“So now what?” Aida asked.
“Happiness is making its way back into the world. It won’t be the same as before—it can’t be. Some things that disappeared might come back. People who have died won’t come back to life. But a museum could reopen, or a fountain may flow once more. But other things cannot revert. For example, a planetarium turned into a nursing home still has usefulness to the world even if the levels of happiness therein are different. It cannot change back without altering some of the fundamental fabric of humanity. But I think you’ll find there are new places for hope and happiness.”
“No, what happened in the field...” Luciano squinted at her. “What was that?”
“Thatwas Nyx. I called upon her to give you all a boon. One that only she could give.”
“What sort of boon?” Yumi asked.
“She’s our mother and one of the only gods who has the power to command my siblings not to touch the hide nor hair of the four of you or anyone else in your lives. They cannot seek retribution for what you have done in restoring balance.”
Aida had tried not to overthink what would happen if they were able to free Effie and convince Pandora, but the idea that their lives might be perpetually in danger had always been in the back of her mind. She closed her eyes in relief. But then she thought of the memories that had rushed through her.
“Sophie, I think MODA chose me to be a Happiness Collector when I was very young.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked.
“I was filled with happiness when Pandora let it out into the world. And two memories stand out for me—one when my parents were pushing me on the swings. I was laughing. And my father told me I must be the happiest child in the world. And there was another when I won a VFW writing award. My parents were in the audience, clapping, so proud.”
“What does that have to do with my brother and sisters?”
“In the first memory, Fran sat on a bench watching us. In the second memory, Disa was sitting in the auditorium next to my mother. And then Erin.” She told Sophie about Fran’s revelation in the clearing. She began to cry, unable to wrap her mind around the idea; the gods had warped her life to convince her to become a Happiness Collector.
Luciano put his arms around her. “You’re not alone, Aida. I have similar memories.”
Sophie nodded. “I wish your words surprised me. But we gods have long toyed with the lives of humans. Most of the time, you are blissfully unaware. You will become so again.”
Aida felt Luciano tense. She thought he might scream at the goddess, his anger overcoming him, as her tears had done to her. But instead, he asked a calm, practical question.
“What happens to us? We no longer have jobs or even a place to live. And there are hundreds of us in the same position.”
Sophie put her hand on the doorknob, ready to leave. “While you may no longer have official roles, rest assured that more benevolent forces have generously secured your wealth. Your homes remain yours, but now, the power has shifted—you’ll be the ones in control, employing the staff who once served MODA’s interests. But all MODA employees will begin to forget how you ended up in such a situation. New stories will form. Nyx has proclaimed it.”
“What about our assistants? They’re all automatons, aren’t they? And what happens to Pandora?” Aida asked.
“They are. Nyx has collected them all to her, and will keep them safe until Zeus returns.”
Luciano put an arm around Aida. “And us? Will we forget each other?”
Sophie shook her head. “No. But you won’t remember me.”
She opened the door and was gone.
“I thought you were going to order lunch,” Yumi admonished Felix. “I’m starving. It’s like I ran a marathon.”
“Me too,” Felix said. He pulled out his phone and began thumbing through the food app. “Say, Aida, let’s do dinner at your place tonight. Ilario makes the best freaking carbonara.”
Aida tried to understand what was happening in front of her. Yumi’s and Felix’s words felt strange, like there was something else they should be saying instead. “I need some air.”
“I’ll go with you,” Luciano said, following Aida to the balcony. He shut the door behind them.
“Do you remember coming over here tonight?” he asked her. His brow was knitted with concern.
Aida shook her head. “No, I don’t. And the apartment seems strange to me. Like things are out of place. And Yumi looks different.” She peered into the living room, where Felix was making Yumi a drink from his bar cart. “She doesn’t have bangs... I thought she always had bangs.”
“You’re different too,” Luciano observed, taking her hand and turning over her wrist. “You have a tattoo.” He ran his fingers across the skin.
Aida gave him a little sock on the arm. “I’ve had that tattoo for a while. We got them all together, silly. A tiny black star. Protection from the goddess Nyx, remember?” She paused, the idea of it seeming strange. “Nyx, Nyx, from, from...” She trailed off, trying to recall.
