Walking into the main hall, Apollo and Deimos stood to one side of the room looking like someone had just killed their puppy, which couldn't be a good thing. Hermes and Ares were in full argument mode, the shouting instantly stopping as they noticed us heading their way.

"Well none of this is giving me any warm and fuzzies," I greeted, looking to Apollo. "What did we miss?"

"Kara-" He started, before Ares stepped away from Hermes, blocking Apollo from view.

"The Queen has not returned. Artemis is unaccounted for. Two of her huntresses were found unconscious not far from the target location. There are reports of suspicious activity in the area and-" Ares sounded like he was in a war movie debriefing his boss. The tense posture and even more intense way he seemed to focus on Cain's chest only clarified that was exactly what was happening as he refused to make eye contact.

"Maybe you should just go see for yourself," Hermes spoke up, making Ares grind his teeth yet he didn't respond as I expected him to. "It's probably just some kind of ward, blocking the area which is why we can't sense Art and Kara."

"You think it's a trap?" Cain asked Ares.

"I do." He nodded. "We need to have a strategy and at least some foresight on what we are walking into. It's common fucking sense."

"I agree." Hermes rolled his eyes as we stopped walking. "What do you suggest then Hermes?"

"We wait and give Art and Kara time to sort it out. They said they'd be back, and-"

Something in the way he said that made my stomach flip. "Two unconscious hunters, Hermes."

"Huntresses." He corrected me. "And they're fine, sleeping now. If it was something bad, do you think they'd be left alive? Kara wasn't concerned. Do you not have faith in your Queen?"

I glared at him, and he appeared to back off as he held up his hands innocently. "Just saying. You want to make it clear who is in charge here, then let her fight her own battles without rushing in to save the day."

Hermes slowly inched away as he spoke, and if not for the arrogance in his voice it would be easy to think he meant well. Staring at him now, his eyes narrowed and the challenge was still there. No wonder Hades had beat the crap out of him, I wanted to as well.

"What about you two?" I look to Apollo and Deimos.

"I don't doubt Kara's ability to look after herself." Deimos frowned. "I also agree with Ares. It's been too long with no contact."

"I can always sense Art in some way, it's a twin thing. I can't feel anything." Apollos worry made me worry.

"Fuck strategy. I'm going to go find my friends," I decided as Cain grabbed my arm. "Do you want to waste more time talking about it?"

"No, I was going to say take Apollo and Deimos with you. Ares put a team together immediately for backup and get out there."

"Understood." Ares disappeared instantly.

"What about me?" Hermes asked, sounding like the left-out child that no one wanted on their team. "And why is he now making all the decisions?"

"Because this is better than your idea of, let's leave them and see what happens." I snapped at him, well aware of just how he hoped this would go. From that time in the arena, the team Cain flag had never been more obvious. Maybe he and Ares could make a fan club. "If anything has happened to them, I will make what Hades did to you feel like a cuddle."

Now Hermes backed down.

"Are you sure you want her to go?" Apollo came closer, his question directed to Cain. "She was kidnapped barely a day ago."

"I'm aware."

"What if the Furies are there, you're just going to let her be handed over to them? You need to make her stay here."

Cain went still, almost as if he hadn't thought that was a possibility. Only before I could argue that he couldn't take Apollo seriously, he started talking.

"That's a risk no matter where we go, or what we do until they are stopped. Elise is also right here, so I am sure she has noted your concerns. I've told you before, I do not let, force, or tell her to do anything and besides, staying here worked out well last time didn't it? Barely a day ago, she was kidnapped."

If I didn't already, now would be when I realised how much I loved him.

Apollo and Cain stared at each for a few seconds, before Apollo closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose in a move that was so Cain like I was tempted to point it out. Now wasn't the time, and with whatever that was resolved, Deimos came closer.

"Shall we go?" Deimos asked, joining the party.

"Wait, what are you doing?" I let Cain tug me closer now, and looking up at him he smiled.

