Helen tried to shout something tough and ballsy after him, but all
that came out was a pathetic moan. He was gone in a second, and
she was left to lie there alone until she was noticed or until she was
well enough to walk away. Finally, she heard someone approach.
Helen? a familiar voice said as it neared. Oh, no. It is you.
Matt, Helen grunted. Get Lucas.
He came around into Helens field of vision and got down on his
knees in front of her. Dont you think the nurse would be a better
idea? Or maybe a paramedic?
Please. Lucas. Quick.
He sighed once, rubbed Helens back in an awkwardly reassuring
way, and then got up and ran off. Once she got her breathing under
control, Helen could see enough around her to take in the fact that
she was practically in the school parking lotmuch closer to the
school than she had realized. Still curled up in a ball on the
ground, Helen banged her forehead against her knees. She couldnt
believe she had been that stupid. Her ear pressed to the ground,
Helen heard approaching footsteps that were a little too heavy and
a little too quick to be a normals and smiled to herself with relief
even though she was still in terrible pain.
Thanks, Matt, she heard Lucas say from somewhere behind
her. Where are you hurt? he asked her as he came around toward
the front, Jason close behind him. Helen pointed to her stomach
and spoke with her eyes. Lucas nodded and looked around,
confused.
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Did you see what happened? he asked Matt.
I think she was running after someone. I dont know, Matt said
skeptically. I just heard from Gretchen that Helen was chasing
some guy, then she screamed and fell down.
Is that true? Lucas asked Helen with a tense face. She nodded,
and he smiled back at her, his worried eyes softening for her sake.
He plucked some of her hair off her sweaty forehead and looked
back over his shoulder.
Im on it, said Jason too quietly for a mortal to catch, and then
Helen heard his rapidly retreating footsteps.
I should go with him, began Hectors voice from someplace that
Helen still couldnt see.
No, you shouldnt, ordered Lucas sharply. I need you to get the
girls. They could have whatever sickness Helen has, and they might
need you. Right?
Right, Hector said without bitterness, suddenly understanding
Lucass hidden meaning. Cassandra and Ariadne were unaware,
unprotected, and therefore in the most danger of being attacked by
the stranger. Hector ran off so silently that Helen couldnt even
hear his feet brush against the grass, and she couldnt help but be
both impressed and a little frightened by his skill.
Matt, can you help me get Helen up? If you could just grab her
feet . . . Lucas asked in an apologetic voice.
Sure, no problem, Matt said as he slipped his hands behind her
knees. Jeez, Len, you smell awful! Did you have to fall into every
cranberry bog on the island? Helen chuckled briefly, but it hurt to
laugh so she stopped.
Helen initially wondered why Lucas would ask Matt for help
when he didnt need it, but as she listened to them talk and work
together to carry her to Hectors SUV she realized that Lucas had
to be one of the smartest people shed ever met. Not only did asking
for help make Lucas seem normal, but it also made Matt feel
needed. Lucas was treating him like a partner and, more
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important, like a man. Helen knew that if Lucas ever asked for
Matts loyalty, this simple gesture of inclusion made it more likely
that he would get it. A fresh bout of pain gripped her so tightly that
a sweat broke out on her upper lip. Helen blew out her breath
slowly, trying to navigate her way through the pain.
Lucas popped the back hatch of the SUV and laid Helen down,
then asked if Matt didnt mind waiting with them until his sister
and cousins came back.
If Helen gets any worse, Im not going to wait for them, Im just
going to take her to the hospital. If that happens Id really appreciate
it if you stayed here to tell them where I went. It shouldnt take
long, Lucas explained.
Ill stay as long as you need me, Matt offered with his usual
generosity.
Damn, Matt. Arent you tired of watching over of my sick ass
yet? Helen asked him with a half smile.
You have no idea, he said back with a smile of his own. It faded
quickly. This makes it twice this year. You never used to get sick,
Len, not even that time we all got the stomach flu after Gretchens
birthday party in fourth grade. The rest of us were puking our
brains out for two days, but you were fine.
Oh, yeah! That was so gross! Hey, at least I brought you all Gatorade
and crackers, remember? Helen said playfully. She was trying
to lighten the mood, but she was still in pain. She pressed on
her belly again and Matt frowned. He was worried, and so was she.
Her cramps had never lasted this long before.
Maybe you should quit track, Matt suggested suddenly.
I think Matts right, Lucas said, his face both surprised and
pleased that Matt had suggested it. Its obviously not good for you.
You should quit.
Helen was too stunned to respond. She stared at Lucas with her
mouth hanging open until Hector, Cassandra, and Ariadne arrived
and ended the conversation. The girls got in the SUV with Lucas
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and Helen, and Hector took the keys to the Mercedes, saying he
would wait for Jason. Ariadne offered Matt a ride home in her
sweetest voice, but he demurred. Then, after a brief and very quiet
exchange between Lucas and Hector, Lucas got behind the wheel
and drove the three girls to the Delos compound, speeding the
whole way. As they drove, Cassandra climbed into the back and
perched next to Helen with a calm poise that belied her age.
Did you get a good look at him? she asked in a level, strangely
adult voice.
Yes, Helen answered.
If I showed you some pictures, would you be able to recognize
him?
Like, mug shots? No problem, Helen said positively. Im pretty
sure there arent that many guys in the world who look exactly like
a bigger, blonder version of Hector.
She sensed the mood in the SUV shift.
Creon, whispered Cassandra.
Are you sure? Lucas asked, his head snapping up look into the
rearview mirror at Cassandra.
