Chapter 24
The talisman went off, and Merlin and I practically jumped out of our skin to be presentable and ready. Nyx and Venthra were back.
The smug smile on Venthra's face disappeared a split second after they arrived. "Really?" she said, as Merlin, still flushed, shifted her robes to make sure they were covering her completely.
"Nice," Nyx said with a smile, her serpents all tasting the air.
"I swear you've put something in the water. This is not normal," Venthra said.
I shrugged helplessly. "Maybe they put something in my water," I said, as if that might make it better. She was less than amused, scowling at me.
I turned back to Nyx, expecting her to be more helpful. "I assume everything went okay?"
"If by okay, you mean are the demons dead, then yes." Nyx glanced sideways at Venthra. "Things went well. Her poison and my arrows made a better combination than I expected."
I paused, thinking that through, and nodded. "Makes sense. Both of you are plenty strong. That combines both of your strong points. Venthra's poison is great," I said, moving on to the next part quickly as Nyx had a deep frown, "but Nyx has superior coverage."
The assassin appeared to consider my assessment for a moment before nodding in agreement.
I was happy we could at least reach that agreement and stepped back. "Almeria's off looking at the tribes. They're the only ones who came and inspected this place."
Both of the others nodded along.
"She can take care of herself," Nyx added.
"Yeah, I have no concerns with her going off,” I agreed.
“But you had concerns with us," Venthra pointed out quickly.
Nyx waved her concern off. "Everyone's protective of me, but I'm fine." She stuck her hands on her hips, daring me to say otherwise. I was smarter than that.
"Well, I'm glad both of you are back. We'll get moving soon enough. Almeria will meet us back at the First Garden," I told them.
Both of the ladies glanced at each other and nodded.
"Are we going to keep monitoring here?" Venthra asked, pointing at the instance.
"I suppose, technically." I turned to Merlin. "I don't suppose we could have someone keep an eye on this while you stay ready?"
"Of course we can," Merlin said. "Though, if you'll allow it, I'd prefer to make Eve work for it. Get someone from the First Garden to watch it."
I chuckled. "We can make Eve work for it and take a short break. The first group came quickly. I suspect the others won't be far behind, so we shouldn't go far."
I did have a few other items on my list; however, they would just have to wait for the moment.
The Blood Peach and the Leech's Key were both things I needed to work on. Neither of them was going to be simple. I worried slightly; planting the Blood Peach back at the citadel would cause a large wave of the Mul Branova to simply bloodlet over the growing tree in hopes of a reward later. It was odd that they were so devoted that I had to be careful about what opportunities I presented, with the risk they’d take it too far.
I would simply have to gather a good quantity of demon blood before I planted the peach and started its growth.
As for the key, that would mean going back to the Heros Clan, where I was certain to come into minor conflict with Zeus. I couldn't be certain what he'd do to try to keep me within the clan, especially now that the knowledge of my ability to modify bloodlines had come out during the tournament.
I chuckled. There was very little chance he'd let that go unanswered. And while I was certain I could resolve any conflict, it was a matter of keeping alliances. I sighed as I considered that factor. I probably needed to visit sooner rather than later just to keep the relationship going.
I paused, and Merlin glanced at me. "Yeah, let's head back to the First Garden, and then I think it might be best if I give the Heros Clan a visit. I don’t want Zeus to think I'm ignoring him."
"Circe does describe him as a little needy for attention," Merlin said. "I still can't believe he dyes his beard white."
Venthra let out a small chuckle. "He does?" She looked to me for confirmation.
I gave her a slow, steady nod. "Apparently, he does it to be taken seriously.
I still find it funny. I doubt he'd appreciate that I keep spreading that rumor.
You didn't hear it from me. But I guess Zeus"—I air-quoted—"isn't Zeus without a white beard to go with the name.
Apparently, that's what happens when you're at a certain level of fame.
You become known for something, and without it, no one would recognize you. "
Venthra shook her head. "I suppose so. Still… what color is his actual beard?"
"Black," I answered quickly. "He dyes it at least weekly, so no one notices the roots."
It seemed Merlin was done with this particular conversation, because with a wave of her hand, our group reappeared back at the First Garden.
She held out a hand. "Talismans," she stated, and I plopped them into her palm where they belonged.
She then touched me and, with a force of will, sent me into the shadows.
***
I reappeared back at the Citadel of Blood with Nyx and Venthra.
"About time I got a break," Venthra said, stretching her arms overhead and marching away without a look back.
"Is she always that cranky?" I asked Nyx.
"Only when you're around," Nyx answered as she moved on to her room.
I frowned at that and started moving through the citadel with purpose. If I was going back to the clan, I most likely needed Circe, and then I'd need to use one of our new portals to jump closer. I couldn't use Merlin as a convenient teleport for everything, though I was half-tempted to try.
"Oh, there you are, Bran." Circe found me first, a pleasant smile on her lips.
She was wearing a loose pale green silk dress that wrapped over her shoulder like a toga before being sewn in at the waist, and her soft blue hair fell like a waterfall over it—both of which made her red eyes practically glow on her beautiful face.
"Here I am." I held my arms wide, happy to see her. "And I'm off to visit the Heros Clan. Don't suppose you have any business back there?" I asked with a lifted brow.
Circe smirked. "Are you ready for Zeus to pick a fight with you?"
"Do I want it? Never. Can I handle it? Yes," I said quickly.
She waffled her head and decided that would have to be good enough. "He's going to love your visit," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I could only grunt in acknowledgment.
