful.Hehasn’tcompletedtheritualrequiredtotriggertheclause.
EvenasIthinkit,afaintgroanhasmeturningdespitemyself.Idon’tthinkTheseusisgoingtobeinanyshapetododamageinthenearfuture,butifhe’salreadystirring,I’mnotabouttotakeanythingforgranted.“Staydown.”
He’snowherenearasbloodiedasApollo.Istareathim,nauseousandmyheadswimmingwithadrenaline.Hecracksopenonedarkeyeandmeetsmygaze.Itense.“Don’tsayaword.”
Heraspsoutapainful-soundingbreath.“IclaimHephaestus’stitlebyrightofmightandthelawswrittenuponOlympus’sfounding.”
“No,”Iwhisper.Iknowwhatcomesnext.Myparentsrehearseditoftenenoughbeforetheirfailedassassinationattempt.“No,”Irepeat,louderthistime.
Heignoresme.“Cassandra…”Anotherharshbreath.“Youstandasmywitness.”
Thetireironfallsfrommynervelessfingers.33
Apollo
Thenightmareonlygetsworseastimegoeson.ZeussendsAres.Inthethirtyminutesittakeshertoarrive—shemusthavebeenwaitingclosebybecausethere’snowaytoreachthislocationfromthecitycenterinsuchashorttime—Minosandhisfamilyhavealreadytriedtobullytheirwayintothegarage.HoldingthatdoorwhileittakeseverythingIhavetostayonmyfeet…Well,thelesssaidaboutit,thebetter.
ThreeblackSUVsofanidenticalmakeandmodeltotheonesbehindmeinthegaragecareenupthedriveway.TheyscreechtoahaltcloseenoughtohavetheMinotaurtakingseveralquickstepsbacktoavoidmakingcontactwiththefrontbumper.
Aresstepsout,hergorgeousfacesetinforbiddinglines.She’swearingaperfectlytailoredpantsuit,whichwouldbeathomeinaboardroomifnotfortheshoulderholsterclearlyvisibleassheliftsherarmtomotiontheoccupantsoftheothertwovehiclesforward.
Irecognizeoneofherpartners,Patroclus.He’soneofthebeststrategistsinthecity,atallwhitemanwithshortdarkhairandsquareframeglasseswhoprefersjeansandT-shirtstothesuitstheothersunderAres’scommandfavor.He’dbeeninjuredbadlyinthecompetitiontobecomeAresbutappearstohavemadeafullrecoveryintheinterveningweeks.TherewererumorsthatHelenhadaflingwithPatroclusandAchillesduringthetournament,buttheyturnedtherumormillonitsheadwhentheycameoutpubliclyasbeinginapolyamorousrelationshipafewweeksafterHelenbecameAres.
Zeushadn’tbeenthrilledwiththat,buttherewasn’tasinglethinghecoulddo.Hissisterhadoutplayedhim.WithallofOlympussalivatingoverhernewrelationship,hecouldn’taffordtomeddlewithoutworryingabouthisalreadyprecariousreputation.
AresmakesabeelineforMinos.“You.Getoutofmyway.”
“Withallduerespect—”
Sheliftsherbrows.Shewon’tthankmeformakingthecomparison,butshe’sneverremindedmemoreofherfatherthaninthismomentwhileshefacesdownablusteringMinosandintimidateshimintotakingtwolargestepsbackwithoutsayingasingleword.Shegiveshimonelastderisivelookandturnstome.“Whereishe?”
“Thisway.”Cassandrahasn’tmovefrommylineofsight,andIhaven’tdaredleavethedoorunmanned,butI’meagertogetbacktohersideandremoveherfromthiswholenightmare.IneverwouldhaveaskedhertocomehereifIknewthingswouldbecomeactuallydangerous.
“Patroclus,”Aressnaps.
“I’vegotthedoor,”hesays,andhefallsinbehindher,blockingMinosandhisfamilyfromapproaching.Twooftheirpeoplestaywithhimandtheothertwofollowusasweheadintothegarage.
“Thisisfucked,”Aresmurmurs.
“Yes.”There’snothingelsetosay.“TheseuswasunconsciouswhenIleft,sohopefullyhehasn’t…”MyvoicetrailsoffwhenIseeCassandra’sface.Herlipsarepressedtogethertightlyandshe’sevenpalerthannormal.IfollowhergazetowhereTheseushasdraggedhimselfuptoleanagainstthetireoftheSUV.
Hegivesmeabloodysmile.“Toolate.”
“Heclaimedthetitlebyrightofmight,”Cassandrawhispers.“Withmeaswitness.”
“Fuck.”Arescloseshereyesforalongmoment.“Idon’tsupposewecankillhimandpretendwefoundthembothlikethis?”
I’mnotonetoadvocatemurder,butIdon’tknowhowtoexplainHephaestusgettingreplacedinawaythatwillcontinuetokeeptheassassinationclauseunderwraps.IftherestofthecityfindsouthowrelativelyeasyitistotakeonthetitleofoneoftheThirteen…
“Ares.”Oneofherpeoplepreviouslyguardingthedoorhurriesup,theirpalefeaturestight.“Thepressarehere.”
“Thatmotherfucker.”
Sheturnstowardthedoor,butIthrowmyarmouttostopher.“Wehavetocleanthisup.Now.It’stoolatetogoback,butatleastwecanattempttododamagecontrol.”Idon’tknowhowtomanageit,butthiswillbeouronlychancetogetaheadofthings.
Shepressesherfingerstohertemples.“Right.I’llfacethepressandsendthatlittlecockroachoutsidescurrying.Patrocluswillhelpyouwithallthis.”ShecastsafuriouslookatTheseus.“EnjoyyourtimeasHephaestus.Itwon’tlastlong.”
Hesmirks.“ThistitlesuitsmebetterthanAresanyways.”
“Keeptellingyourselfthat.AtleastIwonmytitlehonestly.”
Theseusshrugs.“Ididn’tmaketheOlympianlaws.Takeitupwiththefounders.”
“Yousonofa—”
“Ares,”Icutin.“Wedon’thavetimeforthis.”
Shespinsonherheelandstalkstowardthedoorwithoutanotherword.ItakeCassandra’selbow,steeringherdeeperintothegarage.“I’msorry.”
“Youkeepsayingthat.”Hervoiceiswrong:strainedandhollow.“Wewitnessedamurder,Panalmostdied,andyouwerebeatenbadlyenoughthatIthoughthemightkillyou,too.Isthiswhatyourlifeislike,Apollo?Youhardlyseemedfazed.”
Iwantnothingmorethantowhiskherawayfromthisplace,butTheseushasmadesurethat’simpossible.ByCassandrabeinghiswitness,he’seffectivelychainedhertoOlympusuntilthisisresolved.“SometimesbeingoneoftheThirteenmeansbumpingupagainstviolenceanddoingthingsI’mnotproudof.IknewthatwhenIacceptedthetitle.I’msorryyouweredrawnintothis.”
“Swimminginwatersdeepenoughtodrownme,”Cassandramurmurs.Shepressesherfingertipstomyjaw.“Wereallyaredifferentpeople.”
Ihatethereminder.Ihatethatshe’sshakingandthere’snothingIcandotogobackintimeandspareherfromthis.“Ibroughtyouhere.Iknowapologizingdoesn’thelp,butIcan’tseemtostopdoingit.”
“Ibroughtmyselfhere.”Sheshakesherhead,hergazeclearingalittle.“Stoptryingtotakeresponsibilityforme,Apollo.Imightbedrowningabitrightnow,butIjumpedinknowingthatwasapossibility.”
“Iwon’tletyoudrown,love.”Itughercloserandshecomeswillingly,slippingintomyarms.ItfeelslikeIbreathealittleeasierassoonasIhavemyarmsaroundher,evenwithmyribsscreamingatme.“Youshouldertoomuch.Youneveraskforhelp.Iwanttohelpyoucarryyourburdens,Cassandra.NotbecauseIfeelanobligationbutbecauseitmeansI’mstandingatyoursideandthere’snowhereelseinthisworldI’dratherbe.”
Sheburiesherfaceagainstmychestandgivesabrokenlaugh.“Onlyyoucouldberomanticstandingafewyardsfromamurderscene.”
She’sright.It’sthewrongtime,butit’salwaysbeenthewrongtimewithus.EvenifI’dneverhiredher,neverbroughtherhere,neverknownhowgooditcouldbebetweenus…Imovethroughaworldshewantsnothingtodowith.Ican’tleaveandshecan’tstay.Notifshedoesn’twanttodrown.“IfIdon’tsaythingsnow,I’lllikelynevergetanotherchance.”
Cassandratightenshergriparoundmywaist.Whenshespeaks,hervoiceismuffledagainstmyshirt.“Itwasn’tsupposedtobelikethis.”
“Iknow.”
Sheliftsherhead.“Iloveyou.”Abrokenlaughescapes.“Gods,I’msopathetic.NowIhavetoapologize,too.I—”
Icoverherlipswithmyfingers.“No.Don’ttakeitback.”Ileandownandpressmyforeheadtohers.“Iloveyou,too.Ihaveforaverylongtime.”
“We’reamess.”
“Themessiest.”
“Ican’tstay.”
Mychestgoeshollow.“Iknow.”
Shetakesashudderingbreath.“I…Wecan’tdothisrightnow.I’mstuckhereuntilthetribunaloftheThirteen.”Shetenses.“Ohgods,IforgotaboutAtalanta.”
“WhataboutAtalanta?”
Shelooksupatme.“Minoshashertiedupinthebasement.Hewantedheroutofthewaysohecould…”Sheshudders.“Dowhathedid.”
“Patroclus.”Iquicklyrelaytheinformationshegaveme.
