But I didn’t say anything and, thankfully, neither did he.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Well, if Artemis getting in trouble saved me from speaking to Justin, it was worth it.
The rest of the class passed in silence, though I could feel Justin behind me. Staring. Thinking. I could almost hear the gears in his peculiar mortal mind turning. It was hard to concentrate with all that imaginary noise.
Then the bell rang and I was free. Artemis went obediently to talk to Miss DeSousa. Demeter followed me out.
“Get Zeus,” I told her. “We need to figure out where to search for the Fates tonight.”
Demeter bowed her head and was gone, lost in the sea of students rushing back to their lockers. I lingered outside the classroom. I didn’t like leaving Artemis behind. If she signaled me, I’d use my powers on DeSousa, and we’d both leave.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to get your friend in trouble.” I knew who it was, of course. Justin.
“It’s fine,” I said shortly.
He looked hurt. All of his feelings were in his big, brown eyes. I was tempted to use my powers on him, but in the crowded hallway, I couldn’t risk it. Especially after the cafeteria. And though I’d never admit it, I also felt a bit bad for him. He looked so wounded. Like a scolded puppy. I couldn’t bring myself to use my powers on him when he looked like that.
Instead, I decided to wait him out. Only he didn’t leave. He just stood there with me. Awkwardly. He was staring again.
“What?” I finally demanded.
“Sorry,” Justin said. “It’s just. You seem so . . .”
“Different,” I guessed. “You said that already. In class.”
“I know, I know,” he replied. “But I just can’t figure it out.”
“Then stop trying,” I suggested.
But he didn’t.
“You’re acting like a totally different person. You’ve got new friends. You talk differently,” Justin burst out. “You even look different. And that thing in the cafeteria? What was that? How’d you make Blake your slave?”
He was beginning to unsettle me. I didn’t like what he was saying. Or thinking. And I didn’t like the way he was watching me. I suddenly realized Justin wasn’t just staring at me. He was searching, studying, puzzling me out.
I recognized that probing look. I’d seen it before. Countless times. From Athena.
I gritted my teeth. One was bad enough. I didn’t need two.
Justin sighed. “It’s like, all of a sudden, you woke up a new person, and now everyone treats you like some kinda . . .”
“God?” I suggested.
To my horror, he actually nodded. “Yeah, exactly. And you know the weirdest thing?”
“Enlighten me,” I said.
“It’s not just you,” he answered. “Sarah. Dayna. Zack. Danny. I mean, you guys never even talked before. And now you’re all one big happy family? And calling each other weird codenames or nicknames or whatever when you think no one’s listening?”
“People change,” I countered.
“Not overnight,” Justin disagreed. “And not all together like that. It’s . . .”
“Weird,” I finished.
“Yeah,” he said.
Silence hung between us for a long time.
I looked deep in his eyes, and I knew he wasn’t going to give up until he had the truth. This had gotten totally out of hand. Somehow, this mortal was seeing things clearly. Too clearly.
“You’re right,” I told him finally. “It is weird. But I can explain. Just not here. Meet me in an hour under the tree in the north field. I’ll explain everything. I promise.”
Justin looked shocked at first, but then he smiled. “Wow. Really? Okay! Deal!”
It was too good to be true, but he was too curious to realize that.
It would’ve been much better for him if he had been more oblivious. Like everyone else.
But it was too late for that. And now it was too late for Justin too.
CHAPTER FOUR
I left Justin outside the classroom. I didn’t want to risk him asking me more questions and seeing even more of what I was trying to hide. So I decided to wait for Artemis outside.
I was so preoccupied with Justin and what exactly I was going to do with him that I didn’t even see it coming. All I felt was a sudden pain as something grabbed my neck hard from behind and pushed me forward.
“Think you’re pretty funny, don’t you, bitch?” Blake snarled in my ear. “Not so funny now, without She-Hulk around to save your ass.”
He pushed me forward. There weren’t many students around. Most had fled the school grounds as soon as class was over. A few looked over and then just as quickly looked away.
