voice.
Did something happen at dinner last night? Jerry asked. She
ran out the door and pedaled off before he could get a straight answer
out of her.
The cool autumn wind felt good on her face, which was puffy
from staying awake half the night with her eyes leaking. She hadnt
really cried, and never got that explosive release that comes from a
good old fashioned weep-a-thon. Lying there, shed been too
shocked to sob. She felt like an idiot. She knew there had to be
worse things in the world than being dissed by the boy of your
dreams, but at that moment, she couldnt think of any of them.
Kate, Claire, even her dad had asked her repeatedly what was going
on between her and Lucas, like it was expected that the two of
them would get together eventually, but no one had ever asked Lucas
what he thought about being paired off with Helen. Now Helen
knew for a fact that he would never touch her. Those words kept
coming back to her, not just the words, but how passionately he
had said them. The way he had spoken about her made it seem as if
the very thought of kissing her was disgusting to him, and Helen
was just as confused by this as she was hurt. How could he want to
hold her hand all the time if he thought she was repulsive?
Helen got to school, locked up her bike, and took an alternate
route to her locker. It was longer, but she knew it would be Delosfree,
and therefore worth all the extra steps. She had left her house
so early that even with the longer walk she beat everyone to
homeroom.
When Claire arrived, she noticed immediately how awful Helen
looked. Like the good friend she was, she forgot all about the argument
they were supposed to be having, asking Helen a dozen questions
about her red face and ratty hair before she had even put
down her book bag. Helen lied as best she could, but so halfheartedly
she never would have gotten away with it if Matt didnt
back her up by explaining how sick Helen had been the day before.
It didnt help that Zach kept making scoffing noises as Helen tried
to put Claire off. Helen ignored him, as she usually did, but she
could still feel him watching her with a sneer plastered on his face.
Helen kept her head down all day and did her work. She found
now that she simply didnt care anymore if she did well in class,
drew attention to herself, and potentially got the cramps. As she
walked to lunch she considered faking the stomach pain if it could
get her farther away from Lucas. She didnt want to go into the
cafeteria and face everyone, but she still had to go somewhere, and
the auditorium door was right next to her. It had been left ajar, so
Helen pushed it open and went in. Helen knew whe wasnt allowed
in there. Any room that was unsupervised by a teacher was off-limits
to students, but that didnt stop her. She really didnt care if she
got caughtshe just needed a moment alone.
There was only a dim light onstage, and it was very quiet, exactly
what Helen was looking for. She sat down on the apron of the stage
and unpacked her lunch box. Chewing, Helen glanced around, taking
note of all the new sets that were just beginning to be built. The
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drama club put on two shows a yeara winter play and a spring
musical.
She wondered what play the drama club was going to put on, and
saw a spare script lying in the wings. A Midsummers Nights
Dream. Helen opened to the first page and read, SCENE 1. ATHENS. THE
PALACE OF THESEUS. She rolled her eyes and dropped the script, feeling
set up. Maybe the Fates really did pull all the strings.
Helen zombied her way through the last three periods, but her
luck couldnt hold out all day. When the bell signaling the end of
school rang, she rushed to her locker to get to track as quickly as
she could, but Lucas was anticipating her.
Hey! he shouted from halfway down the hall. He looked big and
dangerous as he walked toward her, every step sending underclassmen
scurrying to get out of his way. Where have you been all
day?
Busy. I cant be late for track again, she replied tersely, not
looking at him as she dug her stuff out of her locker.
Ill walk you, he said. He tried to get a look at her face.
She kept her head down and her face covered with her hair and
didnt reply. They walked down the hall next to each other at the
same pace, but today Helen felt even more lonely with Lucas beside
her than she had when she was by herself.
Why didnt you call me this morning? I could have picked you
up earlier if you needed to stop somewhere, he said when the silence
became intolerable.
Look, Lucas. The whole ride to school thing is sweet, but I think
its easier for me to just take my bike. So maybe we should just forget
it.
You dont want me to pick you up anymore? he asked in a cold
voice.
No, I dont, she said. They neared the end of the hallway that
led down to the locker rooms. She finally turned to look at him,
which she shouldnt have. He looked hurt.
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Okay, he said, barely above a whisper. Are you going to tell me
what I did wrong or am I supposed to guess?
You didnt do anything wrong, Helen answered listlessly. He
looked at her, waiting to feel the lie, but there wasnt one. The light
scattered momentarily around his face, hiding his expression.
Youll be able to get yourself to my house after track? he asked
as he glanced around, so confused he didnt know where to look or
what to say.
About that, Helen started, trying to think up a believable
excuse.
Youre coming. We still havent found those two women and
now Creon is out there. Learning to defend yourself is more important
than what I did or didnt do to piss you off, he said, suddenly
angry.
She nodded, knowing it was stupid of her to even suggest giving
up her training. She could barely see him through the confusing
images he was creating as he bent the light around him. It was as if
there were three of him for a moment, whirling around like she
was looking at him through a kaleidoscope. She kept her head
down and her eyes behind her hair until his image stilled and she
could look at him without getting dizzy.
Do you want me to stay away from you for the rest of the day?
he asked in a carefully controlled voice.
No, she thought. And yes. Both answers were completely true.
She couldnt lie to him, but the truth had suddenly become very
slippery.
I think that would be best, she mumbled.
