“The thing is,” I say, more nervous about this part than the rest, “everything is getting worse.”
“What do you mean worse?” Mom asks.
“Because Gretchen and Greer and I have been reunited, things are starting to change.” I take a deep breath. “And, um, a war is coming.”
Mom gasps again.
“War?” Dad’s eyes get wide. “What do you mean?”
“It’s complicated, Dad, but basically some people—some gods—want us to guard the door. Others want us to seal it forever.”
“Others want us—”
I kick Greer before she can tell my already freaked parents that there are gods and monsters out there trying to kill us.
She glares at me. “To open it and leave it unprotected.”
“Yes,” I say, relieved by her tact. I focus on my mom for this part of the reveal, because I think she’ll be the most understanding. “In the meantime, while things get worked out, it’s going to be kind of dangerous around here.”
“Sounds like it already is.”
I nod. “It’s going to get worse.”
As quickly as possible, I explain about the immortal Gorgons and the abyss and how we need to rescue them because they’re the only ones with answers. Then I get to the hard part.
“Mom, Dad,” I say, trying to sound as mature and responsible as possible. “Gretchen, Greer, and I need to go into the abyss. It’s the only way to get to Olympus, to get Euryale and Sthenno back.”
For five whole seconds, they stare at me, mouths agog. I know how this must sound to them—the fact that they’re even taking me seriously is extraordinary—but I have to make them understand.
“Certainly not,” Dad finally says. “If I believe anything you’re saying, you are not going into that—”
“Please, Dad. Don’t make this any harder. Things are just as dangerous at home.” I turn back to Mom. “One monster already showed up here. In the alley. Monday last week.”
I watch her eyes as realization dawns, as she puts the pieces together and figures out that, when I disappeared for hours the other night, I had a good reason. “Oh, Grace,” she says. “I had no idea.”
“I know, Mom.” I smile, letting her know that I don’t blame her for her reaction at all. She feels guilty, but I’m the one to blame. I’m the one who kept it a secret.
“I—” Her eyes fill with tears. “I don’t like this.”
“I don’t have a choice,” I say. “It’s my destiny.”
She nods and then looks at Dad.
“Please,” I say to him. “Trust me.”
His face softens. “Of course I trust you, Gracie.”
“Then you have to let me do this.” I glance at my sisters. “You have to let us do this.”
He frowns, but I can tell the exact moment he relents. It’s barely noticeable, a tiny shift in his eyes. I don’t need their permission—this is something I have to do—but I’d rather have their support all the same.
I mouth, “Thank you.”
“I’m going with you,” Thane says.
I give him a pleading look. “Thane …”
“No,” he says. “You’re my sister too. I’m going with you.”
Something passes between us, something he’s trying to tell me. His stormy gray eyes are intent on mine, and I get the feeling this is about more than just being a protective big brother. Greer squeezes my hand, and when I look at her she nods. I don’t know why that reassures me, makes me feel better. It just does.
I look back at Thane. “Okay.”
Five of us will make this journey, then. Me, my sisters, Nick, and Thane. We’ll have fractionally better odds, and that’s something.
Twenty minutes later, Mom and Dad have packed our backpacks full of food and water. They’ve asked me if I’m sure about what we have to do about a million times. And I think they are finally accepting that this is something I can’t—won’t—walk away from.
They’ve also promised to be extracautious—to watch their backs when they leave or enter the apartment, to take off if things seem to be getting worse, to take care of themselves so I have two fewer things to worry about—until this is all over. Or, at least, settled.
At the door, Mom hugs me tighter than ever before. Dad pats Thane on the back.
“You take care of her, son,” he says.
Thane nods. Considering the fights they usually get into, I don’t think Dad has ever been prouder of him.
Mom turns and hugs Thane. “You take care of you too.”
Then we’re gone. They’re staying home, staying safe. I’m the one walking into danger. But not alone. I turn to face Nick, my brother, and my sisters, struggling to keep the tears from my eyes. I was being so strong for Mom and Dad, and now I feel it crumbling away.
“Okay,” I say, forcing positivity. “Now what?”
“Now,” Gretchen says, “we gather the rest of the supplies. If we’re going in, we’re going in prepared.”
She makes a list of what we need, assigns each of us a portion of it, and then we’re on our own. I’m getting half a dozen flashlights and extra batteries. Thane is filling another two backpacks with food and water. Everyone else is on special errands and we’re meeting in Greer’s basement in two hours.