"Hermes and I will be there in a sec, I just want to check something out first." His cheek pressed against mine as he whispered in my ear. "If anything feels wrong, get the fuck out of there. Stay safe, Elle. Promise."

"You first." I felt him groan as I kissed his jaw. "I don't even know what you're doing. Should I let you go without me? Maybe you need Deimos and Apollo."

"You have nothing to worry about. Promise."

"Fine. I promise. That I'll try."

He smirked as he leaned back. "I'll take it. Go."

Turning back to Deimos and Apollo, the pair stopped whatever they were whispering about and looked beyond me at Cain as if expecting him to change his mind or say something. Instead, Hermes stood up and looking over my shoulder, Cain was pointing at him.

"Come on. This won't take long."

"So, where are we going?" I ask them as the other two disappeared.

Deimos held out his hand, and I took it. "Shall we?"

"Bunny, I don't like this," Apollo warned.

"I know, but you never do."

Apollo is still grumbling about being reckless as we leave the palace behind and instead are in a forest. It smells damp and sour like something is rotting nearby and smoke hangs in the air like a mist. I rub my nose, not enjoying anything about what I'm breathing in and Deimos elbows Apollo before holding a finger to his mouth. I nudge Apollo too, mimicking Deimos which only makes him roll his eyes and as Deimos starts to walk, Apollo forces me to walk behind him while he follows.

"I don't sense anything here?" I close my eyes as Deimos pauses, letting my powers spread out over the land. It's just the three of us. "Is this where they found the Huntresses?"

"Yes, and you're right. I'm not feeling anything." Deimos trademark frown deepens. "It was just up here."

"Who found them?" It was something no one mentioned.

"Others of their kind. Artemis has sent out four separate groups, the ones who found them also sensed no foul play. It was almost as if they all just went to sleep and now can't be woken."

"Any evil stepmothers in the equation? Witch? Has Sleeping Beauty all over it."

"Just try and take this seriously." Apollo scolded.

"I am!" Kind of.

Sure enough, you can see the imprint of what could easily be four bodies in the moss by a fallen tree. Deimos holds his hand over the space, a faint blur of darkness floating from it to the ground.

"Anything?" Apollo asked.

"No fear, no pain. Nothing. They either collapsed her of their own accord or they were taken by complete surprise. No other presence is felt, their team should have left some kind of signature to follow."

"Or they were dumped here." Looking around Apollo's frown matched Deimos, and as he tilted his head up to the sky it didn't get better. "This smoke is blocking everything from above. I can't even pick up on where the sun is, which means it's got power behind it and isn't natural. Something is hiding up there."

"Well, this is getting better and better." I sighed, trying to get paranoid as I looked up. "Where now then?"

Deimos pulled out his trusty old map and set it up in front of us. "If we keep going in this direction, we'll reach the village here."

"Let's go then in case whatever is around comes back." We walk in silence, the spooky forest aesthetic slowly grating on my nerves as any sound or glimpse of a shadow makes me tense and on edge. "Are you sure this is the way? Do you have a built-in GPS or something?"

"Or something," Deimos answered, and after a few moments of quiet I realised that's all he was going to say.

"Good chat."

The trees became even more spaced out, soon giving way to numerous paths and as we stepped onto what had to be the main road in these parts, it didn't look like it had been used for a while either. Fallen branches, loose rocks and even the odd abandoned wagon littered the path.

"Not much further." Deimos shared as we started to walk side by side rather than in a single formation.

"Do you think there will be somewhere to eat?" I wonder.

"No. It's essentially a ghost town." He focused ahead and went a little faster.

"You're quiet." Apollo wasn't one for conversation right now either.

"Thinking."

"About?"

"Stuff."

"I do that sometimes too." I saw the twitch of a smile as he kept his eyes on Deimos. "What were you two whispering about earlier?"

