by Alane Adams
I shrugged. “Who wants to know their fate? Not me.”
Damian smiled grimly. “Remember, Zeus sent you away because a prophecy said you were going to destroy Olympus. We’ve only been here an hour, and you already nuked the loom of the Fates. I’m just saying, it’s not a good sign.”
Anger made my voice rise. “So you’re saying I should have just let those winged avengers fill me with arrows? I should have just given up?”
He sighed. “No, it’s just that we have to be careful, that’s all. Not play into Ares’s hands.”
Frustration burned a hole in my gut. Why was everything always my fault? I wanted to punch a hole in the sky and let the universe explode in a cloud of dust.
Angie gripped my shoulder, steadying me. “Message received, Damian. So what now?”
“Same as before. We need to find this temple before anything else happens.”
“My father’s temple is only a few hours away,” Macario said. He’d been quiet through our little argument.
I pointed down the road back the way we’d come. “You’re not part of this discussion. You can walk back to wherever you came from.”
He folded his arms. “Fine—then you’ll never get in the temple.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Erinyes will be staked out there. Your only chance is to sneak in a back way.”
“And I suppose you know just the spot?”
He smiled. “Of course.”
“Katzy, you’re not seriously going to listen to him?” Angie protested.
I put my hand up, silencing her. “Do you really know another way in?”
He nodded, crossing his fingers in an X over his heart. “On Apollo’s life, I swear it.”
“Then take us there.”
Damian looked worried. “Phoebe, I’m beginning to think we shouldn’t have come here.”
“I told you to stay home,” I snapped, still reeling from everything that had happened. “You had your chance.”
Damian looked hurt, and remorse kicked in.
“Look, I’m sorry. It just kind of sucks that the one place I thought I’d feel welcome sent out a hit squad to get rid of me.”
He gave me a quick nod. “It’s okay, Phoebes. We just need to … you know … be more careful.”
He was right of course.
The problem was, I didn’t know how to do that.
CHAPTER 13
Damian claimed the spot up front next to Macario—just as well, because I still felt like punching the worm. Thankfully the clatter of the carriage wheels muffled the sounds of Damian’s voice as he interrogated the boy—I, for one, was already sick of this place.
“You all right, Katzy?” Angie asked quietly.
We had our feet up on the siderails, heads resting next to each other on the seat.
I took the piece of straw I’d been chewing on out of my mouth and waved it in the air. “Sure. Great. You know me. Nothing gets to me.”
“Still—finding out your dad put a hit on you—that’s pretty low. I’m sorry.”
I faked a laugh. “What did I expect, a big warm hug?”
I refused to cry about it. What did I care about a dad I’d never met? Carl was the reason I was here. Carl was the one who had always been there for me.
I must have fallen asleep, because I jolted awake when the carriage stopped.
We were at the base of a knobby hill covered in pines and scattered boulders. The tip of a white column was just visible at the top.
The temple of Apollo.
“This is the back way,” Macario said, jumping down and leading us to a gaping hole in the side of the hill. “From these tunnels we can make our way to the oracle’s chamber.”
“How do we know it’s not another trap?” Angie asked. “This sewer rat’s probably not even related to Apollo.”
His face tightened. “I am so a son of Apollo!”
Angie made a mocking face. “Liar, liar, your tunic’s on fire. I’ll bet you’re a fake.”
A slash of color lit up his cheeks. “Take it back.”
“Make me.”
With a sudden flick of his wrist, a golden beam appeared in Macario’s hand. It was a lot like my lightning bolts, only where mine were white, his was yellow and looked to be searing hot, judging from the heat waves radiating from it.
“Macario, put it down,” I warned.
“Tell her to take it back before I plant this sunbeam in her big mouth.”
“I said put it down.” I called up my own lightning.
We faced off until Damian stepped between us.
“Macario, the question was fair. We’re not welcome in Olympus. It can only bring you trouble being with us.”
His arm wavered, and then he scowled, lowering his sunbeam. “Fine. I want to get my father’s attention.”
“What do you mean?” I let my lightning sputter out.
His shoulders hunched. “My mother was a tree nymph Apollo loved for about five minutes. I’ve never even met him.”
“Right. So that makes us the same,” I said a bit more gently. “I’ve never met my dad either. At least Apollo doesn’t want you dead.”
“Close enough.” He kicked at a rock. “I grew up in the woods with my mother and her people. One day, a forest fire killed them all. I’ve been trying to reach my father, but—”
“He won’t give you the time of day,” I filled in.
Macario gave a tight nod. “It seems a powerful god like Apollo can’t be bothered with a mere tree nymph’s son. I am meant to do great things. I have the power of the sun.”
He threw the sunbeam into the sky. It burst into a golden shower. Sparks fell to the ground and sputtered out.
“I just need to prove to him that I am worthy.”
“I still don’t trust him,” Angie grumbled. “He led us right to those three uglies. This cave could be an even worse trap.”
Macario’s shoulders stiffened. “A son of Apollo doesn’t apologize to mortals. Follow me or not.” He strode off toward the entrance.
