Nyx directs her attention to Aric. “And what about you? Do you feel the silly belt buckle is worth more than a lifetime in Paradise with a woman you could love? A woman who would love you back?” Her eyes dart to meet mine. “A woman who could give you a family? The family you’ve always craved but were never offered by a god who saw you as something to be cultivated, instead of loved?”
“Who are you?” I blurt. “And why do we care what you think about any of this?”
“I’m the goddess of the night, Pleiades Eight, that’s who I am. You live in my womb.” She points up at the night sky above her head. It’s still twirling, the stars leaving a circular white trail that indicates the passing of time.
I point up as well. “That’smypower. I saw it. I’m the one who makes the time pass. I’m the one who puts the cosmos on the right track. Because I’m the one who can make the Pleiades the center of the universe.”
For a moment, I think I see surprise on her face. But she quickly hides it before speaking. “You’ve figured it out then.”
“I saw it in the dream. I spin things. And this is how time passes.”
“Do you know why the Pleiades aren’t the center of the universe? Did your little dream tell you that?” It didn’t. But she knew this before she asked the question because she doesn’t wait for an answer. “It’s because of me. Everything that has happened to you since you were twelve was because of me.”
“You?” I say, shocked by her words. “Why? Why did you interfere in my life like that?”
“Not just yours,” Aric says. “She did the same thing to me.”
Nyx shoots him a smarmy look. “Oh, please. Let’s be real now. It wasn’t me who put you here, Aric. It was your father, Ares.”
But Aric isn’t looking at her. He’s looking at me. “She’s my stepmom.”
“Whoa,” Declan chuckles. “I had no idea.”
“No one knows,” Aric says, looking back at Nyx now. “She wanted it that way because?—”
“Because I was protecting my daughter,” Nyx hisses.
“Please tell me that’s not me,” I say. Feeling ill.
“It’s not you,” Quaid says. “Her daughter is Eris.”
Which makes Declan cackle. “That makes sense, That bitch is nothing but discord and strife. Like literally,” he says, his voice playful. “She’s the fuckin’ goddess of discord and strife.”
“Hmmm,” I hum. “I see. But what does any of this have to do with me?”
“Excellent question,” Aric says. “What is your part in this game?”
But before Nyx can answer, the floor below our feet begins toroll. Like it’s made of water instead of stone. And I find myself putting my arms out like a surfer, trying to ride it.
“Whatever it is you’re doing,” Aric yells, “stop it right now! We’re not gonna be hurried into a decision because you’re playing magic tricks on us.”
Again, Nyx does not look concerned about the state of the rolling floor. She lifts her chin as if to imply messing around with the power of earthquakes is beneath her. “This isn’t me, you stupid child. This is the death of the Labyrinth. You’ve killed the Minotaur in his lair, stepson. The game is over and you have won.” She pans her hands wide to indicate the room. “Your prize is an open portal.”
“Obviously,” Quaid hisses. “Tell us something we don’t know.”
“Like how to get through them,” Declan adds.
“I already did,” Nyx sneers. “Give me your godly possessions and the doors will open. Each one will allow one soul to pass through. Plenty of doors here for the four of you.”
“And you?” I ask. “Are you coming with us?”
She places a hand on her heart. “While I would love to remain your guardian for all of time, little Star, I’m afraid I must take my leave of you at this point. You see, in order for you to pass through, you must give your station of Pleiades Eight back to me. I am the womb of the sky, after all. And as thus, I have to remain behind to keep the stars shining.”
Then she looks at Aric. “What you need to give up is that stupid belt buckle. And the knife, of course.”
Her gaze finds Quaid. “And, as discussed—your glasses.”
“What about me?” Declan asks. “I mean…” He kinda scoffs here. “I don’t have any godly possessions.”
