With only a muffled grunt, the guard fell.
The figure eased the body to the ground, searching for the keys at his belt. Once they had the keys, they retreated behind the building, moving to one of the doors, sliding a key into the lock, and listening for the click.
The door swung open, the figure leaping into the shadows.
The room was small and empty save for a narrow marble table. Four sets of golden cards were carefully stacked on top. The figure grabbed two decks, then ran back out the door, leaving it wide open behind them. Fleeing back toward the trees, the rogue began pulling cards free three at a time.
Barely glancing at each set they drew, the figure threw them into the night. The trios of cards tumbled through the air, then froze, glowing before setting off the growth of a misfigured combination of monsters.
Dozens of them began to rise from the ground.
“Hey!” someone shouted. The figure turned to look at Endymion, God of Youth, who watched with wide eyes. “What are you doing? Stop!” Endymion raced forward, trying to grab at some cards. He was too late; they had already started the creation of another beast. “Make it stop!”
The cloaked figure rushed Endymion, and the young god threw up his hands, trying to dodge. “Backup! Help!”
Galene’s dagger flew from the figure’s fingertips, burying up to the hilt just below the young god’s heart. His face went white, and he tumbled to the ground. The figure took off running, then slowed in the outskirts of the Western Woods, turning to watch the havoc they had unleashed. A breath of wind caught the hood, and it fell back. The copper and gold highlights of her hair gleamed in the moonlight, and the smile that touched Galene’s lips was small, cold, and satisfied.
Her mouth went dry. “No.”
It was impossible, but there she was, every detail identical, from her sea-green eyes down to the last freckle. A furious outcry erupted from the spectators. “No, I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me!”
The image dissipated, leaving only a pit of panic and nausea in Galene’s stomach. She searched for any show of support from the assembled gods beyond the ring of Olympians, and found Iyana again. Her eyes were wide, horrified almost, and a shock of disbelief went through Galene. She thinks I’m guilty.
But no, Iyana was shaking her head, her expression conveying her words. Of course I know you wouldn’t! Relief sapped Galene’s strength.
“Here’s your proof, Galene.” Zeus waved his hand, and a guard stepped forward, raising Galene’s dagger, stained with ichor. “We found this still in Endymion’s body. It matches the God of Prophecy’s vision.”
“I—” What could she say? She couldn’t accuse Apollo of lying. Dread squeezed her heart as she doubted he even would. Galene’s eyes burned. “I would never do such a thing.”
“I am the God of Truth!” Apollo bore down on her.
“I just meant, there’s been some kind of mistake—”
“Galene, where were you then, right before the beasts were set free?” Poseidon’s words were pointed, but hesitant, as if he dreaded the answer.
With Chrysander at the border. She squeezed her eyes shut. If she told the truth, that she was fraternizing with the exiled, she would have no chance of mercy. “Walking through the olive groves below Demeter’s temple. No one was with me. But I swear on the River Styx that I am innocent!”
There were a few shocked outcries at her statement.
Ares let out a biting laugh. “And now she takes a sacred oath in vain. Long after it would have been most honorable to confess, she still denies the proof we hold right before her arrogant eyes!”
“She is as cunning as any one of us.” Hera studied her. “Her whole plan tonight wasn’t rash. It was a well-thought-through and skillfully executed scheme to get back at her judges, simply because she wasn’t mature enough to handle our verdict. It is only thanks to Apollo’s vision that she has been caught.” She glared around at the Olympians and the silenced crowd.
“She is the cause of destruction and death,” said Aphrodite, tears gleaming in her bright blue eyes. She swept her strawberry blonde hair over a raised shoulder to shun Galene. “Your soul has no beauty in it, for causing so much loss.” Galene nearly broke at the grief that flashed in those eyes.
Demeter jutted out her chin. “What should we do with her?”
Most of the Olympians began talking over each other. Galene could barely make out any one god’s words, and their voices steadily got louder and angrier in unified hatred toward her.
