Demeter waves a hand, and a table appears. “It’s time. Assemble the box.”
I kneel on the ground and pick up the panels and the key and assemble everything. Once every piece is in place, a white light grows within as their power fills the empty box. My hands tingle and adrenaline rushes through my body. It’s heady being this close to their powers.
I reach for the key.
“Give me that,” Zeus says, picking up the key and inserting it into the box. I hold my breath as he turns it and quietly let it outwhen nothing happens. He tosses it down on the table. “All this and the box doesn’t even work.” He sneers at Hephaestus.
“Everything I craft works,” Hephaestus states with a smug smile. “Phaedraisthe key. It will never work for anyone except her. And if she is lost, the gates will have no guardian.” He motions for me to try again.
His comment stuns me and I freeze, thoughts racing with all the repercussions of what those words mean. Does that mean if I’m not here to hold these gates, the barriers between the worlds will collapse? Horrified, I lift my gaze to his. Humans would be overrun in days. Lost to the tide of supernaturals that would fill every crevice of this world.
He gives me a sympathetic smile. “It’s why we set up this elaborate test. We needed to know you would do anything or face anyone…” He pauses. His gaze drifts to Hera for a second, then returns to me. “To find the panels and fulfill the quest.”
I flick a glance at Hera and see a wide smirk on her face. Did she really cooperate with them or was this something Athena devised when she interfered? Not that it matters, of course. As long as she stays away from us, especially Gatlin.
The irony of it all steals my breath. Me. The person who endangered humans in the first place is now the one who will protect them for all eternity. I smile. That’s a deal I’ll accept every day.
With trepidation, I pick up the key. The brand on my hand begins to glow, connecting with Hephaestus’ symbol on the key, and I realize what he’s done. I’m literally the key. I insert it into the lock and turn it. Five portals with locked golden gates appear in front of me.
Athena steps forward. “Clockwise to open. Counterclockwise to shut. If you open the gates, the power will regenerate, but it takes quite a bit of time. So, use it wisely.”
“I will,” I promise them all. Entrusting me with this duty is humbling and a show of forgiveness I never thought I’d see from the gods. I remove the key from the lock and the gates disappear.
I glance at Jamison, then back to the gods. There’s one more issue to resolve. “Humans are aware of the supernaturals, and they now have the technology to identify and kill them.” I don’t mention where they got the tech. “We’d like to tear up the treaty between the gods and supernaturals and begin to discuss a future that includes a place for everyone.”
Zeus’ brows draws together in a ferocious scowl, but Hera’s low laugh makes him stop in his tracks. “The prey has become the predator. Good for them.” She nudges Zeus, who capitulates with a heavy sigh.
“Fine, but if we see the human population decline because of the supernaturals, we’ll step in,” he warns us. “They are our chosen children, not you.”
Jamison dips his head, acknowledging their decision. “Understood.”
Zeus looks at the other gods and shakes his head. “It’s on you if this fails.”
Hera winks at Athena. “Good luck. I’ll be watching.” Then she takes Zeus’ arm, and the two disappear.
“That went better than expected,” Apollo says with a bright smile. “Good luck, Guardian of the Gates.” His words make the title sound official.
Artemis snaps her fingers and takes the bow and arrow from Jamison.
The two of them disappear.
Athena walks over, and Hawthorne hands her the spear. “Sorry, it’s my favorite. Maybe Hephaestus will make you a new one.”
My jaw drops. “How did you get them to give you their weapons?”
He shrugs, but I see the gleam in his eyes. “I asked.”
Hephaestus rolls his eyes, then turns to Gatlin and Mathias. “Keep the swords. I have plenty.” Then he looks at me. “If you wish to thank me, make them bring back the statues in my temple. And paint the center. It looks like shit.”
Demeter rolls her eyes, then her lips curl in a satisfied smile as she looks at Mathias. “I know what it’s like to be separated from your daughter. Maybe now you can find some peace.”
The three of them turn toward me. “We’ll be watching. Don’t abuse the power we’ve given you. Or we’ll take it away and close the gates forever.”
“I won’t,” I promise.
Gingerly picking up the blades, I hold them out for Ares to take, but he shakes his head. “Keep them. They’ll protect you against anything that walks in this world.” He pauses. “Well, except gryphons, but nothing can kill them. You chose your protectors well.” He walks into a shadow and disappears.
I immediately set them down and step away from them. “I’m not sure I want to carry weapons that can kill me too.”
