Except that she was the one to come up with the Elixir that keeps halfs in servitude docile. Solos jaw hardened.
Deacon
looked at Apollo, his nose wrinkling. Then why are you contacting a goddess that? His mouth dropped open. Oh. Shit. You want to put Alex on the Elixir.
I folded my arms to keep from hitting something. No. Apollo, absolutely not.
I dont even see why were discussing this. Solos headed around the couch, wisely avoiding the area around me. I was like a geyser seconds away from erupting. He stopped beside Marcus. The Elixir wont work on the Apollyon, right?
Not the kind that we give half-bloods, but Alex would be receiving something different. Apollo paused. Shed be getting something stronger. Ananke has assured me that it would break the bond, and the effects would only be temporary. Its not the same thing thats done to the others.
Its not? Because it sounds like it is to me. The idea of putting Alex on the Elixir turned my stomach and pissed me off. I cant do that.
Apollo opened his mouth but seemed to be choosing what to say. We have to break the bond, Aiden. At some point, Alex will discover where she is. Then what? Seth will come for her and transfer her power to him, and it will be all over. There will be no second chances.
There has to be another way! My control snapped. In that instant I was this close to finding out if I could actually take out a god. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I knew Apollo was trying to help ushelp Alex. I didnt doubt that the god cared for her. We just havent looked hard enough, checked every available resource.
Where else can we look, Aiden? Apollo faced me, eyes wide. I have turned Olympus inside out looking for a way to break their bond. The only thing is the Elixir and
No. I held my ground.
Apollo looked around the room for help. Solos stepped back, raising his hands. Dont look at meId like to keep my face in one piece, thank you.
I smirked.
Clearly struggling for patience, Apollo paced the den. This is only a temporary solution, Aiden.
That solution is unacceptable! I yelled so loudly that Deacon jumped. Hed been on the receiving end of my anger time and time again, but the surprise flickering across his face told me hed never quite seen me like this before. How I felt for Alex, if there was any doubt held by those in the room, was now painfully visible. Youre asking us to agree to strip away everything that she is! To turn her into a mindless zombie who has no control I broke off, sucking in a shallow breath. It was Alexs greatest fear. The thing that had kept her up at night, that had haunted her steps like a vengeful ghost. She would have no control.
She has no control now, insisted a soft feminine voice.
I spun around. Lea stood in the doorway, as tall and thin as her older half-sister had been. Her cinnamon-colored hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. Dark shadows spread under her eyes and her cheeks were gaunt.
You dont understand, I said.
She inched into the room, glancing at Apollo and then the rest of us. I havent seen her, but Ive heard her. Weve all heard her. And the gods know that she and I have never been friends, but Alexshe never wouldve said the things Ive heard her yelling. That isnt her.
Pressing my lips together, I turned away, shaking my head. Lea had a point. What was down in the basement wasnt really Alexnot the girl I loved with every breath I took. And she wasnt in control of herself.
But the Elixirthat was different.
Lea sat beside Deacon, folding her small hands in her lap. The idea of using the Elixir screams wrong on every level, but what choice do we have? We cant keep her down there.
Shes not eating, murmured Marcus. He rubbed his brow, face strained. Im not sure shes even really sleeping or if if shes communicating with Seth, and thats whats keeping her up.
I stared at him. Marcus, you know how terrified she was of being put on the Elixir.
Unable to hold my stare, he looked away. I know, Aiden. Dammit, I know, but somethings got to give. As much as I hate the idea of doing this to her, it will give us more time.
Refusing to believe that this was our last option, I searched frantically for another way and grasped at brittle, painful straws. What about the Fates? Can you go to them and see what the outcome is? If she will break the connection herself? Or if there is some way for us to do so?
Apollo shook his head. The Fates are no fans of mine, and even if they were and if they knew, they wouldnt tell me or you. You know how they work, Aiden. You
You know what this will do to her! I roared, flushing hot with fury.
I know what this will do to you, he said quietly. And I know
the idea of doing this is killing you
Stopjust stop, I seethed, backing up. I will not let any of you do this to her. So help me
The threat hung in the air like thick smoke that choked the occupants of the room. Marcus just looked sad, almost beaten down by it all. Solos was pale, probably because he thought Apollo was seconds away from knocking me through the wall. Lea and Luke stared at the floor, faces drawn. Did the two younger halfs feel the sharp bite of guilt for agreeing that Alex needed the Elixir, knowing what it would do, what it would mean?