“Death with death!”
“—labor rotation isn’t nearly—”
“The avyssos was created for such situations…”
“Imprisonment…”
“Exile…”
“Like her brother…”
The crowd around them was just as loud. Cries of agreement overlapped until Galene’s head rang with them.
“Silence!” Zeus called. He stared down each Olympian until they quieted, the crowd following suit. “We seem to have come to a mutual agreement. All in favor of Galene Unnamed to be exiled from Mount Olympus.”
The world spun around her as the words slowly registered.
“No!” Iyana’s voice rang clear through the night, followed by the sounds of a muffled fight.
At first there were no hands. Then they all went up at once. Ten of the twelve voters, her father and Hermes the only ones with their hands down.
Galene swayed. Poseidon covered his ashen face with a hand.
Zeus looked around. “It is decided. Galene Unnamed, Daughter of Poseidon and Amphitrite, you are hereby exiled from Mount Olympus. You are never to return. You are stripped of the potential to receive your official title and temple. You will never gain your immortality, never become a worshipped deity.
“Tomorrow at dawn you will be escorted to the boundary line. You may take your belongings—no horse, no other supplies. And I will remind you that interacting with humans is strictly forbidden. If you do, we will hear about it, and you will be hunted and killed. You better start saying your goodbyes.”
8
IYANA
Exile.
Fear clutched Iyana’s heart. She stared past Poseidon at her closest friend, somewhat aware of Demitri holding her back, speaking soothingly in her ear. Galene took an uncertain step away, clearly dismissed.
No no no no—
Roaring filled her ears, wind swept around her, and she twisted out of Demitri’s grip.
“Wait!” She threw herself between the Olympians, into the circle. If possible, Galene’s face went whiter. Iyana planted her feet, standing between her best friend and her father. She threw out her hands as though she could shield Galene from her sentence. “You can’t!”
Twelve pairs of eyes burned into her. Iyana’s wind whipped around her, stinging her cheeks and sending everyone’s hair dancing.
“Do not presume to tell us what we can and can’t do, Iyana Unnamed.” Hera spoke, cold as ice. “Stand down.”
Galene touched Iyana’s arm. “There’s nothing you can do. Don’t get yourself into trouble, too—”
Iyana shook off Galene’s hand, keeping her eyes on Zeus. “No. Hear me out, Father, I beg you.”
A few of the Olympians hissed at her nerve. The King of Olympus looked at her long and hard, then gestured with his hand. “Speak.”
“Iyana—” Galene groaned.
“Let her speak for you, Galene.” Kostas, God of Games, stepped into the circle, nodding in respect at the Twelve Olympians. He took Galene by the arm and pulled her back outside the ring. Galene didn’t protest, but held Iyana’s gaze as she left her alone in the midst of the Twelve.
Iyana tore her eyes away, swallowing. She had one chance.
“This is not in Galene’s nature. She is not her brother, and if anyone ever bothered to get to know her they’d see that.” She looked to Galene’s father. “Poseidon, you know your daughter. She’s had nothing but respect for you and the rest of the Twelve her whole life.”
“I’m her closest friend. I know she would never do this.”
Ares snorted. “She had a bad day and snapped,” he said, eyes still tinged red.
“That’s right,” Dionysus chimed in to agree with Ares. “One thing breaks and their whole mind turns upside down.” The God of Wine and Madness spoke with a thoughtful, intrigued tone.
Iyana shook her head. “But Galene is clever, too! Why would she strike against Mount Olympus on the very night she failed her Immortality Trial? And why would she leave her dagger in a body? No one would do that unless they wanted to be caught—of course fingers would point to her!”
“Anger can impede anyone’s logic.” Athena cast a sideways glance at Ares.
Iyana turned to her. “Athena, Goddess of Wisdom—you honestly don’t think it looks like a setup, do you?”
She pursed her lips. “I might have considered it, but Apollo’s vision is solid evidence to the contrary.”
