A swirling sensation started in my toes. It worked its way up to my knees and hips, then over my shoulders and to the top of my head. With a wave of Smith’s hand I felt the power riot in my blood, determined to stay with me. But Smith was… well, Smith was Zeus and with my willingness to let it go, it didn’t stand a chance.
Lightning flashed overhead and sparks flew around my body. Hermes and Ryder jumped out of the way as the sparks became flashes of light that sailed from my body to Smith’s hand with a flourish.
My lungs seemed to collapse in my chest. I buckled forward, sucking in a harsh breath that rasped against my raw throat. My vision went black, my blood seemed to dull in my veins and my entire body sagged with the weight of something foreign and unwanted- mortality.
When I could see again, I watched a necklace appear in Smith’s hand. A long silver pendant, with a heavy dazzling ruby the size of my fist, dangled from his fingers.
He held it up for me to see. “The power of the Siren.”
“That seems dangerous,” Ryder murmured. He was at my side again, his hand running in soothing circles over my back. He pressed a kiss to my temple and I felt the sweetest lightness in my chest.
He was happy with how things played out.
I was too.
Smith patted his robes and dropped the necklace into a hidden pocket near his breast. “I’ll keep it safe.”
I snorted, “Famous last words.”
He smiled at me patiently. “We have a vault for things like this. Pandora’s Box, a certain golden fleece, a recently acquired trident made out of lightning… You get the picture.”
“Ah.” I trusted him just a little bit more.
“It’s been a pleasure, Ivy.” Smith walked over to pull me into a quick embrace, pressing a fatherly kiss to the top of my head. “But I think your mother is anxious to be home. You will take care of her?”
I nodded immediately, “I’m going to help her get better.” Wow, how weighted those words were.
“I think that’s the nicest thing you’ll ever do.”
“What about my sister?” I asked in a low voice. “Can I say goodbye to her?”
Zeus frowned. “I moved her off the mountain. It had ceased to be… safe for her.” At my look of alarm, he hurried to assure me, “She’s in good hands. In fact, you’ll see her soon. I promise.”
I couldn’t help but wonder who Smith trusted with Honor. “Will I see you again?”
His answering smile was from the man I knew would do anything to keep me safe, the man I had known as Honor’s father and the man that had saved my life when I needed help most of all. “Not if you’re lucky.”
Surprising tears heated my eyes, but I let this be our goodbye. It was enough to have known him and to know that he would be looking out for me from this moment on. It was enough to know I would see my sister again and that he would always do whatever it took to keep her safe and to keep me safe.
“Are you ready?” Hermes asked softly.
I nodded. Ryder took my hand while Hermes lifted my mother into his arms. This time we put our hands on him. Once again I blinked and when I opened my eyes we stood in my old apartment in Omaha.
“You brought me home?” I whispered, completely choked up.
He set my mother down on the couch and looked up at me curiously, “Isn’t that what you wanted.”
I was crying too hard to speak. My chin trembled as I nodded. Yes. This was where I wanted to be.
I just never thought I would get here again.
“Ivy!”
I whirled around to find Honor squealing behind me. I opened my arms just in time to catch her. She threw her arms around me and I cried into her hair.
She was here. And she was beautiful.
I looked up to see Delphi’s indistinguishable form wavering across the room. “You did good, Human.” Her melodic voice drifted over us warmly. Her term of endearment was intentional and amused.
