Mortal Gods

Before the day was over, he would see.

*   *   *

Henry took Andie home to change early. They met her groggy mom, fresh off the night shift at the hospital. Andie hugged her long and hard, so long that her confused mother started to laugh. Andie laughed, too. Henry just stood there with a lump in his throat.

It wasn’t long before she’d dressed, in light shoes with good treads, pants with extra pockets, and a jacket. She emptied out her backpack to be filled with knives and other supplies. When she was ready, they got back into Henry’s Mustang and sat, his hand idle over the shifter.

“We don’t have to go,” he said. “They’d track Cassandra if she didn’t show, but not us. They wouldn’t even come looking.”

“That’s my line,” Andie said. “Andromache’s line. ‘Don’t go, Hector, don’t fight.’ But we have to, Henry.” Her hand trembled over his. “They sent those wolves, and they’ll send them again if Athena loses. We can’t let them get Lux again. We can’t let Cassandra go alone.”

She leaned over fast and kissed his cheek. He blinked at her in shock.

“I feel our old lives coming through today,” she said. “It feels like I should tie you up. Or stand in front of you. I’m terrified I’ll see you die. And then I’ll remember what it was like the first time. Pretty dumb, huh?”

Henry reached over and took her hand. It felt like ice, but her fingers twisted through his and squeezed.

*   *   *

They’d have to take two cars, Athena realized. She should’ve thought of that and rented a van, but it was too late now. Hermes loaded a green canvas pack into the trunk of the Dodge, on top of everything else, right near the front. Another sat at his feet, to go into the trunk of Henry’s Mustang.

“Hey.” She nodded toward it. “What’s that?”

“That is a combat medic first aid bag. I may have lifted them from the army base a few days ago.”

Good thinking. Inside would be bandages, gauze rolls, suture sets, and antiseptic. Hopefully more than what they’d need.

Cassandra came out, carrying another bag of weaponry. She’d shown up a half hour after Athena and Hermes got back, with Achilles by her side.

“Do you want me to get that?” Athena asked. She stepped toward the car, but Cassandra heaved the bag into the trunk on her own.

“Nope. I want you to keep on standing there with a dopey look on your face.” She smiled. “It’s fine. I’ve got it.” The smile wasn’t exactly warm, but it was something. Better than feathers exploding out of her arm. Athena went into the house. The rest of the packing she’d leave to Andie and Henry. Let the activity calm their nerves. Her hands slid over the smooth, cold surface of her oak dining room table.

Olympus. After all these years, they were going back.

“What are you doing in here?” Odysseus walked up behind her, wiping the blade of a freshly sharpened knife.

“Leaning on a table. What’s it look like?”

“Where were you last night?” he asked.

“I’m surprised you noticed I was gone.” Her tone was petty and childish. She pressed her lips together and wished they’d glue that way.

“Of course I noticed. I would’ve liked to … talk to you,” he said. He studied the blade under the light and returned it to its sheath. “I know. You don’t want any big good-byes. We don’t need them. Because we’re going to win, right? But I wanted that time. I thought you’d be here.”

“Odysseus—”

“Aren’t you the slightest bit afraid that I’ll die today?”

“You?” She laughed. He wouldn’t sandbag inside Olympus, and his hidden speed and strength were more than enough to carry him through. “Not you. Never you. In Troy you charged a thousand swords and no one touched you.”

He snorted. “I remember a wicked spear scar that says differently.”

“But still, you died in your bed, an old man.”

“So I did,” he said. He slipped his arms around her waist. “I still worry for you, goddess.”

She pushed her fingers into his hair. Henry’s Mustang growled into the driveway.

Odysseus sighed and pressed his forehead to hers.

“No more time for this, I suppose.”

28

OLYMPUS

Andie’s cave wasn’t far. Less than an hour’s drive. Athena craned her neck over Odysseus’ arm to get a look at the speedometer of the Dodge.