I run to her side of the room and shake her awake. I can't do this. I just saw her lying in a heap of death, her eyes glazed over. I can't risk her. I can't go through with this.
"I changed my mind," I say as I shake her more. Her eyes blink open and roam with worry. Her black pupils dilate way too fast, the yellow in the center of her eyes electric. She sits up in bed and glares at me, running her hand through her light blonde hair as she yawns. I can tell that I've taken her off guard, but I can't do this.
"What do you mean?" Her voice is like a mouse: minuscule and soft.
"You can't go with me."
"And why not?"
"I had a dream, and it doesn't go well."
"Really?" Her eyes draw downward in defeat, and I don't have it in me to break her further.
"Yes. Please, don't say anything to anyone yet. I have to know how the war will end before I drag you down there. Maybe you can just stay behind," I offer, shrugging.
"Do I get hurt?" she asks me.
"Worse," I answer, but don't let her linger longer.
"Ryder!" she yells as I jump off her bed and run to my side of the room. I quickly rummage through the floor of the small closet and rip off my pajamas. "Listen to me!" She grabs me and spins me around, her strength actually startling me.
"I'm not risking your life. I won't do it." I shake my head and rip my arm from her grasp. I throw on my shorts and t-shirt and lace up my sneakers as she refuses to budge.
"I've respected your choices. Why can't you respect mine?"
"I do respect you. You're so brave and strong. But that doesn't mean I'll let you die."
"Your visions change all the time."
"I know, but—"
"Just don't make any decisions. I want to come. I want to risk my life for this cause. Give me that choice." Her eyes are so strong, and they aren't filled with anger. She's so pretty, inside and out. I can't imagine seeing her like I did in my dream.
I dart out of the door and don't stop until my brain shuts down and leaves me alone.
I run to my favorite place. I stop where there's a little scenic overlook right off the main highway. It's about a seven-mile run from the school gates, but the pain is well worth it. I try to come here at least once a week to clear my head and decompress. I only ever cry here because nobody stops and bothers me. Nobody asks me questions or probes into my mind.
The noise from the constantly passing cars drowns out my thoughts, and I love the fact that I can't really think, while thinking at the same time. I always leave at dusk and feel a hundred times better. This is the second time I've been here this week, but I think I need it now more than ever.
The green bench overlooks a valley between two large mountains. The bench is so high that everything in front of it is visible, like a picturesque hideaway, even though it's right next to a busy highway.
Nestled on the left mountain is the school. You can just barely make out the gates and tall buildings through the evergreen trees. The other mountain is completely bare. It doesn't look like there's much civilization living on it, if any.
One day, I'll go to that mountain and check it out. I'll run through the hills and explore it all. But I just don't have the time now.
The valley between the two mountains is full of green life. There are trees and a small, bubbly stream between two smaller hills. But it's wilderness—a rare, uninhabited gem. A group of deer usually wander by the stream. Birds are constantly fluttering up the mountain and down through the trees. There's a bald eagle that watches from where I sit. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we don't.
"Mind if I sit?" Ollie asks me, coming out of nowhere. I jump a little at the sound of a human voice. Nobody ever talks here. People only stop off to look or go to the bathroom behind the large evergreen tree.
"Sure," I say, smiling at up at him as I regain my zen mood. He sits right beside me on the bench, our thighs touching. A jolt of energy shoots from our slight touch up to my heart. I suck in a heavy breath and slowly let it out through my nose.
"How are you? I haven't seen you since your birthday."
"As good as I could be," I answer vaguely. I shrug my shoulders, and he opens his arms for me to enter.
"Come here," he says, smiling down at me. I lean over, scooting across the wood, and rest my head on his shoulder as his arm wraps me up and pulls me close. I'm close to sitting on his lap, but I hold back. I don't want to get too close right now. Our love curse is the last thing I need in my overworked brain.
