Page 282 of Bonds of Hercules
That night I returned to the villa with Medusa disguised as Ceres.
The deception was complete.
49
FEDERATION MEETING
MEDUSA: TWOWEEKSLATER
The leader of the House of Athena raised her hand. She stood behind the speaker platform at the bottom of the packed amphitheater.
Her long brown hair glinted with decorative gold foil that matched her heavy laurel crown. As she moved, her white toga shimmered with layers of silk.
Athena cleared her throat. “I will be acting as the interim federation speaker because of these …extenuatingcircumstances.”
A hush descended.
House leaders, generals, and distinguished creatures all gave her their attention.
No one knew how to react to the fact that their illustrious Olympian leader had admitted to attempting to murder a child (outside of the crucible—the distinction was key) and then had disappeared after being publicly humiliated.
On the far side of the amphitheater, the Spartans wearing lion crests all ducked their heads with shame.
The House of Zeus had fallen.
It was a glorious time to be alive.
“It is noon on the dot. This federation meeting is now called into session.” Athena pointed up at the gold clock on the wall behind her.
I rubbed my eyes, but the clock stayed the same.
Oh no.
Not again.
The big hand was on the two, the small hand was on the twenty, and the second hand hovered right above it. It said it was two twenty-two.
Fumbling hastily, I pulled my small notebook out of my pocket and scribbled—Athena announced it’s twelve, but the clock behind her says 222. Third time this week seeing that number.
Alexis glanced over at my book, and I quickly closed it.
When you saw things that other people didn’t, you learned the value of discretion.
Athena launched into a speech about taxes and human resources, and as she spoke, a small glowing dot materialized in the air above her head, so tiny, I could barely make it out.
Act natural, keep it together.
Discreetly I looked behind me—oh, wonderful—all around the room, dots of light were flickering into existence above people’s heads.
No one else could see them.
Alexis looked over at me again, her two-colored eyes narrowed, and I opened my mouth to reassure her everything was fine (it wasn’t), but my jaw clicked shut—a strange glow also emanated above her curls.
She gently touched my arms, pushing me back.
I hadn’t realized I was leaning toward her, trying to get a better look at the hovering light up close.
“Are you okay?” Alexis asked with concern.