He didnt say anything. He just turned on his heel and left her.
Hi, Luke . . . bye, Luke, Claire said as she joined them. She
looked back and forth at the two of them. Fight?
Helen shrugged and took Claires hand, leading her into the locker
room. I dont really care, was all she had the energy to say.
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As they ran the trail she asked about Claires day. She let Claire in
on the auditorium secret, and told her to tell Matt about it, too, in
order to avoid a friendship meltdown. Claire looked at her funny,
but she didnt ask any questions.
Helen felt as if the whole world had turned into some gigantic
punch line that she had waited patiently for, and then when she
heard it she found it insulting. If she had been in a comedy club
she would have gotten up and walked out, but instead she had to
go to the comedians house after school and let his cousin beat the
crap out of her.
When track was over, Helen dutifully rode her bike to the Delos
compound, arriving before Lucas, Jason, and Hector did. She went
down to the tennis courts, which were in the process of being converted
into a proper fighting arena with a sandy bottom, and
looked around. There was a sword on the ground. She picked it up
and gave it a swing to see how it felt.
It felt goofy as hell. Helen supposed she wasnt a swordswoman.
I think Hector wants you to learn the spear first. Its considered
traditional, Cassandra said behind her.
Wouldnt want to mess with tradition, Helen said sarcastically
as she threw the sword down, point first, into the sand so that the
hilt made a cross above the ground.
Yes, you would. In fact, I think thats what your mother had in
mind for you all along, Cassandra said in that spooky, faraway
voice she had a tendency to slip into at crucial moments. But
naming you is something your mother did in the past, and I can
only see the future.
Youre an oracle! Helen said, astonished. She should have
known all along.
Suddenly, she wasnt so sure she wanted to be alone with Cassandra.
There was something wrong about her eyes. Helen started
to circle around her, always keeping an equal distance between
them, but subtly closing the gap between herself and the exit.
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Delphi, Delos. And the Oracle at Delphi was always one of
Apollos chosen priests, Helen said as evenly as she could, trying
to keep Cassandra distracted.
Close. The Oracle was always one of Apollos Scions, and always
a priestess. A girl, Cassandra said bitterly. The Oracle of Delphi is
the female offspring of Apollo and the Three Fates.
Im pretty sure that wasnt in the book you gave me, Helen said
uncertainly as Cassandra pulled the sword out of the ground, hefted
it in her hand thoughtfully, and took a few steps toward her.
It wasnt made known to any of the ancient historians, but they
did know that Apollo is the son of Zeus, and not one of the original
gods. He was second generation, a kind of glorified Scion, and, like
us, he was going to die eventually. Cassandra came closer to
Helen, still holding the sword.
Then why didnt he? Helen asked cautiously, trying to stay calm
so as not to provoke her. She circled back the other way, never taking
her eyes off the bright bronze blade that Cassandra alternately
lifted and let fall, as if she couldnt entirely bring herself to raise it.
Apollo made a deal with the Three Fates, she said, half distracted
by some darker thought. He offered them something they
couldnt have without him. A baby girl. He swore on the River Styx
to give them offspring, and in return they swore never to cut his
string of life. From that day on, Apollo got his immortality, and
every generation one girl who is descended from him belongs to
the Fates. Shes their spiritual daughter, and occasionally she can
see what her mothers have in store for the world.
Cassandra was stalling, Helen realized. Whatever she was planning
to do unsettled her, but even though she seemed uncertain,
she continued to close in. As she did, light started to dance backward
into her skin, and her eyes and teeth glowed with the vaguely
purple hue of black light. Helen knew that she was older, larger,
and stronger than Cassandra, but she also knew she was still the
one in danger. Cassandra was not the only being inside that tiny
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body. She was being visited and maybe even partially controlled by
the Three Fates.
Helen watched as Cassandra cut off her exit. Helen could always
fly away, now that she knew how to get airborne, but she wasnt
sure if she could control her flight once she was aloft. She also
didnt know how to land without Lucas holding her hand. But right
now she was more afraid of the Oracle with the sword than she was
of falling out of the sky. Helen was about to take her chances with
flight when Cassandras demeanor suddenly changed. She went
from being the dark, fiery messenger of the Fates to being a very
vulnerable young girl.
I saw something, Helen, she said desperately. Then I saw it
again, and again. Ive been so ashamed and frightened that I
havent told anyone else what I saw. And I am so sorry if Im
wrongfor all of our sakes. But I have to do this . . . because . . .
this is what comes next.
Her eyes were filling up with tears. She looked so tormented
Helen would have done anything to make her feel better. She
smiled understandingly at Cassandra, who tried to control her
hitching breath as she nodded in return and wrapped both hands
around the hilt of her sword. She swung it over her shoulder and
paused, waiting for Helen to be ready.
Helen choked back the scream that was trying to climb out of her
mouth.
If Cassandra, the Oracle of Delphi, had foreseen her death, was
there any sense in fighting it? Did Helen really have a choice?
The thought of not being in control of her own destiny made her
angry. Angry enough to hold her head up and make the only decision
that she could, even if it was potentially the last decision she
would ever make.
I could try to fly away, but whats that saying from Oedipus Rex?
You meet your fate on the road you take to escape it, right? So go
ahead and do what you have to do. Im choosing to get this over
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with right now, Helen responded as evenly as she could while her