Shattered Gods (Dark Olympus, #10)(54)

“We passed mess a month ago and are well into disaster.” She slumps against me. “I’m sorry I got you shot.”

“I share equal blame in that.”

Eurydice crosses her arms over her chest and gives us a long look. “You both had what amounted to scrapes, and Orpheus needed surgery because he threw himself on top of you.” She nods at Callisto. “I’m sure that means you’ll stop giving him grief over events I’ve long since forgiven him for.”

Callisto groans. “I suppose I’ll let it go—providing he doesn’t do the same goofy shit again.”

“If he does, that’s my business. Not yours.” Eurydice doesn’t flinch when our elder sister glares at her. She’s come such a long way in such a short time; my sweet, innocent baby sister has become a member of our staff who can hold her own.

My phone rings before this conversation can devolve into a fight. I awkwardly twist, cursing when it takes two tries to angle my body enough to pull the phone from my back pocket. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to function for five more months like this.”

“Worse than this,” Callisto says miserably.

I flick my fingers at her stomach, still flat except for a nearly imperceptible curve. “We are not experiencing the same level of discomfort.” My smile falls away when I see the name across the screen of my phone. “It’s Mother.”

Eurydice drops down on my other side. “Well, answer it. Let’s see what she has to say.”

“About siding with a murderous witch who wants to kill us all? I’m sure this will be great,” Callisto mutters.

I hold my breath as I swipe to answer. Mother and I have faced each other down over quite a few topics since I fled the arranged marriage with the last Zeus. It never becomes any easier to navigate, but at least I’ve learned to hold my ground better.

Our mother’s face appears on the screen, her appearance as pristine as ever. She smiles a little when she sees all three of us crammed together on the couch. “Hello, darlings.”

I instantly recognize the cabinet behind her. “You’re in the country house?”

“It seemed the wisest course of action, but I’ll be returning to the city shortly.” She takes a deep breath. “I know you don’t always agree with the choices I make, but please know that if I value ambition and power, I value my girls more.”

“Since when?” Callisto mutters, just loud enough to hear.

“Since always.” Mother shifts a little. “Regardless, there’s something you need to know and it can’t wait.” Before any of us can say a word, she flips the screen of her phone to show Psyche…and Eros.

Eurydice gasps. “But he’s dead.”

Eros gives a faint smile. He looks terrible, drawn and paler than normal, his usually lush, curly hair straw-like. “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” He coughs and winces. “Well, maybe not greatly exaggerated.”

Psyche places a careful hand on his bandaged chest. “Mother’s quick thinking got us out of there. Now Circe thinks he’s dead, so she won’t look for him—or us, since she’s counted me out because of grief.” Her voice is thick. Eros might have lived, but it clearly wasn’t an easy thing. I saw the video. We thought he was dead, and with good reason. His injury is clearly serious.

“If it’s safe to travel, you need to come to the lower city. We can protect you.” I’ll make sure of it.

“You can’t, actually.” Psyche grimaces. “And we would never make it without being taken by Circe again.” She glances past the camera, no doubt meeting Mother’s gaze. “We’re leaving Olympus. Tonight.”

“What?” Callisto snaps. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Yes.” Some of the tension fades from her face. “The arrangements have already been made.” She sucks in a breath. “I want to stay and fight with you, but—”

“No,” Eurydice cuts in, sounding harder than I’ve ever heard her. “Don’t you dare stay for us. Get out of here. You’ve already sacrificed too much for this fucking city.”

The camera flips around, and Mother gives a disapproving look. “Eurydice, language.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Mother.” Callisto flops back on the couch and glares. “We’re well past language. And Eurydice is right: Psyche and Eros should get out of here.” She narrows her eyes. “Frankly, we all should.”

Mother shakes her head. “Not all of us.” She suddenly looks every inch of her fifty-three years. “I will admit to misstepping with Circe. I didn’t realize the depth of her rage, and even if I had, I don’t know what other choice there was to make. Hiding in the lower city is a bandage and not even a good one. That barrier will fall, the same way the external one did. We were ill prepared for any of this, and at least a portion of that responsibility rests with me as Demeter.”

I lean forward as well as I can. “What are you saying?”

“There’s no going back, darlings. I don’t know what the future of Olympus looks like, only that it won’t have the Thirteen in it. I don’t like the methods of anyone involved, but the people have spoken.”

“Not all the people,” I cut in. “The lower city is perfectly happy with how things are currently.”