Chapter 23
PHAEDRA
Heraion of Argos used to comprise several buildings, but now only foundations, columns, and low walls remain.
Heading to the center, I kneel and say a prayer to Hera.
She did say five temples, five prayers, and five offerings.
As she accepted two offerings and two prayers in the one in Italy, I thought it better to be safe than sorry when we reach the final one.
A minute later, we leave Argos and head to Perachora.
Waves and salty air greet us as we step out of the portal.
Here, the temple is built between the cliff and sea.
While the temples in Italy are incredible examples of history, this is probably the most peaceful of them all.
Well, it would be if I weren’t so damn nervous.
Gatlin hands me the scepter, and the three of them take up position behind me. I frown, but by the stoic look on their faces, they’re not moving. Entering the rectangular ruins, I kneel in the sand and murmur a prayer.
Energy fills the space, and when I glance up, Hera and Athena are standing there together. Hera’s staring malevolently at the three behind me, but I raise the scepter high to get her to refocus.
“My offering, crafted by the most ingenious artisan to ever wield a hammer, Hephaestus, because only a god-made scepter would be good enough for the Queen of Olympus,” I tell her, a hint of challenge in my tone. I figure the only way she’ll accept it is if I almost goad her into it.
Her lips curl. “What’s so special about it?”
“Besides the superb craftsmanship?” I flip it around and press the button, bringing it closer to her. She raises an amused brow, but her amusement quickly fades when I press the button and the blade slides out. “It’s made of Imperial Gold.”
She immediately takes a step back, hands slightly trembling, and I quickly sheathe the blade. Then I lay it flat across my two palms and present it to her again.
“Athena,” she says in a sharp tone.
The goddess smiles and reaches out to take the scepter. “Hephaestus and I spoke about this gift, and he assured me it held no danger to you. But if you don’t want it, I’ll accept it on your behalf and display it in the great hall.”
“Fine. It’s an acceptable gift. Put it in my quarters, though,” she says in a sullen tone. “And you have fulfilled the quest.” She waves a hand, and the panel appears in front of me.
I immediately grab it, then bow my head in gratitude.
She peers down at me, her lids at half-mast, and haughtily informs me that visitors have been showing up to the temples in Italy to see the peacock and the pomegranate tree Hawthorne created. “It feels good to be worshipped again.”
Athena’s eyes flick to her in surprise, but she says nothing, and neither do I.
With a huff, Hera disappears, but I don’t dare relax yet.
I look over at Athena, and she points the scepter at me. “The time is coming. Soon. Be ready.” Then she too is gone.
My shoulders slump, and I fall to my knees as the relief of accomplishing this task overwhelms me. Gatlin strides over and scoops me up.
I raise the panel to look at the design on it, and I’m suddenly thankful Gatlin is carrying me. On the surface of this final panel are two young girls. One blond. One dark-haired. Me and my sister. I close my eyes and hug the panel to my chest.
“Let’s go home,” I tell them wearily.
The three panels gleam blue, white, and gold. The first panel is the one Hawthorne and I found on our first visit to the Temple of Hephaestus. It’s clearly the front side panel because it has an ornate lock in it.
The second panel is the one I found with Mathias near Apollo’s sanctuary on Delos. It has an exact replica of the vase on it. I pick it up and slide the corner into the slots on the first panel. Looking from the front, it comprises the left side of the box.
The third panel is the one Hera gave me yesterday.
I can’t help but trace my sister’s delicate features.
Tears burn in my eyes, but I blink until they’re gone.
When I look up, I see the soft look of understanding in their eyes.
Dropping my gaze back to the panel in front of me, I realize this is the right side, which means the side panel the vampires have comprises the back of the box.
“The vampires have the last side panel, and we know Caron has the real top panel,” I tell them, waving a hand over the partially constructed box. “The panel hidden by Ares must comprise the bottom.”
I run my hands over the top edges and nod. “We’re close, but I’m also stuck. I haven’t a clue where to find Ares’ panel. Maybe once we have the missing two, Ares will reveal the last piece. Strategy and war. It enables him to reveal it only when the rest of the task is done. It makes sense.”
Jamison checks his phone for the thousandth time. “They’re supposed to pick the contenders today. No word from Mathias yet.” A muscle jumps in his clenched jaw.
He’s worried, but there’s nothing we can do until we hear from him.
I place the items back into the safe on the wall and run a finger down the seam to biometrically seal it. When I turn, I see Hawthorne’s hand reaching toward a knife on the table, and I slap his hand.
