“You’re being difficult on purpose,” he deflected. “We need you now. You had a break. You’re no longer in Poseidon’s clutches. It’s time to become the person you’re supposed to be. It’s time to protect your home.”
“And what does Ryd-” I cleared my throat and started over, “What does Orpheus or Honor have to do with any of it? Why are they in danger?”
“Because they are connected to you!” Hermes threw his hands in the air and practically shouted at me. “Poseidon could care less about them which puts them that much more in danger. Fine, you don’t care about Ava. But you care for Honor. You care for Orpheus. They need you.”
“This is a low blow,” I growled at him. “I left them to protect them. How can I help them? Even if I were to go back, what could I do? Nix would have themand me.”
“You don’t believe that,” he snarled at me. “You know you’re not helpless.”
The water sparked around my ankles and something surged inside of me. It felt like the crash of a huge ocean wave, the kind that could sink ships and destroy villages. A tsunami of emotion brewed inside of me until I had become the water… until I had become its potential destruction… its unfathomable mystery that both compelled and killed.
I was more than immortal in that moment. More than gods and goddesses.More than Olympus.
And certainly more than Hermes.
“Okay, I’ll go,” I told him in a low voice.
He visibly relaxed, rocking back on his heels and shooting me a triumphant smile. “That’s great news. We’ll need to go straight to Delphi.”
“Okay,” I said. “Then let’s go.”
“Step out of the water and we can.”
“Can’t you just beam me up from here?”
“I don’t under- that’s not important. Step out of the water and I’ll take you.”
“Why can’t you step into the water? I like it in here.”
He frowned at the sparkling water that was still clear, despite the late hour. “I bet you do,” he grumbled.
I held out my hand, but kept my feet planted. “Let’s go, Hermes. What are you waiting for?”
He took three steps back and suddenly looked very restless. What did a god have to be anxious for around little old me? I didn’t even have my Siren power anymore.
“This isn’t a game, Ivy.”
“I never thought it was.”
He shook his head hard and his expression shuttered. I had no idea what he was thinking. For a moment he seemed disappointed, but I couldn’t be sure. And I didn’t care either way. He meant nothing to me.
If only I could say the same about Honor and Ryder.
“Call me when you come around,” he growled.
“I’ll do that.”
“Youwillneed me, Ivy. And soon. Poseidon is drawing you out. You can face him alone or you can get help from those that want the same thing that you do.”
“And what would that be?”
His eyes started flashing with that power again. His entire body radiated something primal, something so strong and compulsive that I was the one that took a step back this time. Gray clouds churned overhead, a lone streak of lightning flashed along the horizon. “Poseidon chained to the bottom of the ocean.”
Before I could agree with him, he disappeared.
I stared at the space he’d taken up only a moment ago. His footprints still marked the sand and the atmosphere still buzzed with his supernatural energy.
What had just happened?
