Immediately I remember that I must tell her about her brother.
Fuck!
“I'll leave today, but I can't stay in Greece for long. We need to talk, though."
“Alright, Odin. See you tomorrow."
I hang up and stare at the papers on my desk. How can I tell a twenty-four-year-old girl that we will bury her father and brother on the same day? God!
I realize that now I have only her, Christos, and his father left as living relatives on my father's side, as far as I know.
"Are you going to travel again?"asks Grigori.
"Yes, but I intend to return no later than the day after tomorrow."
"Why the hurry?"
“Because I don't want to leave Elina alone. I have a feeling Naim is still around."
"Do you trust her?"
That's the million-dollar question, and my answer may be a fool's answer, but it's how I feel at the moment.
"Yeah."
On the way to Greece
Elina didn't display any emotion when I called to say that I was returning to our island.
I considered taking her with me, but when I thought about it, I saw that it would be impractical. The conversation I need to have with Milena won't be easy. How could I tell my cousin about her brother's death while standing beside an Argyros?
No, I'm already working on several fronts at the same time.
Also, it would be risky. I need to find out if the person who betrayed me was one of the locals.
Although we have already spoken, just like the last time I returned to our country, I decide to send a message.
I will be back soon. Stay safe.
GREECE
I arrived in Greece five hours ago, and it seems that problems are rooted there.
I had a serious conversation with Milena, who is staying over on the island with her husband. She didn't look surprised when I told her about Orien and I asked why. My cousin confessed that she’d neverbelieved the story that he was gone, but she hadn't wanted to shatter her father's illusions. In the end, Aristeu wasn't sure that his son was dead, and perhaps that was for the best.
"You know you can come back here whenever you want, don't you? The only thing I ask is that you don't come alone. Let me know in advance and I'll take care of your safety."
“What aren't you telling me, Odin? Where is Leandros? Does he have something to do with my brother's death?"
Milena is a simple woman. As Aristeu himself once said, she never wanted to study, but she still has a kind of inborn wisdom, as if her age is much more advanced than her birth certificate indicates.
She also has the typical accepting attitude of those people who understand that the world is a shitty place but don't allow themselves to become bitter about it.
“You don't have to get involved in any of this, but I promise whoever is responsible will pay."I keep waiting for some attempt to dissuade me from the idea, but it never comes.
"Thanks. As for coming back here, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. I found out a week ago that I'm pregnant, and I want to go through the pregnancy in peace. Keep my heart filled with good things for the arrival of my baby. Now that Dad has finally gone to rest and I have an answer about my brother's whereabouts, I can think about the future."
My eyes automatically drop to her flat stomach, trying to see any signs that she is carrying a child. Milena, as well as Zoe, Christos's wife, will be responsible for maintaining the Lykaios line of descent.