“Fine. It’s an acceptable gift. Put it in my quarters, though,” she says in a sullen tone. “And you have fulfilled the quest.” She waves a hand, and the panel appears in front of me.
I immediately grab it, then bow my head in gratitude.
She peers down at me, her lids at half-mast, and haughtily informs me that visitors have been showing up to the temples in Italy to see the peacock and the pomegranate tree Hawthorne created. “It feels good to be worshipped again.”
Athena’s eyes flick to her in surprise, but she says nothing, and neither do I.
With a huff, Hera disappears, but I don’t dare relax yet.
I look over at Athena, and she points the scepter at me. “The time is coming. Soon. Be ready.” Then she too is gone.
My shoulders slump, and I fall to my knees as the relief of accomplishing this task overwhelms me. Gatlin strides over and scoops me up.
I raise the panel to look at the design on it, and I’m suddenly thankful Gatlin is carrying me. On the surface of this final panel are two young girls. One blond. One dark-haired. Me and my sister. I close my eyes and hug the panel to my chest.
“Let’s go home,” I tell them wearily.
The three panels gleam blue,white, and gold. The first panel is the one Hawthorne and I found on our first visit to the Temple of Hephaestus. It’s clearly the front side panel because it has an ornate lock in it.
The second panel is the one I found with Mathias near Apollo’s sanctuary on Delos. It has an exact replica of the vase on it. I pick it up and slide the corner into the slots on the first panel. Looking from the front, it comprises the left side of the box.
The third panel is the one Hera gave me yesterday. I can’t help but trace my sister’s delicate features. Tears burn in my eyes, but I blink until they’re gone. When I look up, I see the soft look of understanding in their eyes. Dropping my gaze back to the panel in front of me, I realize this is the right side, whichmeans the side panel the vampires have comprises the back of the box.
“The vampires have the last side panel, and we know Caron has the real top panel,” I tell them, waving a hand over the partially constructed box. “The panel hidden by Ares must comprise the bottom.”
I run my hands over the top edges and nod. “We’re close, but I’m also stuck. I haven’t a clue where to find Ares’ panel. Maybe once we have the missing two, Ares will reveal the last piece. Strategy and war. It enables him to reveal it only when the rest of the task is done. It makes sense.”
Jamison checks his phone for the thousandth time. “They’re supposed to pick the contenders today. No word from Mathias yet.” A muscle jumps in his clenched jaw.
He’s worried, but there’s nothing we can do until we hear from him.
I place the items back into the safe on the wall and run a finger down the seam to biometrically seal it. When I turn, I see Hawthorne’s hand reaching toward a knife on the table, and I slap his hand.
“Don’t touch,” I remind him sharply. “The items in here are the worst of the worst. While you might survive some of these curses, there are others that would either end your life or make you wish for it. Think of them as weapons, not artifacts of history.”
Gatlin’s eyes dart to mine. “That’s one hell of an arsenal.”
Hmm, I never thought about the pieces like that before, but with potential war looming over our heads, it might be time to take a second look. Plus, I could use some space. Seeing a likeness of my sister has put me into a bit of a tailspin.
“Good idea. I’m going to stay here and sort through some of the items. Create a pile to carry into battle, so to speak.” Whenthey don’t move, I look up. “Please. I just need some space to breathe and think.”
Jamison clears his throat and motions to the other two, then he places a kiss on my forehead and the three of them head out the door.
I reach out and pick up a beautiful strand of perfectly matched pearls. Whoever purchased these had money. Lots of it. Cold curls around my palm as the curse reveals itself to me. Decapitation curse. This definitely goes in the arsenal.
If I control the portals, does this mean I can find my sister? I absentmindedly reach for an ornate cross. Damnation curse. I toss it to the side and pick up a delicate gold cuff.
Surely they’ll let me see her. Maybe use the portals to visit her. Obsession curse.Interesting.The wearer becomes obsessed with the giver. Basically, forced love at its finest. My lip curls in disgust, and I toss it to the side.
What if they don’t? Do I really want to control the portals if they can’t give me the one thing I want most? Well, two things. See my sister and let Mathias return to his daughter.
A small, jeweled dagger catches my eye, and I pick it up. Blood curse. Perfect. I add it to the arsenal.
What if they make me choose? My sister or Mathias? The gods are notorious for their games and cruelty. Could I pick one? I think about it for a second. Sadly, I could. Mathias did nothing to deserve this exile. I did. If I have to live without my sister for another three thousand years but I’m able to send Mathias home, I can live with that deal.
He still hasn’t told me about this mate bond. Based on Jamison’s reaction, this is a big deal. But beyond the attraction between us, I haven’t felt anything strange since he took my blood. Although Jamison did say something about an exchange completing the bond. If we don’t complete it, does that mean wecan both walk away? Does he get more than one mate? I stop. I don’t want to think of him with anyone else but me.
For two hours, I sort and think while I create an arsenal of cursed objects. Some defensive, others egregiously offensive and lethal, but all of them dangerous, especially to supernaturals. I tried to include items that would be particularly useful against mages and vampires.
