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“Well, everyone and everything will die without sunlight, so…” Dare trailed off with a shrug. “Surely, that’s not Nyx’s goal?”
Bullet and I exchanged a wary look. Dare hadn’t seen all the things we’d seen, maybe he wasn’t quite as jaded as we were.
“Let’s hope not,” Bullet replied eventually. “But just in case, we should probably be prepared to beg for mercy on behalf of beings that Nyx does not give a fuck about, for zero gratitude from anyone.”
The noise from downstairs grew louder and more insistent. We had to get down there, tolead.
Straightening my shoulders, I walked past my bonded with the most serene look on my face that I could manage, descending the stairs to where everyone was crowded around, panic thick in the air.
I should have stayed down here. I wasn’tjustGrace anymore—I didn’t have the luxury of disappearing and taking time to come to terms with my feelings. Not right away, at least. People were relying onme, looking to me for guidance.
My soul bonds assembled behind me on the stairs, a steadying presence at my back.
The Spartoi were outside, I caught glimpses of them through the windows, lined up with their backs to the villa, weapons at the ready and pointed upwards, as though the sky itself would attack.
“You’re leaving,” Estrella said flatly, leaning on Foster. “Good.”
“Good?” I repeated in surprise.
“It is essential that you are safe,” Vasileios replied, his voice calm and steady, and unusually serious. “It always was, but now more than ever.”
“Not to freak you out,” Foster began hesitantly. “But literally everyone on earth will die without the sun. It won’t even take that long. A couple of weeks? Maybe less? Prophêtis, we really need you to use that connection to the gods. To intercede.”
“I know,” I agreed, blowing out a long breath. “Nothing matters more.”
Wild was scribbling furiously on his notepad, and he carefully edged around me to show Vasileios and a few of the other daimons what he’d written. There were glances at me and a few words of quiet agreement, and Wild sent a sense of apology through the bond to me, which meant he wouldn’t tell me whatever it was he was doing. Something that my agathos instincts wouldn’t like.
“Don’t tell us where you’re going,” Foster said, coming to the same conclusion as he watched the daimons. “In case any of us are questioned.”
“The Spartoi—” I began.
“Will have to come with us,” Estrella cut in with a grimace, glancing out the window. “Whether they like it or not. Wherever they go, attention will follow.”
Foster nodded. “An army of ancient soldiers is a great diversion.”
Part of me balked at using them that way, but maybe I should have more faith in them? The Spartoi had turned the barn into a rudimentary war camp—they didn’t need technology to get by. As much as they attracted attention, the others would benefit from having the Spartoi’s guidance until we got things back to normal.
Because wewouldget things back to normal. We had to.
“I’ll pack some food for you,Prophêtis,” Leonie offered.
“Everyone, get your things,” Vasileios called lazily. “We’ll leave in groups, Grace and her soul bonds first. If you can get to Piraeus, my friend with the boat can transport you. He will be… sympathetic to your plight,” he continued, pulling Riot aside to fill him in as I got swallowed up in the crowd, the Kakodaimonistai in particular crowding close to say goodbye. I felt the urge to give them some luck rising within me, rushing through my veins, but Dare’s hand clamped down on my arm before I could. I couldn’t bestow my Eutychia gift on daimons or fellow agathos, and it seemed to almost shy away within me in response to Dare’s touch.
“Thank you,” I breathed, eyes widening at how close we might have come to disaster if I’d doused all the humans around me in good luck. Whatever boat we went on would probably sink.
“Anytime,” Dare murmured, sliding his hand down my wrist so as not to break the skin-to-skin contact, before linking our fingers firmly together.
He stayed as a silent sentinel at my back while the Kakodaimonistai assured me that they would continue making offerings to the Olympians, that they would pray for me, that they would do whatever they could to protect me. It was humbling and frightening all at once.
“Come on,” Dare murmured, tugging me away from the crowd. “People either covered for us or they weren’t taken seriously if they were asked where we were, but that might change if they blame you for the goddesses’ actions. Best to get leave unseen if we can.”
I held on tight to his hand, saying goodbye to as many people as I could as he dragged me out to the terrace, Riot joining me on my other side at some point, exchanging a loaded look with Dare over my head.
Wild and Bullet approached, both looking grim, while the Spartoi stood in their positions, watchful and stiff with tension.
“I have to go,” I told Theras slowly, pointing at me then into the distance. “You have to stay.” I gestured at the Spartoi, then pointed at the villa.
Theras narrowed his eyes. I was no expert in Ancient Greek, but I’d looked up a few phrases to try communicate with them a little better.