"The best way to get you the hell out if shit goes bad." He admitted.

"Has no one realised I can look out for myself? If you wanted to get technical, I've got a list of all the times I've managed on my own and-"

"Yeah I have a list too," Apollo snapped as he stopped walking. "I'll skip the first couple of pages and go with spending hours trying to get the gold out of your system after Cronus practically killed you. Digging you out of the hole Eris planted you in that time at the warehouse. Tell me, Elise, the fucking indestructible, do you think you'd be able to look after yourself so well if I hadn't fixed your broken ribs or punctured lungs. Speaking of Eris, do you know how much blood literally was on my hands when I got you off those fucking steps where again, you nearly died? To make it worse, this time there's another life involved and I don't know if I can save you, and the baby."

Deimos kept going and I didn't blame him. I wanted to as well.

"Apollo, I-"

"No." He shook his head. "I don't need your apology or sudden epiphany as you get my point. I'm not lying when I say I've always got your back, I do. I love you, I care about you. From the first time, I saw you and maybe that's what I'm here for. To be the devil on your shoulder reminding you how much of a bad fucking idea all these dangerous situations are you just blindly walk straight into. Every time. And my brother has no issue with any of this because you two are so fucking alike it drives me insane. The only upside is at least he had the tiniest hint at forward planning and made sure we had an out."

"You just called him your brother." I smiled at Apollo and after a second he shook his head. "Wait, forward planning?"

"That part you listen to." He groaned and started walking again. "Don't get mad. When he came here earlier, it was decided whatever happened today, from now on when you're here and for whatever reason, he isn't going to be with you, Deimos and I are always going to stick close by."

Well, I'd walked right into that one hadn't I. "Bodyguards."

"Pretty much."

"And you're both okay with that?" Ullr had managed to slip in and get the better of me. The Furies had shown up with little to no warning. Being alone wasn't ideal right now because he made a good point - there was another life involved now.

"Of course we are. Deimos cares about you too and he is still on the, I owe her my life, train. Your kidnapping never should have happened. He never should have gotten in undetected." I could feel his anger. "Are you okay with this or am I going to have to resort to more extreme measures to keep you with us now?"

"Yeah, I'm fine with it. I swear if he had asked Hermes I would have definitely done something stupid by now." That got a hint of a laugh from him. "I don't like being told what to do, and I am sorry that I am too selfish and stubborn, to see the bigger picture sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Now he smiled.

"Don't push it." He nudged me gently before throwing an arm over my shoulders as we walked together. Deimos looked back and I'm sure he turned away before we could see him smile, yet an uneasy sensation took over then as the back of my neck tingled. "Do you feel that?"

"Feel what?" Apollo asked cautiously, tugging me even closer. "Deimos?"

We regroup and while Apollo looks confused, Deimos is on alert. "We're being watched."

"No, hunted. We're surrounded." I decided, only reaching out with my powers there's still nothing to grab onto. "I can't find anything out there, but I feel it."

"Are you sure you're not being paranoid?" Apollo whispers, the pair of them surrounding me.

"She isn't," Deimos confirmed simply. "Brace yourself."

Holding up his hands, I watched the swirl of black escape his palms and like a nuclear bomb going off, the darkness instantly filled the space around us with a whoosh. Instinctively I leaned into Apollo, closing my eyes and preparing to be swallowed whole by Deimos's power. Nothing happened and slowly looking up at Apollo, he opened his eyes at the same time. Turning to Deimos, I could just see the outline of his body but whatever he was doing, he left us out of it.

"We're going." Apollo decided.

"No, not yet." I put my hand out, watching Deimos darkness swirl around my fingers. I could feel that cold, isolating, fear nipping at my skin, but it didn't bite. It did somewhere else though. "What is it?"

The screams were shrill and uncontrolled, whatever was out there hadn't stood a chance against Deimos. The pain that what or whoever out there was experiencing made my heart race as if I was experiencing it with them and with a grunt of effort, I turned in time to see Deimos pull it all back. He rolled his shoulders before stretching his arms again, an unmissable crack heard as he straightened his back.