Patroclusnods,buthisgazeisonthescenebeforeus.“Okay.I’llsendpeopletoretrieveher.”
Cassandrastartstotwisttolookatthebody,butIturnusaway.“Don’t.Itwon’thelp.”Itwon’tbelongnow.PatroclusinstructsAres’speopletomovethebodyintothebackofoneoftheSUVs.They’lltransportHephaestusbackintothecitycenterwherehe’llundergoaquickexamination,andthenhisbodywillbedeliveredtohisfamily
Somehow,Idon’tthinkArtemiswillforgivemeforfailingtosavehercousin
I’mnotsureI’lleverforgivemyselfeither.
Thingshappenquicklyafterthat.PatroclussendstwoofhispeopletofindAtalantaandanotherpairtoensurePanactuallyreachedthehospital.AnothertwoaretaskedwithtransportingHephaestus’sbodybacktothecity.Patroclusapproachesus.“It’stimetoleave.I’llbedrivingyoupersonally.”Istarttoprotest,butheholdsupahand.“Youcan’tgooutinfrontofthepresslookinglikethatwithoutgivingrisetothekindofquestionswe’renotreadytoanswer.”
He’sright.Ihatethathe’sright.There’slittleIcandotofixthissituationcurrently—orpotentiallyatall—butthere’splentyIcandotomakeitworse.IfthepressthinksIhavesomethingtodowiththeHephaestuschangeover,it’llbelikethrowingchumtoagroupofsharks.They’llgointoafrenzy.
Iglanceatthedoorway.Areswillhavethemwellinhand,but…“TheywentafterArtemis,too.Nomatterhowcapablesheis,weshouldn’tleaveAresalonewithMinosandhispeople.”
Patroclus’sjawgoestight.“Achilleswillbehereshortly,butArescantakecareofherself.TheonlyreasontheygotthejumponArtemisisbecauseshedidn’tseethemcoming.”HecastsonelastlookatthedoorwayandmotionsformeandCassandratogetintothecar.
IfIwerealone,Imightargue,butCassandraneedstogetoutofhereandshewon’tleaveifIdon’t.Icanseeitinthestubbornlookinhereyes.“Fine.”Iopenthebackdoorforherandthenfollowherin.
Patrocluswastesnotimegettingbehindthewheel.Hepressesthegaragedoorandbarelywaitsforittorisecompletelybeforehebacksout.TheotherSUVfollows.IcatchsightofseveralvansinthedrivewayandaclusterofpeopleandcamerasaroundAresaswedriveawayataperfectlyreasonablespeed.Ourdepartureturnssomeheads,butAressmilesandsayssomethingthatmakeseveryoneshifttheirattentionbacktoher.
She’sgoodatherjob.ThetitleofAreshasneverbeenmorebelovedthanitisnow.AndbringinginAchillesandPatroclusasherseconds-in-commandhasensuredthatshehasnoweakpointstospeakof.Itwastrulywelldone.
Easiertothinkaboutthatthanwhatcomesnext.IsqueezeCassandra’shand.“Ineedyoutoknow—”
“IhavetostandinfrontofthetribunalandtestifythatTheseussuccessfullypulledofftheassassinationclause.Murdercommittedwithhisownhands,andtheproperwordsspokenafterwardinfrontofawitness.”She’shalf-twistedawayfromme,staringoutthewindow.“I’mawareofthesteps.”
IwouldspareherthisifIcould.It’snotlikelytobeacomfortableexperienceforanyone.Iclearmythroat.“I’llensureZeusholdsuphisendofthebargain.”
Atthat,shefinallylooksatme.ThereareteartracksbeneathhereyesandshelooksmoreexhaustedthanI’veeverseenher.“Iknow.”
“Cassandra.”IglanceatPatroclus,who’sdoinghisverybesttopretendhecan’thearus,andthenbackather.“Pleasecomehomewithme.Atleastuntilwegetthisfiguredout.”
Shelookslikeshewantstoarguebutfinallygivesajerkynod.“Okay.”
Wedon’tspeakagainuntilPatrocluspullstheSUVtothecurboutsidemybuilding.It’sonlythenthatIrealizewe’rebothamessandCassandrahasnothingtochangeinto.Iclearmythroat.“I’llsendsomeonetoyourplacetogetyourthings.”
“Thanks.”It’satestamenttohowrattledsheisthatshedoesn’targue.Thatshebarelylooksaroundasweheadthroughthelobbyandtaketheelevatoruptothetop.
AllthemembersoftheThirteenwhoresideinthecitycenter—ZeusandHera,Ares,Athena,andmyself—havewhat’scometobedesignatedlivingspaces.ThetitleofApolloownsthisentirebuilding;IinheritedthatincomeaswellasthepenthouseitselfwhenItookovertheposition.I’msousedtoseeingitthatItrytolookaroundthroughCassandra’spointofview…butI’mtooexhaustedtomakeitwork.
It’stoomuch.That’saboutwhatitamountsto.Toomuchchrome.Toomuchmarble.Toomuchmoneyspentonthingsthathardlymatterbeyondaesthetics.Butit’sassafeasanyplaceinOlympus,soit’shome.
Ileadusthroughmyfrontdoor,notpausingintheopenspacethatismylivingroomandkitchen,insteadpressingmyhandtoherlowerbackandguidingherdownthehallwaytowheremybedroomandhomeofficeare.ShestandstheresilentlyasIturnontheshowerbutbatsmyhandsawaywhenIreachforherzipper.“Icandoit.”
“Cassandra,letmetakecareofyou.”Ipause.“Please.”
Shehesitatesandfinallynods.“Onlyifyoupromisetoletmebandageyouupafterwegetclean.”
Truthbetold,I’mnotcertainthere’sanythingtobandage.Myeyeisswollenandthatsideofmyfacethrobswitheachbeatofmyheart.Theseusgotmeseveraltimesintheribs,andIhavenodoubtmyskinisarainbowofbruises,butI’mmovingwellenoughnowthatIdon’tthinkanything’sbroken.Butifitwillmakeherfeelbettertoseeforherself,I’mhardlygoingtotellherno.“Okay.”
Istripherslowly,lettingherpresenceeasethefearstillthrummingthroughme.She’ssafe.Thesituationmightnotbe,butshe’ssafe.Ihavenever,notonce,putmypersonalfeelingsorrelationshipsabovethiscity.
Ididthattoday.
Ihavetolivewiththeguiltofthat.Idon’tknowifitwouldhavemadeadifference,butIdon’tknowthatitwouldn’t.
Cassandrastepsoutofherpantiesandturnstome.“There’snothingyoucouldhavedone.”
“Areyouamindreadernow?”Itryforasmilebutdroptheattempthalfwaythrough.
“No.”Sheshakesherhead,darkeyesserious.“ButIknowyou.Wewereoperatingwiththeinformationwehadatthetime.IfnotforHermesallbutinvitingmetoeavesdrop,wewouldn’thavesavedArtemis,either.EvenwiththeattackonPanandourtheories,wedidn’thaveallthefacts.”
Rationally,Iknowshe’sright,butit’snearlyimpossibletolookatthingsfromanyshadeofpositivelight.“AmanisdeadbecauseIfailed.”
“AmanisdeadbecauseMinosorchestratedaplantogetmultiplemembersoftheThirteenintooneplaceandthenhissonsattemptedatriplemurder.”Shefrownsupatme.“Laytheblamewhereitdeservestobe,Apollo.”
Sheunbuttonsmyshirtslowlyandthencarefullypeelsitawayfrommybody.Cassandrahissesoutabreathatthesightofthebruisesalreadyblossomingbeneathmyskin.“Promisemethatyoudon’tthinkit’sworsethanbruising,orI’mgoingtotakeyoutothehospitalrightnow.”
Icoverherhandswithmine.“It’snotworsethanbruising.I’llbehurtingtomorrow,butthere’snosharppainordifficultybreathingthatwouldindicatesomethingmoreserious.”
Shestaresatmeforseveralbeatsandthennods.“Iwanttogetcleanedupandthen…”
Iwait,butshedoesn’tcontinue.Carefully,Itakeherchinandguideherbacktolookintomyeyes.“Andthen?”
“Woulditbeokayifyouheldmeforawhile?”Herlowerlipquiversalittleandshemakesavisibleefforttostillit.“Idon’tthinkI’mdoingasokayasI’macting.”
Myhearttwistspainfullyinmychest.Iwoulddoanythingtohavesavedherfromthisexperience,fromwitnessingtheveryactthathadsuchahorrificimpactonherlifetwelveyearsago.“Ofcourse,love.Anythingforyou.”34
Cassandra
IcanbarelylookatApollo’sbodywithoutthefearofwhat-ifseepinginaroundtheedges,theideaofaworldwithouthimsocoldanddarkthatIcan’tstopshaking.HethinksI’mrattledbecauseofwitnessingamurder,andIwon’tpretendI’mremotelyokaywiththat.Orthereminderthatthisisn’tallthatunusualforhim.Howcanhelivelikethis?HowcananyoftheThirteen?
Gettingbeatenbarelyregisteredasablipforhim;heimmediatelypivotedtoworryingaboutthegreatergoodofthecity.Ishouldcareaboutthecity.Therearealotofinnocentpeoplewholivehere.
Butit’sthepotentiallossofhimthathasmeburrowingbeneathhisridiculouslyexpensivesheetsandarrangingmybodycarefullyagainsthis.I’mnotcertainIcantouchhimwithoutcausinghimpain,buthetugsmecloseallthesameandIdon’targue.
Ineedthis.
Ithinkwebothneedthis.