I turned to my friends. “I’m going in. Maybe you guys should wait here.”
“Oh, can it, Katzy. I’m not leaving you alone with that rat.” Angie brushed past me and stalked off inside.
I grabbed Damian’s arm as he made to follow. “Are you sure about this, D? Angie could be right. It could be an even bigger trap.”
He backed away, smiling like a goof, and pointed his fingers cockily at me. “You worry too much. Come on, this will be fun!”
I sighed as he disappeared into the tunnel.
Sometimes my friends were even crazier than me.
The inside of the cave smelled musky, like a zoo. Puddles of water dotted the ground. Macario held a small sunbeam that lit our way.
“As I recall, Apollo’s temple used to be guarded by a giant python,” Damian said.
“Used to be? Python is quite alive and still guardian of the temple,” Macario said over his shoulder. “She uses this tunnel to travel outside when she must hunt.”
I glanced over at Angie. Her frightened eyes told me she was thinking the same thing I was: What if this Python gets hungry and decides we’re handy snacks?
A soft hissing noise blew through the tunnel, and something feathered across my skin, like a faint ripple of air being disturbed.
“Um, should we be worried about that noise?” Angie said.
“Don’t be frightened,” Macario assured. “Python sleeps this time of day. We’ll be fine.”
He let his sun bolt die out as light appeared ahead.
We emerged into a cavernous room lined with row after row of towering bookshelves. The warm air was humid, and green vines hung from the ceiling, twisting themselves around the shelves. Thick tomes were crammed on every shelf, stacked up in piles, and spilling onto the floor. Moisture dripped from the ceiling, and the entire floor was covered by several inches of water.
“Welcome to Apollo’s temple,” Macario said. “This is the archives, whe
re they store all of the past prophecies.”
I whistled. “That’s a lot of prophecies.”
“Gods and mortals have been asking questions about the future for centuries upon centuries. Every prophecy is recorded in a book. When the book is filled, a new one is begun,” Macario explained.
“Why is it so hot in here?” Angie asked, fanning herself.
“Python likes it this way,” Macario said.
“Doesn’t the water ruin the books?” Damian asked.
The boy shook his head. “They’re enchanted with powerful magic. Nothing can damage them, not even fire.”
“So how do we find our way out of here?” I looked around. There was no sign of an exit—the towering shelves made it impossible to see around them.
Macario craned his neck. “Sorry, I’m a bit turned around.” He pointed to the left. “You three have a look that way, and I’ll go this way.” He darted off before we could argue.
I sighed. “I really don’t like him.”
“He got us this far,” Damian reminded.
“Yeah, so he can sacrifice us to some snake,” Angie muttered.
“We should go after him,” I said, but Angie gave me a shove.
“That’s just what the little creep wants. Let’s go around the other way, and then when we find him, I can strangle him.”
CHAPTER 14
We waded into ankle-deep water. Shelves rose up on either side, blocking our view. Dangling vines brushed against us as we walked. I glanced over the spines. The books were different colors and thicknesses. I wondered what was inside—if the prophecies had all come true or not.
A distant splash made me pause.
“Did you hear that?” Angie asked.
I nodded. “Damian, how big did you say this snake was?”
“Big. Come on, let’s find a way out of here.”
We waded faster until we came to an intersection. Aisles of bookshelves extended in every direction like spokes on a wagon wheel.
“Which way?” Angie asked.
“Let’s go right,” I said, heading determinedly down the next aisle.
Another splash sounded, closer this time. We couldn’t see anything but glimpses of other rows through gaps in the books. I thought I caught movement two aisles over but couldn’t be certain.
We began making turns at random. The rhythmic splashes sounded closer and closer, as though something was slithering along.
“Anything?” Angie looked anxiously over her shoulder.
“Nope.”
I was about to climb one of the stacks and shout out Macario’s name when something tugged at me, like an invisible hand on my arm, pulling me toward the aisle to the left.
It wasn’t worse than any other direction, so I turned. “This way.”
We splashed down the aisle until we came to another intersection. I stopped, holding my breath, waiting.
There. Another slight tug.
I turned right, jogging now.
A faint hissing rippled across the air. Whatever was following us wasn’t being quiet any longer. Books splashed into the water as it stepped up its pursuit.
“Phoebe, something’s definitely following us,” Damian said.
“We’re almost there.” The thread yanked me along, reeling me into a dead run. I had no idea where it was leading me, but my top choice was a quick exit.
The water grew deeper, reaching my knees and slowing us. Halfway down an aisle, I halted. Angie slammed into me, nearly knocking me over.
“Katzy, a little warning next time.”
“Sorry. It’s just … something made me stop.”
“We don’t have time to read some old prophecies,” Damian said.
“I know, but something called me here. It must be important. Help me.” I began pulling books off the shelf and tossing them.
Angie and Damian followed suit. “What are we looking for?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ll know it when I find it.”
Angie pulled out a scarlet tome with an eagle crest on the front. “Ooh, look at this one.”
The crest glowed brightly to my eyes, lifting off the cover like a hologram. “That’s it!”
