When Jen woke up from her dream, she sat up in the Fields of Asphodel and kissed the cheeks of the two boys beside her—Muggie on her left and Hip on her right. She left them sleeping among the flowers to wash up in her rooms, eat a quick bite of food, and head out on Stormy to answer the prayers she’d had to ignore until now.
The first place she went was a small town outside of St. Louis, where a twelve-year-old girl was being taken to stay the weekend with an uncle who’d already mistreated her once. The girl had been too embarrassed and afraid to tell her parents. They’d had no other place to send their daughter while they took their second honeymoon. So the girl sat quietly in the backseat of the car next to the luggage while her father drove and her mother talked incessantly about their upcoming cruise.
The parents were driving from Minnesota to Houston, TX, where they would drop off the daughter with the uncle and then head to Galveston to meet their ship. Jen had about twelve hours to figure out what to do.
She flew on Stormy in invisibility mode above the car and listened in on the conversation inside, to see if she could overhear where the uncle lived. If she could find him, she could make him sick—or better, yet, she could make him trip and break both of his legs. Then the parents would have to reschedule their cruise, which would give the girl, and Jen, more time. Jen didn’t want to wait until the parents arrived at the uncle’s house to do something to the uncle, because she didn’t want the girl to have to see him at all.
Jen remembered what it was like being in her father’s presence, and she shuddered.
As she listened in on their conversation, she also practiced flying. She climbed from Stormy’s back and, gripping his saddle horn, used her toes and one free arm to get her balance. Then, every so often, she’d let go of the saddle horn to fly independently. She wobbled, but didn’t fall. And that was a good start.
After two hours had gone by and Jen still had heard nothing to help her locate the uncle, she had another idea. She’d beg Poseidon to disrupt the sea and get the cruise canceled. She climbed back on Stormy’s saddle and said, “Let’s go to the Aegean Sea.”
Jen had never gone by herself to Poseidon’s palace, and she’d only ever been once. It had been last year, after she and Hip were married. Scylla and Charybdis had instigated a fight with Rhode, and Poseidon had become enraged, because Rhode was his beloved daughter. Helios, Rhode’s wife, came up with a peaceful resolution, but Poseidon was so angry, that he wouldn’t cooperate. Hypnos and that Pashitea, Hip’s ex and the goddess of calm, were ordered by Zeus to go to Poseidon’s castle to help him calm down and relax long enough to actually listen to Helios’s plan. Jen had insisted that she go, too, because she did not trust the evil Sith lord that was Hip’s ex.
Poseidon was like a mad bull when they’d first arrived, but he allowed Hip and Pasithea to work their magic. They’d brought the Muses along to play on their instruments, and the Charities came and massaged Poseidon’s feet. By the time it was over, Poseidon was agreeable and had even offered Jen a dolphin ride (she had been talking about how envious she’d been of Therese for getting to ride).
So Jen knew where to go. She left Stormy on Rhode’s island (Stormy didn’t like to swim and was especially nervous of being in water after what had happened recently with Scylla and Charybdis and their evil mother). Rhode was there and offered to keep Stormy company while Jen made her visit to Poseidon.
Jen felt safe swimming directly above Poseidon’s castle. None of the monsters would dare attack her here, and even the mortal creatures of the sea in this region should know not to mess with a god. So she enjoyed her swim among the colorful fish as she made her way down to the palace doors. She even remembered to breathe.
The merguards at the door recognized her and let her inside. One of them gave her a bag of rocks to carry to keep her from floating up, and he led her to a chamber and told her to wait. She sat on a spongey chair near a cluster of bright-colored coral and watched the fish swim by on the outside of the transparent castle walls. Jen couldn’t recall what the walls were made of. It wasn’t glass, but something like adamas, which was a kind of diamond, she thought.
Then another merguard entered and beckoned her to follow him into another room. This chamber was drained of water. She handed over her bag of rocks and took a seat to wait.
In a few more minutes, Poseidon entered. His sun-bleached hair fell to his shoulders. His beard of the same color nearly reached his bare chest, which was tan and golden, like the rest of him. His turquoise eyes were narrowed at her suspiciously. He didn’t seem pleased to see her.
“What can I do for you?” he asked as he took a seat on the high throne across from her.
“I need your help,” she said. She told him the story about the girl. “If you could disturb the sea in the Gulf of Mexico, then the cruise would be canceled and the girl saved from being victimized again.”
“The only way the cruise would be canceled is if the ship were damaged,” Poseidon said. “Do you think that is the best way to solve the problem? To damage a ship of that size will have serious consequences.”
“Why wouldn’t a storm make them postpone or cancel the cruise?” she asked.
“It would have to be a deadly storm, and that would have consequences, too. Is the girl’s life worth more than those who would certainly be injured or killed by such a violent storm?”
Jen slowly shook her head. “I guess I didn’t think this through far enough.” She stood up. “I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
“Sit back down, Jen Holt. I’m not finished with you yet.”
Her ears burned as she sat back on the chair. Great. She didn’t have time for this. Hadn’t she mentioned that the girl would be dropped off in a few short hours?
Hip followed Aether from the cave. They flew down the side of the mountain and into a second cave, where a shining chariot of white gold and two gray stallions were waiting. After they stepped into the chariot, Aether took the silver, shining reins and commanded the horses to fly.
They sailed through the clouds over the Baffin Islands, across the Arctic Ocean, toward Alaska.
As they flew, Aether asked, “So what will we do if we find Uranus?”
“Take him to Mount Olympus for questioning,” Hip said.
“You don’t want to question him yourself first, to confirm my theory?”
“Are you having doubts?”
“I’d rather have proof before you haul him in to Zeus.”
“So you want to interrogate him?”
“No. I think we should spy on him.”
