As I ran down the hallway after Prometheus, I remembered that Zeus had vowed to punish Prometheus. Did this have something to do with the gift he’d sent to Epi?

With his long stride, Prometheus reached the cafeteria before I did. He ran in and right back out again.

“He’s not there!” he cried.

Prometheus took off again. I took off after him. We ran all over the school. But there was no sign of Epi.

“Maybe he went home,” said Prometheus. I’d never seen the Titan look so concerned.

“I’m parked out front,” I said. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”

We ran out to the chariot and hopped in. Prometheus sat in the back seat with his feet spilling over into the front seat. Even so, it was a tight squeeze for the Titan. Cerbie sat on my lap. The steeds struggled with the weight, but at last they got going and pulled us to Epi’s house. It was a grand house, with a large porch across the front. A porch swing hung from the rafters. Epi and Pandora were sitting in it. He had his arm around Pandora’s shoulders. The two of them looked very cozy.

Prometheus jumped out of the chariot before I’d reined in the horses. He sprinted up the walk.

I parked and followed him up to the house.

“Epi!” Prometheus said as he leaped onto the porch. “Where is the gift Zeus sent you?”

Epi held up the box. “Right here.”

“Oh, good!” Prometheus put a hand to his chest in relief. “You haven’t opened it.”

“No,” said Epi. “I’ve had other things to think about. Prometheus, this is Pandora.”

“How do you do, Prometheus?” Pandora said in her lovely, musical voice.

“So you’re the mortal Hephaestus made,” said Prometheus. He nodded thoughtfully. “Very nice.”

“Would you like to hear some happy news, Prometheus?” asked Pandora.

Prometheus nodded.

“All right,” said Epi. “Pandora and I are getting married!”

“Married?” Prometheus stared at his brother in disbelief. “You met, what, twenty minutes ago? And you’ve already decided to get married?”

“That’s right,” said Epi.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” said Pandora.

“It could be,” said Prometheus. “But, Epi, have you thought ahead? Have you considered how this will change your life?”

“Yes!” said Epi. “For once I did think ahead. I love Pandora. I want to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her.”

“Psst, Prometheus,” I said, beckoning him aside. “Hera gave Pandora the gift of a long and happy marriage. I think they’ll be okay.”

“All right,” said Prometheus. He turned back to Epi and Pandora. “Then I’m happy for you both. When’s the wedding?”

“As soon as I can round up some guys and build a temple,” said Epi. “Nothing fancy. A few pillars draped with garlands ought to do.”

“Make it big enough so all the guys can come,” said Prometheus.

“Will you come to our wedding, Prometheus?” asked Pandora.

“Of course!” said Prometheus. “Now, Epi, about that box. Promise me you’ll keep a lid on it. Lock it up someplace, and never, ever open it.”

“I promise,” said Epi. “The lid stays on.”

“Would you like to hear about our wedding plans?” asked Pandora.

“Sure,” said Prometheus. He sat down on a bench opposite the swing. “Tell me.”

I didn’t seem to be needed here. I’d brought Pandora safely to Epi. I was ready to go home to the Underworld. I said my goodbyes, jumped into my chariot, and took off for the shortcut cave.

As I approached the cave, I caught sight of Zeus.

Cerbie did, too. He started growling.

The Ruler of the Universe sat on a rock not far from the mouth of the cave. He was frowning. His nasty-looking bodyguards were messing with one of the wheels on his chariot. Did they know about the shortcut? I hoped not. And they weren’t going to find out by watching me drive into the cave. I figured I’d wait until after they’d left. I gave Cerbie the look, and he stopped growling.

“Zeus!” I said as I pulled the chariot up to him. “What are you doing here?”

“Wobbly wheel,” said Zeus. “Force and Violence are fixing it.”

“I meant, what are you doing here, on earth?” I asked.

“I’ve just been to the oracle at Delphi, Hades,” said Zeus. He looked worried.

I got out of the chariot and walked over to him. Zeus was an obnoxious loudmouth, a cheat, and a bunk-flinging liar. But he was my little brother. Our mom had once made me swear an unbreakable oath on the waters of the River Styx that I would watch out for all my brothers and sisters. Much as I hated to do it, I sat down next to him.

“What’s the trouble?” I asked..

“Sibyl,” said Zeus. “She’s the trouble. You won’t believe what she just told me. That someday I’m going to marry a woman who will bear me a son who will overthrow me!”

“Like we overthrew Dad,” I said.

“Don’t remind me!” shouted Zeus. “It was one thing when we were the teen gods, taking over from the old coot. But now I am the old coot.” He scowled. “I mean, I don’t want any kid of mine taking over!”

“Did the sibyl say anything else?” I asked.

Zeus nodded. “A certain Titan knows the name of the woman who would bear me such an ungrateful son.” A crafty look came into his eyes. “If he tells me the name of this woman, then I’ll make sure I never marry her. Then she can never bear me such a son. And I’ll rule the universe forever!” He was smiling now.

“Which Titan is it?” I asked, fearing that I already knew the answer to this one.

“Prometheus,” said Zeus. “He can see into the future. He knows.”

Force and Violence started grunting and snorting. It took me a moment to realize that they were laughing.

“We’ll take care of Prometheus,” Force muttered.

And Violence added, “No problem.”

The thugs walked over to Zeus.

“Your chariot is fixed, sir,” said Force.

“No more wobbles,” said Violence.

“There’d better not be,” said Zeus. He stood up. Without so much as a wave goodbye, he climbed into his chariot, and the three of them drove off.

I watched until they were out of sight. I had a bad feeling about what Zeus and Force and Violence were up to. I longed to be back home in the Underworld. But I couldn’t go. Not yet. I turned my rental steeds around and galloped back to Guytown.

I had to warn Prometheus.