"Professor Onassis wants to create an army and go to the Underworld," I tell him, staring blankly at the green mountains. I don't really know why I tell him, other than the fact that I know this time he'll definitely want to come with me. There's no way he'd let me travel to the Underworld without him again.
"Really? Does she think it will lead to a war?"
"She said probably not. But, I had a vision, and people died—my friends died. I think a war is inevitable, and I saw it. I don't want people to die."
"I'm sorry that you had to see that." He pulls me closer—as if that's even possible—and strokes my sweaty hair.
"I'm just torn. I don't know what to do," I reveal to him, saying my thoughts without a filter.
"I still think killing Aristeus is the easiest way. We can deal with Hades another time. Or even let the Originals deal with containing Hades. You focus on you, and then we can handle the rest." Ollie tugs my chin and tilts my head up so I stare right into his ice blue eyes. Just the color comforts me, knowing that it's Ollie, my rock.
"That's not fair to our parents. Plus, my mom is somewhere down there. I can't just leave her, and I'm not sure I can find her by myself." I push back from Ollie and sit facing him on the bench. I cross my legs underneath me, and I stare at him hard, trying to gauge his thoughts.
"I can speak with my father, but Ryder, if you go down there with an army, Hades will see that as a threat. My dad warned me about how power hungry Hades is. He won't just wait for an explanation; he'll react. My dad said he'd do anything to get out of the Underworld and get access to earth. Trust me. We can't fool him."
"How do you know him so well?" I ask Ollie, curious.
"Apollo and Hades were best friends before Hades was banished to the Underworld. In my early life, Hades was like an uncle to me. An uncle turned evil, but still. I know who he is. My dad told me stories that would horrify you. He won't just let you walk away after bringing an army into his territory."
"Do you think your father has any pull with Hades?"
"Honestly, I don't know. Maybe? I can ask him."
"No, that's okay. We'll figure it out. I just have to think hard, so I know I'm making the right choice." I shake my head side to side in frustration. I drop my head into my hands and sigh. "I don't think I can kill Ari."
"Ryder," Ollie says, taking my face between his two hands. "When it comes down to it, you'll do what you have to do. I believe in you. I love you, and I always will. And no matter what, I will support you. Don't forget that. You're my soul mate, and we're destined. You wouldn't risk us."
His words are meant to make me feel better. They're supposed to reassure me. But I'm left more confused than ever. I know he wants me to bring Ari, kill him and be done with it, but I can't help but feel like we need to do the bigger thing. We need to stop Hades from coming to Earth as well as breaking our curse.
"I hate to say this, but I kind of want to be alone."
"I understand," he says, smiling down at me. "I'll stop by the house later to check in on you. Just do what your heart is telling you to. I love you."
Little does he know—my heart doesn't work anymore.
CHAPTER EIGHT
searching for answers
I stare out at the majestic mountains as the sun starts to dip behind them. Oranges, pinks, and purples bleed into the dark blue sky like on a watercolor canvas. I love seeing the reflections in the water, the shadows from the trees. I look down at my cellphone and see that I've been sitting out here i
n silence for hours.
My mind completely shuts off. I decide that I've been pondering my fate for long enough. I want to see something more. I need explanation and understanding. I lie back, finally moving, and place my head on one the end of the bench, my feet at the other end.
My hands rest over my barely moving stomach as I slowly breathe, in and out, in and out. I shut my eyes, a light breeze slowly whipping across my face. Before I know it, the darkness descends over me, and I let myself fall.
I don't know where I am, or even when I am. My fingers tingle, and my head feels fuzzy. It seems like I'm at DGA, and as I walk around, I see Professor Onassis' house just a few yards away. I figure that's why I'm here, so I head over and walk right through the door without knocking.
Murmurs trickle over and find me, enveloping me and tugging me towards the voices. I'm shocked when I enter her kitchen and find Cece sitting on a stool, while Ari is cooking at the stove. I miss what they're saying, because my eyes are too busy taking in the odd picture of them together. But I refocus on their words.