I struggled, of course. But it was useless. He was far too strong for me to break free. What I needed were his eyes. Just for a second.
I was about to scream, but Blake must have felt me taking a deep breath because he clamped his other hand over my mouth before I could even let out a sound.
When we rounded the corner of the school, he threw me to the ground. I skidded painfully on my hands and knees. I flipped around as quickly as I could, drawing my power into my eyes. But my heart sank. It was no use. Sunglasses.
And Blake wasn’t alone. I was surrounded. And they were all wearing sunglasses.
Blake must have guessed what I was thinking.
“I figured you had some hypnosis mojo going on.” He tapped the shades meaningfully. “You’ll have to teach me that sometime.”
He strode towards me. I screamed.
“Scream again, and I’ll snap your jaw like a twig, bitch,” he snapped. “No one’s coming for you anyway.”
“Wrong.”
Blake turned. I tried to peer past the circle of men. It didn’t sound like Zeus’s voice. It definitely wasn’t Artemis. It was . . .
Justin?
“Run home, little girl, before I break both your legs, and then the rest of you,” Blake snarled at him.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Justin said. “And I just got off the phone with the police. So why don’t you and your friends just walk away?”
“You think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?” Blake shot back. “Think I’m scared of the police? I eat police. And I’ve got five witnesses with me right here who’ll swear that you attacked me first. Self-defence, smart boy. And now I’m actually going to murder you.”
Blake lunged. I struggled to see what was happening, but I only caught glimpses through the ring of Blake’s friends. Justin tried to fight back, but he was outmatched by Blake in every way: Blake was bigger, stronger, angrier, and had a lot more experience hurting people. It didn’t take long before Justin was on the ground, blood covering his face. And still Blake didn’t stop. He kicked Justin. Over and over and over again.
“Stop it!” I screamed.
“Shut your mouth, bitch!” Blake snapped. “Or I’ll shut it for you.”
I was surprised he could even hear me over the cheers of his laughing buddies.
I looked at Justin. His eyes were already swelling shut. He must have sensed my plan somehow, because he tried to mouth no. But only blood came out.
“Takes a real big man to kick a guy on the ground with all your buddies backing you up!” I shouted.
Blake was on top of me before I could even react. He slapped me across the face. Hard. I tasted blood.
“You really don’t know when to shut up, you stupid bitch,” he spat.
“Look me in the eye and say that,” I challenged.
But Blake was too smart for that. He leaned in so close that, for a horrifying moment, I thought he might kiss me. “I don’t take orders from filthy sluts.”
He slapped me again.
I thrashed, but I couldn’t break free. He pinned both my wrists in one of his massive hands. He was too strong and my mortal body was too weak.
He began to undo his belt buckle.
“What are you waiting for?” Blake barked at his friends. “Get over here and
hold her down for me. You two, go keep watch.”
I had to act fast. Blake was bad enough. I didn’t stand a chance once his friends got over here. Luckily, they were hesitating. They were clearly in over their heads. That gave me time, but not much.
Glaring at his friends, Blake was as distracted as he was ever going to be. It was now or never. I’d only get one shot at this.
I took a deep breath and wrenched my wrist as hard as I could against his thumb. I just barely managed to slip free of his grasp. I swiped at his shades, but he grabbed my hand. He was so fast.
But I’d expected that.
With his attention on that hand, I shifted and drove one knee up. It surprised him enough that I was able to break my other hand free. I swiped again, and this time, he didn’t catch my hand. The shades didn’t fly off, like I’d hoped, but they did shift. Just enough for me to catch his eye. That was all I needed.
“Attack,” I commanded.
Blake was fast. And now he was fast for me. He leapt up and whipped out a switchblade from his pocket. He sliced one of the guys in the circle, who shrieked and grabbed his stomach. Another of his friends tried to grab the knife, but all he got was cut. He stumbled away, bleeding.
