Page 102 of Artemis' Bow
“This doesn’t add up at all. Apollo sent the phoenix after us, but the bird didn’t look like it cared one way or another, like it was just a spectator, and now another of Apollo’s sons has a vision that’s a warning we will die without your help? Which side is Apollo really on?”
“You’re right, none of this makes sense,” Adrian says. “I’m not so sure it’s the fates giving me stronger visions, now that Olly has had one too.”
“You think your dad is helping us by doing the bare minimum of what the queen requires of him?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I think he’s just indifferent. The bird did seem odd when we were in the battle. It only did what was necessary after that initial attack on us; it simply set the flames far enough away that we could fight and flew back into the sky to watch us.” Adrian drums his fingers on the coffee table.
“I don’t like not knowing where people’s loyalties lie and especially not when they are the god of the fucking sun. How could he give his sister to Alpheus?”
“He’s always been more loyal to Artemis than any other god or person in history, so why pull this with her especially and then help us when we are on our way to save her?” Adrian asks the question we are all thinking.
Which side is Apollo really on? Can we trust the god of prophecy if he betrays his queen?
25
“What difference does any of this make?” Greyson asks.
“Indifference is almost worse than what the queen is doing. He doesn’t care one way or the other and that’s dangerous for both sides,” I say.
“He could be giving minimal help to their side and then wait for the dust to settle to pick an actual side or wait for the damage to be done and try to take over for himself. The latter is what I’m afraid of,” Raven says, ever the strategist.
“Exactly. That’s what’s worrying me too. We could have more than one war on our hands if we don’t figure out what he’s up to,” I say.
“Those are valid concerns for sure, but let’s look at all possibilities,” Adrian says. “He is the god of prophecy. He may know what’s going to happen already. What if he’s being strategic himself?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I know a little about seeing all the paths of fate. He could be doing this because it’s the only way to get the desired outcome.” Adrian steeples his fingers.
“But which outcome does the god of prophecy desire?” I ask. “That’s still the biggest question when it comes to him. Either way, we can’t trust him or anything to do with him other than you guys.” I glance between Adrian and Olly. “You both have proved loyal, especially you, Adrian.”
“I don’t think I’ve trusted Apollo since the fountain incident,” Raven grumbles.
“Same, and that’s valid.” I nod.
“So, what do we do now?” Draven asks.
“You guys need to go back to the academy. It’s too dangerous.” I hold up a hand when they begin to protest. “There are way too many demigods in one place outside the academy.”
“We can’t go back until this is done,” Olly says. “The vision didn’t just show the battle with the phoenix, It showed me what happens if we leave before this is done. Everything ends terribly.”
Jayden pulls me in his lap, and I slump against him. We don’t have a choice but to take them with us. They could be the difference between winning and losing.
“Fine. New Orleans is only a few hours away. I say we leave now and then take turns watching the temple and crashing at a hotel once we get there so we can all rest a bit.” I lean my head back against Jayden’s shoulder.
“That sounds like a plan.” Raven nods. “Now that the beast has been fed, we should be good to go.”
I glare at her but she’s not wrong. My stomach did sound like a rabid beast earlier. I stick my tongue out at her for good measure. Jayden pinches my side.
“Keep that tongue to yourself,” he whispers against the shell of my ear, and I shiver.
“I thought you liked my tongue.”
Greyson chokes on his drink across the room. Damn shifter hearing. He never misses anything. Raven slaps him on the back with a giggle.
“You shouldn’t have been listening, babe. You know how sickeningly sweet they can be,” Raven scolds.
“That was not sweet.” He coughs.
