I clamp a hand over his mouth. “The gods are always listening.”
My reminder makes his smile fade, and his hand on my waist tightens. Silence descends as we stroll over to the edge of the room and prop ourselves against the wall. Gatlin digs in his backpack and hands out some cheese and crackers, along with a few bottles of water, which we all gulp down.
I look up at the night sky and the stars above and wonder if the gods are looking at us right now. If so, surely they can see the three of them helping me on these quests. How close we are. I slip my hand into Jamison’s and Hawthorne’s and curl my legs closer.
For several hours, we sit on the hard, cold ground until my butt is completely numb, and my body has turned to ice. Sleepy, I lay my head on Jamison’s shoulder.
Jamison runs a hand down my face and swears. He motions to Gatlin. “Find some wood. We need a fire in here, or we’re going to freeze to death.”
Gatlin strides out and returns a few minutes later with half a tree in his large hands. He drops it to the floor and creates a stack for Jamison to light.
Fire erupts from Jamison’s hand, and he raises it high. All of a sudden, a rumbling comes from the center of the floor as it opens, and the anvil rises from its depths. Scrambling to our feet, we hurry forward. The gold is gone and lying in its place is a scepter.
I close my eyes. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Now, we can exchange the scepter for the panel Hera is holding hostage.
As I reach out, I realize Hephaestus crafted Hera’s scepter out of Imperial Gold, not the gold we gave him. It’s extremely rare, can only be forged in sacred temples, and depending on what it’s crafted into, can kill immortals. It’s a scepter and a weapon.
“Is that what I think it is?” Hawthorne asks in a hushed tone, and I subtly dip my chin. He looks over at Gatlin and motions for him to pick it up, but I stop him.
“It won’t hurt me,” I tell him, absently rubbing my wrists. “When they cast me into limbo, the cuffs they threw on me were made of Imperial Gold.”
Hawthorne swears, but I ignore it. The past is long gone. Instead, I reach out and pick up the scepter. Surprisingly, it’s light.
Curious about the design, I carry it into a shaft of moonlight near us to examine it closer. On the tip of the scepter is a crown. A replica of one I’ve only seen Hera wearing in ancient tombs and images. Below the crown is a lightning bolt, and below that, the infinity symbol. Each one delicately crafted and joined together to create an intricate homage to Hera and her power as Queen of Olympus.
Along the sides of the shaft are scenes depicting what I assume is Olympus, but it’s as if Hephaestus crafted the images as part of the gold because the surface is completely smooth to the touch. I tip it over to look at the bottom and notice a small button on the side. I press it, and a lethal-looking blade slidesout of the scepter, startling me.That’s terrifying.It trulyisa weapon. I wonder why he made that addition. I press the button again, and the blade disappears.
I turn back to the three of them and see them standing around the anvil, but when I get closer, the anvil disappears into the floor, and they’re already turning toward me.
“Where to next?” Jamison asks, eyeing the scepter in my hand.
“Perachora,” I reply with a tired but triumphant smile. “Wait. No, we need to hit two places. Argos first. Then Perachora.”
There’s not much to the ruins in Perachora, but it’s a beautiful place by the Ionian Sea. Perfect to end this farce of a quest she sent me on, but first I have to complete one task.
23
PHAEDRA
Heraion of Argos used to comprise several buildings, but now only foundations, columns, and low walls remain. Heading to the center, I kneel and say a prayer to Hera. She did say five temples, five prayers, and five offerings. As she accepted two offerings and two prayers in the one in Italy, I thought it better to be safe than sorry when we reach the final one.
A minute later, we leave Argos and head to Perachora. Waves and salty air greet us as we step out of the portal. Here, the temple is built between the cliff and sea. While the temples in Italy are incredible examples of history, this is probably the most peaceful of them all. Well, it would be if I weren’t so damn nervous.
Gatlin hands me the scepter, and the three of them take up position behind me. I frown, but by the stoic look on their faces,they’re not moving. Entering the rectangular ruins, I kneel in the sand and murmur a prayer.
Energy fills the space, and when I glance up, Hera and Athena are standing there together. Hera’s staring malevolently at the three behind me, but I raise the scepter high to get her to refocus.
“My offering, crafted by the most ingenious artisan to ever wield a hammer, Hephaestus, because only a god-made scepter would be good enough for the Queen of Olympus,” I tell her, a hint of challenge in my tone. I figure the only way she’ll accept it is if I almost goad her into it.
Her lips curl. “What’s so special about it?”
“Besides the superb craftsmanship?” I flip it around and press the button, bringing it closer to her. She raises an amused brow, but her amusement quickly fades when I press the button and the blade slides out. “It’s made of Imperial Gold.”
She immediately takes a step back, hands slightly trembling, and I quickly sheathe the blade. Then I lay it flat across my two palms and present it to her again.
“Athena,” she says in a sharp tone.
The goddess smiles and reaches out to take the scepter. “Hephaestus and I spoke about this gift, and he assured me it held no danger to you. But if you don’t want it, I’ll accept it on your behalf and display it in the great hall.”
