Page 143 of Dead Heat

“Negotiating,” I corrected her. I had no memories of Demeter. Not yet anyway.

“Our skills are needed outside the throne room,” Alecto said.

“As are mine,” I shot back.

All at once, the snakes reared on the furies’ heads.

“You are a disappointment, Melinoe,” Alecto seethed. “A disgrace. Your parents would be mortified by your stubbornness.”

“Then you don’t know my parents as well as you think.”

Tisiphone glanced at her sisters. “We cannot allow this to stand.”

“What’s your plan?” I demanded. “Beat me into submission? Because I don’t think my parents would look too kindly upon you for that.”

“We are vengeance personified,” Alecto seethed. “Your parents would expect nothing less of us.”

“And what would be your reason to inflict your vengeance on me? Who or what are you avenging?”

“Your refusal to take the throne is an affront to all of us in the underworld,” Tisiphone said. “Surely you can see that.”

“Listen, aunties. I have plenty of enemies and I have zero interest in adding three more to the list.”

“Then do the right thing,” Megaera said. “Honor your legacy.”

“What about your legacy? If the three of you are here, then who’s torturing evildoers in Tartarus?”

“If you’d assumed the throne, you’d know the answer to that already,” Alecto taunted.

“Aunt Hestia is the current ruler of the underworld. She gave me a deadline of summer solstice. If you don’t like it, take it up with her, but leave me out of it.”

Alecto’s snakes writhed on her head, as though preparing to strike. “We should’ve carried you home when we had the chance.”

“You would’ve died trying.”

Megaera scowled. “Come along, sisters. I can see our efforts are in vain.”

“Until we meet again, Princess Melinoe,” Alecto sneered.

I stood rigid inside the gate until they disappeared from view. Only then did my legs begin to wobble. I leaned against a post for support and to normalize my breathing.

“I don’t need this extra stress,” I mumbled.

A familiar car pulled alongside the curb and parked. I pulled myself together and opened the gate for Ashley and Steven Pratt.

“This is a nice surprise,” I said.

“Is Nana with you?” Ashley asked.

“I think she’s inside.”

“Do you mind if we come in?” Steven asked. “I wanted to call first, but Ashley insisted that it be a surprise.”

“What’s wrong with a surprise?” Ashley asked. “It’s not like she can drop dead of a heart attack.”

They followed me through the foyer and into the kitchen. Nana Pratt’s hand flew to cover her mouth as she gasped.

“Your grandmother is thrilled to see you both.”

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