‘Now, tell me what you’re doing here.’
Danae’s fingers curled around a loose rock by her thigh, ever aware of the collar around her neck. She knew her stone would be nothing against Metis’ abilities, but it helped her to feel a little less powerless.
‘I was sent to Delos to find you.’
‘Given Pegasus and ordered by the Twelve to bringhimhere to be healed, were you?’ She glanced at Heracles.
‘I was not sent from Olympus.’ Danae’s pulse quickened.
Metis barked out a laugh. ‘Don’t test me girl. I’m in no mood for Zeus’ games.’
‘I promise you,’ Danae said slowly, her mouth dry. ‘I was not sent from Olympus.’
The sun had sunk beneath the waves on the far side of the island, and now the only light flickered from the last remnants of the fire. Shadows creased along Metis’ scowl.
Sometimes, Danae’s brother, Santos, had said when teaching her to play petteia,you must sacrifice a stone or two in order to make the other player reveal their tactics. That’s how you win the game.
‘Prometheus told me to seek you out.’
Surprise briefly smoothed Metis’ face, before her brows thundered once more. ‘Hm.’ Another pause. ‘That does not explain how you came by Pegasus.’
‘I stole him after a fight with Hera atop the Caucasus Mountains.’
A flicker of something like amusement cracked Metis’ scowl. ‘I am to believe you not only spoke with Prometheus, but also bested Hera?’
‘Yes.’ Danae held her gaze. ‘Prometheus told me you would help me.’
‘I’m doing what I can for the boy,’ Metis hissed.
‘No, not that.’ Danae slowly rose to her feet. ‘He was never meant to be involved in this.’ Her shallow breath raked over her cracked lips. The problem with the truth was, once you tugged at a single thread the whole tapestry unravelled. ‘I am the one Prometheus prophesied would come. I am the last daughter.’
Metis stared at her, eyes shining in the firelight. She shook her head. ‘I have lived in exile for almost a thousand years. I have never once left this island, yet still I am tested.’ Danae flinched as Metis took a step towards her. ‘Go back to Olympus and tell Zeus I did not fall for his trick.’
Danae stood her ground. ‘I do not answer to the false gods.’
Metis’ breath hitched in her throat.
‘I know the truth.’ Danae clenched her fists and repeated Prometheus’ words, ‘There are no gods. There were only ever mortals and those mortals chosen to become Titans.I am the one that destroyed the oracle at Delphi. It was there that I heard the prophecy from a member of the Children of Prometheus.’
Metis barked out a laugh. ‘So, the Children sent you? It has been centuries since they came here. I thought they had given up.’
‘No, Prometheus himself told me to find you. Like him, I am a Titan.’ She spoke with a confidence she did not feel. She still did not fully understand what it meant to be a Titan.
Metis stared at her, rage, confusion and disbelief all swirling like storm clouds across her face.
‘Prove it.’
‘I cannot.’ Danae raised her hands to the collar. ‘This cuts me off from my life-threads. If you free me, I will show you what I can do.’
Metis did not move. ‘If you are really a Titan, Zeus must have given you an apple.’
‘That monster gave me nothing.’
Metis’ lips parted. ‘You’re brave, girl. I’ll give you that.’
‘It is not bravery when you don’t have a choice.’
‘We always have a choice.’