"She'll do it," Ari says.
"I think you're mistaken. She doesn't want to risk any more lives," Professor Onassis says back to him. She's small on the chair, different than when I first met her. This must be happening now or in the near time. She's wearing a long, sleeveless, lavender dress with white sandals. It must be summer—like right now.
"She'll do it." Ari looks over his shoulder at Professor Onassis with an unwavering stare. "I know her. This is the right move, and I trust her to make it. You should give her a break," Ari says, turning back to his steaming pan. He doesn't sound angry, but his words are firm.
"I'm worried about her. She shouldn't have to go through this and make these decisions alone." Professor's eyes draw together, glassy and sad. She's worried about me.
"I agree. But, she refuses to talk to me."
"When has that ever stopped you?"
"This is different, Cece." She starts to speak, but Ari cuts back in. "Just don't tell her I'm the one who's recruiting the army. Say you are. If she thinks I'm involved, she'll shoot it down. She hates me right now. And this is more important."
"Aren't you worried?"
He doesn't respond right away. Instead he plates the food, which consists of two large grilled cheeses cooked to golden perfection. He places one in front of Cece, and the other he leaves for himself. He leans against the counter, thinking deeply.
"Well?" Cece asks between bites.
"Right now, all I'm thinking of is her best chance of coming out of this alive. I know in my heart that I'm her soul mate. But it just seems like no matter what I do, she twists it. Like the bargain with her mother. She thinks that I betrayed her."
"Because the only thing she saw was you throwing Athena under the bus," Cece explains.
"Right. But, she never asked why I did it. She never spoke with me. She thinks the worst of me, and that will never change. Even if she picks Orpheus, I couldn't feel worse than I do now. It's always him, and I don't know how much more I can take."
Ari turns his back to Cece and me. His back shakes, and his hands run through his hair. The desperation is clear in his actions. I think my heart breaks right there on the spot.
"You've been doing this for thousands of years, Aristeus. You're strong. Just hang in there. One way or another, the curse will end. You can all be free."
"It's just so final, you know?" He turns to face her. He rests his elbows on the counter, but drops his head into his heads instantly. I catch a glimpse of his red, bloodshot eyes. They almost look like he's fighting himself.
"Trust me, I know."
They fall into a moment of peaceful silence as they each eat their sandwiches. For some reason, my face is wet. I reach my hand up to my face and brush the tears to the side. I can't even place what I'm feeling—a mixture of regret, sorrow, and guilt, I suppose.
For some reason, I'm not dropped out of the dream. That was definitely what I was supposed to see, so I don't know why I'm still here. Cece and Ari still eat together, chatting about school and people he's recruited to help.
I follow Ari and Cece as they move into the living room. A roaring fire is burning in the fireplace. Ari sits on the love seat while Cece rests on the couch. Neither speak, but their comfortable silence speaks volumes.
I don't want to be here anymore. I need to talk with Ari in real life. I need to apologize for all of the horrible things that I've done to him. I have to agree to make the army. Cece and Ari believe in me, and I can't let them down.
Finally, the blackness envelops me in its arms, leaving me with the image of Cece and Ari in blissful silence engrained in my brain.
Instead of being dropped back on the bench, I'm dropped into another vision. I've been in this house so many times in my childhood, the unique smell alone gives it away. I'm dropped in the mudroom, and the smell of bacon leads me to the backyard.
Junior has a pool in the backyard, one of the best parts of his house. It's a perfect rectangle with a long diving board on one side and a set of stairs jutting out of the shallow end. The water is crystal clear and sparkles in the strong rays of the afternoon sun.
I see the two guys sitting on the lawn chairs. I step closer and get so close I think I've almost blown my cover, but they don't notice me. Ollie looks up for s second and then goes back into his notebook and scribbles something down.
"You have to get focused," Junior says.
