Summoned, Part II
“Nike, are you saying that since you stepped in to help run the shop on Olympus Boulevard, you brought in a half a million-dollar increase to the company?”
“Nike, are you saying that since you stepped in to help run the shop on Olympus Boulevard, you brought in a half a million-dollar increase to the company?”
Nestled between a ribcage and a skull is a wooden box about two hands long. Unremarkable yet mystifying. It looks familiar, but I can’t think why. Why is this box so important?
You’ve been through a lot, and you have big plans. Ground yourself, Circe. Do not allow recent events to obscure your mind, he advised.
A man was sitting at the foot of the tree. I couldn’t see him, but I could tell he was sad. If my heart had arms, it would have reached for him.
“So tag and bag, or should we just kill them? Because honestly, I am good either way.”
I stand slowly, unfurling every inch of my height. “Understand this, thávma. This was not planned or done with any intention of hurting you, and this baby will be just as much yours as ours.”
“He gave me this to give to you.” Hermes produced a black envelope with a golden “Z” seal on the back. It was an official OA envelope, and he kept it just out of my reach.
“That after everything you did, after everything she did, I watched them take her away, and I actually felt guilty.” I stop, raising my head to look at him. It is the first time I admitted that to anyone. Let alone myself. “So yeah, guess my crimes have earned me eternity.”
His back is towards me as he stares out at the night sky. It makes my heart drop. My father is usually confident and happy. It is hard to see him anything but that.
I landed hard on my knees, my snakes hissing and striking at the air in a frenzy as I went down. I screamed in frustration, stood, and pushed my way through the remaining passengers.
Man’s love for The Pantheon might have waned, but their passion for wine remained strong. Even though my name did not cross their lips, it always stayed in their thoughts.
The hands were still spinning in lazy, counter-clockwise circles. I looked down at the watch. My eyes glowed in the reflection in the glass, but…nothing. I could feel no power surging through me, no pull into the watch.
When I exited the portal, the devastation surprised me. Sure, Poseidon had warned me about it, but to witness the lingering carnage? I felt tears well up, and I had to wipe them away. It would be no good, going before the King of the Gods crying.
Everyone is finding love and pairing off. I wanted that, too. I just don’t know if I will ever have it. I don’t have the best track record for love.
Taking a deep breath, knowing that once again, my feelings were impeding my duty. Duty, duty, duty, I thought to myself as I turned to fly back to the room.