Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Eurydice’s.
Apollo sighs. “There might be others.”
“It will muddy the water.” He turns to Eurydice. “We can leave if you want. I don’t think we’re going to find the answers we’re looking for here.”
Her lower lip quivers, but she makes an obvious effort to still it. “I’m fine. There’s no reason to leave. Not until you’ve accomplished what you set out to.”
That all but confirms my suspicions that Charon is here on a fact-finding mission for Hades, the same way we are for Zeus. It’s a small blessing that Hades, at least, isn’t looking to ally himself with Minos. I can’t say the same for the others, except Aphrodite.
“Eurydice—”
“Would you leave if I wasn’t here?” His silence is answer enough. She turns to the rest of us. “Are you leaving?”
“Nope.” Hermes laughs. “This is just getting interesting.”
Dionysus shrugs. “He’s got good wine.” His normal good cheer is nowhere in evidence, though. If anything, he looks far sicker than alcohol can explain.
I cannot believe what I’m hearing. They should all be heading for the front door. Instead, they’re…staying. “You’re serious. Someone just tried to kill Pan and you’re just going to stick around and wait to give them another shot? And what about Atalanta and Tyche? That’s three people.”
“Pan will be transported to the hospital in the city.” Dionysus hiccups. “I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
“Atalanta texted me. She’s fine.” Artemis examines her fingernails. “Sometimes parties get wild, Cassandra. You’d know that if you were invited to more of them.” Behind her, Hephaestus makes a choked laughing sound.
“As if someone couldn’t take her phone and use it to text you.” I’m sorely tempted to pick up that fucking tortoise and fling it at her, but aside from that thing looking heavy, assault never solved any problems. If they won’t see reason, trying to beat some sense into them isn’t going to work. “You’re fools. One of you will be next.”
Hephaestus snorts. “Please. We’re the Thirteen. We’ll be fine.”
“Of all the—”
“Collar your girlfriend, Apollo. Before one of us has to.” Artemis turns away.
Her exit starts a cascade. One by one they follow her, even Eurydice and Charon. Hermes is the last one standing and she shakes her head slowly. “I told you to leave, Cass. It’s not too late to go, but no one is going to believe your warnings.” She leaves before I can come up with a response.
What is there to say? She’s right.
I turn to Apollo. He looks troubled, but even knowing him as well as I do, I can’t say if it’s what just happened that’s bothering him or thoughts of the future. He finally meets my gaze and squeezes my hand. “I hate to say it, but she’s right. You should leave.”
I don’t miss the emphasis on you. “What about you? What about Ariadne?”
He ignores the question. “I don’t know why someone would target Pan, but it’s getting more and more obvious that you’re not safe.”
“Apollo—”
“If you’re concerned about Zeus declaring the deal null and void, I can make the argument that you’ve more than done your duty and you never agreed to being in physical danger. He may attempt to dock the pay, but I’ll make up the difference.”
Exasperation takes hold. He’s nothing if not stubborn. “You can’t just write me a check for over a million dollars. Your family would chase me out of town with pitchforks and torches.”
“You already intend to leave. What do you care what my family thinks?”
He’s right. Of course he’s right. That doesn’t change the fact that the thought of leaving Apollo here alone makes my entire body clench in denial. “That’s not the point.”
He steps close and cups my face. “Let me worry about the money. Go home where it’s safe.”
I cover his hands with my own. “I’ll leave if you come with me.”
“I can’t.” He sighs. “Not if there really is potential for Ariadne to flip to our side.”
“Then we’ll call Ares.” I’m reaching, and I know it, but I can’t shake the feeling of impending doom.
“Ares can’t interfere without a direct invitation or an order from Zeus, which he won’t give for fear of alienating those members of the Thirteen who are guests.” Apollo shakes his head. “I can’t leave. Not yet. But you can, Cassandra. Please.”
“No. Not without you.” I wrap my hands around his wrists and squeeze. “If I’m not here, you have no one to watch your back. I’m not Ares or Athena or even Artemis, but I can’t leave you alone. Don’t ask me to.”
“I’m not the one in danger, Cassandra.” I refuse to budge. He looks like he wants to keep arguing but finally sighs again. “Short of stuffing you in a trunk and driving back to the city myself, I’m not going to convince you, am I?”
Despite everything, I laugh a little. “No. Short of kidnapping, it’s not going to happen.”