“All right, then…” Iyana wheeled around to face Apollo, then immediately wanted to recoil from his powerful bearing. She clasped her hands in front of her to avoid flinching. “Apollo, God of the Sun … if I may…” His thunderous expression conveyed no you may not, but she plunged onward. “Every gift is fallible, is it not? Couldn’t it be possible that your vision was incorrect?”
“My gift has never failed me,” Apollo growled. “And the night’s events confirm it.”
“But we only saw Galene’s face once in your vision. Couldn’t that part alone have been wrong?”
Athena cut in again. “It is possible, perhaps, but very remotely so. Putting an innocent face in place of the guilty is an incredibly specific way Apollo’s gift would fail him.”
“This is pointless. You cannot disprove Apollo’s vision.” Hera’s threatening expression sent chills up Iyana’s arms. She had a seething hatred for all of Zeus’s children birthed to a different mother. As Iyana was currently the only one on Olympus under that criteria, Hera had always seemed to channel all of her animosity toward her.
“But … but Galene said she was walking through the olive groves.” Iyana did her best not to sound like a whining child. “We can search for witnesses among the dryads and naiads. One of them may be able to confirm Galene’s location at the time of the attack.”
“Most of the dryads and naiads have fled the destruction,” Artemis said. “They are in poor condition, and no one should waste time hunting them down and questioning them while they recover.”
“Not even for the sake of an innocent goddess’s future?” Iyana demanded.
“Now is not the time,” Hera said.
“Then we wait! Wait for your judgment until you can search for confirmation of Galene’s story!”
“We have no need to question the proof that has already been brought before us!” Hera gestured to Apollo. “Stop your mindless arguing, Iyana Unnamed. You’re wasting our time.”
“I have proposed a valid compromise!” Iyana fired back, curling her hands into fists. “Hate me all you want, Queen Hera, but do not dismiss what I’m saying because of it.”
Zeus raised a hand, and Hera closed her mouth, eyes blazing. “She’s right, Iyana,” he said, voice soft. “Your loyalty is admirable, but we can’t ignore Apollo’s vision. Is there any last thing you wish to say?”
Iyana looked around but saw no sympathy. They’ve already made up their minds. Nothing I say will change that.
“Galene has her whole life ahead of her.” Her voice trembled. “You’re taking everything from her. Her home, her honor—”
“We are not taking her life, Iyana,” Artemis pointed out.
“But you are. You’re taking away her future immortality.” Iyana’s vision blurred with tears, but she was beyond caring. “She will die.”
“She failed her Trial anyway.”
Hera’s words put a searing knife in Iyana’s chest. The wind around her fell still. “So she’s worthless now? Will I be worthless, too, in a few months, when you set it up so I have to defeat Typhon himself?”
Murmurs ran around the circle of the Olympians.
“Enough!” Hera struck the ground with her scepter, and it blazed with a brief light. “You do not speak to an Olympian like that!”
But hot fury and hurt raged in Iyana’s heart, forcing her mouth open again. “I think you want Galene gone so she’s no longer a threat to you.”
“My daughter, you’re shaming yourself,” Zeus said. “Your anger has blinded you, just as Galene’s anger blinded her. You will leave now.”
A gentle breeze returned as she made a decision. “Yes, Father. But when I leave I will not come back. I’m going with Galene.”
The Olympians stared at her in shock. There was a long moment of silence.
“You would exile yourself?” Aphrodite asked incredulously. “You love her that much?”
She didn’t answer.
“You know the law, Iyana,” Zeus said. “If you leave Mount Olympus before your Trial, you, too, will be stripped of your potential to be a deity, and you may never return.”
The tears finally tumbled to her cheeks as she looked her father in the eye. “So be it.”
She turned and pushed her way back out of the circle.
The surrounding crowd burst into conversation.
“… exiling herself—?”
“… still can’t believe…”
“How could she—”
“Did you see—”
An Olympian shouted for order, and people moved forward to be assigned a cleanup shift.