"Now find them." It was an order and this time, I could feel them all. I wasn't wrong, they had surrounded us.

"Elise?" Apollo cautioned.

"It's fine. I'm not sensing any real powers, not like ours anyway." Plus they were all too destroyed by what Deimos had done to even contemplate any kind of resistance. "I don't think they're mortal though."

One by one they appeared as I had them wrapped up in my hold. They were lined up in front of us, eight in total and what a sight they were. Deimos' mouth dropped open as he took the creatures in, and Apollo was quick to pull me back as I took a curious step closer.

"Careful." He warned.

"Oh my god, are they Leprechauns?" I gasped.

"No, they're a hell of a lot worse." Apollo sighed. "You've got them?"

"Yeah. It's like they're half a centaur or something." Again I inched closer only to be stopped. "What are they?"

"Fauns?" Deimos guessed.

"No, Fauns are much more tolerable. They're, Satyr."

"From the look on his face, and possibly mine, you're going to have to do the dictionary explanation, and possibly use it in a sentence." I watch as Apollo does a quick search over each one, which looks awkward as anything as he tries not to actually touch them and stay out of reach. The small stash of golden weapons thrown at our feet explains why he didn't want me going near them. "That's a lot."

Deimos kicked the pile, sorting through them before they all disappeared. "More than I've ever seen anywhere apart from Rumpels."

"Satyrs' are the male equivalent of nymphs only nowhere as fun unless you've got a bit of a kink you want to explore. They're even worse than Incubus when it comes to sex because at least most of those demons have some kind of code." Apollo shrugged.

"Kinky little beasties." This time when I went closer, I wasn't stopped. "Yeah, I can safely say they have never even been on my radar for doing the deed with and won't be anytime soon."

The rotting smell from earlier seemed to be coming from these guys, with a side of an animal farm.

"Good to know." Apollo looked at Deimos. "How long will they be like this for?"

We all stood over them. Most had curled up into a foetal position; their legs were like a sheep or a goat, hairier and less woolly only on a larger level. Their torsos were human-like, covered in soot and ash, much like the mane of hair that extended down their backs. The horns that curled either side of their head were as impressive as horns could be.

"As long as it takes them to sift through their fears unless I help them." Deimos didn't sound like he wanted to help them.

"They do kind of look familiar though. Would I know what a faun is?"

"Unlikely," Apollo came to stand beside me as we studied them. "Um, how can I explain what they are to you, oh you know that cartoon Hercules?"

"Yes, and it's already been established that there are a lot of untruths in there. Example A, Hades. B, Hercules himself."

"Right. The little goat thing that trains him? That's a Satyr, and yeah. Lots of untruths there."

"Now you've said that I can see the resemblance in this one." I pointed out the older, balding one as the space around seemed to get lighter. Looking up, the smoke fog was starting to clear. "Think they've been hiding up there?"

"Makes sense. They usually adapt to some kind of element in nature, much like the nymphs."

"I thought they were extinct. How do you know so much?" Deimos asked curiously.

"Any kinks you want to share Apollo? This is a safe place." I taunted.

"I spent a few years with Artemis out in the wild, occasionally we'd still take out her new recruits to see how they'd fare. You'd be surprised what you'd find, especially in the abandoned regions like this."

"For an abandoned region, they seemed to be prepared for visitors." Deimos pointed out.

"Ease up on them D. I got them contained anyway." I decided, making sure I did as again, I felt lightheaded. "Let's see if they know where Kara and Art are."

Deimos closed his eyes and a few minutes later, each of the creatures stilled. No more wriggling around in agony or terror and the screams stopped too.

"Did you kill them?" Apollo asked, kicking at the nearest long tail that resembled a horse.

"No?" Deimos frowned.