Foralongtime,wesimplyliethere.Iallowhisslowbreathingandthesteadythumpofhisheartagainstmyeartosootheme.Hecouldhavebeenhurtsomuchworsetoday…buthewasn’t.That’stheimportantthing.He’shere.He’swithme.
Onlyforafewmoredays.
Thereminderhurts.Italwayshurts,butthebitefeelsparticularlyviciousandjaggednow.We’vebeenhereforhoursandnotasinglepersonhascometocheckonApollo.Oh,hisfamilywon’tknowwhathappenedunlesshedecidestotellthem,butnotevenZeushascheckedin.He’llhavealreadyhadapreliminaryreportfromAresaboutthesituationandApollo’sinjuries.Apparentlythatdoesn’tevenwarrantacall.
Iwanttobeghimtocomewithme,toleavebehindthiscitythatdoesn’tcareabouthimbeforeithurtshiminawayhecan’trecoverfrom.ThelossofoneApollomightbarelybeablipforOlympus,butitwouldbeeverythingtome
Hewon’tleave,though.Thisishisworld—ithasbeensincebirth—andhefeelsaresponsibilityforeveryoneinthiscity.HisgenuinecareispartofthereasonIlovehim,butIcan’thelptheworrythatwrapsaroundmeandsqueezestight.
Idon’tknowwhomovesfirst.Ishiftagainsthim,orhepullsmecloser.Maybeboth.ButItiltmyheadbackandthenApollo’smouthisonmine.
Thistime,there’snofinesse.Nokinkygames.Nopowerdynamics.Justadeepheatthatburnsawayeverythingbuttheneedtogetcloser.Hestartstopushmeontomybackandwinces.That’sallIneedtoshiftaway.“You’retoohurtforthis.”
“Cassandra.”Hedigsahandintomyhairandpullsmeinforasearingkiss.“Ineedyou.”WhenIstillhesitate,hecurses.“Ipromisetotellyouifanythinghurtstoobadly.”
It’sabullshitpromiseandwebothknowit,butmythoughtsaren’torderlyenoughtonavigatepastthedesiretoreassuremyselfthatwe’rebothhere,bothalive,bothsafe.Forthetimebeing.Iswallowhard.“Okay.”
Hetriestokissmeagain,butI’malreadymovingdownhisbody.Hetightenshisgriponmyhair.“Youdon’thaveto.”
“Apollo.”Iholdhisgaze.“WhenhaveIevergivenyouanyindicationthatI’mgoingtodosomething—sexualorotherwise—thatI’mnotfullyonboardwith?”Idon’tgivehimachancetoanswer,dippingdowntokisshischest.Thispartofhim,atleast,isbruise-free.
“Never.”Hesaysitalmosthesitantly
Gods,Ilovethisman.Ilovehimsomuch,partofmewantstodigthatemotionoutofmychestandsetitonfire.Toexorciseitbecauseit’scomplicatedandmessyandtheimplicationsaremorethanIcanbeartothinkaboutrightnow.Iflickhisnipplewithmytongue.“I’vebeendyingtosuckyourcockagain.Pleaseletme.”
Hischuckleisstrainedandraspy.“Byallmeans,love.Don’tletmeholdyouback.”
I’mcarefultobypasshisribs.Inthefadinglightoftheevening,hisbruiseslookevenworsethantheydidearlierintheshower.Ifhe’sabletomoveatalltomorrow,itwillbeasmallmiracle.
HewidenshislegssoIcankneelbetweenthem.Itakeamomenttomemorizeeverydetailofthis.Thisman,whohasexasperatedme,confusedme,andliftedmeupforyears.OneoftheverygroupofpeopleIshouldhatebeyondallothers.ThekindestpersonI’veevermet.
Theonewhoholdsmyheartinhisgentle,batteredhands.
“Iloveyou.”Isaiditearlier,butitfeelsdifferentthistime.Itchangesnothing.Itcan’tchangeanything.ButIneedhimtoknowit’strue,thatthisisn’tsomethingasmundaneassexforme.“IthinkI’velovedyouforaverylongtime,evenifIwouldhavethrownmyselffromDodonaTowerbeforeadmittingittoanyone,letalonemyself.”
Hegivesabittersweetsmile.“IrealizedIlovedyouthatdaywiththeprinter.”
Iinstantlyknowexactlywhathe’stalkingabout.Itwasn’tagoodday.Itwastheanniversaryofmyparents’death,andmysisterandIhadafightthatafternoonwhenI’dtakenherouttolunch.Myemotionshadbeenridingtooclosetothesurface,boilinganduglyandawful.Whentheancientprinterwenthaywire,I’dlostcontrolcompletely.Butthatmeans…“You’rejoking.”
“I’mnot.”
“Apollo,thatwasfouryearsago.”Istare.“Youcan’thavelovedmethatlong.”
“Youweremyemployee,andyou’dmadeyourthoughtsontheThirteenandOlympusveryclearfromthestart.”Heshrugsandwincesalittle.“Iwasn’tgoingtobejustanotherselfishpersoninyourlifeputtingmyneedsanddesiresaboveyours.”
Againsteverything,tearsprickleattheedgesofmyeyes.“Itookanofficechairtotheprinterthatday.Anyoneelsewouldhavefiredme.”
“Itwasanoldprinter.I’dbeenmeaningtoreplaceitforawhile,andyougavemetheexcusetodoso.”
“Apollo…”
Hissmilefallsaway.“Upuntilthatpoint,you’dbeenverycarefulwithme.Walkingoneggshells.Afterthatday,youdidn’tbother.Yougavemetherealyou.”Hetrailshisfingersdownmycheek.“You’rebeautifulandcomplicatedandthesmartestpersonI’veevermet.HowcouldInotloveyou?”
Ifwekeeptalkinglikethis,I’mgoingtostartsobbing,andifIonlyhaveashorttimeleftwithhim,I’mdeterminedtofillitwithasmanygoodmemoriesaspossible.Iturnmyfaceandpressakisstohispalm.“Nowliebackandbeagoodpatient.”Igiveawobbling,wickedsmile.“NurseCassandrawillmakeyoufeelbetter.”
IwrapmyfistaroundhiscockandleandownsoIcantakehimintomymouth.Hishissedexhalehasmecheckinghisexpression,butthere’snopainthere.Onlypleasure.Good.Igivemyselfovertotastingandteasinghim,takinghimdeeplyandthenlickingmywaytoflickthecrownofhiscockwithmytongue.Workinghimup.Makinghimforgethimself.
Givingusbothareprievefromthehorrificmemoriesplaguingus.Fromtheinevitablepainofthefuture.
Atsomepoint,hesiftshisfingersthroughmyhair,tuggingitbackfrommyfacebutdoingnothingtotrytoguideme.Lettingmehavemyway.
Lettingmetakecareofhim.
EverytimeIglanceup,Ifindhimwatchingmewithafevered,intenselookthatfeelstwintothefeelingspushinginmychest.Theknowledgethatwemightloveeachotherbutwe’redestinedtobetemporarytakesuptoomuchspaceintheroomwithus.There’snoescapingit.
“Comehere.”
Ieaseoffhiscockandgivehimalonglook.“Yourribs.”
“I’llholdperfectlystill.”Hegivesasurprisinglysweetsmile.“Ipromise.”
Ihesitate,butthetruthisthatIwantthis,too.Inarrowmyeyes.“You’lltellmeifithurts.”
“Yes.”Hemotionstothenightstand.“Condoms.”
Igrabonefromthenightstandandtakemytimerippingitopenandrollingitdownhislength.Igivehimaslowstroke.“Apollo…”
“Comehere,”herepeats.
He’sright.There’snothinglefttosay.There’sonlythis.Icarefullystraddlehishipsandlowermyselfontohiscock.EvenwithhowturnedonIamfromsuckinghiscock,Ihavetofighttotakehimfully.Iloveit.Ifuckingloveit.ItakehishandsandpressthemtomyhipsasIslidedownanotherinch.“Ifeelsofuckingownedbyyouwhenwe’relikethis.”Irollmyhips.“Takingwhat’syours.”
“No.”Hetightenshisgripanddragsmedowntosealustogethercompletely.“You’retakingwhat’syours.”
Oneofhishandsdropstomyupperthigh,histhumbstrokingmyclitasIridehim.Theonlysoundintheroomisourharshbreathingandthefaintshiftofourbodiesagainstthesheets.Iwantthistolastforever.Forustoremainherefortimeunknown,tostaysafeandisolatedandhappy.
Nothinglastsforever.
Myorgasmtakesmebysurprise.OnemomentI’mluxuriatinginthesteadilybuildingpleasurebetweenus,andthenextI’mcoming.ApollokeepsmemovingonhimevenasIlosecontrol,cryingouthisnameasIcome.Imanagenottoslumpontohisinjuredtorso,butitwouldn’tmatter.Hebendsupandkissesmeevenashekeepsmemovingonhiscock.Hegrindsmedownonhim,sendinganotherwaveofpleasurethroughme.IclingtohimasIcomeagain,ashefollowsmeovertheedgewithmynameonhislips.
Toogood.Tooperfect.
Ieaseoffhim,andhecarefullyclimbsoffthebedandwalksintothebathroomtodisposeofthecondom.Hisphoneringsashe’sheadingbacktowardthebed.Weexchangealook.Nothinglastsforever,butthiswasnowherenearlongenough.I’mnotreadyforittoend.I’mnotreadytoleavehim.
Idon’tknowifI’lleverbereadytoleavehim
Hepicksuphisphoneandsighs.“I’lltakethisinthelivingroom.”
I’mabouttosaythat’snotnecessarywhenmypursestartsringing.Itstartlesmesomuch,Istareatit,mybrainshortingout.It’sApollowhowalksoveranddigsoutmyphone,passingitoverbeforeslippingoutthedoortoanswerhiscall.
