It was strange to go to new places and see your face, or at least something like it everywhere. Each town Cain and I went to had some level of Empress influence. My abilities varied, from simply being blessed by Gaia to already familiar God Killer tales. One of the villages was creating a statue in the Empress' honour as a way to earn her protection and ward off those like Dionysus. I didn't know where Deimos and Kara were, and while I did care, there were still other things we had to focus on. Now we weren't really hiding like earlier, we moved fast and got what we could before moving on. It was draining and my brain felt like it was finally ready to explode as we came to another village. Now would be a good time to be in the statue making business and the Empress was definitely the new trend.

"I don't blame you for hating me back then." I understood so much more of the past already and Kara's words from our last big argument floated around in my mind as we stood in front of another altar structure that was near completion. "Kara said it best. I really do, did, am? haunting both of you when you sit on that throne. You did so much, but it wasn't enough. She's doing the same and now this. Am I going to lose her?"

"No. You're not who is haunting her, and I never hated you. She doesn't either."

"There's a fine line between love and hate." I sigh as we leave it behind.

"Last one, I think we've gone far enough down this path. We'll release the Harpy, see what else her sisters have to say and go from there." Cain held my hand as we slowly walked down the street, the final stop just ahead as I saw the hotel signage around the front of the building.

Drunk people loved to talk, and while most of what we heard was the same if it was Hecate out on an Empress PR circuit. There was no denying how busy she had been to the point I wasn't even sure if she was working alone. The worst-case would be it wasn't her, which meant there was someone else out there doing this and I didn't really want to explore that option. It felt like a lot more work and wasting time we didn't have. Just like how this whole day had turned out.

We hadn't gone far, but something felt different here that made me be even more aware of our surroundings. Despite keeping my head down, everyone looked at me in a way they hadn't everywhere else. It was as if they saw through the disguises and knew who we were. They purposefully left a space around us, yet came closer. Smiles replaced the seriousness of earlier, and glancing behind, people stopped whatever they were doing to huddle up into groups to point and whisper.

"We're not staying here." Cain decided a second after I was about to question what was going on, when a familiar face came running out onto the street.

The woman looked around desperately before seeing us.

"Oh shit."

"That's the girl that led you to the Harpy attack." Cain pointed out.

"This is her hometown." Looking around now, the crowds didn't continue to terribly hide their excitement or interest and neither did Yasmin as she skidded to a stop in front of us. "Oh, big, big, shit."

She was on the floor instantly, curled into herself as she stretched her arms out as if we were able to conduct a yoga class, and not whatever we'd just walked into. Yasmin begged for forgiveness, told us at least a million times to take her life for the one nearly lost because of her betrayal and then somewhere at the end of it, she invited us to dinner.

"Yasmin, get up. We're not here to kill you." Cain snorted, and glaring at him, he pretended not to notice.

Slowly she rose, oblivious to the crowd. Her eyes were glossy with tears and I noticed all the dirt now smeared on her face; she really must have been giving it her all down there. I wasn't sure if having her stand was better or worse as now she seemed to tremble all over and my words earned a cheer as well as a heap of clapping from the audience that was only growing.

This was just getting better and better.

"Then why are you here?" She asked, sounding completely confused before something clicked in her mind and she nodded, a look of understanding now on her face. "You got them, didn't you?"

"Got what?"

"This way." She instructed. Yasmin kept her head up, walking proudly in front of us as we followed behind. We left the town, heading down a path to a small farm site. "After everything, I wanted to make it up to you, but I had no way to do so. When I was told of the one of the light nearly dying, but of course, that you saved him, I knew what needed to be done and it was just as she said."

"As who said?" I asked hesitantly.

"The Prophet."

Well, today was just a gift that kept on giving. "Did she happen to give you any other name?"

"No, but she gave me this." Yasmin pulled a small piece of paper from her apron pocket. "I recognised you instantly. I know you didn't tell me who you really were, but once the Prophet came and it was you she spoke of, I had to tell everyone. You don't know how you've already changed our lives."

"Fuck." I handed it over to Cain.

Just like the tarot card, I sat on a throne, looking rather happy and pregnant but I didn't hold a snake-like stick, I had my sword. Instead of fields of oats or whatever, it was a red battlefield and the other object in my hand was the Wheel. Disguise or not, if this had been getting passed around, no wonder we suddenly had a cheer squad following our every move. Whatever Yasmin had been spruiking probably didn't help either.

