Chapter 27 – Keto
KETO
Ilinger by the mouth of the cave. The torches light the space around me, flickering in the darkness. And the mist curls around my feet, as if beckoning me further, but no matter how many times I shout for my friend, she fails to emerge.
She’s probably a bleeding, broken mess somewhere along the tunnel to the Underworld.
The thought makes my gut clench. I wish it was just a stray bad idea, but the truth is that I’m probably right. And that I can’t go searching for her.
So I select a dark rock and scribble my note into the side of the cave, careful not to say anything that could have the wrong person learning what I’ve planned.
And then, very carefully, I place the bundle containing Hephaestus’s tool.
I tuck it against the wall of the cave and wedge a rock on top of it.
Rising, I frown. I wish I could have given it to her. But at least it’s here when she returns.
Sending a prayer to the gods, I hope that it falls into her hands.
Then, turning, I leave the Isle of the Demons behind, promising that one day I’ll return.
But I’m not yet done. I have another stop to make. To my dear friend Lamia. I can’t imagine what she’s felt since killing those men on the beach to protect me, but I’ll ensure she knows that she has nothing to feel sorry for.
And I’ll tell her what I know now for the first time, there is hope for us. There are people who can love us monsters.
We just need to find the right ones.