Guiltrisesatthesightofmysister’snameonmyscreen.Ihadn’teventhoughttoupdateher,butwhywouldI?Itrytokeeptheunsavoryaspectsofmylifefromtouchingher.Untilthispoint,thatincludedhowgods-awfuleveryonewiththetiniestbitofpoweristome,howstressfulthebillsget,howmuchIresentourparentsforpaintingusintothiscornerwiththeirselfishnessevenasIgrievedthem.
Thisisdifferent.
Itakeadeepbreathandtrytoeraseanyfatiguefrommyvoice.“Hey,Alexandra.”
“Whathappened?”
Iblink.“Whatdoyoumean,whathappened?”
“Cassandra.”Herexasperationpracticallypoursthroughtheline.“It’salloverthegossipsites.Hephaestusisdead.AndhewasatthesamepartyyouwereatthisweekwithApollo.What’sgoingon?”
Iopenmymouthtotellherthatsheneedstoworryaboutcollegeandnotaboutmebutstopshort.Idon’twanttodragherintothis,butdismissingherquestionisshitty.“Somestuffhappened,butit’sbestifyoustayoutofit.I’mokay,butIdon’twantyoutoworryaboutstuffyoucan’tcontrol.”
“Cassandra,Iloveyou,butthat’saloadofhorseshit.”
“Excuseme?”
Shedoesn’tsoundangry.Morelikeshe’sexhausted.Thatalmostmakesitworse.“I’mnotakidanymore.Youdon’thavetosheltermefromthebadstuffinthisworld.Iknowit’sthere.”Aweightedpause.“Behonestwithme.Foronce.”
She’s…right.Alexandraisanadult.Wantingtoshieldherfromallthebadstuffisasmuchaboutmeasitisabouther,andthat’snotfair.Isigh.“It’slikeitwaswithourparents.Thenewfamilyintown?TheVitalises?TheseuskilledHephaestusandclaimedrightofmight.”
“What?”
“He…”Idraginabreath.Honestyonlygoessofar.I’mnotgoingtoexposemysistertothelevelofviolenceIwitnessedatthatparty.“Itdoesn’tmatter.We’regettingoutofhere.IhaveenoughmoneytopayforustostartanewlifeoutsideOlympus.Poseidonhasalreadyagreedtogetusout.”Alie,butinthegrandschemeofthings,it’sasmallpricetopay.I’veshieldedmysisterfromsomuch.Ican’ttellherthepriceIalmostpaidforthisescape.
“Whatdidyoujustsay?”
Ifrown.There’ssomethinginhertonethatIdon’tlike.“Ihaveawayoutforus.Anewlife.It’swhatwewanted,Alexandra.Thisplaceisfuckingpoison,andyou’vebeenworkingsohard.Youcanfinishoutyourdegreeatanycollegeinthecountry.Gods,youcouldprobablyattendanycollegeintheworld.”
“Cassandra.”Mysister’svoiceshakes.“WhataboutApollo?”
Myheartcriesout,andIcan’tkeepthewaveroutofmyownvoice.“Itwasnevergoingtoworkwithhim.”
“Whynot?”
“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
Alexandracurses.“Itdoestome.Youlikehim.You’velikedhimforalongtime.Obviouslyhefeelsthesameway.Whywouldyouleavethatbehind?”
IstarttotellherI’ddoanythingforher,butI’vebeendishonestabouttoomuch.Ican’tquitemanageitnow.“We’retoodifferent.”
“Explain.”
Ifrown.“You’rekindofbeinganassholerightnow.”
“Andyou’rekindofbeingaself-righteousmartyr.”Alexandraexhalesslowly.“Idon’tfaultyouforwantingtogetoutofhere.Youdon’texactlytalkaboutit,butitcouldn’thavebeeneasytoshouldertheburdenofraisingmewhilewelosteverything.Idon’tblameyouforhatingthiscityandtheuppercircles,but…Cass,Idon’t.Myfriendsarehere.Ilovemygraduateprogramand,well,Iwasgoingtotellyouthisatdinnernextweek,butIgotacceptedintoaninternshipwithDemeter’scompany.Cass,mylifeishere.Butwe’renottalkingaboutmerightnow.We’retalkingaboutyou.”
Itfeelsliketheworldjustflippedmearoundanddroppedmeonmyhead.IstareatthetangledsheetsofApollo’sbed.“Whatareyousaying?”
“I’msayingthatevenifIwantedtoleavethecity,itwouldn’tmakeadifference.You’vegivenuptoomuch,Cass.Don’tgiveuponhim,too.”
“It’snotthateasy.”Thetruthbubblesup,allthefearsI’vebeenshovingdownsinceIrealizedexactlyhowhighthestakeswere.“It’slikeourparentsalloveragain.Theywerecomfortablecommittingmurdertoaccomplishtheirgoals.Theyknewtheriskanddidn’tcare,andtheywerekilledbecauseoftheirambition.That’stheworldtheymovedin.That’stheworldApollomovesin.He’scomfortablethere.Ineverwillbe.”
“Cass…”Alexandrahesitates.“IfyouneedtoleaveOlympus,Iwon’tholditagainstyou.Butmakesureyou’releavingfortherightreasons.Youmightsaythatyou’renotcomfortableintheworldApollomovesin,butyou’vebeenhisrighthandforfiveyears.You’realreadymovinginthatworld.”
“That’sdifferent.”
“Isit?YouinteractwiththeotherThirteenandthelegacyfamiliesallthetime.WhatwouldbedifferentifyouandApollokeptdating?Ifyougotmarried?”
ThethoughtofbeingmarriedtoApollonearlyknocksmeoffmyfeet.Ihavetoclosemyeyesandswallowhard.“I’lldrown,Alex.Thewatersaretoodeep.”
“Solearntoswim.You’rethesmartestpersonIknow.Ifanyonecandoit,youcan.”
Idon’tknowwhattosaytothat.Itfeelstoobig,tooeasy,whennothingaboutthisiseasyatall.TheviolenceweencounteredatMinos’spartyshookmetothecore…butevenatitsworst,Apollowasatmyside.Refusingtoleaveme.Protectingme.Allowingmetodothesameforhim.
“I’mafraid.”
Alexandra’svoicewarms.“Whenhasthatstoppedyoufromdoingsomethingthatmatteredtoyou?”
She’s…right.I’vebeenscaredforaverylongtime.Offailingher.Oflettingthelegacyofourparentsdragusdown.Oflettinganyoneclose.Mythroattriestoclose,butIswallowpastthefeeling.“Whendidyougetsosmart?”
“Mybrilliantoldersisterhassetareallyoutstandingexampleformetofollow.Ifyouwanttocreditsomeone,credither.”
Gods,nowI’mgoingtocry.Iblinkrapidly.“Ifyouchangeyourmindaboutleaving—”
“Thenthatwillbemychoice,”shesaysgently.“AndI’lltakecareofitmyself.Withoutyoumakinganymoresacrificesforme.It’stimeformetostandonmyown,Cass.You’veshownmehow.Trustmeenoughtodoit.”
“Okay.”Iwipeatmyeyes.Ibarelyknowhowtoprocessthispivot,butIdon’thavetime.Notyet.Thecrisisthatstartedatthepartyisn’tover.Notbyalongshot.“Whatelsearetheysayingonthegossipsites?”
Anotherpause,longerthistime.“ThatHephaestuswaskilledbecauseofsomelegalloopholethatnoone’severheardof.Thatthere’sanewHephaestusbeingputinplace,thoughnooneknowsit’sTheseusVitalisyet.Thespeculationisrunningwild,andthey’refocusingheavilyontheclauseitself.Someonesomehowknewexactlywheretolooktodigupthespecificlawandit’sallanyoneistalkingabout.”
Theyknow.
TheentirecityknowsaboutthesecrettheThirteenhaveworkedforgenerationstokeepunderwraps.
IronicthatApollowasworriedaboutMinosasathreat.He’sonlyoneman.ThethreatoftheverycityitselfturningagainsttheThirteen?It’sincomprehensible.Theywon’tbeabletowalkdownthestreetwithoutworryingabouteverysinglepersonaroundthemhavingaknifereadytosinkintotheirribs.
Someofthemwilltakethethreatmoreseriouslythanothers.I’msureAres,Aphrodite,andZeuswillbefine.Hermesistoosavvytobecaughtflat-footed.Artemiswon’tbesurprisedagain.
ButApollo?
WhowillwatchApollo’sback?Hisfamilyisworthlesswhenitcomestothatsortofthing.HemightbemostlyalliedwithAresandAthena,buttheywillhavetheirhandsfulltryingtoensurethereisn’tanuprising.
Nottomentionthere’snothingsayingthatMinoswon’ttryagain.
Iswallowhard.“I’msorrythatIwashigh-handed.”
“Youhavenothingtoapologizefor.Iknowyouweredoingwhatyouthoughtwasbest.It’sallyou’veeverdone.”Rustlinginthebackgroundassheshiftsthephoneagainstherear.“Pleaserespectmywishesonthis.Andputyourselffirstforonce,Cass.Youdeserveit.”
“Iwill.Staysafe.”
“Youtoo,Cass.”
Ihangupandsinkontotheedgeofthebed.Toomuchinformationintooshortofatime.Idon’tknowhowIdidn’tseethatAlexandrawashappyinOlympus.Ichalkedituptohernaturallysunnypersonalityandprojectedmyownissuesontoher.I’msousedtotakingcareofherthatit’sstrangetohavetheshoeontheotherfoot.Maybeshe’sright.Maybeit’stimetotakealeapoffaithandlearntoflyonthewaydown.TodoitforthoseIcareabout.
Alexandra.Apollo.
