Gatlin stalks silently by.Not once does he look in my direction. He’s been like this ever since my lesson. I can’t figureout if he dislikes demons or the thought of me fighting. With a sigh, I go back to researching Hera.
She didn’t specify which objects she wants, so there is a little leeway. Hera’s a queen, so scepter and crown are a given. Do they need to be her crown and scepter, or will any suitable ones work? I make a note to try to find the best options.
Next is a pomegranate. That one is easy. So is the lotus flower. While I’m thinking about it, I quickly order both of those items.
Last item should be an animal. Scanning the text, I see several options. Cuckoo, peacock, or cow might be easiest. I wrinkle my nose. Sacrificing animals was done in my time, but the thought of it turns my stomach. Maybe I can find a representation that will work. A couple of potential objects come to mind, and I add those to my notes.
Leaning back, I roll my neck as I think about the scepter and crown. No matter what, they have to be magnificent. Fit for the queen of the Greek pantheon.
“Dinner’s ready,” Gatlin stiffly informs me before disappearing.
I grimace. This should be fun.
Walking into the dining room, the aroma of pasta and sauce hits me, and I sniff appreciatively. “Dinner smells good.”
His golden eyes meet mine, and he grunts. Once I’m seated, he immediately tucks into his food. Heavy silence, full of tension and unspoken words, fills the room.
I can’t eat like this. Setting down my fork, I stand and pick up my plate.
His hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. “Where are you going?”
“Out on the porch where I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face,” I reply, slipping away from him. “It’s too cold in here.”
Glaring at me, he stands and picks up his plate.
It’s my turn to stop him. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but your moodiness is killing my appetite. I’d rather eat alone.”
He takes a deep breath. “Too bad. You’re stuck with me. That includes training. We don’t have time for you to go to lessons with Agos. I’ll teach you from now on.”
Why does he care who teaches me? Is this an ego thing? “Agos is a fabulous teacher and well qualified. After all, he was a general in Satan’s army. And more importantly, he’s a good friend who’s been teaching me for hundreds of years. I’m not giving him up.”
Gatlin’s gold eyes darken. “He spends more time winking and holding your hand than he does teaching.”
My jaw drops. Is he jealous? A tiny flare of hope springs to life, but I don’t dare smile. “What does it matter to you?”
Standing, he throws his napkin on the table and strides out of the room. “It doesn’t.”
With the tiniest smirk, I sit and tuck into my delicious dinner. It’s interesting. Gatlin didn’t seem to be jealous when it came to the other three. Only Agos. Not wanting to get too hopeful, I push the thought aside.
Turning my attention back to the current quest, I evaluate what I’ve learned. There is one crown that might be perfect for Hera. Possibly two. Wanting to get back to my research, I finish eating and take my plate to the kitchen, where I find Gatlin cleaning up.
“Dinner was delicious, thank you,” I tell him, but all I get is a curt nod. “I’m going back to the library to work on Hera’s quest.”
Leaving Grumpy in the kitchen, I dive into the search for the best and most royal crowns and scepters still around today. A ton of museum-quality items come up. Well, at least there are plenty of options. Which one, though? The sun drops and nightblankets the sky. Sitting up, I rub the back of my neck. How do I figure out which one would suit Hera best?
A creak of the floor has me turning around, where I find Gatlin staring at me, his brow furrowed.
“What?”
“Don’t stay up too late,” he gruffly orders. “The quest will still be there tomorrow.” Pivoting on his heel, he turns and walks up the stairs.
“Goodnight,” I call out after him, but he doesn’t answer.
6
PHAEDRA
Bright sun wakes me the next day, and I squint against its rays. Did I forget to pull my curtains last night? Blinking rapidly, I sit up and look around. Bookshelves line the wall across from me. A comfy chair sits in front of them. I’m still in the living room.That’s odd.
