“I’mhere.”
Anthony toppled off his stool and slammed onto the floor. “Ouch.”
Zeus laughed a booming, crackling thunderstorm of asound.
“Your sympathy is appreciated.” Anthonyscowled.
“Sorry.” Zeus grabbed Anthony’s hand and pulled him up. “I didn’t know I’d startleyou.”
“That’s all right. I’m sure I’ll eventually get used to my new faster heartbeat,” Anthonysaid.
Zeus laughed. “What did you need mefor?”
He didn’t bother asking how much of his conversation with Silver he had overheard. Gods were known to watch interesting mortals, and for his own sake, he decided it would be better if he never knew the extent of theirnosiness.
“Quain thinks the guy hunting your descendants is from Deimos’line.”
Several minutes of silence followed Anthony’s pronouncement. He wiggled on the stool, waiting for Zeus’sconclusion.
“Given the choices, I believe it must be Vasilis. He is the mortal son of Deimos’ great-great-grandson. A bitter unhappy child who got a bit of Deimos’ power and used it to terrorize the local kids. I deemed him unable to gain a godhood because of his temperament. Deimos agreed. He might be the god of terror, but he didn’t want to be responsible for what Vasilis would unleash if given moreability.”
“How is he killing the others then, if he doesn’t have that muchmagic?”
Zeus stroked his beard and sat on the stool Silver had vacated. “I believe he has used his minor skills to inspire enough fear to win his battles. It isn’t a fight of force but of the mind. Vasilis might not have inherited a great many god powers, but he has a keen mind and a vicious spirit. His ruthlessness has won him manyfights.”
“How did you not know when I asked before?” Anthony glared atZeus.
“I can’t directly interfere. If, however, you were to figure out your opponent, I could give you additionalinformation.”
Anthony sighed. “Sometimes I feel as though my life is a video game and I’ll never level high enough to survive the final bossbattle.”
Booming laughter echoed through the kitchen again. “I always enjoy talking with you, Anthony. You ease the tedium of my eternallife.”
“Glad to help,” hegrumbled.
“How is your god training going? You should be working at it at all times. Give up this architecture that has caught your fancy and become the warrior you were born tobe.”
Anthony wrinkled his nose. “I don’t want to be a warrior. I’d rather create things than destroy them. I’m not playing at being an architect. I worked hard to get there. I just wish everyone would leave the packalone.”
“And if wishes grew wings, we all would fly,” Zeuscountered.
Slumping against the table, Anthony propped his chin on his hands. “I still can’t access all of my power,” heconfessed.
“You need to work harder at it. It isn’t a matter of coming out on top during your fight. You must annihilate Vasilis if that is who is coming after you. There can be no question as to the victor. If you destroy the first official challenge to your godhood, the others won’t be so quick to battleyou.”
“I can see the sense in that, but it doesn’t help access my godhood.” Anthony took a few minutes to gather his thoughts. “I’m not sure how to explain it. It’s as if there’s a film between full access and me. As if I can see a well of magic but can’t reach intoit.”
“Have you triedmeditation?”
“Hours of it.” The idea of clearing his mind to access his power had been attempted so many times he was surprised his ass didn’t have sores from sitting on it allday.
“Maybe you need to go in the opposite direction.” Zeus rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Instead of hunting down your magic, power through it at full throttle. It might free whatever is trying to blockyou.”
Anthony tilted his head, reviewing all his previous attempts. “It’s worth a try. I’ve certainly tried everythingelse.”
“You’re afraid, aren’t you?” The color in Zeus’s eyes flickered to silvery bolts oflightning.
Anthony let his gaze wander around the room, not meeting Zeus’s gaze. Maybe they should get Henry another oven, or one just for Inno to bakegoods.