"Oh wait, that might be me." Apparently, I held on too tightly, and as I eased up my own powers, the gasp and struggle to get standing and defend themselves was instant. "See, not dead. Sorry, um, Saturn, er Satyrs?"

Apollo nodded, and the largest of the group instantly met my gaze. He wasn't thrilled about his current predicament as he snorted and began to paw at the ground like he was one red flag away from charging at me. Too bad for him, he couldn't, but let him think he had a chance. I soon had all their focus, and I didn't think that was a good thing with the way they all bared their teeth, lowered their heads and prepared themselves to stampede.

"If you so much as even attempt to headbutt me right now, you're probably going to die or go back into my friends' version of your personal hell. So, some cooperation would be nice. Hi, I'm Elise." I smile.

The big guy's eyes actually turn red and as he makes a lunge to attack, he's down in the dirt even faster as I snap him back with an invisible tether.

"What do you want?" The one with the biggest horns growled.

"We're looking for the Queen and Artemis. They came out here a few hours ago, and have not yet returned back to the palace. We're the search party."

"We have no Queen. We do not know Artemis." Small horns smiled, and I got a very clear impression they weren't going to be helpful.

"The Lady of the Hunt." Apollo returned to my side, his skin glowing a little brighter now the fog was clearing. "My twin."

Recognition and then fear appeared on the creature's face. "She has not been here. Her females did not stay long, we were most disappointed."

I dared to look at Apollo who looked like I might have competition if there was a contest on who could rip these guys apart from the fastest. Upside, it made them more willing to talk but I also got the impression Apollo knew more about these things than he was letting us in on too. As much as I wanted to ask more about that, I didn't. I couldn't, as everything got a little shaky and I had to close my eyes as my vision began to spin.

Well, that's not good.

Thankfully it didn't last and hopefully, no one else noticed.

"I will cut off your horns, Lamis, and then use them to gut you by the ocean for Scylla to feast upon." I had no idea who Scylla was, but this was a dark side to Apollo I had never seen before. Plus he just confirmed he knew more than he'd told us since they were on a first-name basis. "Where is Artemis?"

"Dionysus has returned. There is a festival in town. If she's come this way, that is where she'll be." Lamis snapped his teeth towards Apollo as I felt the first tug of resistance against my hold on the group.

"Run. All of you. If I so much as smell one of your kind near us again, be warned the Dark King will know all your names." Apollo threatened. "You are in the presence of his mate. Your time left breathing is already limited."

Deimos groaned as I was now inspected with a different kind of interest. Noses were tilted my way as they huddled closer together. Lamis centred himself at the front of the herd, glaring at Apollo as he licked his teeth and puffed out his chest.

"He is dead, by the will of the God Killer. Your threats hold no power here."

"Wanna make a bet on that?" I saw him hesitate and tried to stay focused as I felt dizzy again. "Are we really letting them go?"

"They're mostly harmless," Apollo mumbled. "They helped Art and me when we fled during Eris's not so subtle takedown. Before we came across Baheela. For that, I owe them at least a head start. Besides, if Dionysus is nearby, we have much bigger things to worry about."

"Oh, the genie. Right." I sighed and released my hold on them, instantly feeling better after that, yet I saw how Deimos was poised and ready should any of them try anything. "Nice meeting you all."

I waved goodbye before heading to Deimos and felt Apollo on my heels.

"You just placed a new target on her back." Deimos snapped at Apollo as the creatures shuffled a little further away from us. "What were you thinking?"

"I was giving them a warning. Now they know the facts, what they do is up to them."

Deimos shook his head, still not agreeing with it and a second later we got our answer. The rumble of hooves made us turn around only before we could send out our powers to stop them, Cain appeared between us and stopped them all. He didn't even have to lift a finger as they saw him and literally fell over each other to avoid going any closer.

