Chapter 10

LADY OF HOUNDS

After walking fifty blocks through the Amtrak tunnel that paralleled the Hudson River, Theo and Selene emerged at Penn Station and made their way aboveground.

Theo cast an eye to the night sky. No sign of aerial pursuit. At least not yet. Maybe even evil cult initiates had to sleep sometime. Still, they hurried along the sidewalk toward their rendezvous, eager to avoid exposure for long.

They stopped at an all-night bodega to pick up a knit hat to cover the rough bandages on Selene’s head, then met Ruth Willever beneath the wide awning for the Thirty-fourth Street movie theater, where they hoped any airborne attacker wouldn’t see them.

Ruth and Theo had been friends for the past two years. They’d met when Theo was dating Helen Emerson, Ruth’s roommate. The ensuing difficulties—first Helen dumping Theo, then getting murdered by Orion’s cult—had only brought them closer together.

Ruth stood with her hands tucked under her elbows for warmth, her already narrow shoulders hunched even further with the cold. Feathers poked from the seams of her down coat. The brown hair falling from beneath the earflaps of her flannel hat was more rat’s nest than ponytail, and the bags under her eyes proved Theo’s desperate phone call had woken her from a deep sleep. But she grinned when she saw him.

She got down on one knee in front of Hippo, took off a woolen mitten, and let the dog sniff her fingers before clasping her in a hug. Theo raised a brow to Selene. See? Hippo’s going to be in good hands.

Ruth stood, her eyes moving to the woman at Theo’s side, and her smile vanished. The knit hat had ridden up, revealing a sliver of bloody bandage across Selene’s forehead. She yanked the hat lower, her steady gaze daring Ruth to comment.

Ruth looked at Theo next, taking in his unzipped sweatshirt and bare chest with widening eyes. “What happened?”

“Water main break at Selene’s house. And some roofing problems with all the snow and ice. Just general falling apart, really. Place is so dangerous we had to run off before I could grab a coat.”

“Here—” Ruth began, shrugging out of her parka.

“No, no! I’m fine,” he assured her. “We’ve got contractors looking at it. Predawn contractors. And my apartment’s getting fumigated, so we’re spending the night at a hotel.” He was too tired to lie convincingly.

He could tell Ruth wasn’t buying it—as a research scientist, she knew contradictory evidence when she saw it—but she was too polite to pry. “Sure.” She looked questioningly at Selene, clearly wondering just how rich Theo’s new brownstone-owning girlfriend really was.

One more reason to be grateful Gabriela’s not here, Theo thought. She’d never let me get away with this. A hotel? With lodging prices astronomical for the Christmas holiday and a dozen friends in the city who would put us up for free? Jesus.

“And, Ruth?” he pressed. “You won’t mention to anyone that you saw us, will you? Just in case, you know, someone asks?”

“I don’t suppose you can tell me why all the secrecy?” she asked, with a curious smile at them both.

Selene didn’t smile back. “’Fraid not. Hence the secrecy part.”

“We’re having a little romantic getaway,” Theo interposed. “And it’d be better if no one comes to bug us.”

“Um. Okay.” She looked at Selene again, obviously confused by the “romantic” part, since Theo’s girlfriend had dropped his hand, crossed her arms, and turned to glare at him.

“But you’re doing us a huge favor by taking Hippo,” Theo went on breezily. “I would’ve called Gabriela, but she’s as distrustful of dogs as she is allergic to them. So, thank you.” Theo nudged Selene in the ribs.

“Yes. Thanks.” She didn’t sound the least bit grateful.

“Is there anything I should know?” Ruth asked. “Like medications? Or the vet’s number? Or what kind of dog food she likes?”

Selene looked like she might choke.

“Hippo eats meat, not dog food,” Theo said quickly. “Beef, pork, anything. Right, Selene?”

Selene nodded stonily.

“And don’t worry, this won’t be for long. Just until we can get back into the house. Go on, Selene,” Theo urged. “Give Ruth the leash.”

Selene breathed deeply, narrowed her eyes, and spoke with the voice of a goddess commanding a mortal. As far as Theo knew, the voice didn’t really work, but that didn’t stop her from trying. “You will protect this dog with your life,” she intoned, still holding on to the leash. Hippo’s ears perked up, and she looked at her mistress as if she understood every word. Ruth just looked alarmed. “She is my companion. She must not be harmed.”

The Lady of Hounds got down on one knee before her friend and took her muzzle in her hands. She didn’t speak to Hippo, but just looked into her eyes. Theo had no doubt that some deep understanding passed between them. She couldn’t speak telepathically to dogs, but through a combination of posture, eye contact, and the occasional growl, she had an uncanny way of expressing her will to them. And if they knew what was good for them, they listened. Hippo held her stare. Then licked her under the chin.

Ruth chuckled, but shut up when Selene raised steely eyes to her. Not bothering to wipe away the dog drool, Selene stood, handed the leash to Ruth, and walked toward the downtown subway entrance without another word. Hippo made the smallest of movements as if to follow, then froze as she remembered her mistress’s unspoken command. She gave a faint whimper, tucked her tail between her legs, and began to pant in agitation.

Selene paused at the top of the subway stairs, just out of Theo’s sight. Eavesdropping’s not polite, she thought, but is it my fault if I have preternatural hearing? I’m just standing here waiting. She crept back up a stair and peered through the railing so she could see him.

He smiled ruefully at his friend. “Sorry about that. Selene’s had a rough night. We’ve had a rough night.”

“You know, don’t you,” Ruth said hesitantly, “that I’d do anything to help? If you’re in trouble. Or something.” Clearly, Theo’s halfhearted fabrications hadn’t fooled her for a second.

“Me? In trouble?” Theo raised his arms in a muscle man pose. “You think someone’s gonna mess with these photon torpedoes?”

Ruth laughed, louder and longer than Selene would’ve thought her capable. She’d always seemed mousy, but her smile lit up her face with a sweet charm.

Theo grinned back at her—looking more at ease than he had all night. He liked making people happy. Liked being liked. Someone like Ruth would make him feel good about himself all the time, Selene thought with a heavy heart. She even understands whatever arcane pop culture reference he just made.

Ruth took a step closer to him. “But seriously, if you need me …”

Selene tensed. Theo might be oblivious, but she’d known since the first time she’d met Ruth that the woman was a little bit in love with him. She was staring up at him with big doe eyes, but he just gave her a quick hug and patted her soundly on the back. Like a friend, Selene decided.

“Thanks,” he said. “You’re amazing. Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He let her go. Selene wondered if he noticed the red flush on Ruth’s cheeks. “I promise I’ll make this up to you. I’ll fish-sit for you on your next vacation.”

Ruth laughed again, her cheeks turning even brighter. Selene decided enough was enough. She padded down the stairs, fishing in her jacket pocket for her MetroCard. On the platform, she leaned against a steel pillar, impatient for Theo to arrive before they missed the next train. Whatever challenges lie ahead in our relationship, she thought grimly, are nothing compared to what I’m about to face when I meet my twin.

Selene and Theo had three months of relationship angst to navigate.

Artemis and Apollo had three millennia.