“Which is why we're going after her,” I concluded.
“Well, I can get you into Cephissus' territory,” Artie said. “His grandson is my nephew.”
“His grandson?” I blinked at her.
“Cephissus' daughter, Malaeno had a son with Apollo,” she clarified. “We're kind of related.”
“All of you Greeks are kind of related,” Re said.
“Isn't that the Egyptian pot calling the Greek kettle black?” Artemis huffed.
“You have me there.” Re chuckled.
“Whatever the case, I'm not looking a Trojan horse in the mouth,” I said. “I'll gladly take the help.”
“Isn't the Trojan horse the reason we have that saying about being wary of Greeks bearing gifts?” Torrent asked.
“That's why it's funny,” I said patiently.
“Right; gift horse, Trojan horse.” Torrent snickered. “I get it now.”
“Well, this Greek doesn't have to sneak anyone in.” Artemis gestured for us to follow her. “I have the chant.”
We went back to her tracing room with Torrent in tow and then everyone held hands so Artemis could trace us into Cephissus' territory.
Chapter Thirty-Two
We reformed in a Greek pavilion on the bank of a wide river. A bridge led to an island in the center of the river; an island nearly covered by a medieval castle. Obviously, it was the source of inspiration for Narcissus' palace; the location, not the actual construction. A lot of Greeks went traditional, but Cephissus was going with the day's theme and straying from the norm. The tracing pavilion was all his adopted culture would get.
We ambled over the arch of the stone bridge and came to the castle's gate. An iron portcullis guarded an empty courtyard. I stared up the sheer walls but no one manned the guardhouse either. Water slapped against stone boulders along the island's perimeter; the liquid equivalent of wind whistling through the trees.
“Cephissus!” Artemis shouted. “I know you're in there. I just wanted to let you know that we're looking for Nemesis and we'll be wandering through your territory.”
“Why are you looking for that bitch here?” A man strode up to the iron portcullis as if he'd been waiting nearby.
I could see Narcissus in his face, but he wasn't as attractive as his son. Cephissus had blond hair hanging in lanky disarray around his wide brow, watery blue eyes, and a greedy look to him. I don't know what it was exactly, perhaps his mouth or the angle of his jaw, but I got selfish vibes from him.
“Don't call her a bitch, Cephissus,” Morpheus growled. “Your son was in the wrong, and you know it.”
“Regardless,” Cephissus growled, “Nemesis is not welcome here.”
“Precisely whyweare here,” Artemis said. “Nem was keeping an eye on your son and now, she's disappeared. We heard that you gave Narcissus a portion of your territory so we're here to pass through into his.”
“You can't pass through.” He laughed. “He's not going to let you in.”
“We have our ways,” Artemis said. “Just point us in the right direction.”
“I'll do you one better,” Cephissus said as he hit a lever and the portcullis lifted. “I'll take you to the border; it's right over there.”
Cephissus waved his hand behind us and headed through our group. We gave each other wary looks before cautiously following him. He walked across the bridge and then across a meadow before he suddenly stopped. The air felt thicker there and something shimmered in it.
“There you go; do your worst.” Cephissus stood aside.
No one drew attention to Torrent, we didn't want to let this stranger know what Torr could do, and Torr didn't need to wave his hands about or even move at all to unmake a ward. He just stared at the border. We all waited as we stared straight ahead along with Torrent.
Cephissus scrunched up his face as he watched us. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Shh,” Artemis hushed him. “Almost done.”
