Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(136)

Alexis glanced over at my book, and I quickly closed it.

When you saw things that other people didn’t, you learned the value of discretion.

Athena launched into a speech about taxes and human resources, and as she spoke, a small glowing dot materialized in the air above her head, so tiny, I could barely make it out.

Act natural, keep it together.

Discreetly I looked behind me—oh, wonderful—all around the room, dots of light were flickering into existence above people’s heads.

No one else could see them.

Alexis looked over at me again, her two-colored eyes narrowed, and I opened my mouth to reassure her everything was fine (it wasn’t), but my jaw clicked shut—a strange glow also emanated above her curls.

She gently touched my arms, pushing me back.

I hadn’t realized I was leaning toward her, trying to get a better look at the hovering light up close.

“Are you okay?” Alexis asked with concern.

No.

Three simple words.

As a previously incarcerated individual who’d been labeled clinically insane by Olympian doctors as a child, there was only one right answer.

“Oh yeah, I’m doing fine,” I said as Athena continued monologuing about taxes and protected zones. “One could even say I’m really great right now. Fabulous. I’ve been doing a lot of research and reading. It’s been very informative. Did you know the great Cyclopes rebellion of …”

I trailed off as Alexis grimaced.

Right.

Rambling makes people uncomfortable.

Act normal.

The problem with being a Gorgon, a Chthonic, an opinionated woman with the power of Fate, and a bookworm was that it unsettled people.

I was too passionate.

Too strange.

My existence was a walking red flag.

“I think I saw a fly,” I finished lamely. “Above your head. Pesky little buggers. Very annoying.” I waved my hand and pretended to crush a nonexistent animal.

Alexis didn’t seem convinced.

“Now to our next manner of business,” Athena announced. “The reason we’re all here today.”

Alexis reached out her hand and I quickly took it, wrapping my fingers around hers and shuffling closer. If she was alarmed by my proximity, she didn’t show it.

Physical touch had always been my love language.

Murmurs echoed all around as Spartans whispered to each other.

“Snake scum,” someone spat in the row behind me.

I didn’t turn around.

Athena unrolled a scroll. “In the case of the federation versus Medusa—in light of new evidence, acting in my power as interim speaker to rule from the podium …”

The clock behind her was frozen at two twenty-two and the small glow on top of her head was growing stronger.

Everything was narrowing to this singular moment.

Alexis gripped me harder.

“Medusa is …” Athena’s mouth moved with painful slowness. “Pardoned of all alleged crimes.”

Holy Kronos.

Sharp and heady relief filled me. I fought the urge to pass out.

I was free.

After everything, I was really—

“On one condition,” Athena said sharply.

I stiffened.

It didn’t take the mystical power of Fate to know this wasn’t headed in a good direction (heavy on the mystical because I had zero clue how to understand my powers, let alone wield them).

A rattling filled the air as my hair shifted—my snake darlings trembled—I shivered as the vibration traveled across my scalp and down my spine.

Alexis squeezed my hand with both of hers and my bones creaked. I tried not to show the pain on my face.

My creature heritage overpowered my Spartan genes: my stature was short and curvy, my bones weaker than other full-blooded Spartans. I wasn’t built for war. I was built to read.

Athena smiled. “For the safety of Sparta, the federation requires Medusa to attend ROU, Rhodes Olympian University, and obtain a mastery in Fate studies.”

The murmurs increased.

Wait.

That’s it?

My snakes relaxed.

It was perfect, since I had no money to my name and was homeless as of next week.

Disowned by the House of Artemis since birth—Gorgon traits were not acceptable, one snake would have been ignorable, three were unconscionable—I technically had no inheritance and nowhere to go. For the same reason I was rejected by Artemis, I had too much Spartan blood to be accepted into Gorgon culture.

Alexis acted like it was fine, but I knew the truth—I wasn’t welcome at the villa. Patro was vocal with his hatred.

This was my chance to make a plan.

“Could be way worse,” I said to Alexis. “I’ve always wanted to get a higher education, but as a Chthonic creature, there are limited options. This is really good. I can figure out everything I’ve been—”

“No,” Hades said calmly a few seats down.

Uh, what?

A fresh wave of murmuring filled the federation.

“It will not be safe for her, surrounded by Olympians,” Hades said louder. “Especially with … everything that’s happened.”

My spirits fell.

I’d somehow forgotten that I was Olympian enemy number one, and synonymous with the downfall of the great House of Zeus.