"Do you get the message now?" Cain muttered, tucking the paper into his back pocket much to the horror of Yasmin yet she said nothing to him.

"I might need to read more of my tarot book."

A loud screeching sound made us all jump before Yasmin laughed it off and kept walking. I eyed the forest to our right and rows of dead grapevines to our left before saying a little prayer, we weren't about to find what I think she was taking us to see. Of course, that's exactly what we found as we cleared the vines and in the clearing of the next paddock over, four large cages had been set up, with another similar to a round pen people exercised and trained their horses in. This one was enclosed, and as we went over, the shouts from the men in there were not because of a wild horse they were attempting to break in. No, those kinds of screams were not from a horse, or something completely human.

"You're hunting the Harpy." I went up to the fence, Cain right behind me. "The Prophet told you to do this?"

"No. She said the Queen was chosen by you, to watch over us. So to honour you, through her, what better way to do so than capture your enemies?" Yasmin smiled, looking proud of herself.

"These are not my enemies. They are no different to you. Used by the Furies to do their dirty work. This ends. Now." I order, banging on the gate. "Stop. All of you!"

No one stops, ignoring us as they turn their backs our way and continue to tie down the Harpy. Too bad I had an answer for that, and their attention was only focused on me a second later when I stood in front of them, each one in my hold.

"I said, stop." The second I release them, they run for the exit and I don't know what Yasmin tells them as Cain appears beside me. "We're here to help, okay? Please don't attack."

I untie the gag from her face first, and Cain does her feet while I do her wings or arms, well, winged arms. Cuts and bruises cover her skin and red streaks paint her grey feathers. As she stands, she doesn't instantly flee but instead tilts her head slightly as she looks us over with that bird-like curiosity.

"Why are you helping me?"

"Because I'm the reason they're doing this," I admit, making her step back. "I'm sorry. I never asked for it. I don't want it."

"I don't even know who you are."

"Empress!" Yasmin called out, and we all turned to see her running over.

"I haven't heard of an Empress before." The Harpy practically hisses, before raising her wings and doing it again at Yasmin. Her message was clear; back the fuck off. "What trick is this?"

"No trick. Are you hurt?" I ask, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Nothing that won't heal. These men are weak, using their poisons in our water to capture us." She growled. "I am not their first, I saw others of my kind being carted off when I arrived."

This was the day that just kept on giving.

"That won't happen anymore either. I promise, and I'm so sorry." I look at Yasmin. "She will make sure it all stops now, won't you Yasmin?"

"Of course, Empress. It is my honour to serve you." She bows and then runs off to the others.

Our crowd is growing now, as apparently, the village wants to come and see the action. Too bad they're going to be very disappointed at how this turns out.

"You control these mortals, Power?" The Harpy glares at me.

"Not on purpose or how you think." This seems to confuse her.

"What can you tell us of the Furies?" Cain asks.

"I have not heard of them, just as I have not heard of you, Empress?" The Harpy frowns. "I live not far from here, in the mountains. My flock is small, and we prefer the cold which my kind are not known to favour."

Cain nods as if he expected that answer; glad one of us did.

"If what you say is true, am I free to leave? My mate will be searching for me. I've been gone for days." She practically begs.

"Yes, of course." I can't stop the disappointment that she was a dead-end, but I was glad we got here in time for her to even return home.

Instantly the cage around us vanishes, and the others we'd passed in the yard and gone too. Looking at Cain, he winks before we both watch the Harpy suddenly take off. I don't move until I can't see her in the sky anymore while wishing all our problems were this easy to solve.

"I don't know what to do now." I look at Cain for answers I'm not sure even he has.

I'm not expecting Kara and Deimos to appear. The surprise on their face as they look around says enough only I'm not sure if I'm happy to see them back or if this is just going to be something else I have no idea what to do about.

"What did we just miss?" Kara asks, her eyes widening at the stampede coming this way. "What is that all about?"

"This is Yasmin's hometown, the one who set us up and I made you spare her life." I sigh. "Starting to regret that decision as from what we can tell, they're the ones behind the Harpy Hunting. We just set one free, there doesn't seem to be any more here."

"Oh. The sisters didn't lie last night then. I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not," Kara says softly. "I'm sorry for leaving like that. I just, anytime I think I'm okay about her, things like that come up and I shut down. It used to be Odin, but I've faced my demons as far as he is concerned. I hate that I still give her that power over me."

