Page 10 of The Dark Labyrinth

Penelope did because it was the only sensible course of action to take when she encountered items in the villa that should belong in a museum somewhere.

"The most perfect of gifts," Phaidros said and presented Aelia with a scroll tied in a red ribbon.

Aelia untied it and unraveled the pages of sheet music. She scanned it, reading the notes. Her cheeks flushed and eyes filled.

"Oh, Phaidros," she whispered.

"I've been writing versions of it for you since Atlantis when I first saw you at the temple of Poseidon," he admitted, uncharacteristically bashful.

"Play it!" Constantine called from the other end of the table.

"I agree, but I only ask you to delay it until I've shared my present," Alexis said over the shouts of agreement. "We will need some music afterward."

"Well, that's cryptic," Aelia said and sniffed. "But I agree. If Phaidros plays now, I will make a complete mess of my makeup."

Next, Galenos presented Lyca with a wooden crate. She grinned widely as she opened it with a crowbar and stared at the lumps of dirty rock in it.

"What are they?" Penelope asked with a frown, not understanding why Lyca looked so happy.

"Ores," Lyca replied and, in a rare act of public affection, kissed Galenos firmly on the mouth.

"You did say you wanted to start forging orichalcum again," he said.

Lyca's present to him made him kiss her right back. Penelope didn't need help understanding what his gift was. It was abox full of replacement remotes for all his vintage video game consoles.

Constantine and Zo exchanged hand-bound books and writing supplies.

"I hope this has dirty bits," Constantine said, thumbing the pages of his new book and grinning.

Zo's ears turned red. "You'll have to read it to find out."

"My dirty bits begin at page 103," Constantine replied, and Zo nudged him with his shoulder.

"Don't ruin the surprise."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Now, Elazar's present," Constantine declared and handed Elazar an envelope.

Penelope leaned in to see what was inside of it. Elazar pulled a card free with a list of on it.

"Coordinates. And where does this lead, uncle?" Elazar asked curiously.

"Egypt. I have it on good authority that documents were buried inpithoithere in the early second century. I thought we could do with a treasure hunt," Constantine replied, and Elazar's face lit up in excitement.

"What kind of documents?" he asked.

"You'll have to find them in order to find out," Constantine replied.

Zo twisted the napkin in his hands. "I don't know if Elazar going off to dig in the desert is a good idea..."

"Abba," Elazar groaned. "I'm not dying, so stop acting like I am."

"I'm not. It's just… I'm your father, and I worry that the heat..." Zo stammered.

"Keep talking, and I'll kiss you again," Constantine said, and Zo's mouth promptly shut. "Exactly, now we are going to Egypt, and that's final. Keep complaining, and I won't invite you."

"Penelope's turn! Quickly, before the men keep arguing about dumb things," Lyca said.

Alexis placed a box down in front of Penelope. "We all helped make this for you,cara mia."

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