“Have you lost your fucking mind, bro?” one of the guys shouted.
Blake was swinging wildly now at any of his friends within reach. They ran. He ran after them.
“Justin!” I cried, crawling over to him.
He’d rolled onto his side. He was spitting up blood. His face was swollen so badly, it was unrecognizable. I felt tears well up in my eyes. I fought them back. I didn’t cry. Not for gods. Not for mortals. Not for anything. But a mortal had never saved me before.
Justin looked like he was trying to say something.
“Don’t speak. I’ll get you help,” I told him. “Can I get some help?” I shouted. “Somebody! Anybody! Help!”
I needed Apollo. I needed his healing. My powers were useless. I couldn’t help Justin. I was a god. I was a queen. And I could do nothing. I’d never been helpless before. I hated it.
“B-Bl--” Justin gurgled. There was so much blood.
“Blake won’t be a problem,” I said.
Justin searched my eyes, but I turned away. He didn’t need to see what was there.
Because when I had looked in Blake’s eyes and seized control of his mind, I’d made sure Blake wouldn’t be a problem. For anyone. Ever again.
CHAPTER FIVE
“He’ll be fine,” Apollo assured me, as the last of the healing glow faded from his hands. He inspected Justin closely, nodding to himself.
I knew Apollo would never lie to me. Like me, he never lied to anyone. He was too kind for that. I was just too proud.
“Will he wake up soon?” Demeter asked, drying her eyes. When I’d told her what had happened, she’d reacted with her characteristic shower of tears. She still refused to let go of my hand.
Zeus’s reaction, on the other hand, had been surprising. I thought he’d punch a hole in the school. But, instead, he was eerily calm. I could tell from the look on Athena’s face that underneath, he was a maelstrom of emotions. She was doing her best to keep him in check. We didn’t need any more trouble.
“He’ll be awake soon,” Apollo answered. “Five, ten minutes.”
“And just how are we going to explain where his injuries went?” Artemis asked.
“If necessary, I can use my powers,” I said.
“If necessary?” Zeus rumbled.
“He saved me,” I replied stiffly. “He’s a hero. He deserves to remember what he did for me.”
“Seems to me like you rescued yourself,” Zeus countered.
“He’s just a mortal,” I snapped. “He doesn’t have powers. He did what he could. He risked his life. He didn’t have to do that.”
Zeus sighed. “You’re right.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” I shot back. “I always am.”
Zeus didn’t take the bait. He was too thrown off by the sudden role reversal--me actually defending a mortal to him for once. Of course, when Zeus was defending a mortal to me, it was one he was sleeping with, not one who’d almost died to save him.
“So, what are we going to tell him?” Artemis asked again.
“The truth.” It was Athena who spoke. If anyone else had suggested that, I would’ve laughed.
“You’re serious,” Zeus realized.
Athena nodded. “We’ve already been here a week, and we haven’t gotten any closer to finding the Fates. The longer it takes, the greater the risk of balance between the worlds being disrupted, of chaos taking over. A mortal, especially a mortal as brave and smart as Justin, could be useful to us.”
“We can tell him the same story we tell the other mortals,” Hermes suggested, “about the scholarship program.”
“And if he doesn’t fall for that?” I replied.
“Wipe his memory.” Hermes shrugged.
“Telling him the truth is a big risk,” Zeus rumbled.
“A risk worth taking,” Athena insisted. It was strange having her on my side for once. I didn’t really know how to handle it.
“So it’s agreed. We’ll tell him,” I said.
“You’ve grown awfully attached to this mortal,” Zeus observed, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
“I guess you’re finally rubbing off on me,” I snapped.
His legendary interest in mortal women was his deepest shame. And mine too. Oh, Zeus owed me. Zeus would always owe me. And I’d never, ever let him forget that.