I can easily remember a few times when that had been the case with Odin and I'd used it against her too during an argument when we were both drunk on mead and took out our own anger and issues on one another. I had used Odin to make sure I cut deep, hitting Kara where I knew it hurt the most. Now it was Hecate that created an easy target when it came to Kara's weaknesses.

"I get it." We hugged, and as we did, it wasn't the first time that I wished that I could fix this for her. "You understand I never do any of this on purpose, right?"

"I do, it's just easy for me to forget that when it hurts so much." She admitted. "I'm sorry. I need to do better when it comes to her. To make it even better, I've also got some bad news. We did a bit more asking around downstairs, and I managed to find the right price for the old woman to talk. Apparently, there's someone going around calling themselves The Prophet, spreading all this stuff about you and your new alter ego."

"I'm starting to wonder if it was all Dionysus or if these people just drink whatever Kool-Aid is offered to them," I look at my group for some kind of answer, despite the approaching mob which is clearly evidence enough. "Do we think the Prophet is Hecate? Could she be spelling them or something to fall for this?"

"It's possible but unlikely." Cain shrugged, his eyes glued to the people coming.

I wasn't sure what they were expecting or planning on doing when they got here, and I got a clear feeling none of us did. Yet we stayed put in the middle of the arena, exposed and ready for anything.

"They're desperate people. Forgotten and now they have a light to guide them out of the dark.." Deimos added thoughtfully. "If I told you there was someone who could solve all your problems, fix all of this, and all you had to do was be loyal to their cause, which actually benefited you as it would also involve destroying your enemies, would you take it?"

"I kind of did when we went on the Hecate hunt and into the Crossroads. I thought she was the miracle I needed and had been looking for." I told him, unable to hide my regret. "I see your point."

"When Eris went on her recruiting spree, everything she said and did appeal to my brother because it was everything he wanted to hear. When he tried to sway me to join The Prophet, details were sketchy but he knew what to say to get my interest. Thankfully, I was past that need for making those around me suffer and the power that came from that otherwise I could have as easily joined their cause."

Hecate, if it was her, wasn't selling things in the same way as the last one to take the name. There was no talk of a new empire rising from a fallen one, no promises of death to the leaders. Nothing that screamed anarchy and chaos. All she seemed to tell the people was that they were being seen, heard and change was on its way. The bits in between were created by the people, like Yasmin, to make the narrative what they needed it to be. I wasn't sure what the point of it all was, but there had to be one.

"I don't think this is quite the same as that?" I point out.

"In the broader sense of the matter, there are always two sides. A balance. It's never as simple as right and wrong. Back then, whether you wanted to or not, when the Prophet called, the God Killer answered. You couldn't ignore it"

"Obviously. The bitch was trying to kill me." I saw Cain flinch, but left it at that.

"It was more than simply you and her." Deimos stopped like he wasn't sure what else to say.

"You do not see yourself as a hero, and the God Killer was never intended to be one." Cain threw into the mix as he shared a look with Deimos as he picked up what Deimos was putting down quicker than I was. "The God Killer was created when she was needed. A reminder to the ones who thought themselves invincible that they now had something to fear. There was someone prepared to face them, who wouldn't stand by while they did whatever the fuck they wanted."

"Sounds like the Furies. Isn't that technically what they are doing to me?"

"No. Their motives are driven by selfishness. They want complete and total control, which you are in the way of. Like the last Prophet. That's not you." Deimos said softly.

"And apparently the Fates," I mumbled, thinking of my dream vision.

"It is all making a lot more sense now." Kara agreed, looking more like herself than I'd seen in a while.

Her eyes lit up with understanding, as she stood tall and determined, facing our incoming visitors. I could hear them talking, and laughing, a rush of soft footsteps in the dirt as they came past the dead vines.

"Then what am I not understanding?" I demanded.

"You've been lost since you gave everything up, Elise. Hecate is finally revealing who is on the inside. You just need to accept it, exactly how you did the God Killer." Kara took a deep breath. "I don't think the Fates were the only one with an end game in mind as far as you're concerned. For real change to happen and for it to last, as well as defeating the Furies, the God Killer can't do it on her own. Don't fight it, don't ignore it. You know it only gets worse the more you do. It's time to answer the call, as you always will."

