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As she descended the steep stairs, she thought about poor George. Her grandson was taller than her and had larger feet. Slanting her own feet on the eroded steps, she had no idea how George had done this, especially carrying Owen on his back.

When she got to the bottom and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, she followed the faint scent trails along the rocks. Once she’d made it around the outcropping, she spied the break in the cliffside. A thrill ran through her as she crouched down and peered in. This was the entrance to the Underworld, Hades’ realm. She breathed in and was surprised to find a familiar swampy tang to the air. She knew that scent from her childhood in Okefenokee, Georgia.

She knew she shouldn’t, but she also knew Coco was in there, dealing with who knew what. Before she’d even made a decision, she was moving into the passage and then a hand dropped on her shoulder, stopping her.

Benvair reared back from the entrance and found a beautiful woman in cream robes. She had golden-tanned skin, amber eyes, and curly black hair.

“I can’t let you do that,” the woman said. “Believe me, I understand a mother’s need to race to her child, to rescue her from danger, but this time, you’ll have to wait.”

Benvair stood from her crouch and found she was taller than the other woman. Normally, she rather enjoyed looking down on others. This time, however, she felt uncomfortable.

The woman—goddess—waved her hand and two benches appeared. The goddess sat, inviting Benvair to take the other seat.

When Benvair did, the goddess said, “It won’t be too long now. Your granddaughter is doing well.”

Benvair’s heart leapt. “Can you tell me what’s happening?”

The woman thought a moment and then shook her head. “I don’t believe I can. I will say that the one who was angry with them—well, the one who was angry with one of them—seems to have settled her grievance. An understanding has been reached.” She patted Benvair’s hand in comfort, but Benvair flinched at the current of power that ran through her.

“They’re safe now?” Benvair tried to look the goddess in the eye but found she couldn’t. Some force kept her from doing so.

The goddess shook her head. “I’d love to give your heart ease, but it would be a lie. I know what it is to have people try to placate me by lying about my child’s well-being. I won’t do that to another mother.” She sighed. “They’re on a path, one they must complete. There is danger ahead for them, but they have been working well together. We will, both of us, wait and hope that our children return to us.”

The woman disappeared, leaving Benvair to wait and hope on her own. Eventually, she stood, her stomach still jittering from the encounter. The bench she’d been sitting on disappeared. “Thank you,” she said to the air and then made her way back to the stairs and up.

Chapter 19

FUCKING PERSEUS

I eventually nodded off and was awoken a short time later when Stheno nudged me with her foot. Blinking up at her, I watched her study my scars.

“What gives, kid?” she asked.

“Athena made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” I stood. “She’d let me see and speak to my parents if I took back my scars.”

Stheno’s face screwed up in disgust. “That⁠—”

I slammed my hand over her mouth before she got us in trouble again. “It was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.” I lifted my other arm. “This, I don’t care about. I got to have a full conversation with my parents. My dad has been gone since I was little. I had only a vague memory of a tall, faceless someone.” My eyes filled again. “Not anymore. I got to hug him, both of them.” My throat got tight. “It was perfect.”

“That is an incredible gift,” Bracken said.

I looked around and saw both Coco and Bracken, sitting up and listening. “It really was,” I told them. I picked up my backpack. “Is everybody ready to get started again?”

“I’d kill for a shower,” Coco grumbled, getting to her feet.

Bracken nodded as she stood. He drank from his canteen, stowed it, and then started walking, with all of us falling into line behind him.

We’d only been walking a mile or so when he slowed. “I believe I see light ahead.” His fingers swirled at his side and the floating lights dimmed.

We all saw it.

“Wait,” I whispered. “Is that good or bad?”

“Depends on where the light is coming from,” Stheno responded. “No way to know until we get there.” She took the lead as we continued. “I swear, if we pop out under some ruins in Athens, I’m going to be pissed.”

Bracken’s lights were only as bright as they needed to be so we didn’t fall, which allowed us to track the dot of light in the distance getting bigger.

An hour or two later, Coco’s stomach rumbled. “I vote we eat before we hit the light, in case another battle is waiting for us.”