Icanpretendthey’retheonlytwopeopleinOlympuswhoIwouldspiritawaytosafetyifIcould,butnow,inthismoment,Icanadmitit’snotentirelythetruth.Nomatterwhatshe’sdone,IstillcareaboutHermes.NottomentionDionysusandHelen—Ares—havebeennothingbutkindtome.EvenEris—Aphrodite—meanviperthatsheis,hasbeenafriendinherownway.
AmIreallyreadytoleavethepeopleIcareaboutinacitygonemurderous?AmIreadytoletthemfacethepotentialthreatcomingfromoutsidethefailingboundary,too?
Chaoswon’thappenrightaway.Theshockoftheinformationwillensurethatalargenumberofpeopledisbelieveit.Buteventuallysomeonewilltrytheirluck.Thegossipsiteswillreportonitinafrenzy,whichwillonlyencourageotherstotry,too.
IfIwereanenemywaitingatthegates,I’dgivethecityenoughtimetofallintoviolence.ThenI’dsweepthroughandensuremywin,stagingacoupallbutguaranteedtosucceedwiththeThirteenfracturedandunderattack.
Idon’tknowwhatIcandotostopit.I’mnotsurethereissomethingtobedone.ButifIleavenow,thecitymysisterloveswillgoupinflames.
IfIleavenow,themanIlovewillbecomeabastionalonewithoutasinglepersontoleanon.
I…havetostay.
Ihavetolearntoswiminthedepths.35
Apollo
IfindCassandrasittingontheedgeofthebed,lookinglost.IhatethatI’mabouttoaddtoherstress.Idropmyphoneonthedresserandsigh.“Iwouldlovenothingmorethantogiveyouanightofrest,butZeushascalledusin.ThetribunaltoofficiallydealwithTheseushappenstonight.”
Sheblinksatme.“DealwithTheseus.”
“Yes.”Zeusdidn’tyellwhenwespoke,buthisfurypracticallyicedovermyphone.Uptothispoint,Icouldusuallyguessthedirectionofhisthoughts,butIhonestlydon’tknowwhathe’lldo.Murder—outsidethatdamnoutdatedclause—mighttechnicallybeacrime,butifheshootsTheseusinaroomfullofothermembersoftheThirteen,whowillspeakoutagainsthim?“I’mnotentirelycertainwhathemeanstodo.”
Sheglancesdownatherphone.“It’stoolate.Thegossipsiteshaveaholdofthisinformationandarerunningwithit.EvenifhetossesTheseusoffabuilding,thesecrettheThirteenhavebeenfightingforsolongtohideisout.Noneofyouaresafe.”
IpickupmyphoneandpullupMuseWatch.They’vebeenaboonandacurseinequalturnsduringmytimeasApollo,andtheflashyreportontheirlandingpageputsthemfirmlyincurseterritorythistime.
TheseusVitalismurdershiswayintotheheartoftheThirteen!
“Fuck,”Ibreathe.
“It’sbad.”
IttookeverythingthelastApollohadtokeeptheinformationaboutwhatCassandra’sparentsattemptedtodolockeddown,butthetimingofthisnewsbreakingishighlysuspect.“Minosisbehindthisinformationleak.”
“Withoutadoubt.”Shepushestoherfeetandpicksupherdiscardeddress.“DowehavetimetostopbymyhousesoIcanchange?”
Ialmosttellheryes,butthenmymindcatchesup.“Icandropyouoffthereifyou’dlike,butwiththisinformationpublic,thetribunalisallbutunnecessary.There’snoreasonforyoutogothroughthewholeprocessifyoudon’thaveto.IfTheseusdisappears,MinoswillensurethepublicturnsagainstZeus.WehavetoinstatehimasHephaestus.Wenolongerhaveachoice.”
“WhynotkillTheseusandtherestofhisfamily?Namethemtraitors.Actliketheassassinationclausedoesn’texist.”Shesaysitsohesitantly,Icrosstohugher.
“Evenifwe’rewillingtodothat—andI’mnot—it’stoolate,love.Thelawexists,nomatterhowdeepwetriedtoburyit.Ifpeopleknowtolookforit,they’llfindit.Theinformationisoutthereandthere’snotakingitback.”
“Ifiguredasmuch.Itwasworthasking,atleast.”Hershouldersslump.“I’mnothappythatthissituationissofucked.I’mnothappythatyou’reindangernowbecauseofwhatthey’vedone.”Sheliftsherheadandmeetsmygaze.“ButIdon’tthinkAriadnehadmuchtodowiththewholescheme.Andshetriedtohelpus.”
Shedid,butwecouldhaveavoidedthiswholenightmareifshe’djustspokenfrankly.Shesaidnothing,whichmakesherguiltybyassociation.
OratleastitwillintheThirteen’spointofview.
IsmoothbackCassandra’shair.“Afterthemeeting,I’llensureZeusholdsuphisendofthebargain.Themoneywillbeinyouraccounttomorrow.Thepassageoutofthecitywillbereadywheneveryouare.”Ithurtstosayit.EachwordfeelslikeI’mrippingoutpiecesofmyselfwithmybarehands.“You’llgeteverythingyouwanted,Cassandra.I’llmakesureofit.”
Sheopenshermouthlikeshemightargue,butmyphonestartsringingagain.Ipressakisstoherforeheadandreleaseher.“Getdressed.Weneedtomove.”IscoopupmyphoneasIheadformycloset.“What?”
“ArtemisjustreachedDodonaTower.She’scallingforTheseus’shead,andI’minclinedtogivehimtoher.”
Idragonmypants,holdingthephonetomyearwithmyshoulder.“It’stoolate.MinosleakedtheinformationtoMuseWatch.Thewholecityiswatchingusnow.”
“Fuck.”Forthefirsttimesincethiswholethingbegan,Zeusraiseshisvoice.“Fuck.Thisisgoingtochangeeverything.”
“Yes.”TheonlytitlesimmunetothisparticularclauseareHades,Zeus,Poseidon,andHerabyvirtueofbeingZeus’sspouse.Buteventhatisn’taguaranteethattheywon’tbetargeted.“I’llbethereshortly.IhavetodropCassandraatherapartmentfirst.”
Apause.“I’llholdtothatbargain,butshe’satthebottomofmylistrightnow,sosheneedstocoolherheelswhilewedealwiththis.”
Iwrestleintoashirtandstartbuttoningitup.“Youwilltransferthemoneytohernow,Zeus.It’snotherfaultthiswentpoorly,andIwon’thaveherpunishedforit.”
“Fine.”Hecurses.“It’llbeinheraccountbythetimeyougethere.Now,getmoving.”
BythetimeIfinishdressing,myphoneislightingup.IscrollthroughthetextsbutstopwhenIseeonefromHector.
Hector:Sawthenews.SorryIdidn’tfindtheinfointime.AreyouandCassokay?
Me:Yes.Don’tbesorry.Itwouldn’thavemattered.Thingswerealreadyinmotion.
Me:Anyprogressontheemails?
Hector:Some.IforwardedwhatIhavesofartoyouremail.
Me:Thanks.Nowgetsomesleep.Needtomeetinthemorningandbringeveryoneuptospeed.
AquickcheckfindsatrailbetweenMinosandHermes,confirmingwhatCassandraheard.TheywereincontactmonthsbeforehecametoOlympus.There’snothingintheircommunicationthat’sactuallynewinformation,though.Hereachedoutfirst,butshedidn’tturnhimaway.
NomatterwhatHectorthinks,therewasn’tenoughheretomaketheleaptoMinos’sactualplans.
Cassandrahasherclothingbackinplace.It’ssotemptingtotrytocoaxherintostayinghere,butthelongershe’swithme,theharderitwillbetoreleaseher.AndIwillreleaseher.It’swhatshewants,andit’swhatIpromisedatthebeginningofthis.Iwon’tgobackonmyword,nomatterthatthethoughtofafuturewithoutherisagony.“Areyouready?”
“Yes.”
Thedrivetoherapartmenttakesentirelytoolittletime.She’slostinthought,onlyjarringbacktothepresentwhenIstopnexttothecurb.Ieyetheemptysidewalk.“Doyouwantmetocomeup?”
“No,that’sokay.”Shereachesoverandtakesmyhand.“Becareful.Please.”
Cassandra,ofallpeople,understandstheimplicationsofwhat’scoming.It’simpossibletoguessthescaleofthepublicreaction.Idon’texpectittohappenovernight,butambitionisariverthatrunsdeepinOlympus,andtherewillbethosewholooktothisnewinformationasawaytoskipclimbingtheladderentirelyintheirgoaltoendupatthetop.
NottomentionMinos’sbenefactor.They’vereallysetthestagetodestabilizeusandleavethecityripeforthepickingthemomenttheboundaryfalls.
AthenaandAreswillhavetheirhandsfull.
We’reallgoingtohaveourhandsfull.
“I’llbecareful.Ipromise.”Itryforasmile.“I’llhaveyourbelongingsretrievedfromMinos’shouseanddeliveredheretomorrow.”
Shenodsonceandthenshe’sgone,walkingoutofmylifewithoutlookingback.Isitatthecurbwellaftershedisappearsthroughthatricketydoor.Shemightnotbestayinginthisplacemuchlonger,butImakeamentalnotetotrackdowntheownerandinsistonthedoorbeingreplacedsothenextoccupantdoesn’thavetodealwithwhatCassandrahas.
IheadtoDodonaTower.It’slateenoughthatthere’slittletraffic,andImakegoodtime.It’sonlybeenalittleoveraweeksinceIwasherelast,butitfeelsstrangetostepoutoftheelevatorandintothedoorway-studdedhallthatleadstotheballroom.That’snotmydestinationtonight.Instead,Iheadtothepreviouslymostlyunusedboardroomhalfwaydownthehall.ThelastZeuspreferredtokeeptheThirteenasseparateaspossible,butourcurrentonehasadifferent,moreunifiedgoalforthegroup.