“Don’t touch,” I remind him sharply. “The items in here are the worst of the worst. While you might survive some of these curses, there are others that would either end your life or make you wish for it. Think of them as weapons, not artifacts of history.”
Gatlin’s eyes dart to mine. “That’s one hell of an arsenal.”
Hmm, I never thought about the pieces like that before, but with potential war looming over our heads, it might be time to take a second look. Plus, I could use some space. Seeing a likeness of my sister has put me into a bit of a tailspin.
“Good idea. I’m going to stay here and sort through some of the items. Create a pile to carry into battle, so to speak.” When they don’t move, I look up. “Please. I just need some space to breathe and think.”
Jamison clears his throat and motions to the other two, then he places a kiss on my forehead and the three of them head out the door.
I reach out and pick up a beautiful strand of perfectly matched pearls. Whoever purchased these had money. Lots of it. Cold curls around my palm as the curse reveals itself to me. Decapitation curse. This definitely goes in the arsenal.
If I control the portals, does this mean I can find my sister? I absentmindedly reach for an ornate cross. Damnation curse. I toss it to the side and pick up a delicate gold cuff.
Surely they’ll let me see her. Maybe use the portals to visit her. Obsession curse. Interesting. The wearer becomes obsessed with the giver. Basically, forced love at its finest. My lip curls in disgust, and I toss it to the side.
What if they don’t? Do I really want to control the portals if they can’t give me the one thing I want most? Well, two things. See my sister and let Mathias return to his daughter.
A small, jeweled dagger catches my eye, and I pick it up. Blood curse. Perfect. I add it to the arsenal.
What if they make me choose? My sister or Mathias?
The gods are notorious for their games and cruelty.
Could I pick one? I think about it for a second.
Sadly, I could. Mathias did nothing to deserve this exile.
I did. If I have to live without my sister for another three thousand years but I’m able to send Mathias home, I can live with that deal.
He still hasn’t told me about this mate bond.
Based on Jamison’s reaction, this is a big deal.
But beyond the attraction between us, I haven’t felt anything strange since he took my blood.
Although Jamison did say something about an exchange completing the bond.
If we don’t complete it, does that mean we can both walk away?
Does he get more than one mate? I stop. I don’t want to think of him with anyone else but me.
For two hours, I sort and think while I create an arsenal of cursed objects. Some defensive, others egregiously offensive and lethal, but all of them dangerous, especially to supernaturals. I tried to include items that would be particularly useful against mages and vampires.
With a sigh, I roll my shoulders and put them into a couple of backpacks. Then I shut off the lights and step out of the vault.
Gatlin’s sitting in the small hallway, book in hand, reading. He snaps it shut when I walk out. “All done?”
I look at him incredulously. “Have you been out here this whole time?”
He raises the book in his hand. “It’s quiet down here. Gave me time to read.”
I look at the dog-eared book in his hand. “How many times have you read it? A few hundred? It looks pretty worn.”
“It’s a favorite,” he says with a shrug. “Do you need more time?”
Feeling more settled after walking through the thoughts in my head, I hold up the two bags in my hand. “The arsenal.” For a second I hesitate, then realize I’m being stupid and walk into his arms for the huge hug I know is waiting for me. “Thank you. For being here in case I needed you.”
His arms enclose me as he draws me in tight. “I’ll always be here when you need me.”
A twinge of fear skates down my spine at his words. What if the gods don’t see it the same way? That’s the real gut-wrenching fear I’m afraid to face. What if they won’t let them stay with me?
His gryphon must sense my apprehension because he takes my hand and pulls me up the staircase into the garage where he makes me set down the bags.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re going flying,” he tells me, dragging me outside with him. He sends a text to Jamison, then walks twenty feet away from me. Seconds later, a huge gust of wind blows my hair back as his gryphon forms in front of me.
My heart races as I look at the magnificent creature.
Good thing we were being shot at that first time, as I’m not sure if I’d have gotten on.
He extends a massive paw, and I use it to pull myself up onto his back.
Curling my hands into the juncture where fur meets feathers, I lean forward until I’m practically lying on top of him.
Jamison and Hawthorne come rushing out of the house, yelling, but he takes a running leap and jumps, shooting straight into the sky.
The cool wind blows my hair back as the scent of myrrh and juniper teases my nose.
I forgot he also smells of myrrh in this form.
Flying with him is like stepping back into ancient Egypt.
I close my eyes as the weight on my shoulders lifts, replaced by the exhilarating feeling of flying.
Spreading my arms wider, I squeeze him the best I can.
“I needed you. And this. Thank you.”
He looks back with one menacing eagle eye and winks.