Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“It doesn’t really matter if I do or not, does it?” With anyone else, the statement would be barbed. With Nerissa, it’s simply fact. “My job is to protect you while you bring justice to Olympus. That woman didn’t hurt you.”
False. Hecate tore my heart out of my chest when she took the Hermes title. But that betrayal is between the two of us. It’s personal, and we’ll navigate it one way or another. Together. “That doesn’t change the fact that you have plenty to do that doesn’t involve babysitting our captive.”
“Circe.” She sighs. “Every single one of us would die for you. You know we’d kill for you. Most of us have already.”
I know this. “And?”
“And all it would take is one of our people deciding to save you by eliminating what is the biggest perceived threat. Her.” She squares her shoulders. “I’m staying on the door.”
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.”