Someone grabbed Iyana by the shoulders, and Iyana had to blink away more tears before she could make out Galene’s face in the darkness.
“No.” There was a brightness in her sea-green eyes. “I won’t let you.”
Iyana gripped her arms back. “I’m not staying here, Galene.”
“Do you think I could live knowing that you cast yourself out because of me? You will regret it the moment you step foot across that border. This is your home.” Iyana started to speak, but Galene cut her off. “What about your friends? What about Braxtus?”
A swell of emotion rose in her, but she shook her head. She couldn’t be close with him anymore anyway. It was probably for the best.
Galene ground her teeth. “What about Demitri?”
Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Demitri standing off to the side with Kostas, watching the exchange with hooded eyes.
Sensing a victory, Galene grabbed Iyana’s wrist and started dragging her toward the Twelve Olympians, now breaking apart. “You’re going to go apologize, tell them you will accept their chastisement, and stay!”
“No!” Iyana planted her feet, leaning back. “I’m not letting you go out there alone.”
Galene pulled harder and winced. She was still weak from her injuries. “Someone help me!” she snapped at Demitri and Kostas.
Iyana shot them the sharpest look she could muster. “Galene, you can’t stop me. You can’t change my mind. I’m coming with you whether you like it or not. We’re in this together now.”
Galene dropped Iyana’s wrist and turned to face her. Iyana saw the tears rising in her eyes. “How could you do this, Iyana?”
“Because I love you, and someone needed to stand up for you.”
“This isn’t the way to do that. Stay, try to prove my innocence. When you earn your immortality you can come visit me on your trips to the humans.”
Iyana shook her head, desperate to make her understand. “This goes beyond missing you, Galene. This is about making a statement. It’s about being downtrodden and unfairly judged and tested and everything Demitri was talking about. I don’t fully understand it myself, but I know that I have to go with you.”
Balling her fists, Galene pressed them to her eyes, as though trying to convince herself this wasn’t real. Iyana stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s okay. This is my choice, Galene. Neither of us will regret it, I promis
e.”
Galene couldn’t seem to form any more words over the sobs that shook her body.
Four guards approached and surrounded them. Iyana looked up, and one of them stepped forward to take Galene’s arm. Even through her tears, Galene’s jaw hardened.
“We’re to escort you to the Upper Common Temple to gather your supplies,” he said, ignoring Iyana.
“I’ll come to get my things soon, too,” Iyana whispered.
Galene gave a nod, tears flowing down her face as she let them take her away.
Demitri was in front of Iyana in an instant. “What has gotten into you tonight?” He took her face and tipped it to make her look directly at him. His piercing eyes swam with anger and hurt.
“I…” She quavered. “I thought you of all people would understand why I chose this.”
An expression of disbelief crossed his face. “Is it my fault you’ve made such a rash decision?” When she didn’t respond, he let go of her. “What on Gaia is going through your head? Just earlier tonight you agreed with Galene that Chrysander was wrong and crazy.”
“I said Chrysander’s solution is wrong and crazy,” Iyana corrected. “I’m not leaving to gather the exiled and revolt. But after this, I have to make a stand.”
Demitri groaned, looking skyward.
“Don’t you think this is unjust?” Iyana challenged. “Don’t you think Galene is innocent? She defended the Olympians today when we talked to her!”
He paused. “Yes,” he admitted. “It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they still felt threatened by her. Apollo could have made up that vision to get her exiled.”
“If you’re right, this further proves your points against them. I have to go.”
“But what about me?” Demitri gestured to himself. “I’ll have been left behind by my best friend and my love.”
Iyana buried her face in her hands. A moment later, his arms wrapped around her, and he lowered his lips to her ear. “Stay with me.”
“You won’t change my mind.” Iyana didn’t surface as she spoke, her voice coming out muffled. “You’ll just make the heartache worse.”
The Immortal Game Page 5