I’mthelastonetoarrive.TherestoftheThirteensitaroundthetable.AllexceptHephaestus.Guiltsurgesthroughme.Ididn’tliketheman;hewasanactivefoilagainandagaintoourcurrentZeus’sattemptstobringtheThirteenintoonebalancedalliance.Thatdoesn’tmeanhedeservedtobemurdered,though.
IsinkintothechairbetweenAresandPoseidon,agiantwhitemanwithredhairandbeardandapermanentlyfuriousexpressiononhisbrutalface.Hehatesthesemeetingsthemostoutofanyone,preferringtostayinhisshippingyardrunningtheimportsandexportsoutofOlympus.
Zeussitsattheheadofthetable,AphroditeonhisleftandAthenaonhisright.ThelatterisabeautifulBlackwomanwithblackcurlscutshortonthesidesandlongerontopandabearingthatmakespeopletakenoticeofherwhensheenterstheroom.She’sasruthlessassheisbrilliant.Sheflicksaquicklookatme,takinginmybruisedface.“Iseeyougotyourhandsdirty,Apollo.”
“Somethinglikethat.”
DemetersitsontheothersideofPoseidon.Shehasthelookofherelderthreedaughters,awhitewomaninherfiftieswhoprojectsthepersonathatshe’salltooreadytostepinasamotherfigureforanyoneshecomesacross.Onlyafoolwouldunderestimateher.
ForonceDionysuslooksentirelysober,andhe’sinchedhischairawayfromHermes.Shedoesn’tappearconcerned,though.She’sgotherchairbalancedonthebacktwolegs,herhandsbehindherheadandhergazeontheceiling.Personally,ifArtemiswaslookingatmewiththatexpressiononherface,Iwouldn’tbesorelaxed.
HadesandHeraoccupytheendofthetableoppositeZeus.They’vebecomeanotherpairthat’salargepaininZeus’sass,thoughthey’reusuallysubtleinhowtheydigintheirheelsandfighthim.Hadesisabroodingwhitemanwithdarkhairandaneatlytrimmeddarkbeardwhofavorsblackonblacksuits,likehe’swearingtoday.Nothingshowsoneitheroftheirfaces.
Zeusclearshisthroat.“Ihadhopedtogetaheadofthis,butthere’snohelpforit.TheseushaskilledHephaestusandclaimedrightofmight.Thetitleishis.”
“Thefuckitis.”Artemisshovestoherfeet.“BeingamemberoftheThirteendoesn’tmakehimuntouchable.I’llkillhimmyselfforwhathedidtomycousin.”
“Youwilldonosuchthing.”Zeusdoesn’traisehisvoice,butthebiteinitcutsherlegsoutfrombeneathherandshedropsbackintoherchair.“Thepresshaspickedupthestory.”
“Howstrange,”Hermesmutters.
IhadassumedMinoswasresponsiblefortheleak,but…“Dowehaveyoutothankforthataswell?”
“Who,me?”Sherightsherchairandgivesmealonglook.“EverythingIdo,IdoforOlympus.”
“Ifindthathardtobelieve,”Artemisspitsout.She’ssofurious,she’spracticallyvibrating.“Iknowyoutoldthatbastardabouttheassassinationclause.HowdoesthathelpOlympus?”
Hermeslooksaroundthetable.“Minosdidn’tcomehereonhisown.He’sansweringtosomeonemorepowerful.”
Zeuslookslikehewantstopresshisfingerstohistemplesbutmanagestoresistthemotion.“Thatinformationwouldhavebeenhelpfulseveralweeksago.WhynotspeakupbeforeweinstatedhimasanOlympiancitizen?Whypasshiminformationthatallowedhissontoinfiltrateourhighestbodyofpower?”Hisvoiceissocold,thetemperatureintheroomseemstodropseveraldegrees.
“Keepyourfriendscloseandyourenemiescloser.”
“That’sbullshit,Hermes.”Arestwiststopinherwithalook.“Withonemove,he’seffectivelydestabilizedtheentirecity.”
“Thatremainstobeseen.”Hermesshrugs.“Maybeweneedtocrackafeweggstomakeanomelet.”
“Hermes.”ThisfromHades.Hisvoiceislowwithafaintrasp.Herarelyspeaksinthesemeetings,butI’veseenhowherunshisterritory.He’sagoodleader.Thelowercityisarguablybetteroffthantheuppercitywhenitcomestoitscitizens’individuallives.“YouknowIhavenolovelostfortherestoftheThirteen.”Helooksaroundthetable.“Butthisisimpulsive,evenforyou.”
“Ifyousayso.”
Zeussitsbackslowly,drawingtheattentionbacktohim.“Nolawswerebroken,sothere’snorecoursetobehad.Wemoveforwardwiththisbecausewehavenochoice,butweneedtoleashournewHephaestusanddodamagecontrol.Ifthecityhassomethingelsetotalkabout,wemightbeabletoturnthetideawayfromspeculationonhowbesttomurdereveryoneinthisroom.”
Artemisisstillshaking.“Andhow,praytell,doyouplantodothat?”
“Iamopentosuggestions.”
“Awedding.”ThisfromAphrodite.“We’veseenitbefore:nothingdistractsthegoodpeopleofOlympusmorethanascandalousmatch.”
Ares’sspinesnapsstraight.“Oh,fuckno.Notthisagain.Ialreadywoninthearena;Iamnotmarryingthatmurderousbastard.”
“Notyou.”Aphroditegivesathinsmile,thoughhereyesarechipsofice.“Me.”36
Cassandra
Itakemytimepackingasuitcase.There’snorush,thoughIdon’tintendtostayinmyapartmentovernight.Itfeelsstrangetobebackhereaftertheridiculousluxuryofthelastfewdays,topackmyniceserviceableclothinginsteadofthehigh-endthingsI’dbeenwearingrecently.
IfIdothis,mylifeisgoingtochangedramatically.
Itwasalwaysgoingtochangedramatically,butthiswasneverpartoftheplan.I’dbeenpreparedtohavetolearnthewaythingsworkedoutsideOlympusandtobetheretoplaysupportwhileAlexandradidthesame.
StayingmeanslearningtomovethroughtheverycirclesI’vesetmyselfapartfrom.Itmeanslearningtoswimamongtheminsteadofwatchingfromtheoutside.Itmeansopeningmyselfuptothepotentialofmorepain.
It’sworthit.
Ifinishpackinganddragmysuitcasetothedoor,cursingitsbrokenwheel.I’llhavetocallacarbeforeIgodownstairs.ApollowouldshitabrickifheknewI’dtakenmythingsandwaitedonthecurb.Theneighborhoodissafeenough,butheworries.Ismilealittle
I’msodistracted,IalmostmissthefactthatI’mnotalone.Almost.
Istraightenandlookatmyex.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Ourmeetingendedearlywithabang.”Hermesmovesaroundmytinykitchen,pokingatthings.“Apollowon’tbehomeforages,though,ifyou’reworriedaboutyourtiming.Zeushashim,Aphrodite,Athena,andAresinalittlewarmeeting.It’sallverydramatic.”
“Hermes.”
Sheexhalesslowly.“I’msorry.IshouldhaverealizedthatApollowouldgetoverthatmoralhighgroundheclingstososweetlyandbringyoualongifhewasinvitedtotheparty.Ifailedtoanticipatethatdevelopmentandyougothurtbecauseofit.Ineverwantedthat,Cassandra.”
“Ididn’tgethurt.”EvenasIsayit,itfeelslikealie.
Shegivesmealookthatspeaksvolumes.“Youwitnessedamurder,honey.Andtwoattemptedmurders.That’sharm.IhonestlythoughtifyouheardmeandMinostalkingaboutthegorydetails,you’dleave.Ididn’texpectyoutodevelopawhiteknightstreak.”Shemakesaface.“He’srubbingoffonyou.”
Iscrubmyhandsovermyface.ThishasbeenthelongestfewdaysinexistenceandI’mnotatmybestrightnow.TherewasatimewhenIdidn’tbothertoworryaboutthatkindofthingwithHermes,butafterthelasttwenty-fourhours…“Howcouldyou?Amanisdeadbecauseoftheknowledgeyoupassedon.”
Sheleansbackagainstthecounterandcrossesherarmsoverherchest.“Ifyouhadalltheinformation,you’dseethatthiswastheonlycourseofactionavailabletome.”
“Thengivemealltheinformation.”Iknow,evenasIsayit,thatshewon’t.
Sheconfirmsmysuspicionswithashakeofherhead.“Ifthingsgowell,itwon’tmatterbecausewe’llhaveheadedoffthedangeratthepass.”
Idon’tunderstandher.Howcanthisbethelesseroftwoevils?ButIknowbetterthantoask.She’smorethanprovenshewon’ttellme.“They’llhateyouforthis.”
“Maybe.”Sheshrugs.“Ormaybethey’llthankmeintheend.”Shestartsforthedoorandstopstosqueezemyarm.“I’mhappyforyou,Cassandra.Apollo’sthebestofus,andhe’lltreatyouthewayyoudeservetobetreated.Likeaqueen.”
Iswallowhard.“Ididn’tsayIwasgoingtohim.”
“Didn’tyou?”Shegivesabittersweetsmile.“Trynottohatemetoomuch.I’llbesadifI’mnotinvitedtothewedding.”
“Isureasfuckdidn’tsayweweregettingmarried.”