"The God Killer has never done anything on her own." I point out. "Each time, I've had our friends with me. We burn brighter as one as Hecate also keeps reminding us."

"You're not seeing it," Deimos groaned, suddenly holding the storybook they got back at the first pub and throwing it at my feet. "Forget the past as all it's good for now is bedtime stories for children. This isn't about the God Killer Queen. About Kara. All of this is for you, and what happens next."

"You are what brings us all together, Elise. You make the impossible happen." I barely heard Kara as she put her hand on my arm and squeezed it. "It's why you have a demon as a pet, befriending creatures you were created to kill. You see the ones no one else does, listen when others are deaf. The Valkyrie welcomed you as if you were a long lost sister and pledged their allegiance in this battle. They don't do that. Ever. You have tribes of the original wolves at your command. Nothing you do or have done was because you are the God Killer. It's because you are you. You are the Empress."

I stepped back from her as she dropped to one knee, head down. Despite the noise of the crowd that was barely being held back from the old fencing of the pen, they seemed to sense something was happening out here with us and everything went quiet - their march ending.

"What are you doing?" I whispered at Kara, moving to make her stand only she held me back as Deimos suddenly did the same.

They weren't disguised anymore. Deimos went back to his usual dark and menacing look, while Kara slipped into full Queen mode. The gasps were unmistakable.

"I gladly kneel before you, as your friend, your ally, and your vessel." Kara declared, loudly.

This wasn't happening.

"Get up!" I urged, the people not staying back now and they came rushing towards us. Before I could stop him, Cain did the same. "Oh for fucks sake!"

The three didn't move as the crowd gained on us and just as I was about to stop them before they could trample the three idiots in front of me, they slowed and all moved into place like a perfectly choreographed flash mob. It wasn't being done by any kind of power and the people adopted the same position as my friends. Thankfully, this did make them finally stand and none of them looked surprised at this change of events. This time when Kara touched my arm, I lost my disguise. The gown she put me in was similar to hers in a rich purple, only mine sat off my shoulders and had a cut that made the fabric of the skirt frame my baby bump.

"The hunting of the Harpy's is outlawed. Any caught doing this illegal act will be severely punished." Kara declared. "This is a direct order from your Queen, as requested by your Empress."

A murmur of whispers erupted. A few people were crying, most were just excited and a hint of fear came from all of them. Slowly they all faded away and with Deimos beside me, I could tell he felt it too. He was tense, cautious; my bodyguard. When scared, people were unpredictable and I inched closer to him on instinct. I felt numb all over. The more they looked at me, the more out of control I felt.

Their questions came at Kara hard and fast, Cain's voice occasionally forcing me back to this new odd world I suddenly found myself in. They told the stories we'd heard today, confirmed the details and made the promises.

Spread the word.

The Empress is here.

Information on the Furies would be rewarded.

"What is happening?" I asked Deimos.

"What will be, little Phoenix. Rise, and rise again." I stared at Deimos in shock, as he stared right back at me. "Are you alright?"

"What did you just say?"

"Are you alright?" He sounded confused, and he wasn't the only one.

"You called me phoenix," I stopped as beyond Deimos I saw Hecate looking every part the wild woman we'd seen in the Crossroads.

She was here.

Hecate took a bow, every inch of it theatrical as she swung her arms out to the side and dipped; once, twice, three times.

Then she was gone.

"No, I didn't?" Deimos looked around even more confused. "Elise, should we go. If you need to rest-"

"The vines!" Someone shouted, and we all looked towards the dead rows of sticks and weeds. "Look at the vines!"

"Oh, fuck." I whispered, moving as they all did until Cain stopped me. "What is happening?"

"I'm not sure." His answer didn't help.

The four of us watched them run, abandoning us to see for themselves as fire raced along the length of the vineyard and in its wake, leaves began to grow and bloom from the ashes on now strong vines. As the light began to fade away completely, there was no denying the new life appearing all around. The bushes were lush and green, spindly branches of tiny flowers expanding out as they soon grew heavy under the weight of the grapes.

"The Empress has blessed us!" Someone cried.

"No, she did not!" I yelled back, fighting Cain to let me go.

"It doesn't matter. They will think what they want." Kara stopped me as Cain finally released his hold. "And no one is listening now. The best thing we can do is leave, and work out what to do next. This is only going to take those stories to the next level and that means they're more likely to help us, especially if the Furies are lurking around in these parts."

