After a few moments of getting his breathing right, Lucas rolled his
head to the side so he could look back at Helen.
I think the worst is over, he said, squeezing her hand. She
hadnt realized that they had joined hands, but it felt right to her.
She squeezed back gently and smiled. He looked horrible. Much
worse than Helen could have guessed.
Piece of cake, she said blithely, trying to distract him. So what
are you doing next Friday night?
What have you got in mind?
We could try hitting each other with cars, she suggested
cheerfully.
Did that last weekend with Jase, he said with mock regret.
Go to the zoo and throw ourselves to the lions? she fired back
quickly, desperate to keep him focused on her rather than his
caved-in chest.
The Romans sort of wore that one out. Got anything original?
Ill think of something, she warned him.
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Cant wait, he breathed, and then turned his face away as he
rode another shivering wave of pain.
Hey! Little help? Helen yelled, her voice sliding up to a shriek
as she watched Lucas shake. Lucas isnt doing so hot!
No, he isnt doing so hot, Cassandra said in a hoarse, bitter
voice from somewhere around Helens feet. Helen hadnt realized
that anyone was in the hole with them while she and Lucas held
hands and cracked jokes, but she had the feeling that Cassandra
didnt like what she had seen.
Lower the boards down, its time to move them, Cassandra
called up to her father, as if she was the one in charge.
Helens eyes widened in shock that any thirteen-year-old would
speak like that to her elders, let alone be obeyed, but the boards
were quickly lowered down without a word of comment. Jason and
Ariadne eased Helen and Lucas onto the long planks and told them
to hold still. The twins ran their glowing hands an inch above Lucass
body, and Helen saw him grit his teeth as they sped up his
healing. Just when she thought Lucas was about to start screaming,
the twins stopped, looked at each other in silent communication,
and then nodded exhaustedly. They had both lost so much
color their cheeks looked gray to Helen, but they also seemed
strangely happy, like nothing gave either of them more pleasure
than helping someone else. Helen tried to thank them, but Ariadne
told her to save her strength.
Helen and Lucas were kept level as they were raised out of the
crater and loaded side by side in the back of the same giant SUV
that Helen had had so many uncharitable thoughts about. Now
that it was her ambulance, she made a silent promise to never rag
on big trucks again.
Castor was behind the wheel and anxious to get moving. The
longer they stayed on the beach the higher the sun got, and the
more opportunity there was for them to be discovered. Cassandra
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came with them, but Jason, Ariadne, and Hector stayed behind to
fill in the crater and leave the beach looking as normal as possible.
Cant we just put a lump of rock in the middle and pretend it
was an asteroid? Helen heard Hector ask, exhausted.
Do you think that would work? Jason put in, perking up at the
prospect of seeing his bed an hour or so sooner.
No, Cassandra said decisively. This part of the island is a
nature preserve. There are scientists all over the place. They would
know the rock didnt come from space.
Jason and Hector gave identical groans and immediately went
back to work. Again, Cassandras opinion went unquestioned.
Helen had always tacitly assumed that Lucas was the leader of the
kids and that his father, Castor, was the leader of the whole family,
but now she thought maybe there was another, less traditional dynamic
at work in the Delos family. When Cassandra spoke, everyone
listenedincluding Castor. And apparently, Cassandra didnt
need the influence of the Furies to dislike Helen. Which reminded
her . . .
I dont see the Furies! Helen suddenly exclaimed out loud.
None of us do, replied Castor in a pensive voice. Helen heard a
leathery squeak as he twisted around in his seat to look back at
them. Well figure it out later. You two need your rest for now.
She couldnt argue with that; in fact, she could barely keep her
eyes open. As soon as she heard the soporific purr of the engine
she nodded off exactly like a fussy baby on a car trip.
She woke up in a big, white bed as the sun was going down. The
rooms window framed the sky, which was doing things with color
that all the island painters had to be going bananas over.
She wiggled her toes. When that worked out okay she propped
herself up on her arms and got into a sitting position. Swinging her
legs out of bed, she realized that she was in someone elses nightgown
and she wasnt wearing anything underneath it. She knew
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she was recovering from a near-death experience, but she was still
bashful enough to blush. The nightgown was actually more what
Helen would call a nightie, as gowns were generally much longer
and more opaque. Testing her feet on the floor was enough to wipe
her modesty away, however, and her startled cry was quickly
answered with a welcome helping hand.
Easy. Here, hold on to me, said Ariadne. Wow, I cant believe
how fast youre healing. But still, you should lie down for a bit
longer.
She tried to get her to lie back, but Helen stayed perched on the
edge of the bed and took a few breaths.
I kinda cant, she replied, looking up at Ariadne sheepishly.
Bathroom, huh? Okay, she tittered nervously. Ill carry you.
Just dont pee on me.
Helen laughed gratefully. Ariadne was making an embarrassing
situation as humorous as possible so Helen would feel more comfortable.
It was something Claire would have done. Helen was still
embarrassed, but with a few jokes and little bit of tact, they both
made it through.
Is it all right if I check and see how youre healing? Ariadne
asked politely when Helen was settled back in the bed. It would
mean that I would have to lay my hands on you, and I want to
make sure youre okay with that.
You just watched me pee, Helen responded with an embarrassed
laugh. So, yeah, Im okay with a checkup. But waitis it going
to hurt?
Not at all. Im just going to take a peek, not grow cells. Thats
what really hurts you. If its any consolation, its no picnic for me,
either. So exhausting, Ariadne said with a smile as she pushed
Helen, making her lie down.
