Chapter 8 Circe #2
I really can’t argue her logic. “Very well. I’ll be back as soon as I speak with Demeter.” I know I can’t spend all my time hovering over Hecate, but I still can’t resist checking on her before I leave the university to enact the next step in this plan.
I find the woman in question pacing an empty classroom.
Her sharp movement is the only indication of her agitation.
Her expression is smooth and she’s found the time to change out of her blood-spattered dress and fix her hair.
If I hadn’t watched her fall to her knees next to Eros’s body, I wouldn’t know she was rattled at all.
She spins to face me and goes perfectly still. Each word out of her mouth is clear and clipped. “What was that?”
I’m no more in the mood than she is to pussyfoot around this conversation.
“He was perfectly safe in the front row. He stepped over the line and threatened me. Our deal only concerns your daughters, and even if it didn’t, you’re not fool enough to assume I’ll die for the sake of saving them. Keep your people in line.”
She doesn’t flinch. “You trotted his mother out onto a stage and put three bullets into her. No matter how complicated that relationship, you would be a fool to think he wouldn’t act.”
It was a calculated gamble. If Hecate hadn’t dropped down from the ceiling and attacked, there’s a small chance Eros wouldn’t have tried to kill me for fear of risking Psyche.
He loves—loved—his wife more than his mother.
But she did, and he did, and there’s no going back now. “What’s done is done.”
Demeter stares at me for a long time. I find myself holding my breath, waiting to see which way she’ll land.
She’s balanced on the knife’s edge, and any sudden movement will send her toppling into rebellion or falling in line.
Finally, she inhales slowly and exhales just as slowly. “You have a plan for the lower city.”
“I do.” I will not, however, be sharing the details with her.
Her allegiance is too circumstantial at the moment—and three of her four daughters are tucked behind that barrier.
“First, we’re going to gather up those still left in the upper city.
Then we’ll pay a visit to one of the bridges to speak with Hades. ”
Her brows wing up. “What makes you think he’ll take the risk of talking with you in person?”
I smile sweetly. “He’s not going to have a choice.” I let the smile fall as quickly as I summoned it. “No matter what else is true, I didn’t intend for Eros to die. Is this going to be a problem?”
“No.” She walks slowly toward me. “But I’m concerned Psyche is going to do something foolish if left to her own devices. I’m taking her to my country estate. Once she’s settled in, my people will keep her safe there until this is all over.”
There isn’t a single thing in her voice, body language, or expression to make me suspect this is a ploy.
She’s good. I’ll give her that. It’s tempting to keep Psyche close as insurance of Demeter’s good behavior, but after the events of today, it’s just as likely that Psyche will act out and require me to slap her down as it is that she’ll be a useful hostage.
If I hurt one of Demeter’s beloved daughters, she’ll revolt.
In a few days, it won’t matter either way, but for now, I need to ensure she stays, public and pleased, on my side. “Of course. The countryside is the safest place for her.” Well away from any temptation to sneak into the lower city. “I’m happy to provide an escort.”
Her hazel eyes flash. “That won’t be necessary. I have plenty of people, and Psyche isn’t likely to take kindly to your soldiers’ presence.”
It’s a valid point, but it doesn’t change the suspicion worming its way through me.
Demeter is formidable. If she’s been set back on her heels by the death of her son-in-law, it doesn’t mean she’ll stay that way for long.
We’re both too smart to threaten each other overtly, though.
“Whatever you need. I was only concerned that there may not be enough manpower to protect her, what with the barrier having come down. The rest of the world hasn’t noticed yet, but it’s only a matter of time. We’re a long way from the countryside.”
“Yes. We are.” She brushes a careless hand over her dress. “If that’s all, I’ll see to my grieving daughter.”
“I need you to return to the city proper in two days. We have a lot of work to do.”
“Of course.” She sweeps from the room without another word.
I sigh. Demeter is going to be a problem.
That’s unfortunate. She was always going to have to step down, but I was willing to forgo her trial in exchange for her alliance.
She’s as much a monster as the rest of them, but she’s spent a lot of time and effort bettering the lives of the people in Olympus.
The same can’t be said for the rest of the Thirteen.
I take a moment to center myself. This isn’t ideal, but it’s not unexpected. I’ve planned for the eventuality of her attempting to stab me in the back. It will be slightly tricky to time things to ensure I get the most benefit from her alliance before she turns on me, but it can be done.
There’s so much to do and so little time. The people of Olympus are galvanized, but if I don’t follow through on my promises of a new power structure after the death of the old one, they’ll turn on me the same way they’re turning on the Thirteen and legacy families now.
Antigone will return with at least a few of the Thirteen as captives, which will be a good start.
The team in the lower city is taking longer than I’d like to find the machinery to bring down the secondary barrier, but they will find it.
I want to have things buttoned up in the upper city before they do.
It’s best not to fight battles on two fronts.
With that in mind, I make my way back to where Nerissa stands guard over the room containing Hecate. “I’ve handled Demeter. Station two people you’re sure of on this room and check in with Antigone to see what she needs. I don’t want anyone else to slip through the cracks while I get some rest.”
She hesitates. “You’ll actually rest?”
My team is so damned invested in me sleeping, as if sleep truly brings rest instead of nightmares.
“I will. I promise.” I slip back through the door and into the room.
Only to pull up short at the sight of wide dark-brown eyes blinking at me.
She should have been unconscious for hours, but Hecate is already fighting her way back to consciousness.
I smile. “It’s time we had a chat.”