"No. Nothing about this feels right."

We all looked at each other, and before Cain could stop me again, I left. Standing on the pier where we'd first arrived, I found myself in the middle of a new mob; the cheers and excitement echoing along the water as full nets were being hauled in. As those near me seemed to notice my arrival, they all went silent and slowly they formed a circle around me.

"It's her." A girl pointed at me. "The one from the book."

"The Prophet said she'd come when we needed her."

"We are blessed."

"It's the Empress."

I couldn't breathe and trying to focus on one face, on one thing to find something to centre myself with failed as they dared to creep closer, all blurring together as the roar of my heartbeat drowned out the whispers and voices.

"Thank you." The pointing girl stepped closer, and slowly she came into focus as she did a curtsey. "This. This will feed us for weeks. Do you know what you've done?"

"No. I didn't- I haven't-" I stuttered.

"Powers have never helped us before." Someone growled behind me.

"They don't get involved in our business." Another man agreed.

"She isn't a Power. Not like the others." The girl argued, her voice rising as she shouted at them.

"They're all the same. This will cost us, mark my words!"

I didn't know who was doing this, and while I suspected Hecate I couldn't be sure. Would there be a price for these people to pay for this twist in their fates?

If I told them they would be fine, would it be a lie?

"Give thanks, or reject your good fortune. Tell your wives and children they sleep hungry because a Power showed mercy and you walked away." Cain's arrival had them all stepping back as another boat pulled up. He took my hand, guiding me closer to him. "I've got you."

"I thought it would be like before, but this. This is, I can't deal with it." I told him, barely able to whisper as I felt my throat closing up. My mouth was dry, and for a second I struggled to swallow which only made me panic more. "It's too much."

We're suddenly back in the main hall where Kara is pacing and Deimos is casually sitting on the edge of the table as if it was just another day. I look at them, swaying slightly which has Kara rushing forward, yet Deimos holds her back. Cain's voice is the light in the dark as my vision clouds with black spots and each breath feels like fire in my lungs.

"Elle, just look at me. I'm here. I've got you." I try to hold his hands, but mine are shaking too hard. "In and out."

I don't know how long it takes but somehow I start to feel lighter, I can see clearly and now I hold onto Cain as if my life depended on it. Piece by piece, everything starts to take shape, blurs turn in people and as I finally let him go, I take a second. Keeping my eyes clothes I breathe slowly and deeply, forcing myself into the moment. I'm sitting on the stairs, Kara, Deimos and Apollo are lurking nearby and everything comes flooding back nearly sending me back over the edge.

"Why did she do this?" I ask him.

"I don't know."

Kara comes closer, her face filled with worry. "Are you alright?"

"No." I slowly stood up, ditching the gown and stretching. "Hecate was there, with the vines. I saw her."

"Guess we don't need to question who is behind it all then." Apollo frowns, clearly caught up with our latest adventure. "I thought she was on our side?"

"I don't think she has a side." Deimos answers thoughtfully.

Because I can't help myself, I risk looking at Kara but she looks as passive and thoughtful as Deimos at this mention of her mother. How much simpler could it all be if she had a good relationship with her? Mum and I could easily spend a few months with Richard, but at the end of the day, I've never had to question her love or motives. If she was doing this, one look and I'd be able to know where I stood with her and where her head was at. Hecate was not like my mother.

"While she is a lot of things, I don't think she is the enemy either." Kara shrugs.

"She's no different to the Fates," I decide. "They really are all playing the same game, focused on a vision they never should have had. I still believe she is the fourth. Why else would they fear her? How else would she know what they do? The Furies were right, the four used their gift in a way it was not intended. The power of this corrupted them all. We know what the Fates saw, the life they had planned for me, but we have no idea what Hecate did. I've been doing what she wants this whole time, following the promise of being happy one day. I really am a fucking naive, young idiot."

"The Furies were right?" Apollo laughs, though it sounds more like an attempt to keep calm. "How did you get to that little revelation?"

"I had a dream, vision, thing. I wanted to ignore it, but I think that was their whole point." I feel dizzy again, and sit down in the chair beside Deimos. "They said the only way to be free is to kill the Fates and the Fourth."

"The irony of that coming from them." Kara snorted, and Deimos nodded.