Except for Lemon, who put his head down and let out a roar as he charged. Cain didn't move, didn't even appear to flinch as the creature slammed into some kind of shield that was barely centimetres in front of him. The other Satyrs ran, some climbing trees with more ease than I'd ever expected and then they were gone except for their leader who I had a feeling wouldn't be getting back up. Ever.

"Nice timing," Apollo called.

"I thought Zeus had killed them all?" Cain mused as he joined us, and I instantly glued myself to his side. I wanted comfort, needed it. Something wasn't feeling right, only no one else seemed affected so maybe it was just me?

"Not all." Apollo shrugged. "No sign of them, but Dionysus is likely to be expecting us."

"I thought Hera had killed him after he ruined her surprise party?" Cain frowned.

"No, she just imprisoned him until he sobered up, which took nearly five years." That made me laugh. Only the three of them looked completely serious and I quickly stopped. "Hades had the biggest issues. Remember when he made himself look like him and caused all those problems with Demeter."

Cain nodded now. "So unless he has made some drastic changes, we can expect nothing less. I doubt Kara and Art would be with him. Even on a bad day, they greatly outpower him."

"If he caught them unaware," Deimos started walking, not finishing whatever it was he was going to say.

"I don't even know where to start with all of that, so I'm just going to smile and nod," I mumbled, walking between Cain and Apollo now as we followed Deimos; confident I was not going to faint or anything dramatic now. "Where's Hermes?"

"With Ares."

"Is that a good idea?" I half expected to go back to see the town painted with, Vote One Cain, posted everywhere.

"For now."

Apparently, that was the end of that conversation and it wasn't long before we began to hear music in the distance. Deimos had led us the right way after all, and I began to doubt it was a ghost town as the smells of garlic, onion and meat cooking found my nose.

"What's the deal with Dionysus?" I ask the trio. "He sounds harmless, but everyone seems super unhappy about him being here, especially you Apollo."

"Because I am." He huffed.

"Why?"

"He has no real power, at least when he's sober. Which I assure you, he never is." Apollo looked at Cain. "Something you would have in common with him, maybe not so much these days."

Cain didn't answer him, but if looks could kill our foursome would be down one. I slapped Apollo's arm in warning, which only made him shrug.

"Ironically, his power only kicks in when he drinks. He can see your inhibitions, whatever it is you try to hide. I believe he can mind read to a point, but essentially, his influences can bring out the best or worst in you. Much like when people drink." Cain explained, still glaring at Apollo.

"So, not so bad if you're a happy drunk, but if you turn into an emotional wreck, avoid this guy at all costs?" I ask, not sure what we were walking into now.

"Almost. He can also sway those feelings, play with your emotions. Get that D and M out of you at the end of the night or whatever else he may decide."

"Good thing I am not one of those deep and meaningful chats kind of girls. You know me, I drink until I pass out." I shrug.

"Oh, you are. Trust me on this." He smirked, but it didn't last as I looked at him. "You are also extremely emotional at the best of times, generally drink to numb your feelings and lack any kind of social inhibition. I say this after years of experience of you drinking my top shelf dry, Elle."

"He makes a point. Drunk Elise can be the worst. And the best. Often, more just a mess." Apollo added. "But, he is also to blame for that so he shouldn't be quick to throw stones."

"If she wasn't drinking with me, it would have been somewhere else. I kept her safe." Cain argued and Apollo looked ready to keep it going.

Well, the peace between the two was nice while it lasted.

"Okay, considering I'm like, a year sober and by choice, not circumstance, I learnt my lesson and can now process my emotions like a normal person. Most of the time. So what you're both really saying is, we're screwed as he'll turn us into the worst drunken versions of ourselves?" The guys made a point. "Except for Deimos, because drunk Deimos is the best."

I only got a grunt in response from the God of Terror.

"Possibly. If we remain alert, we should be able to stay unaffected, and do not, under any circumstances, eat or drink anything offered to you." Apollo warned. "He might be in a good mood, and leave it at that or bring our worst fears and emotions and leave us to kill ourselves as entertainment for his party guests."