Zeus’s eyes widened, and in them, I saw the cycle of our relationship: shock, then fury, and finally defeat. He knew I’d get my way. I had all the cards--Athena, and, perhaps even more importantly, guilt. Zeus was racked with it. I could see it in his stormy grey eyes. He felt he should’ve been here to protect me, not some random mortal. He blamed himself. And after everything we’d been through, after everything he’d done, I wasn’t above using that against him.
“This mortal is your responsibility,” he told me gravely.
“Fine,” I said.
Strictly speaking, we couldn’t command each other. We were equals. But that also meant going against each other’s wishes brought tidal waves of consequences. Sometimes literally. Things were too precarious now to risk a celestial battle of wills. And Zeus knew I’d never forget it if he challenged me--and that I’d make him pay, one way or another. It’d just be a matter of time. Zeus learned long ago to give in to what I wanted. It saved time, and it saved pain. For both of us.
There was only one area where he paid no attention to what I wanted, ironically the one area that mattered most to me. Our marriage.
“Justin’s waking up,” Demeter said, interrupting my reverie.
“Justin? Can you hear me?” Apollo asked.
“What . . .” Justin started, as Apollo helped him sit up. “How--”
“Look at me, Justin,” I told him. My eyes began to glitter, and the sparkles spun and twirled. “You weren’t hurt as badly as you remember. It makes sense to you that you’re okay.”
I blinked, and Justin blinked as well.
“Where’s Blake?” he asked, looking around.
“Gone,” I assured him. “I promised you an explanation before. About why we changed. And I think you’ve more than earned it now.”
That got his attention. Weak as he was, Justin was still curious. Mortals were always curious.
“So, what’s the deal? Some kinda secret society? Freemasons? Illuminati?” Justin asked, eyes bright. He could barely contain his excitement.
“Kinda both,” Athena admitted carefully.
“Yeah, right,” Justin replied.
“Don’t believe me?” Athena responded. She opened her schoolbag and pulled out a handful of brochures. “Believe this.”
“A scholarship program?” Justin read aloud. He looked up from the brochures. “Seriously?”
“I know it sounds crazy. That’s what we thought, too,” she l
ied. “But it’s all in there. And we did our homework. It’s completely legit. If we complete the program, we’re in to any fraternity or sorority in the country!”
“That’s wild,” Justin said, shaking his head. “I mean, I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
“Neither did we,” Athena shrugged. “But you’ve gotta hand it to them. It’s a pretty creative way to motivate seniors to learn about ancient history.”
“So you all have to pretend to be gods?” Justin asked, skimming the material Athena had given him. “I guess that explains why you’ve been acting so weird lately. I’m a little surprised this isn’t advertised more though.”
“It’s kinda a pilot project,” Athena explained smoothly. “They’re waiting to see if it works before they take it to the next level.”
Justin shook his head. “It’s a lot to digest.”
“Take your time,” Athena replied. “You’ve been through a lot.”
Athena watched Justin with a great deal of interest, and I wished, not for the first time, that I could see what she saw.
“So, do I get a role call?” he asked, half-smiling as he looked up at us.
“Guess,” Athena told him, smiling. “Let’s see how good we’re doing.”
“The twins have to be Artemis and Apollo,” he guessed.
Athena nodded.
“And Sarah’s become a total hippie chick, so Demeter,” he continued. “The human tank has to be Zeus. And Sam’s twitchier than usual, and never far from Zeus--so, Hermes, right?”
“Two left,” Athena agreed.
“This is where it gets tough,” Justin admitted. He looked between Athena and me. “You’re both so similar.”
Hermes burst out laughing. I almost choked. Me. Similar to Athena. Maybe he had some residual brain damage.
“Athena. Hera,” he said finally, pointing at each of us in turn.
“Impressive,” Athena said. “You really know your stuff.”
“I guess you guys are doing a good job then,” he replied. “Plus I may have just gone to that Greek mythology exhibit at the museum.”
I doubted it was either of those things. It was him. Justin. Something about him. He saw things clearly somehow. More so than any other mortal I’d ever met.
Hera, Queen of Gods (Goddess Unbound) Page 3