I held my arm out, and Circe slipped her arm into mine, pressing her soft body close.
"Let me just tend to a few things, and then you've got me to yourself," she said, with a knowing smile, pulling me along like she meant to keep me.
***
Circe landed, the wind still sweeping around us, my blown-back hair finally settling from the flight.
"That was far faster than before," I said.
She put a hand against her chest. "After obtaining the Monarch title, I'm even better with my manipulation of air. I wish we could find a working speedometer, so I could get an actual read on how fast I can fly now." She smirked, quite satisfied with my initial reaction.
In fairness, it had felt like I was about to be launched directly into space. Circe hadn't held back, doing her best to impress—and doing a damn good job of achieving that goal.
We had made it from Denmark down to the Heros Clan isle in the Mediterranean Sea in just over an hour.
"Does your power feel any different?" I asked her, stalling ever so slightly before I had to rejoin any conversation with Zeus.
"It's more intuitive," she answered quickly.
"Like I just knew that creating a pocket in front of us while flying and pushing us into it would make things faster and faster, until I drew the pocket out and essentially launched us down a vacuum tube in a bubble of air.
I didn't even consider all the details. It just feels right now. "
I hummed in understanding. It was time to get back on topic and why we were here. "Well then, any tips you can give me before I start this conversation with Zeus?"
Circe smirked. "I could tell you to suck up to him. However, we both know you aren't going to do that."
I puffed out my cheeks in my own playful answer. "I could," I challenged quickly.
"But you won't," she tacked on, before starting to walk through the clan.
It was strange being back. I had been here not long ago, but very few people seemed to recognize me.
Instead, everyone's eyes were on Circe. I knew it wasn't necessarily a bad thing to be less well known; I just found it interesting how short people's memories could be.
Circe was receiving a warm welcome, receiving plenty of kind smiles.
An equal number eyed me up and down with looks ranging from mild confusion to occasional delayed recognition.
"Circe, wonderful to see you," my three servants greeted her, then turned to me with a bow. "Hello, master… unless you've forgotten us?" Myra’s voice was harsh.
The three women were wrapped in gold togas, their hair done up and slightly aggrieved expressions on their otherwise beautiful faces. After all, Zeus had sent them to me to spy and sway me when I’d first rejoined the clan.
"Never," I said, a slight guilty chuckle escaping me. But based on the way they glared, they were not buying that it was an accident or afterthought.
I'd sent them away simply because they'd been given to me by Zeus to be spies. I had held them at arm's length, even if I'd given them potent enough bloodlines to earn their loyalty. I still hadn't really needed them by the time they'd gained some strength.
"If you'd like, we could happily show you through the Heros Clan. I'm sure you've forgotten how it's laid out," Fyra said.
"You should be nicer to your ladies," Circe said with a smirk. "Especially the ones who report to Zeus," she added meaningfully, and I eyed her, wondering if she couldn't have given me a forewarning about their current disposition.
"Well, I suppose you could start by letting Zeus know I'm here. Is that how I should do it, Circe?" I asked, turning to her. "Or should I just stroll on up, knock on the door, and ask if he wants to come out and play?"
Circe covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "Yes, please, ask Zeus to come out and play. I would pay to see that."
"Well then, I suppose that's what we ought to do. Please, that tour towards Zeus’ if you would?" Even though I'd asked for directions, I knew roughly which way I was going, and I continued my march toward Zeus's palace, hanging off the cliffs before us.
Only a few steps in, and there were already several guards rushing my way.
"Oh look, an escort," I stated.
"Are we not enough?" the three golden maids said, crossing their arms, watching our escort arrive.
"I'm sure you are plenty," I said, taking the opportunity to reassure them. "However, perhaps Zeus wasn't aware you'd already met me on the way here."
My attempt to soften any annoyance barely seemed to help. They stood, arms crossed, while two golden-plated warriors greeted me.
"It is our pleasure," one of them said, quickly bowing.
"Well then, if it's your pleasure, go right ahead. I assume Zeus knows I'm here?" I asked.
"You were sensed entering the barrier." He gave Circe a less-than-friendly nod, causing her eyebrow to climb halfway up her face.
I gave her a small smile, hoping it would make up for the fact that I'd apparently caused some tension between her and Zeus. While a name like Zeus might nominally put him at the top of the hierarchy, the reality was that the three branches of the Heros Clan were fairly evenly matched.
The two of us continued behind the guards, who were being rather quiet for a welcoming committee.
"Oh, Bran, lovely to see you," Hercules’ voice preceded him as he stepped out from behind a pillar.
"Lovely to see you, too," I said, patting the big man on the shoulder. "However, I get the feeling Zeus isn't nearly as happy."
Hercules winced and fell into step with me. "Zeus doesn't like surprises, nor does he like situations out of his control."
I deadpanned, trying to communicate that another adult’s preferences weren't exactly my priority when it came to ensuring everyone survived everything happening.
Hercules lifted his hands in the universal signal for surrender. "You don't have to tell me. I'm just being a bit of a peacekeeper. I’d like to avoid you sinking our island after Zeus pisses you off. You know, reminding you that you like some of the people who live here."
I chuckled. I did have some family here, though I wasn't particularly excited to see them. In fact, I'd be happy never to see my grandfather again if I could help it.
"I suppose I like some of you," I said dryly.
"Oh good, I'm glad I managed to remind you of that," he joked as we pushed forward.