Prometheus sends a stream of life-threads into the air and hurls the male assassin to the ground with a blast of wind. Crius, Tethys and Iapetus round on the two women, the Titans sending life-threads deep into the earth, summoning roots to bind the intruders’ legs.
I think it will be over swiftly. They are mortals, and we are Titans.
Then the male assassin casts out a surge of life-threads of his own, battering back Prometheus’ wind. My eyes stretch wide. How can this be?
I gape, unable to move, torn between my sacred duty and the life I feel growing inside me. I do not know how to wield my own life-threads and not touch the child’s. I can barely breathe, blood is thundering in my ears. Then I see something that locks my breath entirely.
Poseidon moves about the remaining Titans like smoke while his brethren fight, a bronze blade in his hand.
Tethys falls.
I scramble back, screaming for Zeus, my eyes searching the plateau.
Then I see him.
Zeus stands a little way off, his back to the ridge, watching the bloodshed with golden fire in his eyes.
‘Help them!’ I scream.
He looks at me, and the glory in his gaze is the most terrifying thing I have ever seen.
Zeus raises his arms to the heavens. A channel of life-threads streams from his hands into the clouds, and the sky boils. Thunder rends the air, and lightning strikes the earth. Iapetus shrieks as a fork pierces his back. Next, Coeus is struck and collapses.
‘I have done it!’ cries Zeus to the raging sky. ‘I have done as you bade me!’
It cannot be the Mother to whom he speaks. This cannot be Gaia’swill.
Then there is a gut-wrenching crack, and my mouth stretches in silent horror as an arrow of lightning pierces the omphalos shard, shattering the eye of the world.
As the last of Gaia’s chosen Titans fight a losing battle against our invaders, Prometheus, his body blackened and smoking, crawls towards Zeus. The man I love turns, his face as cold and cruel as moonlight, and lifts his hand.
A dam breaks in my chest. I push myself up and run faster than my legs have ever carried me before. I hurl myself at Zeus, hitting him only with the power of my fists, but it is enough to send him sprawling to the ground. The lightning ceases.
‘Run!’ I cry.
Prometheus pauses for a heartbeat, then with a roar he heaves himself up, grabs a single shard of the shattered omphalos stone in the hem of his cloak, and flees.
Zeus overpowers me and throws me to the scorched earth. This time, I know I am prey.
Tears burn my cheeks as he pins me down.
‘My love,’ he whispers, his eyes no longer full of sky but burning gold. ‘You chose the wrong side.’ His hand slips down to grip my neck.
‘Please,’ I whisper. ‘I am with child.’
32. Mercy
Danae could not breathe.
The final vision from Metis’ story swirled before her, the smoke from the burning herbs acrid on her tongue. Metis’ words still echoed around the hut, pulling at the ghostly shapes like a puppet master. Danae shuffled away from the hearth until her back hit stone. She flailed through the hazed air and when her fingers finally connected with the cloak hanging over the entrance, she tugged.
Fresh salt wind billowed across her face as she crawled out onto the hillside, coughing. Startled, Pegasus brayed and launched into the air. Danae retched.
Inside she could hear the others speaking as the smoke cleared.
‘The Titanomachy …’ rasped Telamon. ‘The war between the gods and Titans for dominion over the earth was no epic battle but an ambush.’
‘Yes.’ Metis’ voice was hard and clear as a bell. ‘A lie just like the one we chosen twelve were told of armies stalking the land. The only real threat was the viper in our nest. I learned after my fellow Titans were slain that Zeus was not the man called by Gaia, but his son, and he killed his father to take his place. Once he tasted the sacred fruit, Zeus found a way to send for his brother, Poseidon. Together, they stole apples to give to their other siblings, so they too would gain powers and be able to seize the Hesperides tree for themselves. The rest you have seen …’