“Youwill.Justlikeyou’lllivelong,happylivesandhavehalfadozenchildren.Yes,bytheway,I’dlovetobeagodmother.”Hermesmovespastmetothedoor.“Oh,andIcalledyouacar.Itshouldbeherebynow.Thingswon’tbeassafeastheyusedtobeinthecity,atleastforalittlewhile.”
Ibarelywaitforthedoortoclosebehindhertorushtoopenit,athousandquestionsonmylips.Hermes,ofcourse,isnowhereinsight.“Ihateitwhenshedoesthat.”
Herwordsswirlthroughmyhead,threateningtodistractme,butthere’snotmuchIcandoaboutthegreaterOlympusproblemrightnow.Ican,however,setmypathonthecoursethatwillbringmethehappinessI’vebeentooafraidtotakeforfartoolong.
Truetoherword,acaridleswaitingformeatthecurb.It’sonlywhenIclimbintothebackseatanddirectthemtoApollo’sbuildingthatIwonderifthiscouldbesomekindoftrap,butwemakethetripwithoutissue.ItjustconfirmsmyongoingbeliefthatHermesnevermeantmeharm.Itmakesmyfeelingsabouteverythingthatmuchmoreconflicted.
Iwalkthroughthefancylobby,waitingforsomeonetotellmethatI’mnotallowedtobehere,butnoonestopsme.Theybarelyevenlookinmydirection.
Upstairs,IusethekeyApollogavemeyearsagotoletmyselfintohispenthouse.Aftertheslightestconsideration,IchangeintoanoversizeT-shirtthat’ssofaded,I’mnotentirelysurewhatthegraphicstartedoutas,tuckmysuitcaseintothecloset,andclimbintobed.Ifullyintendtostayawakeuntilhecomeshome,butmybodyhasother
Ijoltawakeatthefeelingofthemattressgivingassomeonesitsdownnexttome.IopenmyeyestofindApollostaringdownatmelikehejustfoundhisfavoritegiftbeneaththeChristmastree,buthe’safraidit’snottrulymeantforhim.
Hereachesout,pauseswithouttouchingme,anddropshishandbacktohisthigh.“Whatareyoudoinghere,Cassandra?”Thequestionisn’tharsh,more…hopeful.
“Youshouldn’tgiveoutyourkeystopeople.It’sgoingtobedangerousinthecityforsometime,andyoumightcomehometofindastrangerinyourbed.”
“You’renostranger.”Hecan’tseemtohelphimself.Hestrokesahandovermyhip.“Youcameback.”
“Iloveyou.”It’snotananswer,though,andwebothknowit.Isitupandshiftbacktoleanagainsttheheadboard.“Apollo,I…”Gods,thisisharderthanithasanyrighttobe.“Whenmyparentsdiedfortheirambition,IpromisedmyselfI’dneverbelikethem.Iwouldneverstriveforpowerorprestigeoranythingexceptkeepingmysistersafeandgettingthefuckoutofthiscity.Iclosedmyselfofftoeverything.I,well,hatedprettymucheveryone.Exceptyou,andthatwasdespitemybestefforts.”
Hewatchesmewithseriouseyes.“Andnow?”
“Now,withthestakeschangingsodramatically,it’smadethingsclearerforme.I…”Itakeabreathandpushforward.“Ihavepeoplewhocareaboutme,evenifIhaven’tbeenthebestoffriendstothem.Mysisterishappyhere,thoughIhadsuchstrongtunnelvision,Ididn’tevenrealizeituntiltoday.”
“Cassandra—”
“I’mnotfinished.”Itakeanotherharshbreath.“Thingsaregoingtogetdangerousinthiscity.Webothknowit’sthetruth.Iamnotgoingtoletmypridedictatemychoices,toleavejustbecauseitseemedliketheonlyoption.It’snot.Icanhelp,Apollo.You’vesaidityourself.I’manasset,andyou’regoingtoneedeveryoneinyourcornerthatyoucanget.”
Hegoesstill.“That’swhyyou’rechoosingtostay.”
“It’spartofit.”Ireachoutandcoverhishandwithmine.“I’vealsobeendesperatelyinlovewithmybossforyearsnowandhe’sreallygreattome,thebestmanI’veevermet.I’dbeafoolifIwalkedawayfromhim.”Isqueezehishand.“Iwantalifewithyou.IrealizethatI’macrankyassholeandthatI’llcausefrictioninthecirclesyoumoveinevenafterIfigureouthowtomoveinthem,too,but—”
Hegentlypresseshisfingertipstomylips.“Ichooseyou,Cassandra.Theopinionsofthoseintheuppercircleshaveneverheldmuchweightforme,andcertainlyneverasmuchasyouropiniondoes.Iloveyou.IfIthoughtforasecondyou’dsayyes,I’dproposerightnow.”
Ismileagainsthisfingers.“Askmeinafewmonths.”IalreadyknowwhatI’llsay,butevenafterknowingApolloandworkingcloselywithhimforfiveyears,therewillnodoubtbekinkstobeworkedoutwhileactuallydatingeachother.
“Iwill.”Helowershishand.“Iwantedmorethananythingtoaskyoutostay,butitwasn’tfairtodemandthatofyou.I’mhavingadifficulttimebelievingyou’reactuallyhere.”Hesmiles.“You’rechoosingme.”
“I’mchoosingyou,”Iconfirm.Ileanforwardandpressacarefulkisstohislips.“Cometobed,Apollo.Ourhappily-ever-afterstartsnow.”EnjoythissneakpeekatthenextunspeakablyhotbookintheDarkOlympusseries,CruelSeduction
Aphrodite
Thereceptionstretchesonforaneternity.EventhoughIchosethis,Ican’tstopthesinkinginmystomach.Iplayedrightintomynewhusband’shands.Amistake,andonethatwillbecostly.Ican’taffordtounderestimateHephaestus,andreactingtoAdonisshowingupunexpectedlybeforemyweddingtotheenemy?Imightaswellhavewavedaredflaginfrontofabullorbuiltaneonsignpointingtoavulnerablebutton.Mynewhusbandwillbestompingonitinnotime.IwishIcouldtrustAdonistoavoidthatpitfall,butemotionsmakeeverythingmessyandIhurthimbadlybymakingthismove.
He’snottheonlyone.
Allthroughthespeechesandcakecuttingandfirstdance,Hephaestuskeepsthatsatisfiedsmirkinplace.Itmakesmewantto…
Imanagetoextractmyselfandpartwayswithmyhusbandtograbaglassofchampagneoffawaiter’stray.Now’sthetimetofollowhimbacktoourseatsatthecenterofthebridalpartytable,butIneedamoment,soIdriftovertothedoorwayleadingbackoutside.Theairhascooledwiththesunsetting,givingthefirsthintofthebitewinterwillbring.
Iclosemyeyesandinhaledeeply.ThedesiretostrikebackatHephaestusafterthatlittlealtercationisnearlyoverwhelming,butIhaven’tmadeittowhereIamnowbyactingimpulsively.Mostly.
Rightnow,theonlythingthatmattersisgettingthroughtherestofthereceptionandthenmanagingtoresisttheimpulsetomakemyselfawidowonmyweddingnight.
Everythingelsecanwaitfortomorrow.
Evenknowingthatisthesmartestcourseofaction,Ican’thelpsearchingthefacesoftheguestsgatheredintheballroom.Adonisisn’there—Iknowheisn’t—butthatdoesn’tstopmefromlookingdespitemyself.
Hewon’thaveleftOlympus;notwithoutme.Hislifeishere.Hisfamilyandfortuneandawholecity’sworthofadmirers.Hehasawayofdrawingpeopletohimwhereverhegoes,hischarmandbeautymakinghimthedarlingofMuseWatchandagoodportionofthelegacyfamilies.NotenoughtohelphimsecureoneofthetitlesoftheThirteenforhimself,butAdonislivesacharmedlife.
NoneofthatreallyexcuseswhatI’vedone.
OrthefactthatIdidn’ttalktohimaboutitfirst.
Ismothertheguilttryingtotakerootinmychest.Adonisknewwhathewasgettingwhenwestartedthisill-fatedon-again-off-againrelationshipseveralyearsago.IwasaKasiosbeforeIbecameAphrodite.
Idrainmychampagneglassandtuckallthemessyemotionsaway.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatcouldhavebeen,becausethisismyreality.IwillnotgivemynewhusbandandhisfamilyevenanounceofsatisfactionthinkingthatI’mheartbroken.
Beingheartbrokenwouldrequiremetohaveaheart.
Imakemywaytowardthetablewiththeweddingparty.It’sslowgoingbecauseeveryonewantstostopthebrideandwishmecongratulationsorusethirtysecondsoftheirtimetotrytoweaselclosertothepowerAphroditeholds.Mytitle’sresponsibilitiesincludemakingmarriagematches,andarrangedmarriagesareoneofOlympus’sfavoritewaytoconsolidatepower.
Againandagain,myattentionisdrawnbacktothebridalparty.They’vemixedupabit.Mypeople—Hermes,Eros,andmybrotherandsister—ononesideandHephaestus’s—theMinotaur,Icarus,Ariadne,andPandora—ontheother.It’sthelatterwhointerestsme.
InthebrieftimeI’veknowntheircursedhousehold,sheseemstobetheonlyonewhommylovelyhusbandmorethantolerates.Evennow,he’sleaningoverIcarusandthere’sanactualsmileonhisface.It’sstrangeandsoftanditmakesmewanttograbthenearestpieceofsilverwareandgougehiseyeout.