"It's not so easy when the fate of the world is all on Ryder. Not to mention my life."
"Dude, you know she'll do the right thing."
"I'm not so sure. I spoke to her today and she was teetering."
"Anyone with eyes can see that you're her soul mate."
"Not her." Ollie shakes his head, his blond hair fanning out against the white chair. "How's this: The fate of my life is in her hands; the verdict will come down to where she stands? I can't get her off my mind. Even my lyrics are messed up."
"That was pretty bad." Junior laughs and shoves Ollie on the arm. Ollie punches him back and Junior squeals as he clutches his arm. "You suck." Junior jumps up from the chair and tears his shirt off his back. He walks over to the diving board and dives in. His mohawk gets floppy underwater and when he surfaces at the other end, his hair is all over his face.
"Do you think I should call my dad?" Ollie calls over to Junior, who's wading in the pool.
"For what?"
"I don't know. A favor? Maybe he can talk to Uncle Hades or help me figure out if I'm her soulmate."
"I mean, I guess you could. I don't see how he'd be able to help though."
"Yeah…" Ollie nods. He throws the notebook on the cement and then leans back on the white chair, crossing his arms behind his head. "I guess it's all on me."
CHAPTER NINE
it's final
My heart beats against my ribs. I wake immediately and jump up from the bench. It takes me a moment to realize where I am since I just had two dreams in a row. I try to remember all the details from both dreams. And then I remember that I have to talk to Ari.
I sprint back to Demi God Academy, my feet pounding against the black top in a steady rhythm. There's no time to lose. I can't stand the hurt in my heart over what I've put Ari through. I relied on what I saw to be the truth of what was happening and refused to hear him out. I've made a terrible mistake.
As I enter the black gates, I go straight to Ari's house. It's near the front, against the woods, so it's not too far of a walk. I pray that he's there, but I can't fight back a sinking feeling in my gut. Something is off. Something is wrong.
I knock on his red door, banging my fist until it cries out in pain. It's dark now and not a light is on in his house. I knock again, but nobody answers. I move past the door and peek in the window, cupping my hands around my eyes to try to see past the darkness. Without the lights on in the house, I can hardly see a thing, no matter how hard I press my head to this pane.
"Find anything interesting?" His voic
e startles me, and I jump like a scared alley cat. I land awkwardly on my ankle and fall into one of the bushes in front of his house, head first. I spring up with all my strength and speed, and glare at Ari for making me look like a moron.
"Thanks," I growl as I pull a twig out of my brown hair.
"Hey!" His hands spring up in surrender beside him, palms out. "You were the one peeking in my house."
"True." I nod my head in agreement. "Do you think we could talk?" I ask him, hoping he gives me a chance. He tilts his head to the side, his eyes squinted on me like he's deciding. I glare because I know that he's just messing around.
"Come on." He waves his hand and pushes the front door open, letting me in before closing it and locking it behind us. I follow him into his dark living room, where I take a seat on his leather couch. He flicks on the overhead light and turns on a standing light, casting the room in creepy, dark shadows.
"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" he asks while he stands before me, his hands shoved into his pockets. I shake my head, so he sits across from me, waiting for me to make the first move.
"Why did you give my mother to Hades?" I jump right to the point.
"To get you back."
"But why'd you have to give her to him?"
"I know this isn't what you want to hear, but Hades wants the Originals. I used Athena as a bargaining chip to get you back. And while it's unfortunate that your mother is down there, she's an Original. She can hold her own, and I have no doubt she's doing fine. But I couldn't imagine leaving you down there. You were just coming into your powers."
"I judged you so fast," I admit, dropping my head into my hands. My body slumps over itself in humiliation. I'm such an idiot.
"I know," he answers. I hear movement but don't have the guts to raise my head. And then I feel him. The couch indents beside me, and his arm snakes its way around my shoulders. "But it's okay. I forgive you."
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