You are welcome in this House and you have our hospitality,
Castor offered formally as he bowed, stepped aside, and let Daphne
over the threshold as his sacred guest.
The official meeting between the Houses took place in the library,
with everyone arranged around Cassandras chair. Helen took her
place next to her mother on the couch, and tried not to look at Lucas
even though he was sitting directly opposite her.
First of all, I would like to make amends for the violation of your
safety while you were a guest in my House, Castor began humbly,
but Daphne cut him off before he finished his thought.
Pandora was distraught. She and Ajax had a special bond, and
because of that I could never hold a grudge against her for trying to
avenge him, especially not now that shes lost to us, she said, waving
a hand through air as if to banish the thought. As far as Im
concerned the laws of hospitality were not violated.
As she said those last words, Helen noticed Lucass eyes snap
over to Daphne, and she knew that he had sensed a lie, but decided
to overlook it for the greater good.
I called this meeting to address two very important matters that
concern both our Houses, Daphne continued in a smooth voice.
The first is Hector and his future, and the second is my daughter
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and her part in the prophecy. Helens head spun around to face
her mother.
My what? she asked, completely at a loss.
Helen wasnt the only one in the room who didnt understand.
Castor and Pallas looked around, confused, and even Cassandra
shrugged as if to admit she had no idea what Daphne meant.
Jason stood up and took a stiff step forward.
Helen is the Descender that the Oracle mentioned in their
prophecythe prophecy that says that the Descender will free the
Houses from the cycle of revenge, he said from his place behind
his fathers seat. I only realized it this afternoon, when Helen described
the dry lands so perfectly that I knew shed seen them. That
puzzled me at first because I know she isnt a Healer. Then she told
me that she would come down and drag both Claire and me out if I
wasnt strong enough to make the journey on my own. From her
confidence, I knew she meant what she said, and I also suspected
that she had physically been there more than once.
The dust on your feet! Ariadne exclaimed as she recalled
Helens dirty feet and the mystery of the un-rung jingle bells.
What about it? Helen asked, looking around at everyones immobile
faces.
The Descender doesnt just dream about the Underworld, the
Descender literally goes down into it in his or her body, Ariadne
answered with a shocked face. You physically went into hell every
night?
Your nightmares, Lucas said, looking at Helen as he began to
understand.
You were with me in one of them, Helen said back to him in a
confused voice. The night we fell, before we woke up on the beach,
I went down to get you, remember? You were lost and blind and I
made you to stand up and walk. I made you follow me out. . . .
Here, Helen had to stop. Forcing Lucas to walk through the
Underworld had been like doing surgery on an animal without
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painkillers. He didnt understand that what she was doing was for
his own good, he only knew that she was hurting him.
That was real? Lucas whispered.
Helen nodded and reached out to take his hand, needing to touch
him to reassure herself that he wasnt afraid of her now, but
Daphne stopped her hand in midair and pulled it back, shaking her
head in disapproval.
You knew, Lucas said, turning to Daphne.
Like Jason, I discovered Helens talent this afternoon, Daphne
replied. Thats one of the reasons I asked for this meeting.
And what are the rest of your reasons? Cassandra asked coldly
as flashes of the Oracle aura began to brighten the outline of her
face. Daphne bowed her head reverently to the multiple presences
that had begun to grace Cassandra.
Like Aeneas, my daughter will need Sibyls help in the Underworld,
Daphne said in a formal tone. I ask that the House of
Thebes care for their cousin, Helen, Heir to the House of Atreus,
while she fulfills her destiny in the Underworld. In exchange, I,
Daphne, Head of the House of Atreus, will grant refuge and protection
to Hector Delos, Outcast of the House of Thebes.
Everyone shot each other looks, stunned by both the request and
the offer that Daphne had made. The room hung in silence as expectations
recalibrated.
Why would you do this for my son? Pallas asked as he partially
rose from his seat, torn between thanks and indignation.
Because he is one of the strongest Scions Ive ever seen, but hes
also one of the proudest. The loss of his place in this House is going
to change him, and without guidance he could become a danger to
us all. Ive seen it before, Daphne said evenly. Then she turned to
Lucas and looked him in the eye to ensure that what she said was
proved true by him. We are all family, and its time we started acting
like it.
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There are no falsehoods in anything she says, Lucas said, looking
over at Pallas who nodded with relief. Lucas, however, looked
devastated. He had heard the truth from Daphne herselfHelen
was a member of his family.
Castor and Pallas looked at each other, already in agreement,
then glanced over at Cassandra for final approval. She nodded her
head once, and then stood up and left the room without another
word.
One last thing, Daphne continued, tactfully ignoring Cassandras
rude exit. Hector wants to know whats to happen to
Creons body.
Well be contacting Mildred to come and retrieve her son,
Castor said, looking down at his hands. Shell want to bring him
back to his father for the funeral.
Of course, Daphne said sadly. Will you let me know when
shell be here? Hector mentioned something about facing her to
ask for forgiveness . . . she trailed off uncertainly, as if she wasnt
sure Hector should do that.
Ill call you, Pallas promised stiffly, and then hurried out of the
room.
