“Where was Poseidon born?” she demanded.
“Um, Ithaca?”
“Are you sure? That sounded more like a question that a statement,” she answered, tapping his forehead. “You have to livethe character in your head. What does your character like? What do they dislike? What is their favorite color? Their favorite animal?”
I saw Luke stumble for a few moments before it seemed to click, then his confidence seemed to grow and he began to respond.
“Poseidon…was born in Ithaca. His parents were Leta and Roget Meera—they’re both dead now. They owned several olive groves, as well as raising falcons for nobles. Some of the best in Ithaca,” he responded with a slight grin.
Sylvi nodded in encouragement.
“Go on,” she said.
“Poseidon didn’t want to be an olive farmer, so he ran away to Greece. He took his pet eagle, Aetos, with him. He couldn’t find work, and if it weren’t for Aetos, they probably would have starved. Until Master B took him in and taught him the courtesan’s trade.”
“He loves pomegranates, but he hates olives,” Luke continued. “Because his parents loved them more than they did him.”
Sylvi smiled.
“Now you’ve got it!”
I could almost see the transformation taking place in my beloved. Luke slowly faded to the background, and Poseidon seemed to move forward. His smile changed slightly, becoming more sly and slightly cruel. Even his walk was different, more feline, more like Sylvi’s graceful movements. I began to believe we might be able to get through this.
Master B went to have dinner with Hestus and Aurelius while Sylvi continued to coach Luke. The rest of us ate a simple meal, then dressed our appropriate parts. Sylvi worked her magic on Luke and Elex. She applied a cream to Luke’s back to hide the tattoo of moon and stars that marked him as a member of the royal household. She blew on it to let it dry, then looked at me with serious eyes.
“Be careful. It won’t rub off on clothing, but if he sweats too much the oils on his skin can make it smear.”
“How do we get it off?” I asked.
“Alcohol. Once we are out of here, I can use alcohol to remove it.”
You ready for this?Luke asked me.
I nodded and closed my eyes, focusing on the image of an eagle.
It was a more challenging change than my fox form, but doable. Within moments I felt the world change and grow. I realized with a start it wasn’t the walls growing higher, but myself shrinking.
I flapped my wings and let loose a sharp call, fluttering my wings automatically to keep myself upright. I had never tried to become a bird before, but I found that the same instincts that helped me in my fox form helped me now.
I saw Luke towering over me. When I stood on my taloned feet I almost reached his waist. I marveled at how sharp and clear everything was. Glancing out of the doorway I could clearly see a small ant climbing up the wall in the other room. It was so clear I could count each of its legs and see its tiny antennae dancing back and forth as it climbed.
I felt something like a tug in the center of my chest and looked at Luke. He held out his arm, covered by a leather gauntlet Master B had procured. I flapped my wings, awkwardly at first, then flew to his wrist, switching awkwardly between taloned feet, feeling him brace his arm beneath my weight. I saw with amazement that my talons were so big that they wrapped nearly around his wrist.
“You look—amazing!” he exclaimed.
I screeched under his approval, cocking my head at him as I struggled to adjust to the eagle’s sharp eyesight.
“Where did your clothes go?” he asked in confusion, looking around. The first time I had transformed my clothing had tripped me up. This time they had disappeared.
I moved in what I hoped was a good imitation of a shrug, settling myself into a comfortable position on his arm. I had to hope they would reappear when I changed back, or I’d be running naked through Alexandria.
I felt a knock on the door and everyone stood.
When the door opened Eli stood in the hallway.
“Honored Guests, you are invited to attend Master Hestus and his guest, Master Aurelius in the great hall,” they intoned.
I saw Eli’s eyes land on me, and they widened.