Okay, Helen said uncertainly. She rested against the pillows
and waited for the pain that she suspected was soon to follow, despite
Ariadnes optimistic denial.
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Ariadne put her hands on Helens ribs and concentrated. Helen
felt a faint vibrating sensation, like she was standing in front of an
enormous subwoofer, but, as promised, it didnt hurt at all. After a
few moments, Ariadne lifted her hands and looked at Helen.
I couldnt ask for a better patient, she said with a beaming
smile. After seeing how much damage you and Luke sustained, I
had my doubts. But youre going to be just fine.
Thank you, Helen said earnestly. For the healing and helping
me . . .
And thank you for not peeing on me. Ariadne laughed as a
beautiful pixie of a woman in her late twenties popped her head
around the half-open door.
You two are having way too much fun to be in a sickroom, she
said with a mischievous look in her yellowish cat eyes. Helen had a
feeling that those eyes were usually filled with some kind of
worldly mischief, and she instantly liked her for it. It reminded her
of Kate. She entered the room, tinkling like a shaken bag of loose
change. She had short, spiky hair. Helen noticed that her wrists
were buried under layer upon layer of glittering bangle bracelets,
and although Helen couldnt see them, she could hear that the womans
ankles probably had a few bits of jewelry wrapped around
them as well.
Helen, this is my aunt Pandora. Dora, this is . . . Ariadne
rapped her fingertips on the bedspread like a drumroll. The famous
Helen Hamilton!
Ta-da, Helen replied weakly. Pandora sat down on the end of
the bed.
Gorge-ous! I can see why shes got Lukes panties in a twist, she
said with a cheeky grin.
No! Thats all done with! We havent heard the Furies since we
woke up on the beach, Helen said urgently. When Pandora gave
her a quizzical look, Helen felt like she had to keep going. I dont
want to kill any of you anymore. Just to be clear.
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Well, good, cuz I hear youve got quite the arsenal, Pandora
said as if she was giving a big compliment. Helen had no idea what
she was talking about so she changed the subject.
How is Lucas? she asked cautiously, still surprised that she
could say his name without being launched into a fit of anger. Pandora
and Ariadne glanced at each other.
Hell be okay, Pandora said firmly. She shook her wrists and
sent her bangles into a cascade of sparkles and jingles, almost as if
she believed the cheerful sound would banish all dark thoughts.
It was close, but hes healing, Ariadne added with an optimistic
face. Helen couldnt look at either of them. The tense moment was
broken by a glugging sound in Helens stomach, which lasted for
an inordinately long time.
Well, youre hungry, Pandora said drily. And I think you might
be able to come downstairs with some help.
Helen was outfitted with a long terry-cloth bathrobe, which bore
the logo of a popular Spanish soccer team, from Ariadnes closet.
Then, with a few more jokes about how Helen could use a little fattening
up, she was carried downstairs by her two new patronesses.
When they reached the kitchen, they were greeted with a heavenly
scent blossoming off of the stove, and Helens stomach
growled again. Hector heard the noise and cocked an eyebrow as
she was deposited gently in a chair at the kitchen table. He said
something to the woman who was orchestrating dinner, and she
spun around to look at Helen.
I didnt think youd be joining us, the woman said with a
startled face. Im so glad.
Thank you. And thank you again for the stuff you sent my father
and me, Helen said. She knew immediately that this was Noel
Delos, and she could also tell that Noel was a normal woman
without an ounce of demigod strength. A big, bubbling pot of guilt
boiled over in Helens chest. She had threatened this fragile human
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in a family of superheroesthreatened her to her son and her
nephews, no less. Noel smiled knowingly at Helens penitent face.
Youre very welcome. Now, first things first. How do I contact
your father to let him know youre okay?
Id rather keep my dad out of this, Helen replied nervously.
Youve been gone all night and all day. Dont you think hell be
worried?
Hes in Boston for the weekend. He wont be back until tomorrow
night.
All right, its up to you, but I want you to know I think it would
be better if you and your father had a long talk about all this, Noel
said with piercing eyes. Then she whirled around and got busy with
dinner. Helen had the feeling that she may have been granted a
stay of execution, but she wasnt pardoned yet. Are you ready to
eat now? Noel asked, buzzing around.
I dont think Ive ever been this hungry, Helen replied
truthfully.
Its the heal, Noel said, smiling at some internal thought as she
laid down bread, salt, and oil in front of Helen. She poured a tall
glass of milk before gesturing impatiently. Eat. This isnt the time
to be shy, Helen. You need it.
Helen ripped into the bread like a medieval glutton with low
blood sugar. Noel smiled again and asked Hector to go get some
hard cheese out of the fridge. He grudgingly did as he was told. As
he put the cheese down he made a joke about being scared to get
his fingers too close to Helens mouth.
Youre one to talk, Pandora grumbled. Just two weeks ago I
had to count the silverware after every meal to make sure you
hadnt swallowed any of it.
You were healing two weeks ago? Helen asked, and then remembered
that Hector and Pandora had arrived later than the rest
of the family.
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So much had happened in just a few weeks that Helen felt like
every day had telescoped out into a week in itself. As she marveled
at how much her life had changed, she noticed that a silence had
fallen over the kitchen. Apparently, Helen had stumbled on to a
touchy subject because everyone was exchanging nervous glances
over her head.
Sorry. I dont mean to intrude, Helen amended quickly.
No, its fine. Its just that Hectors recent heal is part of
something much bigger, Noel said. Right now, you eat.
At first she felt the lingering reticence of a new guest, but as soon