Page 83 of Styx

‘Remember your place. Speak or leave.’

At the invoking of divine superiority,

goddesshood over their nymph status,

my sisters backed down reluctantly

to my own satisfaction.

‘Apologies,’ Acaste murmured,

proud shoulders hunching slightly.

‘You have all been summoned

to our father’s halls.’

‘Why?’ Leto asked as Metis slipped

her little hand in hers. When they did not

answer, she spoke louder.

‘I asked why.’

Her voice was as electric as my eel,

the threat of a thunder within it.

‘They… The brothers are here,’

Callirhoe said quickly.

Asteria and I frowned at each other.

‘What brothers?’ I asked,

but my sisters were already backing away,

cowering from Leto’s gaze.

I Turned to Leto

‘Clearly,’ I said quietly,

‘I have underestimated you.’

Leto shook her head.

‘You did not. I didn’t think

I had it in me to do that.’

I tilted my head and examined her.

‘That was one of the most impressive

displays of quiet power I have ever seen.’