It is sweet. In a second, Apollo was in front of me and at eye level. That you would defend him even though I know you do not trust him entirely. Maybe at one point you did, but not anymore.
I opened my mouth, but closed it. Lowering my gaze to my palms, I bit my lip. Once again, something poked at my memory. I swallowed.
I must leave now, Apollo said quietly.
I looked up, meeting his gaze. Apollo creeped me out and made me really question just how cool I was, but I sort of liked him. Will you be back?
Yes, but I cannot be Leon anymore. My cover is blown, and I must answer for not informing Zeus of what I have been doing.
I will probably be grounded. He laughed at his own joke. I just stared at him. I am Apollo, Alexandria. Zeus can kiss it.
Marcus once again looked like he wanted to crawl under the bed.
I will check in when I can. He turned to Marcus. I will also see if I can track Telly down. Oh, and see if you can have Solos Manolis transfer up here from Nashville. He is a half-blood you can trust.
Ive heard of him, Aiden spoke up. Hes quite outspoken.
Apollo smiled and then, without so much as another word, disappeared from the room.
Well, he sure knows how to make an exit. Aiden stood, shaking his head.
Marcus and Aiden made plans to contact this Solos, but I was only half-listening. Curling on my side, I thought about what Apollo had said about Seth. Part of me flat-out refused to believe that Seth could be dangerous, but when I was being honest with myself, I wasnt so sure about that. There were moments hed proven that I really didnt know what was going on in his head or what to expect from him. I couldnt even figure out why he was so trusting of Luciana man who was as plastic as they came.
I hadnt even realized Marcus had left until Aiden sat and placed his hand on my cheek. I wondered if he realized how much hed been touching me lately. It was almost like an unconscious move on his part. Maybe he did it to remind himself that I was alive
Suddenly, the fog cleared around my memories. I sat up so quickly that I gasped.
Alex? Are you okay? Aidens eyes were wide. Alex?
It took me several seconds to say it. I remember I remember what happened when I died.
The look on his face said he hadnt expected me to say that. His hand slid around the nape of my neck. What do you mean?
Tears clogged my throat. I was in the Underworld, Aiden. There were all these people there, waiting to pass over and guards on horses. I even saw Charon and his boatand his boat is much, much bigger and nicer. There was this girl named Kari whod been killed by daimons while shopping for shoes and
And what? he asked, gently wiping away a tear.
She said she was an oracle. That she knew wed meet but not like this. And I saw Caleb. I got to talk to him, Aiden. Gods, he looked so so happy. And he plays Wii with Persephone.
I followed him down the dimly-lit corridor that was sparsely decorated. We passed several closed doors and a spiral staircase. Deacon went through an archway and stopped, reaching along the wall. Light flooded the room. It was a typical sunroom, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wicker furniture, and colorful plants.
Deacon stopped by a small potted plant sitting on a ceramic coffee table. It looked like a miniature pine tree that was missing several limbs. Half the needles were scattered in and around the pot. One red Christmas bulb hung from the very top branch, causing the tree to tilt to the right.
What do you think? Deacon asked.
Um well, thats a really different Christmas tree, but Im not sure what that has to do with Valentines Day.
Its sad, Aiden said, strolling into the room. Its actually embarrassing to look at. What kind of tree is it, Deacon?
He beamed. Its called a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
Aiden rolled his eyes. Deacon digs this thing out every year. The pine isnt even real. And he leaves it up from Thanksgiving to Valentines Day. Which thank the gods is the day after tomorrow. That means hell be taking it down.
I ran my fingers over the plastic needles. Ive seen the cartoon.
Deacon sprayed something from an aerosol can. Its my MHT tree.
MHT tree? I questioned.
Mortal Holiday Tree, Deacon explained, and smiled. It covers the three major holidays. During Thanksgiving it gets a brown bulb, a green one for Christmas, and a red one for Valentines Day.
What about New Years Eve?
He lowered his chin. Now, is that really a holiday?
The mortals think so. I folded my arms.
But theyre wrong. The New Year is during the summer solstice, Deacon said. Their math is completely off, like most of their customs. For example, did you know that Valentines Day wasnt actually about love until Geoffrey Chaucer did his whole courtly love thing in the High Middle Ages?
You guys are so weird. I grinned at the brothers.
That we are, Aiden replied. Come on, Ill show you your room.
Hey Alex, Deacon called. Were making cookies tomorrow, since its Valentines Eve.
Making cookies on Valentines Eve? I didnt even know if there was such a thing as Valentines Eve. I laughed as I followed Aiden out of the room. You two really are opposites.