Apollo is the one to answer. “I sent two of my people to escort her to the Juniper Bridge. She passed over to the lower city early this morning.”
Cassandra seems a little paler than normal. “She’s not happy about it, but she’s as safe as anyone can currently be in Olympus. Iwould have preferred she leave entirely, but that’s not a fight I was going to win.” She smiles wanly. “My sister has developed a stubborn streak, and she loves this city, gods alone know why.”
That’s something, at least. I roll my head on my shoulders. “Thank you for your assistance, but we’re done here. It’s time for you to leave the upper city.” I hold up a hand when they both rush to argue. “That’s not a suggestion. Every minute you stay here increases the danger you’rebothin.”
“Of all the—”
Cassandra is too stubborn by half, but Apollo isn’t a fool. Honorable to the point where he gets into trouble, but not a fool. He’s the one I give my full attention to. “Your brother is in the lower city. Athena and I escorted your parents there earlier today. You’ve sealed off what records you can, and the ones you didn’t are a lost cause at this point. Olympus has fallen, and if you don’t want to fall with it the same way Peitho did, then you need to get the fuck out of here—and do it now.”
Maybe he trulyisa fool, because he doesn’t immediately rise and grab a set of keys. “There’s still work to be done.”
Damn it, I didn’t want to do this, but if I have to play dirty, then I will. Apollo is one of the few members of the Thirteen that I actuallylike, and if he can’t change the system from within it, that hasn’t stopped him from trying. “Circe is the love of Hermes’s life.” The words feel rank on my tongue. “Circe is the whole reason she holds that title, the loss that drove her to do everything she’s done since taking it. The fact that Circe hasn’t killed her outright means the feelings are still there and they’re still mutual.”
“What’s your point?” he asks slowly.
“My point is that if there’s one person in this city Hermes cares about nearly as much as Circe, it’sher.” I point at Cassandra. “It doesn’t matter that their relationship shifted from romantic to a friendship years ago. Circe is a murderous bitch, and she’s just as clearly out for blood. Cassandra being a member of a legacy family is only the icing on the cake. Circe will kill her for ever holding even part of Hermes’s heart.”
It shouldn’t hurt so much to speak that truth. Hermes wouldn’t have kept looking out for Cassandra, long after they broke up, if she didn’t still care about the woman far too much. It’s the way she looks out for me, butI’venever had the pleasure of sharing her bed, of having those precious intimate moments that come with falling for a person. Hermes is my friend, and if there’s always been the promise of more, each of us has shied away from taking that step for our own reasons.
I’ve never regretted it more than I do in this moment. Life is too fucking short. I know better than most that there are no guarantees, but damn it, I didn’t expect things to go so pear-shaped so quickly.
Cassandra sputters. “You’re being absurd.”
“No, she’s not.” For the first time since I walked into this office, a thread of pure steel wraps around Apollo’s tone. “She’s right on several accounts. Get your purse. We’re leaving.”
“Apollo, please.”
He steps close to her and lowers his voice, but not so much that I miss his next words. “I’ve allowed you to put yourself in danger time and time again because you’re the best at what you do. Even though it kills me to think of something happening to you.”
“But—”
“No more, Cassandra. Either get your purse and walk out that door at my side, or I’m going to tie you up, toss you over my shoulder, and haul your ass out of here by force.”
Damn.I half turn away, resisting the urge to fan myself theatrically. There’s no arguing with him, and Cassandra is smart enough to realize it. She huffs out a breath. “Another time, that would be really sexy and not at all infuriating.”
“Another time, I’ll play that game with you.” He lowers his voice further. “As long as you ask nicely.”
“Okay.” Her tone is a little too sharp, her volume too loud. “I hear you, loud and clear. Let’s get out of here.”
“Thank you.” He presses a kiss to her forehead and takes her hand. “Do you need anything further before we go?”
“No. I’ve got it from here.” We narrowed down Circe’s location within the university. She’s keeping close to the auditorium, utilizing the confusing layout of the main building as a natural defense. Or maybe she just likes the perception of being attached to the oldest learning institution in Olympus.
Cassandra hesitates. “What will you do?”
“It’s a simple enough plan.” I smile, though my chest hurts at what comes next. “I’m going to kill Circe.”
She blanches. “If what you said about her is true…” She swallows hard. “Hermes will never forgive you.” It seems like she wants to say more, but Apollo tugs her through the door. Within seconds, the sound of their footsteps retreats, leaving me alone.
I let my shoulders drop and drag my hand over my face. Cassandra is right, as little as I want to admit it. It changes nothing. If I lose Hermes in the process of saving her, then it’s a sacrifice I’mwilling to make. At least she’ll be alive to hate me. At least she’ll behere.
I need to get to work.
By the time I make my way down to the lobby, a crowd has gathered outside the massive glass doors leading into the building. So much fucking glass. The builders—and the Thirteen—never once stopped to think about how easy it would be to shatter, even if it’s reinforced.
I don’t intend to be here when the growing mob froths over and starts throwing shit. Not for the first time, I wonder what Circe is thinking. Hermes only ever talked about her in vague references, but I got the impression that she was wicked smart and ambitious. All evidence since she’s barreled back into Olympus supports that. Unleashing a mob on the upper city is a gamble, and not even a good one. Assuming they manage to cut through her enemies—leaving destruction in their wake—there’s no guarantee they won’t turn on her before they come to their senses.
Even if they don’t, she’ll be queen of a ruined city.
