Before I could reply, she had released me and was already striding away.
Eurynome offered me a grave nod, while Hippodamia and Autonoë squeezed my hands before turning to follow Penelope.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Actoris warned me.
I smiled. “Keep them safe, will you?”
My small, fierce friend nodded before running to catch up with the others.
“Did you see where your brother was heading?” Skaris asked once we were alone.
I nodded grimly. “For the weapons stash.”
59
I had never seen my brother wield a sword before.
It disturbed me, how menacing the blade looked in his hand.
He stood in the shadowy storage room, a large sack slung over his shoulder, sword held out before him.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I moved to block the doorway beside Skaris.
“Did you really think me so stupid?” he shot back.
“Melanthius—”
“I know Penelope is up to something. Why else would she dismiss all of us?”
“A dismissalyoushould’ve listened to,” Skaris growled.
“And I saw you all yesterday, stealing the suitors’ weapons. Hiding them away in here,” Melanthius continued, gesturing around himself. “Telemachus is gonna try to kill them, isn’t he? He’s more of a fool than I thought.”
“It’s out of our hands now,” I said as carefully as I could. “We must leave the bloodshed to them, brother.”
“Don’t yousee? This is how I’ll prove myself to Eurymachus. I’ll bring him the blade that’ll allow him to slay the prince once and for all.”
“Melanthius—”
“Join me, Mel.” His voice had a manic edge to it. “Together we’ll prove ourselves to Eurymachus. We’ll finally befree.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
His eyes flashed, face darkening. “Then move.”
“I cannot do that either, brother.”
“You’d really do this? You’d stand in the way of my freedom?”
“You will find only death in that hall,” Skaris warned. “Do not be a fool. Listen to your sister.”
Melanthius raised his blade. “Move.”
I shook my head, unshed tears blurring my vision. “I won’t let you go in there.”
Gently, Skaris nudged me aside as she stepped toward my brother. “Drop the weapons.”
“I saidmove!” He was shouting now, a frantic, desperate roar. “Do as I say!”
