We don’t imply. Or tease. Or tempt.
And thanks to all of those unspoken “thou shalt not” rules…I fucking smolder with unrealized need.
“You’re still determined to go through with this?” he asks.
All of our discussions since I stopped sleeping all the time have focused on strategy. How to win the Crucible.
“Yes.” For Boone. For me. For Hades, too.
“Lyra!” Meike’s cry has us turning to find her, Zai, Trinica, and Amir coming up the stairs that lead to the rooftop.
I don’t have to look, because I already feel that Hades has disappeared. He’s not supposed to be here with the champions. Any of them. Not for what I have in mind.
With hurried steps, Meike runs to me and pulls me into a hug. “Thank the gods,” she says. “We thought…” She grimaces as she pulls back.
“Thank Hades, because he’s the reason I’m still alive.”
She glances around as if she’ll find him here.
By now, Zai has joined us, also giving me a hug. “We didn’t know what happened to you.”
“I’ll fill you in.”
Trinica hangs back, watching warily, Amir at her side. It’s not like I’ve been present for most of the Labors they’ve been officially allied with us for. “I’m glad the four of you had one another while I’ve been gone,” I say.
“We missed you,” Amir says, offering me a boyish smile.
Trinica just nods, but she’s lost the wariness.
I lead them to one of the large outdoor couches that horseshoe a firepit. “We don’t have long to talk,” I tell them. “The others will be here in about fifteen minutes.”
Zai leans back a tad. “Others?”
“I invited all of the champions here.”
The four of them exchange glances.
Meike frowns. “That doesn’t seem like a good idea.” And usually she is the optimistic one.
I half laugh but can’t help pulling a face. “Yes, all. Even Dex. There’s a reason.” I clasp my hands in my lap to keep from fiddling. “We don’t have much time, so I’ll lay it out for you plainly. All right?”
They nod.
I glance behind them toward the stairs, then start talking rapid-fire. I tell them about Boone. About how Hades can make him a god, but only if I win and he becomes king.
“Why are you telling us?” Zai asks slowly, strategic mind at work. I can see in his eyes that he’s already tracking where I’m headed.
There’s a bit of a distance between us now. All of us. Not palpable or bad, just…there. I’m not sure if it’s because they survived three more Labors without me, or something else.
“Because I’m going to propose something to the entire group of champions, but you are my closest allies. So, I wanted to tell you first.”
Movement on the stairs has me glancing over them again. The five of us get to our feet as first Jackie and then the others all make their way up to where we are.
No Hades. No Charon. No other gods or goddesses.
Just us.
85
A Gambit
As they arrive, most of the champions look around in open-mouthed wonder, and I smile as I give them a chance to take in these surroundings. Okay, yes, their reactions are even better than I imagined. It feels almost like this is my home and I’m proud to show it off.
Blast and brimstone, Lyra. Get a grip and get started.
“Thank you for coming,” I say.
“What the fuck is this about, Keres?” Dex demands.
I guess his blessing of foreknowledge only applies to the Labors. Although he was right when he told Boone that he may not be winning but he’s still here.
“Please sit down. I promise I’ll tell you everything. After that, you can return to Olympus regardless.”
“Regardless of what?” Jackie is the one to ask slowly, searching my face not in suspicion but concern.
We all sit, some more reluctantly than others. I nudge Zai. “Congratulations, by the way.”