Instead,IfocusonPandora.She’saprettylittlething—shortandsoftwiththekindofcurvesapersoncansinktheirhandsinto.Smoothlight-brownskinandathickfallofwavyblackhaircompletethepicture.Butwhatreallysetsherapartisthewayshelightsuparoomwhenshewalksintoit.HerlaughfillsaspaceinawayI’veneverexperiencedbefore.Iaddedhertomysideoftheweddingpartyoutofspite,becauseIknewitwouldbotherHephaestus,butIactuallyfoundmyselfenjoyingbeingaroundher.
Ifherattitudeisamask,it’sthebestI’veeverseen.
Hephaestusseesmecomingandsitsbackabruptly,hissmilefallingawayandcloudsgatheringinhisdarkeyes.Idislikehowattractiveheis.Medium-brownskinanddarkredhairthat’sactuallytrimmedproperlyforthisevent.Hismuscularframemarkedhimasawarriorbeforehisinjury,andIhavenodoubtthatevenwithhisinjuredknee,hecandoplentyofdamage.
HekilledthelastHephaestus,afterall.
Isliparoundthetableandtakemyplaceathisside.Icandothis.Ichosethis.Thereceptionisallbutover,andthenallthat’sleftistoconsummatethemarriage.Afterthat,Icanputthenextstageofmyplanintomotion.Forthenexthourortwo,Isimplyneedtoendure.
Evenknowingit’scoming,therestofthereceptionpassesinablurofcongratulations.Andthenit’stimetoseeusoff.
Hephaestushasonlyjustmovedintothepenthouseheinheritedwiththetitle—likelybecausehispredecessor’speoplemadethetransitiondifficult—andIhavenointentionoflettinghimintomyhome.Asaresult,we’vebookedahotelroomforthenight.
Itwasthesimplestsolution,butI’mregrettingtheshorttripnow.Theremainingweddingguestslinethehall,tossingflowersbeforeus,aperfectblendofred—rosesandcarnationsandpoppies.Itcreatesabeautifulstageforustowalkdown,holdinghandsasifwewantedthis.Distantly,Inotethephotographertakingpicturesfuriously.Helenwillgooverwhichtoreleasetonight,andtherestwillbesenttomeafterward.
What’sthepointinaweddingasadistractionifeveryoneisn’ttalkingaboutit?
Mysisterappearsattheendofthehallandpullsmeintoaquickhug.“Besafe,”shewhispers.Somethingcoldpressesintomyhand.
Iglancedownandnearlylaugh.It’sasmallknife,wickedlycurvedanddesignedtofitperfectlyinthepalmofmyhand.“WhatamIsupposedtodowiththis?”
“He’samurderer,Eris.”Shehugsmeagain,speakingdirectlyintomyear.“Dowhatyouhaveto.”
Idon’ttellhernottoworry.Truthfully,thisweddingwasagamble.ItcouldbeasmuchatrapformeasIintendittobeforHephaestus.Ifoneofhisfamilydecidestokillmeandtriggertheassassinationclause,theywouldbeentitledtomytitle.Beingalonewithhimisaskingforanambush.
Butthatdangergoesbothways.
“I’llbesafe.”
“Don’tmakepromisesyoucan’tkeep.”Shestepsbackandthenourbrotheristhere.Hedoesn’thugme;he’snotreallythehuggingtype.
Hejustlooksatmeandnods.“Dowhatyouhavetodo.”
Helenmakesanangrysound,butshe’sneverreallyunderstoodPerseus—nowZeus—thewayIdo.He’sruthlesstoafaultandclinicallycold,bothtraitsourbastardofafatherencouraged,buthe’sneverrailedagainsthisroleinthiscity.NotlikeHelen.NotlikeHercules.Iwincealittleatthethoughtofouryoungestbrother.He’snothere.Hewasinvited,ofcourse,buthe’smadeitclearhe’snotreturningtoOlympus,evenifourfatherisgone.
Itrynottoholdthatagainsthim.He’shappyandthat’senoughfortheothers.Ithastobeenoughforme,too.
“IalwaysdowhatIhaveto.”Iturnawayfromwhatremainsofmyfamilyandwalkwithmynewhusbandtotheelevatorthatwilltakeusuptothehoneymoonsuite.ThedoorscloseandI’malonewithHephaestusforthefirsttime.
Idon’tknowwhatIexpect.Threatsormoretaunting,perhaps.Hesaysnothing.Thesilenceunnervesme,butthisisaweaponI’mfamiliarwith.Myfatherdidn’tutilizeitoften,butwhenhedid,itwassobadIalmostpreferredhisfists.Hewouldignoreuswhenwemadehimaspecialshadeofangry,wouldactasifhecouldn’tseeorhearusforhoursandsometimesdays.Perseusalwaysseemedtofindthatalmostarelief,butitmademecrazed.WhenIwasfifteen,Idestroyedanentireroomwhileshriekingatmyfather,andhesattherestaringmildlyoutthewindowanddrinkinghiscoffeetheentiretime.
Ishudder.I’mnotfifteenanylonger.Controlhasbeenhard-won,butitexists.ThedoorsopenbeforeIcanmakealiaroutofmyself,andIchargeforward,leavingHephaestustofollowbehind.
Thehoneymoonsuiteislovely.Everythingaboutthishistorichotelislovely;it’swhyIpickeditforthewedding.Thatandthefactthateverymemberofmyfamilygoingbackgenerationshasbeenmarriedhere.
Inmyfather’scase,multipletimes.
Istareatthetastefulcreamdecorandmystomachtwists.Bestnottothinkaboutthat.Orthefactthatmybrotherandsister-in-lawoccupiedthissameroomfortheirpoliticalmarriagebackinMay.Ishudder.Traditionisatrap,butI’vegonetoofartobackoutnow.
Hephaestusstepsaroundmeandmakesabeelinetothekitchenette.There’sabottleofwhiskeytherewithajauntybowarounditthatseemstobemadeentirelyofglitter.Evenbeforehepicksupthecardandsnorts,Iknowwhoit’sfrom.
Hermes.Upuntiltwoweeksago,Iconsideredheroneofmybestfriendsinthisworld.Now,Idon’tknowwhattobelieve.Mybrotherthinksshe’satraitor,andshehasn’tdonemuchtodisabusehimofthebelief.EventhoughIknowshe’splayingatdeepergamesthananyofusfirstrealized,Istillcan’tquitebelievethatshemeansthiscityharmorthatshe’sreallyalliedwithHephaestus’sfamily.
Maybethatmakesmenaive.I’vebeenaccusedofworse.
IswallowpastthecomplicatedfeelingshernamebringsandcrosstojoinHephaestusatthecounter.“Givemethat.”
“I’vegotit.”Heripsatthebowalmostviolently.
Ibarelyresisttheurgetosnatchitoutofhishandsandpickupthecardinstead.Hermes’ssprawlinghandwritinggreetsme.
Enjoytheweddingnight,youtwolovebirds!
Isighandtossitaside.“Alwaysplayinggames.”
“She’sanOlympian.It’swhatyourpeopledo.”Hefinallygetsthebowoffanddropsittothecounterwithadisgustedgrunt.Thebottletopsoonjoinsit.Hephaestustakesalongpulldirectlyfromthebottle.Anothertime,I’dmakeabitingcommentabouthismanners,butrightnowIneedthesamefortificationheobviouslydoes.
No.Damnit,no
Iamnotsomeweakprincess,marriedoffagainstherwill.Thisweddingismydesign.Ifthiswereastory,I’dbethecunningqueen,oreventheevilwitch.IamnothelplessandIamnotinnocent.
IfHephaestusneedsliquidcourage,thenthatmeansI’mtheonecomingoutontopoftoday,nomatterhisnastylittletrickwithAdonisearlier.Istilltakethebottlefromhishandandliftittomylips,holdinghisgazeallthewhile.Oneswallow,thentwo.Istopmyselfthereandsetitonthecounterwithaclink.“Shallwe,dearhusband?”
Heshakeshisheadslowly.“YoureallyareOlympus’swh—”
“I’mgoingtostopyouthere.”IttakeseverythingIhavetoresistclenchingmyfists…andperhapsdrivingonerightintohisface.“Thismarriagecanbeasawfuloraspleasantasyouchoose.”Lies.Ihaveeveryintentionofmakingeachdayanewtormentformydearhusband.Anythingtokeephimdistractedfromthenewpowerhestolewithhistitle.Itwouldbeidealtolearnabouttherestofhisfamily’splans,butthat’sforotherstodiscover.
Myonlyaimishissuffering.
Helooksatmeasifhe’dliketotossmeoutthenearestwindow.Thefeelingisentirelymutual.
Iresignmyselftoatorturousexperienceandturnforthebedroom.“Let’sgetthisoverwith.”
WantmoreKateeRobert?
OrderCruelSeductionAcknowledgments
Iwillneverevergetovermyamazementandgratitudeovertheoverwhelmingsupportreadershavegiventhisseries.Wewouldn’thavemadeittobookfourwithoutyou,andIhopeyouenjoyedaslightlysofterturnaroundOlympus.Sufficetosay,we’rerampingthingsupwiththenextbook!
Thebiggestthankyoutoallthelibrariansandbooksellerswho’vechampionedthisseriesfromthestart!
Thisbookwouldn’tbewhatitiswithoutMaryAltman’sandChristaDésir’seditorialcomments.Youhelpedmedialthingsin—andup!—andthisbookiswaylessaslowburnthanitwouldhavebeenwithoutyourhelp!
Fromcovertodesigntosalestoproductionandeverythinginbetween,thankyoutotheteamatSourcebooksforallthesupportonthisseries,including(butdefinitelynotlimitedto):DominiqueRaccahandToddStocke;RachelGilmer,JocelynTravis,andSusieBenton;PamJaffeeandKatieStutz;HeatherHall;StephanieGafronandDawnAdams;BrianGrogan,SeanMurray,andElizabethOtte.