"If I did, our lives would become our own for the first time, well, ever."

"You'd become their pawn instead, not forgetting they are also preparing to go into battle with you at some stage." Apollo pointed out. "We've questioned the Fates for a while now, even at Pennys' wedding they had ample time to attack, to make their move. I don't think they want to hurt you?"

"And yet the Furies are only here, why?" Kara reminded him.

"Nieve acted alone." I throwback into the mix.

"They are one and the same, so her acting out like that makes it hard to trust any of them." Deimos complicates everything further. "Even if they've missed plenty of other opportunities to strike. Maybe killing all of them is the solution?"

"That's dark." Apollo didn't sound like he disagreed though.

"Killing them all, would also include Portia," Cain said from behind me, and I also knew that only mattered to us. Deimos said it already, they are one and the same to everyone else. "You are not a naive idiot. They've just had a lot more time to process this than we all have."

"He's right. So, let's drop the kill or be killed thinking for the time being as far as the Fates and Hecate are concerned. I think we should keep playing along until we can work out exactly what the end game is here." Kara started to pace again, and my head is pounding now.

Closing my eyes, Cain's presence is as strong at my side as his scent and looking up, he's there, leaning around the side of the chair. I smell the garlic and bacon and my mouth is watering. He motions to the table and looking there now, one of my favourite omelettes is sitting on the plate.

"You've hardly eaten all day." He says quietly, before standing up and looking at everyone. "Leave us."

No one argues or says another word, they just all leave. Simple. Easy. I'm already eating as he sits, pulling his chair closer to mine. Another omelette appears, and we eat in silence.

"I had a different idea on how this would all go today," I admit, pushing the plate away as I was completely full. "Standing with those people as Hecate did whatever she did, it didn't feel right. I was half expecting the fish to be poisonous or the grapes to explode in their faces. Plus, I felt like, well I still feel as though I am drowning in all this Empress bullshit, If you hadn't got there when you did I don't know what would have happened. I shut down. How is someone like me supposed to be what they want? I can't be. Especially not now."

"You can't be what they want, in the same way, Kara will never be their God Killer Queen they rioted and prayed for when I took the throne. Fact and fiction will blur, as it does with any of us. Ignore the tales Hecate put out there. They aren't real, and the deity they are set on worshipping isn't you."

I catch the tattoos on the underside of my forearm and run a finger over the three moons and then Reeces' name.

"The Magician said it would be next level. What do you think will happen now?" I looked at him for answers I wasn't sure he had, yet Cain didn't look phased by my question and sat back in his chair as if he'd been waiting for me to ask.

"Hades has taken Hermes to the other realm, to see what he can find out. I'm preparing for more attacks as they get desperate and break rank. The Furies will need to move things along faster now to keep ahead of it, but they're not ready. This move by Hecate will ensure they have nowhere to hide, Kara was right. The people will be on our side now, well yours. Look how they turned on the Harpys."

"Fuck. The Harpy, I completely forgot about her," I groaned, hanging my head in my hands. "Can one of my new Empress powers be the ability to have like three of me running around getting things done?"

"Imagine that." I looked up as Cain winked at me. "But seriously, it can wait. You need to rest, don't think I missed the fact you nearly fainted before either. Why do you think I kept ordering food everywhere we went and making you sit down?"

"I didn't notice," I admit. "Thank you for looking after me, but I can't stop now. Mostly because I don't think I'll be able to keep going once I do, but also because this needs to be over. They need their sister back, and we need their information. The Harpy has suffered enough, so I will manage to get through this. Resting can wait."

"Wow, so it's just as boring here as it is back home. You should really rest though, Mum will want you to be looking after yourself and if she knew you-" Jordan coughs, a strangled gasp following and in the time it takes to process I didn't imagine his voice.

Turning to look back at Cain, he's already gone and spinning around, it's because he now has Jordan pinned against the wall. This can't be real, and for the millionth time today, my brain can't handle what I'm actually seeing.

My brother is here, in this world.

"Bit. Hell. El-" The words are broken, and the reality of the moment hits as the shock passes.

He can't breathe.

Jordan looks at me, struggling to get the words out just as Cain releases him. I'm already there as he stumbles forward. His hands guard his throat as he coughs, too busy trying to get more air into his body to even look at us. I pat his back as he stays hunched over, and looking at Cain he just shrugs.

