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Pandora’s mouth clamped shut, and she curtsied quickly. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I only mean… the wards have already been attacked. Pandora’s magic will try again, and it will be stronger. We must act now.”
Apollo offered a patronizing smile. “Dear child, these things take time. And the wards are there for a reason. It did not succeed before. I am confident we have enough time to consider our options before we take action. Thank you for your suggestion, Hecate. Your presence here is much appreciated.”
With that, he turned on his heel and strode from the library. Pandora watched, her resolve faltering with his departure.
It had worked… and yet, it hadn’t. If he took this idea to his council, she knew what they would say. They would laugh that the suggestion of a lesser goddess like Hecate would even be considered.
She needed something more. Something drastic to force Apollo’s hand.
If the dark magic from her box could not be lured into Elysium, then Pandora would have to attack it herself from the inside.
MELODY
MONA
Mona told Hestia of her plan, and to her credit, the fire goddess did not hesitate.
“We need to get you to the fulcrum,” was all she’d said before striding purposefully away from the broken gate.
“What’s the fulcrum?” Mona hurried after, struggling to keep up with her long, graceful strides.
“The midpoint of the realm,” Hestia answered over her shoulder. “The place where our power is most potent. It amplifies our abilities.” She stopped, turning to face Mona with a grim expression. “And, unfortunately, this means there will be witnesses for what you are about to do.”
Mona shook her head. “I don’t care. There will be witnesses either way. He can’t stay hidden for long.”
Hestia nodded once before turning again, leading Mona back through the village, winding between buildings with ease. Mona recognized the path until Hestia took a sharp turn to the left. They climbed up a steep incline, the buildings rising around them. Mona panted, her legs straining, sweat pouring down her face as she hiked after Hestia.
When they reached the top, Hestia gestured to the space in front of them. “This is the fulcrum.”
Mona’s mouth fell open as she took it all in. The fulcrum was a vast courtyard with a pedestal in the center surrounded by pillars and braziers. A small circle of trees ensconced the courtyard, and the fulcrum overlooked a cliff facing the ocean. As Mona turned her head to take it all in, she could see the entire village behind her, stretching for miles. Miles away, a mighty palace stood on the cliff along the opposite side of the village, gleaming in the sunlight.
Up here, the realm seemed as vast as the Realm of Gaia. It was endless and breathtaking.
“We are lucky,” Hestia murmured next to her. “Normally, there are many deities here. With the solstice ball, most of them are likely preoccupied.”
Only two people stood in the courtyard—a pair of women chatting a few paces away. One of them, tall and dark-haired, was idly twisting her fingers in the air and conjuring icicles. She stopped when she noticed Mona and Hestia, her gaze flicking between them.
“Hestia,” she said cautiously. “I didn’t expect to see you roaming about.”
“No, I’m sure you didn’t,” Hestia said coldly, her frame rigid.
Mona’s eyebrows lifted. This woman was certainly no ally of Hestia’s. Her presence might complicate things. Would she stand in the way of what Mona needed to do?
“I only came to show young Mona what the fulcrum can do.” Hestia waved a hand toward Mona, who offered a weak smile, trying to play along. “Go on, child.”
Mona hesitated. The two women were watching Hestia with wary apprehension, and they clearly didn’t seem too bothered by Mona. For a brief moment, Hestia widened her eyes at Mona with a warning. Hurry, she seemed to say.
Hestia’s eyes never left the dark-haired woman as Mona rushed to the pedestal. She sensed the two women watching her with curiosity, but she paid them no heed.
She was here for one purpose: to find Evander.
And she wouldn’t let the blatant stares of these strangers deter her.
As soon as she set foot on the steps leading to the dais, she felt power surge through her, wild and volatile. She yelped and staggered backward, nearly falling to the ground from the intensity of it. Her magic sprang to life, and vines crept along her feet, achingly reminding her of Prue. Thorns and brambles followed after, and, to her surprise, roses blossomed from the foliage as well.
One of the women gasped behind her. “It’s earth magic!” she shouted. “Gaia has returned!”
Mona’s palms began to sweat as she climbed the final step until she stood in the center of the fulcrum. Energy crackled along her fingertips, and the vines slithered toward her obediently. Her magic flowed like a churning river she couldn’t control. In no time at all, a lush garden surrounded her, sprouting flowers and thickets and herbs so potent they made her nose itch. The plants grew taller and taller until Hestia and the others were completely shrouded from view.
