“Um, isn’t that your dad’s department?” Raven asks.
“No, I would be able to wield water and snow if it was,” I say.
The small ice tornado grows in size. The icy wind blasts me in the face, and I stumble back. Strong arms steady me.
“Who was the god of snow?” I ask.
“There wasn’t a god of snow. I think the closest thing would be the god of the north wind. Boreas.” Draven taps his chin.
“I think there was a nymph related to snow. His daughter maybe? I don’t know why she would side with the queen, though.” Kira’s hair whips into her face.
“You don’t belong here,” a reedy female voice bellows.
The wind slashes against my face and neck, leaving ice running through my veins. “You’re up, Kira.”
“Me?” she squeaks. “What can I do?”
“You’re star bound, remember? Use your fire,” I shout over the crashing wind.
“Why are you doing this? The queen will destroy everything including you.” I grip my sword tighter.
“Do you know what it’s like to only be known as Boreas’ daughter? No one knows my name or even likes what I give to the world. All this beautiful snow is wasted on humanity.” A woman steps out of the ice storm.
Her long white hair is wild around her shoulders. Her white toga style dress shimmers under the flames lighting the sconces on the walls.
“You really think we all weren’t judged for who our parents are? That’s laughable. Until I started helping the gods, no one bothered to call me by name. It was always daughter of Zeus this and daughter of Zeus that. Was it frustrating? Hell yeah, but I didn’t join a mutiny because of it. That’s just stupid.”
“You made a name for yourself, though. Not everyone can,” the nymph yells.
“Sure you can, but this isn’t the way to do it.” Kira holds her hands up. “I’ve made a name for myself when I didn’t think itwas possible. It just took one interaction and my own choices to help when the world is in danger. You can make a choice to do good and you can fix your own life without helping the queen destroy everything.”
“A choice?” she scoffs. “I don’t have a choice but to help the queen. She will give me the power I need to make people remember me.”
“C’mon, Kira. She’s a lost cause and we have to keep moving.” I study my fingernails.
“What do you mean a lost cause?” The nymph closes her hand into a fist and the swirling snow vortex spins toward me in a rush.
I dive out of the way just in time, but it sucks Jayden into it. He shouts and shadows swirl around him, dropping him right next to me on the snowy ground.
“If Kira can’t do it, I have hellfire or shadow chains. She can’t control the snow with her hands tied.” Jayden reaches for me, offering me a hand up.
“I vote the chains. I don’t want to fuck something up and melt the ice caps or something.” I dust the snow off my pants.
“Agreed.” Raven nods. “We could do more harm than good by killing her. We can chain her and then take her to Zeus once we finish this with the queen.”
“Okay, Jayden, do it.” I nod to him.
“Stop. You can’t turn me over to Zeus. He’ll destroy me.” She raises her hands and the snow shifts on the ground, rolling and pulsing beneath our feet.
“What is that?” I ask. “Is she…”
“She’s building a damn snowman.” Raven shakes her head. “This is not on my bingo card for the labyrinth.”
“I don’t think it was on anyone’s radar for a magical maze on Mt. Olympus.” Jayden’s shadows swirl and writhe on his arms.
“Keep control. Kira? Can you use your fire on the snow monstrosity?” I ask.
“With pleasure.” She holds her hands up, flames bursting to life on them.