"Are we sure Kara and Art are here?" I suddenly wasn't too keen to go into town and see exactly how Dionysus partied anymore. Staying alert was getting harder to do the longer we stood here.

"They're here." Cain closed his eyes. "The people with them are Others. Probably Dionysus worshipers."

"We should split up." Deimos decided as we stopped just outside the first sign of buildings ahead. "Stick to the trees, see what we can find out and meet back up around the side."

"Are you sure?" Apollo asked.

"I can only sense three Powers." Cain sighed. "It shouldn't be hard to sneak around, especially if he already has guests to entertain."

Deimos nodded. "We should still split up, get some eyes on things."

"Okay, Apollo, you and Elle keep going ahead. Deimos and I will go around the back."

"What? Why can't I go with you?" I frowned.

"Because if anything does happen, he can heal you better than I can." Cain looked at Apollo who nodded.

"Yeah, but why can't we just go right on in. If he is weak, and we don't eat or drink anything, what threat could he possibly be?" I argued, hoping for this to be over quickly. I was hungry, and my legs were getting tired.

"They left out his greatest power," Deimos answered, his voice low and dangerous. "He's similar to Cain, in that few Powers can affect him. His own drunken state not only brings out his abilities but protects him from others."

"It's why Hera's punishment was to make him sober. Can you imagine what he suffered until he was able to liquor himself up again? He has more enemies than I think even the Fallen One, it's why he willingly stays off the radar until eventually gets drunk enough to do something stupid." Apollo explained. "His followers are more like a brainwashed cult. Sacrifices to the greater cause which in his case, is himself."

"You couldn't have mentioned that to start with?" I slapped his arm harder this time.

I wanted the easy version. Just once. I lean back into Cain, my head spinning slightly and try to force it to stop. The smart thing to do would be to take a break, but that wasn't an option right now. Kara and Artemis were clearly in some kind of trouble and all of this needed to be over.

"I did say we have bigger things to worry about."

"Understatement of the year." I hugged Cain properly now, trying to keep it together before giving Deimos a quick hug too. "Be careful, both of you."

"You too, Elle. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine!" I threw in some extra enthusiasm which I could tell he didn't buy. "Let's do this before they work out we're here."

Cain looks at Apollo who just gives a tiny nod in response and with a quick kiss on my forehead, he walks off with Deimos, which then turns into more of a run. I don't move until I can't see them anymore.

"You want to stand here a bit longer or should we?" Apollo motioned down the path.

"Is it bad I wish it was the Furies now?" I sighed, walking with Apollo. "I just want it done."

"Yes. This sounds bad, but you know he'd never leave your side if it was something he didn't think you could handle." Apollo reminds me.

"I feel like it's more of a subtle attempt to keep me away from the drama, and I was just left with my babysitter." I point out, before grabbing his arm as I feel a bit lightheaded again. "I'm not complaining. Can we just let them take the lead, and have a little break for like a sec? There's been a lot of walking and no snacks."

"You okay?" He fails at hiding how worried he suddenly is.

"Yes." I'm suddenly sitting on the abandoned wagon, and taking the water bottle he offers. "Thanks"

"Bunny, if you need more than a sec, we can sit it all out. Ares and Hermes will be around with backup." Sitting beside me, Apollo put his arm over my shoulders and I leant into him. "Don't push yourself so hard."

"I wouldn't have a choice if it was the Furies out there." I remind him, putting my hand out as an apple appeared there.

"They're not though, so save yourself for another day."

He had a point. "For once I don't hate you for telling me what to do."

"Good. Maybe you'll realise I've been right all those other times too." He said with a little too much sass.

"Doubt it." I finished my apple and the water, not feeling too much better but less likely to faint as I was scared nearly happened before. "So, we just wait?"

"Yup."

I guess I was going to work on my patience today too.