"How are you here?" Cain asked cautiously.

It takes him a few more minutes before he finally talks.

"I was bored. I may be a little drunk. Eric dared me to and I have this ring from when we went to that arena place so decided why not give it a go and come visit." He shrugged. "Was that not okay? This isn't the welcome I was expecting to be honest."

I facepalm at that and shake my head. "The way things are at the moment, you could have been anyone. Do you not remember the whole fiasco over the other me that was going around causing trouble? That was not even a week ago!"

"Oh. Right." Jordan looked at his feet, before seeming to get over any regret or give himself a chance to process what I just said. "This place is nice. Wow! I'd never leave if I knew this is what it was like. Ellie, this is fucking Olympus. Home of the Gods! Are there servants, or do you just, magic whatever you want? Is that Kara's throne?"

Cain and I watched Jordan run over to it and then closely inspect the craftsmanship of the chair in some weird twist of events I did not see coming. He slowly sat down, tense and anxiously looking around as if he was expecting it to be booby-trapped before relaxing when nothing happened.

"I'm so going to kick Eric's ass for putting this idea in his head."

"You're not happy to see your big brother?" I decided then and there I hated sarcasm when it came from Cain. "Your reaction to all this was much more, civilised."

"I had Zeus and Hera glaring back at me my first time, while also cursing every step Apollo took. If I hadn't been so preoccupied I probably would have been worse."

"That's true." He agreed, making me slap his arm. "What?"

"Jordan, visiting hours are over. Go home." I ordered, standing in front of him. I got the odd feeling of what it must have always been like for Dad as he only laughed.

"You're kidding? I just got here. Show me around. Please? I can hang with Apollo and the crew. Artemis is alright. I think Hermes likes me, sometimes?"

"Avoid Artemis in case she decides to invoke sibling wars," I warned, ignoring the confused look on his face. "Jord, it's too dangerous right now and I have stuff I need to do."

"If this is Kara's like throne room, where is she? Oh, my gods, can I say that? Nevermind. can I meet Aphrodite?" He asked though he was suddenly drifting off as he caught a glimpse of the roof.

"Focus Jordan!" I clicked my fingers in front of his face, earning his attention back. "This isn't a holiday to the Greek Islands. All that bad shit I deal with at home? It comes from here. A lot of bad, or at least morally grey people out here, want to kill me or use me or something me, like all of the time and it has been the longest day in history. I am tired, my hips hurt, there's a Harpy in the dungeon I need to deal with and all I actually want to do is drink a litre of tequila and forget it all, not also add you being here into the mix!"

"Okay. I'm sorry. I get it. Bad timing. I'll go."

"I'm sorry too. I'm glad to see you, I am, and I'll organise it for another time." I promise.

"I get it. I mean, it's not like I've ever been doing something that I didn't want you to tag along with. Remember that Christmas break when I was seventeen and CJ and I was going to go check out that new nightclub a few Slayers put together and you followed us."

"I remember those clubs," Cain added thoughtfully. "They had such a nice wine list, which was odd considering."

"Not helping." I sigh. "What about it? We all got caught by Dad before we got there?"

"Yeah, but we blamed you and he really thought it had been your idea to go." Jordan laughed. "Mum was even angrier, not because of what we were doing, but because we hadn't invited you to tag along in the first place. She was more concerned about family bonding than what we were actually doing."

"This is why I have a therapist." Words left me as I recognised that look on his face as he started to walk towards the stairs. It was the one he used anytime I was about to get the blame for something that he'd done or was about to do. "Do your worst. This lump here, is my get out jail free card with Mum until forever."

Cain groaned. "I should just make him unconscious and dump the body on Eric's bed."

"Good Plan B."

"That lump is exactly why she'll be horrified and coming here herself if I go back and tell her what I heard and what you told me. Not resting. Eating. You need to look after yourself Elise." He smirked.

"You wouldn't!"

"What's a Harpy?" He asked, stopping his walk back to the portal.

I walk closer to Jordan and can tell he knows he's won this round. "Fine. Stay. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast you're going home. No arguments and no bringing Mum into any of this."

Some super powerful Empress I turned out to be.

"Agreed." We shake on it.

"He's coming with us isn't he?" Cain mumbled, the roughness to his voice enough to tell me he was not agreeing to any of this as I went back over to him.

"Call it Plan C. Let's go deal with the Harpy."