Thanatos stayed silent, giving her space to feel the memory. He didn’t rush her past the pain.
When she spoke again, a forced lightness rang in it. “The Ninth Doctor was his favorite. He was so mad when they changed actors. He said it ruined everything.” She laughed, her eyes a little watery. “He got over it, but he complained about it for three years.”
He smiled. “How about we start with that doctor, then?”
She nodded and started the show. Just as the opening credits began, Hypnos returned with a fresh drink. He sat beside Iliana and nodded.
Thanatos didn’t comment. Hypnos was trying.
Iliana leaned on Thanatos, relaxing and letting him hold her. He felt honored that she’d shared her memory and humbled that she trusted him with her grief.
They were barely into the second episode when Hermes appeared on the coffee table, blocking the screen. Iliana yelped and chucked the remote at his head.
He caught it effortlessly. “That’s no way to greet someone.”
“Can you not pop in right in front of me?” Iliana snapped.
“And here I thought you liked surprises,” he quipped, grinning at her. Hermes’ expression sobered as if remembering that he’d come there for a reason. He turned to Thanatos. “Athena requested your presence. She said it’s urgent.”
Thanatos stiffened. “Why?”
“She wouldn’t say, other than that it was something about Iliana’s safety. She caught me on my way to speak with Hecate about the curse.”
Iliana’s posture tensed. “Hecate?”
Hermes tilted his head, watching her. “Yes. Witchcraft is her domain. If anyone can trace the curse’s source, it’s her.”
She bit her lip. “And if the curse was fated?”
Her words reminded him of the prophecy she still hadn’t shared. Did she think it held the answer to breaking the curse?
Hermes stopped smiling. “Then she’ll give us the hard truth.” A second later, his humor returned. “I’d go to Circe, though I’d rather not spend eternity as a farm animal.”
Iliana’s mouth popped open in shock. “Wait, she actually turns people into animals?”
“Only the annoying ones.” Hermes winked.
Thanatos squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.” He leaned in, kissing her. “Do not watch too many episodes without me. You will have to tell me what happened to the Doctor later.”
“Who’s the Doctor?” Hermes asked, but no one answered him.
Hypnos’ voice entered his mind. “I’ll keep her safe. Keep me updated.”
Thanatos nodded. He kissed Iliana again, then left her with his brother and Hermes.
He appeared outside Athena’s temple. The exterior was small and plain compared to other temples in Olympus. Its modest outside concealed chambers as vast or as small as the goddess desired. He shook his head at the absurd comparison to the TARDIS.
He walked inside and stopped at the altar in the center of the main chamber to wait.
“I’ve heard some unsettling news.” Athena’s voice came from behind him.
He turned, noting her modern military attire—a dark shirt and cargo pants.
His brow arched. “What recent troubles have you dressed like that?”
She ignored the question. “There are rumors of a sleeping god stirring. Waking.”
“Who?”
