Page 68 of Wicked Witchmas: Elara & Tripp

“My grandmother needs to tell us what she knows, Tripp. She lied. Rupert isn’t any old descendant of Helios. He’s his son.”

Tripp jerked, feeling lightheaded. “Son? Which one?”

“Rhalassar.”

He’d never heard the name, but it didn’t mean anything. Helios produced offspring like it was his personal mission to repopulate the world. But the news made Tripp see Elara in a new light. Her Titan abilities were second generation, and that power made her extremely dangerous to anyone who incurred her wrath.

Him included.

“I told the gel; this is news to me, Nightshade,” Florence said, flipping open her cigarette case and selecting one from the remaining three. “I got the information through my daughter Mae.”

The beauty of being a demigod was the ability to discern truth among lies along with intent. “Florence speaks the truth, flitter-mouse,” he said gently. “I can sense it, and so can you if you listen with your heart.”

Elara focused on Florence. “How do I do that?”

“Set aside your preconceived opinions and clear your head of what you’ve heard. Take her hand and ask your most pressing question. Let the truth wash over you.”

With a nod, she patted his arm, and he released her.

“You’re a human lie detector now, love. You’ve got this,” he assured her.

Determination on her beloved face, she approached Florence, stopping only a foot away. She held out her hand. “Are you willing to try?”

“I’ll tell you the truth, gel. I owe you that much.”

Hands clasped, they had an open dialogue. With every probing question Elara or Payton asked, Florence responded with the truth as she knew it.

“Do you know where my father is now?”

“I don’t, but I suspect as far away from Olympus as he could get.” The older woman drew back and fumbled for another cigarette, eventually remembering the unlit one tucked in the corner of her mouth. “He left here in a hurry with you gels when you were just out of diapers.”

“What about our mother? She was with him for a time.”

“She foundhim, not the other way around. I don’t know if it was prearranged, but Rupert hightailed it with you and Payton, not Mae.” The sincere eyes eating up her granddaughter’s expressions were filled with sorrow. “She’d been helping me in the shop that day. Rupert had assured her he’d care for the two of you, easing her fears about leaving you gels alone with him. When she returned home, it was to find he’d absconded with both of you and a special artifact they’d kept on the mantle.”

“Was it a blue globe with a smaller replica of the Earth in the center?” Payton asked, her brows drawn together in memory.

“Yes.”

“A transporter,” Hermes said from behind Tripp. “Only three exist, though they were once plentiful. The Titans used them to open portals between continents and dimensions.”

“Who has the other two?” Elara asked.

“No one knows, but it was believed Helios hoarded them.”

“Is it possible my father has them all?”

“Possible, yes. Probable?” He gave a “meh” shrug.

“He had to have at least two,” Elara said, pressing her fingers to her temples. “Our mom had one when she showed up.”

“How could you know that, gel?” Florence asked skeptically. “You were far too young.”

“I remember everything.” Wide, china-blue eyes danced over Tripp’s face before dropping to stare at her boots. “Every second of every lifetime I’ve ever had.”

“Holy shitballs!” Payton grinned. “That’s badass.”

“Not really.” The gaze Elara turned on them was filled with pain. “It’s a fucking curse to know you’ve never been enough.”

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