Daphne stayed for a bit longer and reassured the rest of the family
that physically Hector was going to be fine; but she was blunt
about the fact that he wasnt doing well emotionally. After letting
them all know that she would convey their love to him, she departed
hastily, saying that she had left Hector alone for as long as she
dared. Helen walked her to the door.
Did Hector see you in Pandoras shape on the beach tonight?
she asked her mother quietly when they got to the front door.
No. And he can never know, Daphne said, staring at Helen intensely.
You and I are the only family he has now and he needs to
trust me. You both do.
Helen knew her mother had risked her life to help Hector, but
the way Helen saw it, trust was something that was earned, not
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something that another person could demand from her. Even if
that person was her own mother.
Ill be in touch with you over the next few days to let you know
what the plan is, Daphne promised as she took her bag down off
the hook and opened the door.
One last thing? Helen asked as she held the door open. Ill stay
quiet about what I saw on the beach if you agree to release Jerry
from the influence of the cestus. You never loved him, but Kate
does, and I think its about time you let someone in your life be
happy, dont you?
Daphne stared at Helen, shocked that her obedient daughter had
finally expressed a mind of her own, then looked off to the side distractedly,
like she was listening to a faraway sound.
Its done, she said in a brisk voice, snapping out of her momentary
trance. I cant make any promises about his relationship
with Kate working out, but Jerrys heart is his own to give or to
keep as he sees fit.
Its about time, Helen said coldly.
All of this pain Ive caused, I did it to protect you. And it worked.
So Im not sorry for any of it, Daphne said, giving Helen a sad
smile before turning and walking away.
Helen shut the door and wandered back to the rest of the family,
forehead furrowed in thought. As soon as she stepped into the living
room, Lucass head snapped around to look at her. He gestured
for her to come to him. Although she knew it was the last thing that
she should do, it was the only thing she wanted to do.
I have to go home, she told him as soon as she got to him, trying
not to shake too much. I left a good-bye note for my father on
my desk when I thought . . . She broke off and had to take a
breath. Anyway, I have to get rid of it before he wakes up and
finds it. Hes been through too much already.
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Lucas balled his right hand into a fist and shoved it into his pocket.
Helen had never seen him make that gesture before, and she
realized he was doing it to stop himself from taking her hand.
Lets go, then, Lucas said, turning his face away from hers.
But I thought you and I were staying away from each other?
She broke off awkwardly.
Lucas shook his head decisively. Creon had Pandora drag
Daphne to that beach because he was going to take her off this island
by boat. Which means he was supposed to rendezvous with
someone out there on the water, Lucas said, his expression steely.
When they realize that Creon is missing, theyre going to come
looking for him, and when they dont find him theyre going to
come looking for Daphneand then you. Youre in more danger
now than you ever were and I dont care how hard it is on either of
us. Im not letting you out of my sight for a second.
Well, what are we supposed to do then? she nearly cried out,
throwing her hands up in surrender. She had reached the end of
her emotional and physical tether.
Come on, Lucas said grabbing her hand and pulling her out of
the room. Everyone turned and looked at them, but they were too
overwhelmed by the losses they had suffered to pay much attention
to Helens outburst.
Im taking her home and staying there to watch over her, Lucas
barked at Ariadne, who was weeping quietly in a chair. As soon as
they were outside they leapt in unison into the night sky.
The cold air was like a slap in the face. It knocked Helen out of
her confused state and she realized that no matter what she had
been through that day, Lucas had been through far worse. It was
time to stop feeling sorry for herself and pay attention to him.
Moments later, they landed on Helens widows walk, and Lucas
turned to her with an empty face, letting go of her hand.
Go in. Ill be fine up here, he whispered. Helen took a step
closer to him, but he just shook his head.
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I cant come in, he whispered, his voice breaking hopelessly.
Ive lost too much today. Im not strong enough.
I know, she said. Im so sorry, Lucas.
Helen wrapped her arms around his shoulders, wanting nothing
but to console him. She held on to him, propping him up until Lucas
was strong enough to stand on his own again. He eased himself
away from Helen and gave her a small smile to let her know that he
was better.
Wait here a sec. I have to let my dad know Im home.
Im not going anywhere, Lucas promised.
Helen flew down to the front yard and noticed that Kates car was
still parked in the driveway. She landed and went in the front door,
not at all sure what she was going to say or do. She found her dad
sleeping on the couch in the living room, sat down next to him, and
shook him gently until he woke. Jerry looked relieved for about
two seconds, then sat up and sighed at Helen in disappointment.
You know what you put me through, right? he asked, heartbroken.
Helen felt so guilty she couldnt meet his eyes, so she just
nodded her head. Youd better start explaining.
Helen thought about how so many people in her life already
knew what she was, and for just a moment she considered telling
her father everything. But if she opened that can of worms shed
also have to tell him Daphne was back, and she couldnt bring herself
to do that. Not after she had finally released him from his unnatural
attachment to her. For the first time in almost two decades,
Jerry had the chance to have a real life with a woman who actually
loved him in return. Helen wouldnt allow anything to endanger
that.
I cant, Dad. At least I cant right now. I guess I could make up
an excuse, but it would be a lie, Helen said hopelessly as she
rubbed her hands over her tired face and aching skull. And I dont
ever want to lie to you.
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Is this how things are going to be between us now? No trust, no
communication, no respect?
No, Dad. Dont even say that, Helen said shaking her head