“It’s a clue to this year’s myth,” Elysia, our hall manager, says as she comes up behind us. Her blond hair is in a ponytail again, only this time it’s got red and pink streaks in it that definitely weren’t there last night. They look good on her.
“What myth?” I ask.
She grins mysteriously. “Guess you’d better go to class and find out.”
“Seriously?” I grouse as she walks away. “Why is everything about this place such a mystery? Why can’t they just explain what things are?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” It’s Fifi’s turn to grin at me as we head toward the cafeteria. “Besides, she said we’re going to find out in class today. So it won’t be a mystery forever.”
“What myth could a box be a clue to?” I ask, wishing I had access to my birthday present right now. “I mean, there’s obviously Pandora’s box. But that seems a little too easy, doesn’t it?”
“Who knows?” she answers, looking blissfully unconcerned. “Come on, let’s go get breakfast. I’m starving.”
“But aren’t you the least bit curious what myth they’re talking about?”
She rolls her eyes as we head out the door. “We’re going to spend the next six years talking about myths. Why rush it?”
“Because maybe we can get a head start.” When she looks at me like she has no idea what I’m talking about, it’s my turn to roll my eyes.
Fifi is the most fun ever, but sometimes I swear we’re on two different planets.
“Head start on what?” Arjun asks as he catches up to us. I can’t help grinning when I realize his tie has a bunch of bright blue turtles on it.
“Nice tie,” I tell him as we head toward the cafeteria, which is conveniently located exactly where Fifi said it would be. As we pass the disco apple, it starts playing some of “I Will Survive,” which isn’t concerning at all.
He grins. “Thanks.”
I spend breakfast eating a bowl of Crunch Berries and watching Arjun and Fifi compete to see who can eat the most pancakes. Turns out the answer is Fifi—hands down. She stops at seven, not because she has no more room but because I start hounding her about heading to class. She may be certain she knows where we’re going, but I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially on the first day.
We climb the very steep hill that leads back to the amphitheater—and the outdoor training fields, according to my roommate. And can I just say how much it stinks that we had to walk uphill all the way to Aphrodite Hall, and now that the school has shifted overnight, we have to walk all the way uphill to get back to the amphitheater?
I’m beginning to think whoever’s in charge of shifting things around has a mean streak. A big one.
When we finally make it up the hill, it’s to find that the learning fields are exactly where Fifi said they would be. Thank the gods.
“I owe you two more pancakes,” I tell her as we head toward the center of the circular field, where a few students and a man dressed in black are already waiting.
She grins. “Don’t think I won’t hold you to that tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, I have—”
I break off when Fifi screams at the top of her lungs, her eyes going wide and face draining of color as she stares directly behind me.
I whirl around just in time to see a giant eagle swooping straight toward us, sharp talons extended and eyes focused directly on Fifi.
27.Duck, Duck, Eagle
DUCK, FIFI!” ARJUN YELLS AShe runs backward several steps.
I start to do the same thing, but then I realize Fifi isn’t moving. She isn’t ducking. She isn’t running. She isn’t doing anything but standing there, completely frozen, eyes wide and mouth gaping open as the eagle closes in on her.
So I do the only thing I can think of doing. I launch myself at her, knocking Fifi over just as the giant eagle makes a grab for her head. Its talons miss her scalp by inches but manage to slice across my shoulder as we fall.
As soon as we hit the ground, I throw one protective hand over my head and another over Fifi’s as I whirl around to ensure the eagle isn’t making a second attempt at us.
Thank the gods, it’s not. Instead, it’s soaring back upto its spot at the top of what I’m pretty sure is the arts building.
“Are you okay?” I ask Fifi, whose color still hasn’t returned to normal.
