Zai heads to a series of stairs that cut over the edge of the mountain and down to what looks like a viewing platform directly above the three waterfalls. Mist wafts up to cover us in a cool sheen, and the rush of the water is a muted roar all around us.
“Nobody will be able to overhear us here,” Zai raises his voice to yell, then starts coughing.
He leads me to a bench with its back at the edge of the waterfall.
“What happened?” I ask, sitting down. “Why didn’t you walk over with me?”
He grimaces. “Dex.”
My eyes go wide. “Did he hurt you?”
Zai shakes his head but holds my gaze. “No. He did something worse.”
43
Alliances
I frantically search for injuries on Zai, but other than severe allergies, he seems unharmed. “What’s worse than death?” I ask, then cringe a little at the question against Hades.
Zai drops his shoulders, staring at his foot as he kicks a pebble. “Dex fell climbing down the mountain and got pretty scraped up. But since I won, all the Mind champions are given healing, so he went to Asclepius first. Rima beat him back to the house.” He sighs. “She warned me that Dex is blisteringly angry that not only did I decide not to ally with my fellow Mind champions, but I aligned with you of all people.”
“You’re worried Dex might hurt you, too, now.” It’s not said as a question.
“Oh no,” Zai says. “Dex has always been in it for himself. But now, he got Rima to agree to kick me out of the house we share.”
I frown. “You share a house?”
He gives me a confused look. “Of course. There’s a house for each group of champions by virtue.”
Ah. But none for me, because Hades.
It’s a darn good thing I’m used to being an outsider, or I could develop a complex at this rate.
“I assumed you lived with Hermes.” Holy crap. He lives with Dex? “You should have said so earlier.”
And now I get it. He lost a potential found family when Dex kicked him out. I swallow the knot forming in the back of my throat. As someone who has only ever wanted to belong somewhere, wanted a family of her own, I totally get how this could feel worse than death for Zai.
I drop my gaze to my lap, fingers twisting together. “I’m sorry, Zai.” I look up at him. “If you want to not be allies—”
“Quit that.” He says it gently. “Allying with you won me a pair of nifty shoes.” He nudges my shoulder with his. “Besides, I took this likelihood into account when I made my choice.”
My smile feels pinched. “Of course you did.”
“I’ll find a different place to stay. Maybe with Hermes.” He shifts in his seat. “Although he’s not thrilled, either.”
Given Hades’ reaction if I’d been kicked off the team, I can imagine. “You can stay with me.”
Zai straightens so fast I’m surprised his spine doesn’t crack. “With Hades? I don’t think so.”
“He won’t hurt you.” I have no idea what makes me so confident of that.
Zai is clearly not as sure. “He’s the god of death, Lyra.”
“And yet I remain un-smited,” I point out.
“True.” He doesn’t look convinced. “But he needs you alive, not me.”
Fair.
“What if he promises to keep you safe while in his house? How would that be?” I try not to wince at my own words after they’re out. Talk about going against Hades’ don’t agree to anything until you talk with me edict.
“Maybe then,” Zai says, still mired in doubt.
I nod, not pushing it. One problem solved. Sort of. Hades is going to love hearing about this when he gets home.
“Did you ask Rima why she is aligning with Dex? I mean, I know he’s also Mind with the two of you, but still…”
I trail off at Zai’s grimace. “She’s not with him,” he says slowly. “She’s against you.”
44
When Bad Thieves Forget To Do Their Damn Job
Rima is against me.