Yes, she answered with a dreamy look on her face. And Uncle
Pallas followed him here from Europe. Hes at home. Lucas apparently
didnt need any more information. He fished his cell
phone out of his jeans and hit speed dial.
Jase, come in. Cassie can see him now, he said in a flat,
frightened voice. He listened for just a moment and then continued,
talking over Jasons questions. When we all get back home.
Your fathers waiting for us there.
Helen felt like she had missed an important detail. Whos
Creon? she asked Cassandra as soon as she was able to sit up.
A cousin of ours, Cassandra answered unhelpfully.
Hes the one who attacked Hector in Cádiz, Ariadne said, her
voice quivering momentarily. She glanced over at Lucas, who was
just about to interrupt her, and kept going. Okay, they attacked
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each other. Creon is a radical fanatic, and hes looking for a fight
with any of the moderates, not just us. But its Hector hes really
after. Not even you can deny that, Luke.
That guy, huh? Helen asked, folding her arms over her belly as
she tried to make a joke. No one laughed. Her right hand felt stiff
so she flexed it. A scrap of fabric fell from her balled-up fist.
Whats that? Cassandra asked.
Um. Its Creons. I caught up to him, and when I tried to grab
him I sort of ripped his shirt off, Helen replied apologetically.
You chased him, caught up to him, and got close enough to rip
his shirt off? Ariadne said in disbelief. Apparently, Creon was fast,
even by their standards.
He saw me trying to fly, okay? Helen began, sensing that she
had done something very wrong. I didnt know who he was, I just
knew that hed seen me jump about five stories into the air and I
had to get to him before he got away.
Great, Cassandra said bitterly. He came here to check on our
family and maybe pick a fight with Hector, but now that youve exposed
yourself everything has changed.
He was heading right for the school, Helen said defensively.
And what was he going to do? Cassandra yelled back, suddenly
furious. Attack a pathetic mortal? Use your head, Helen! For some
reason the two women who attacked you havent told the rest of
the Hundred Cousins that you exist, probably because they want
the glory of killing you alone so they can have a Triumph. Creon
might be thinking the same way, but if he isnt, he will tell Tantalus.
That means half of the Family is going to be here in a few
daysand you cant even hold a sword yet!
Back off, Cassie! Lucas said heatedly. We were raised for this,
and Helens had what? A whole week to adjust? He looked at Cassandra
through the rearview mirror, and even in reflection his eyes
looked intense. Cassandra threw up her hands in surrender.
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Youre right, Cassandra. I didnt use my head, Helen said, rubbing
her stomach. Maybe we could talk to him.
Ariadne made a strangled sound.
What? Why are you all so scared of him? Helen asked.
Hes a Shadow Master, Ariadne said ominously from the front
seat. He can stop light. Its unnatural.
Helen though about the darkness that wrapped itself around
Creon and she knew what Ariadne meant. The sun wouldnt shine
on him, and Helen had instinctively felt like there was something
wrong about that.
Shadow Masters are rare, Lucas tried to explain a bit more
calmly, but Helen could still hear the fear in his voice. There
havent been very many of them in our Houses history, but every
one of them that we know about has turned out to be, well . . . evil.
A few tense minutes passed with Cassandra cupping her hands
over her eyes in a posture of deep concentration. Finally, she
looked up at Helen, and with a determined smile she dispelled the
lingering negativity.
Well, youre safe for now. I dont see any immediate threats,
she said reassuringly, watching Helen cradle her still-tender midsection.
Any idea which human saw you chasing Creon?
Gretchen. Dont worry, no one will care. Shes always saying
stuff about me, Helen said positively. Wait a sec. How do you
know someone saw me?
These cramps youre having? Theyre the curse. Your mom
cursed you to feel almost unendurable pain if you use your Scion
powers in front of mortals, Cassandra said with a shrug.
Is that what it is? Its been driving me crazy all week! Lucas
said from the front seat as he turned down the long Delos
driveway.
Of course you wouldnt recognize them. Youre a boy, Ariadne
said. Curse Cramps are sadistic, really. I havent even read about
anyone doing it in centuries.
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My mother cursed me? Helen repeated back to Cassandra, who
nodded sadly.
Way back, hundreds of years ago, it was thought to be the only
way to keep women Scions in line with the society of the time.
Mothers would do it to their daughters to keep them from drawing
too much attention to themselves because women werent supposed
to be special or smart or talented. Cassandra wrinkled her
nose, like she had said something that smelled bad as it came out
of her mouth.
Helen sputtered uselessly to herself for a few seconds, unable to
process what she had just learned. Cassandra took Helens hand
and smiled kindly at her. If its any consolation, the curse probably
kept you hidden all these years.
As much as I hate to admit anything so barbaric could be useful,
I have to agree, said Ariadne as she opened her door and got out
of the car. If you hadnt been cursed, can you imagine what your
mortal dad would have gone through when you were a toddler with
all that strength? He tries to punish you, you throw him out a window.
Bedtime would have been a bloodbath.
Well, when you put it that way, Helen admitted as she climbed
out of the back, accepting Lucass politely offered hand. As she and
Lucas walked side by side behind Ariadne and Cassandra toward
the house, she started to laugh to herself.
What is it? he asked.
I always knew my mother hated me, and now I find out that she
literally cursed me, she replied, hearing her voice sound matterof-
fact. I dont think Ive ever heard anything that made so much
sense in my whole life.
Your mother was trying to protect you, Lucas countered
judiciously.
Oh, you are such a boy! Youve never had cramps, Helen
muttered. They paused on the landing.
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Maybe take your shoes off, Lucas said, looking down at Helens