(I'm Seriously Starting to Hate This Girl.)

Mars POV

I was confused, as to why Korri left the room right then.

So I leave the room to check on her.

It hurts like hell, but I don't really care, ADHD and plain curiosity won out.

And I'd heard enough of the sisters' conversation to know that they were talking about me.

Arguing, more accurately.

I'm pretty sure if they worked together, then they could shout louder than I, or even Zeus ever could.

"What's going on?" I ask, when they finally notice me.

Korri looks at me with terror on her face, and Lola...

Looks glad.

Like she knew what's about to happen.

"Nothing-" Korri starts, but Lola cuts her off.

"Oh, we were just talking about you," Lola smiles.

And Korri looks downright terrified.

"Oh no."

I frown. Why can't we just go back to playing D&D?

A small voice, that isn't mine in the back of my head whispers, I wish.

It's feminine.

What duh...?

"Can I talk to Korri, alone?" I mumble.

"Okay, Ares," Lola says, with a dirty look as she walks out of the room.

NEVER CALL ME THAT!

Korri's dirty look trailed Lola out of the room.

I freeze. "What... happened?"

"I have nothing to do with her attitude." Korri says.

"I know you don't." I chuckle. "In fact, I think you're better politeness wise, then she is."

"She knows I didn't tell her everything."

"Oh," I sigh. "That... makes sense."

"Yeah. I feel bad lying, but..."

"She wouldn't understand?"

Korri nods.

"I've felt the same way." I say. "Actually, I still do. I haven't told you everything."

"I know, and I don't care." she breathes. "I'm just glad You got me out of Mordigan. You've done enough for me already, you don't need to tell me everything." She smiles. "I already owe you everything, for what you've done."

What?

I have done nothing.

In fact, all of the things I've done I did for selfish reasons.

I was lonely.

That was why I asked her to come with me that night.

I helped her and her sister because I felt guilty about what I did to my sister.

Because I couldn't share her with someone else.

"I-I don't know what to say for once, huh."

She nods. "Yeah, me neither."

And then we burst into a fit of laughter, and the tension eases.

"Well, she definitely hates me," I say.

"She can easily get obsessed over things that she dislikes."

"And I assume that also includes people."

Korri nods.

"What do you think will happen to me in the war?"

"Wait, what?" Korri frowns. "Dude, you're not going into a damn war, you're what? Twelve?"

I nod. "But if we also include all the years I've been alive—including my reincarnations—then I'm well over the age to do it."

"Reincarnations?"

"Technically all the Divine are mortal, but they get 'reborn' unlike humans, who go into the Underworld, or into Heaven."

"But, I thought they finished that 'war' argument." She frowns. "And you and the gods aren't exactly quiet."

I sigh. "It seems that someone on this inside, either a Divine, or a human—no offense—is the cause of this whole thing. And it might start a war, I'm just taking precautions. Plus, it could just be Artemis and Apollo having a fit. They may just be fighting over bedrooms, so... they get upset easily. Especially when you sit next to all your relatives all day. So it may just be a huge misunderstanding."

"Makes sense, I guess." Korri frowns. "But no."

"Okay. That's that then."

But IF the war DOES start, they'll kill anyone who goes against them and most likely by their show of politeness they'll ask me anyway whether I'm dead or not.

She can tell what I'm thinking, because she says, "I still wouldn't let you. I'd go. I can kick butt, and besides, nothing bad would come out of it if I didn't make it."

"What?"

"My life's crap. I'd give it to anyone who actually needed it." She grins. "I might be able to lift you a foot off the ground, but I still have a soft side."

The thought of my curse comes to mind.

I had forgotten about it, and now it's lurking in the back of my mind.

"Why?" I whisper.

She looks out the window, the moonlight giving her an ethereal look as she breathes, "Because my life has been thrown to Cerberus like his chew toy. I don't... I lost my life years ago. And I can't handle it now that I've got it back."

And I feel like she spoke the truth, but I would never take her life from her whether she liked it or not.

I suddenly feel claustrophobic.

And I feel sick, really really sick with a thought in my head:

I can have the curse... gone.

She's willing.

"I'm going to retire for the night." I say under my breath.

"I think I will too,"

The door creaks open, and Korri's face falls.

Lola was standing precariously close to the doorway.

"I was waiting for Korri." Lola says sharply.

I'm seriously starting to hate this girl.

And yet...

I have to tell Korri everything at one point.

But, now is not the time.

Korri gives me a sad look, and tries to get Lola to go with her, but Lola doesn't budge.

"Can I tell you something Mars?" Lola asks bitterly.

I tell by the tone of her voice that this is a trap.

"Sure." I reply in the same tone.

Korri looks downright terrified.

She shakes off her sister's hand and looks me in the eye.

"Why are you toying with my sister?" She hisses. "Why are you lying to her? What are you doing to her?" She shivers. "She's lying to me now. What did you do to her?"

"I don't understand. But look, people change and the last time not now but the last time you talked to her was seven years ago." I breathe.

"You're hiding something."

"Like what?"

"Like that you're the son of a god.

"She knows that, you know that, I know that."

She grimaces, distaste and hate in her eyes. "I know."

And she drags her sister out of view.