That’s when she approaches me, wary and watching, like she’s getting ready to jump away at any second. “Look, kid. I know you like to figure things out, and that’s cool. But you have enough going on here to take up your time. Classes, the scavenger hunt, those labor things of yours, the festival that’s coming up. Why go chasing after something that’s only going to end up biting you in the butt or worse?”
I start to answer her, but she’s already climbing up onto the windowsill, the book Kyrian gave me tucked under herarm. As she turns to leave, she mouths “Let it go!” one more time.
Frankie, who is right behind her, says, “You guys really should listen to her.”
Then they take their exit, leaving Arjun, Fifi, and me with nothing to do but stare at each other and wonder what comes next.
51.Don’t Book On It
IT’S STILL RAINING FOUR DAYSlater as Fifi and I get ready for the festival. The weather hasn’t broken once, and a more superstitious person than me would think it really is a sign from the gods.
But I’m not superstitious and it is just weather. Nothing I’ve done or haven’t done since getting back from the Underworld could possibly have provoked this. Or at least, that’s the story I keep telling myself.
After four long, nerve-racking days, I almost believe it. Especially since “Death” is marked off on the Pandora’s box chest in the lobby, meaning Dr. Dione has given us credit for finding the book even though the muses confiscated it. And even though I haven’t been able to heed Calliope’s warning.
I’ve spent every spare minute I have over the last four days—which isn’t that many, but still—at the library, tryingto find some mention of this Hera person from the book. I haven’t found anything about her yet, but that doesn’t mean I’m quitting. The muses had such a strong reaction to that book, and her, for a reason. Now I just need to figure out why. Especially since she’s been in my dreams three of the last four nights.
But for now, I have to finish getting ready for the most important part of Panathenaea, which is the most important festival of the year. It’s part feast, part super-fun party, part ancient ritual for the gods, and everyone says it’s the highlight of the year at Anaximander’s. And it’s also a chance to get in your patron god’s good graces, since you bring them presents to show how much you appreciate them.
Fifi’s put together a really beautiful necklace for Aphrodite, strung with uncut beads of all different kinds of stones, while Arjun is gifting her a sketchbook full of pictures he’s made in her honor. My gift is a little simpler—earrings made out of the seashells I found at the beach when I was young—but I hope she likes them.
And unlike my two besties, I’ve got a gift for Athena as well—a crown made of white flowers with a tiny lapis lazuli owl resting right at the front center of it. I found the owl at a farmers’ market this past summer and bought it just for this occasion.
Even if I never get into her hall, even if we don’t win the hall competition this year and I never impress her, I still want her to have it, and putting it on a crown seemed like the perfect way to gift it to her.
Or at least it did the other day when I was weaving the flowers into the crown. Now I’m not so sure.
Arjun told me it’s probably just my nerves talking, and he may be right, especially since my stomach has been jumpy all day. Whatever it is, hopefully it will go away after I give her the crown and things can go back to normal. Or at least as normal as they ever are at Anaximander’s.
I finish putting on my dress uniform—including a tie with multicolored flowers on it—then swipe on a quick coat of mascara and lip gloss. Fifi, on the other hand, is doing up her entire face, complete with little heart-shaped jewels on the outside corners of her eyes, while she blasts some of her favorite songs.
I know this is the fun part for her, and she looks great, but I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin if I have to sit around this room waiting for the next half hour. I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but I am, and right now it feels like the only way to combat that is to do something.
“I’m going to go downstairs,” I tell her, raising my voice to be heard over the music. “Text me when you’re ready.”
She gives me a thumbs-up because she’s currently belting out lyrics as she brushes blush over her impossibly high cheekbones.
I grab my phone and my gifts before heading down to get something to drink from the kitchen. But I’ve barely made it to the lobby before I run into Dr. Dione, who is dressed in an elaborate red gown for the occasion, complete with a tiny little fascinator on the top of her fancifully arranged hair.
“Penelope!” she says warmly. “I’m so glad I caught you. How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” I tell her as wariness churns in my belly. Even though she’s smiling, there’s a look in her eye that makes me very, very nervous. Maybe I’m overreacting because of what Calliope told us. Or seeing things that aren’t there. “Excited for the festival tonight.”
“As you should be! There’s something special about a girl’s first Panathenaea at Anaximander’s. You look lovely, by the way.”
“Thanks. You look amazing. I love that dress.”
She pats her hair. “Every once in a while, it’s nice to make an effort, don’t you think?”
My wariness increases. I don’t know why, but something tells me she’s not talking about her dress anymore.
When I don’t say anything else, her smile dims a little, her eyes growing serious. “Would you mind coming into the lounge with me? I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes before the festival begins.”
I nod, because what else can I do? When your hall director asks to speak with you, you speak with her.
Dr. Dione doesn’t say anything else until we’re settled on the red velvet sofas in the downstairs gaming lounge. The room is empty for once, as everyone’s getting ready for Panathenaea tonight.
“Do you know why I wanted to talk to you?” she asks me once we’re both settled.