Damian took it and opened the cover. The pages were filled with neat writing. We huddled around it, but before we could read a word, a massive snake the size of a subway train broke through the shelves, sending books flying as it snapped its gaping maw at us.
“Python!” Damian screamed.
The bookshelf came crashing down as we fled. Python shot after us, toppling shelves as it gave chase.
We made turn after turn, trying to evade it. A section of the snake’s thick body crossed in front of our aisle, blocking our way. We turned to run the other way, but its diamond-shaped head swooped down over the top of the shelves, open jaws revealing glistening fangs longer than my arm.
Angie threw a pair of books at it, making it rear back long enough for us to escape down another aisle. But no matter which way we turned, the snake was there, heading us off until we were backed into a corner with nowhere to run.
Python towered over us, its massive head swaying. Its eyes glowed green as it hissed, “Intrudersss, ssssteal my missstresses’ book. You will be punished.”
“I’m Phoebe, daughter of Zeus. This book belongs to me.”
The snake’s eyes widened. “You’re the daughter of the prophecy.”
For half a second, I thought we were in the clear, until Python’s eyes flared with rage. “Desssstroyer of Olympus! I shall eat you first.”
It struck in a blur of motion, seeking to swallow me whole in its massive jaws. I didn’t even have time to call up a lightning bolt. I threw my arms up in a lame attempt to protect myself, but something knocked me to the side.
Damian.
Python’s outstretched jaws snapped shut, swallowing Damian along with the red book. The snake didn’t see who it had swallowed, too busy tilting its head back to get its prize down its gullet as it slithered away.
Horror kept me rooted to the spot. Damian was gone. Really, truly gone.
“Come on, Phoebe, we have to help him!” Angie shook my arm. “We can’t let it get away!”
What did she think we were going to do? Chase after the snake and ask him nicely to barf Damian up? My lips were numb as I said, “It’s too late—he’s gone, Angie.”
Tears ran down her cheeks as she shook her head. “No, we do not give up on him. Do something. Use your powers.”
I had never seen Angie cry. Ever. It snapped me out of my funk. She was right. I had to at least try. I clenched my hands as tight as I could and thought of the coldest, wintriest day, and the words burst from me.
“Kryo Pagos!”
I sucked in a deep breath and then blew it out. A frost cloud billowed over the knee-deep water, and it froze solid, trapping the snake in place. Python howled in rage as it struggled to break free.
Calling up a lightning bolt, I took three running steps and went into a slide, skating over the slick surface to the bulging part of the snake’s belly.
Gripping the bolt, I sliced open the side of the snake as I slid past. Yellowish blood sprayed me, and Python screamed in pain. Its tail thrashed about, destroying more rows of shelves. I reached inside its belly. It was warm and gross. I pushed past layers of coiled muscle, searching, until a hand locked onto mine. I dropped the lightning and tugged with both hands. Damian’s head came out first, then his shoulders, but the snake’s coils tightened, locking him in place. Python’s head swayed overhead, eyes blazing emerald fury.
“You will die for thissss, daughter of Olympusss!”
Its fanged jaws hovered over me, ready to strike. I couldn’t move—if I let go of Damian, the snake’s muscles would drag him right back in.
Then Angie was there, swinging on a vine as she vaulted off the top of a bookshelf. In her hand she clutched her puny switchblade.
“LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!” She plunged the little blade right between its eyes.
Damian sat up, clutching the red book and covered in snake goo. He wiped his eyes clear, looking abnormally pale. “It is hi-hi-highly unlikely to su-su-survive a p-p-python attack,” he stuttered.
A whistle pierced the air. Macario stood atop a distant bookshelf, waving his arms. “I found an exit,” he shouted.
I helped Damian to his feet. “Come on, let’s get Angie and get out of here.”
We found Angie groaning in pain two aisles away. The three of us limped over to where Macario stood waiting.
“You set that snake on us!” Angie snarled, lunging at him.
He backed up a step. “No, I found the exit. Look.” He pointed to a stairwell tucked behind a thick layer of hanging vines. It was impossible to see until you were right on it.
“Sure, now you find it—that’s convenient,” Angie sniped.
“Let it go, Angie,” I said. “It’s time to meet the oracle.”
CHAPTER 15
At the top of the stairs, a heavy wooden door opened to reveal a corridor lined with gleaming torches. The polished white marble floor reflected the flames. We gulped in fresh air, glad to be out of the steamy basement.
“This way.” Macario walked confidently toward an archway at the end of the corridor.
We entered a high-domed room. Tall columns lined the open-air front, which offered a full view of Mount Olympus. The setting sun cast an orange glow over its snow-capped peak.
The back half of the temple was built into a rock-hewn wall. A set of marble steps led to a raised dais in the center of the room. Unlit torches had been placed in each corner of the dais.
We huddled at the base of the steps.
“So now what?” I asked.
We all looked to Macario.
“If you want your future read, you need an offering for the oracle,” he said.
“But I don’t have anything.”
“Here.” Angie slipped a silver chain from around her neck. “Pops spent a ton of dough on it.”