Hip sighed. He really wanted to get this over with, but he supposed Aether was right. They should have more proof before they threw around accusations, and, if they questioned Uranus, they’d have no way to tell if the god was answering truthfully.
Aether slowed down the chariot and brought it to a halt on the cliff edge of one of the mountains in northeast Siberia, Russia. Four peaks pointed toward the sky like slender fingers. The stallions landed on one of these and Hip followed Aether from the chariot to the cliff edge, where they gazed down into the snowy gorge below.
“I remember the day you were born,” Aether said out of the blue, it seemed.
“You must have an excellent memory.”
Aether laughed. “Perhaps, but the reason I can vividly recall yours and your brother’s births is because of how determined Hera was to bring you harm.”
Hip crossed his arms at his chest and lifted his chin. He’d never heard such a thing. “Why would Hera want to do that?”
Aether opened his eyes wide with surprise. “You’ve never heard the story of your own birth?”
Hip shook his head.
“You never asked your mother or your father to tell it to you?” Aether put his hands on his hips.
“I may have asked when I was younger. I can’t remember.”
“Hera wanted revenge on your father for helping the Trojans during the long war.”
“But my father was neutral.”
“I know that, and you know that, but Hera was convinced otherwise.”
“What could possibly give her that idea?”
“Achilles wanted to get back at Agamemnon for taking away his war prize, so he asked his mother to convince Zeus to help the Trojans.”
“I’m familiar with that story.”
“Your father had gone to the front to watch, and he ran into Hera. She was worried about what would befall the Greeks if Zeus went against them, so Hades gave her the idea to distract Zeus at home. ‘Make love to your husband,’ he said.”
“That was good advice.”
“Yes, it was. But then Artemis accused your father of playing favorites. She reminded him that she had searched hours and hours for your sisters, who flew off as soon as they were born, and Hera had done nothing to help.”
Hip hadn’t known that about his sisters, and noticing Hip’s surprise, Aether added, “Oh, you didn’t know that, either? Yes, your sisters were known as the Kindly Ones, because as soon as they were born, they flew to the battlefields to bring blessings to the sick and dying.”
“I think you may have had too much wine, old man,” Hip teased.
“Just hear me out, Hypnos. I am shocked that you’ve never been told this.”
“I’ll hear you out, but I can’t promise I’ll believe you.”
“Fair enough.” Aether cupped a hand to his chin. “Let me see. Artemis wanted a speedy end to the war. So Hades agreed to help convince Athena and the others supporting the Greeks to let Paris and Menelaus fight it out alone. The victor would determine the winner of the Trojan War. Everyone was tired of fighting, you see.”
“I know the story,” Hip said. “Menelaus would have won had Aphrodite not flown away with Paris.”
“Paris had chosen Aphrodite as the most beautiful of the goddesses, so he’d become her special pet.”
“So why would Hera blame my father?”
“Because if she hadn’t taken his advice, she would have been there to stop Aphrodite.”
“That doesn’t seem fair at all.”
“As your father always says…” Aether gave Hip a smile. Hip nodded and smiled back, surprised that Aether knew his father’s saying, Life isn’t fair, but Death is.
Aether continued, “And so the day your mother went into labor, Hera tried to bring harm to you and your brother. Your mother fled with Hecate to the island of Delos. Dione helped, too. She created a wall of water to hide you, but Hera broke through it, and it nearly washed you away.”
“If what you say is true, it might explain why I hate the water so much.”
“Indeed. Your brother saved your life. Then Hera sent the Harpies down, and they snatched you and your brother from your mother’s clutches and carried you off.”
“Seriously? Why can’t I remember any of this?”
“I don’t know the answer to that, Hip. But I witnessed Artemis save you from the Harpies when she shot them each with her arrows. And I saw you carried back to Mount Olympus. And later, I heard that you’d been named Gelos, because you brought merriment to all in your company, and your brother, who was born first and who helped to save your life, was called Zao, for life.”
Hip shook his head. None of it made a bit of sense. “But why? Why would our names change later?”
“When Melinoe was born with her deformities, she accused your father of trying to kill her while she was still in your mother’s womb. Apollo, Tiresias, and other prophets had had visions of Hades bringing harm to his unborn child.”
“Zeus confessed…”
“Only recently. But centuries ago, he let your father take the blame. Not only did Hades take the blame for Zeus’s crime, but your entire family was punished for it. Instead of blessings, your sisters were to bring vengeance. Instead of laughter and merriment, you were to put people to sleep. Instead of life, your brother was to bring death.”
Hip shook his head again and again, backing away from Aether in disbelief. “That can’t be right. Even Zeus couldn’t be that heartless.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask your father,” Aether said. “Now let’s stop talking as we move down the mountain, so we don’t alert Uranus, just in case he’s where I think he is.”
Back in the Underworld, Hip disintegrated and sought his parents in their palace.
“Who told you this?” Persephone asked.
“Just tell me if it’s true,” Hip demanded.
“It’s true.” Hades sat down on his throne and tugged at his beard.
Hip stood before him, bewildered. “But why would you hide this from me? Why don’t I remember?”
“We allowed your memories to be erased.” Persephone took her seat beside Hades. “We thought you’d be sad all your days if you compared the happiness of your early life to what followed.”
“I want my memories back,” Hip demanded. “You had no right to take them from me in the first place.”
“It was Athena’s idea,” Hades said.
“Apollo said you’d be healthier without your memories,” Persephone added.
“We did what we thought was best at the time,” Hades said. “But I suppose we can ask the council if, in light of Zeus’s confession, your memories can be restored.”
“Thank you,” Hip said. “I would like that.”
Hades nodded. “The question is whether we should give your brother and sisters the same choice.”
“Maybe we should wait and see how Hypnos feels once his memories are returned,” Persephone said sadly.
Hip frowned. Surely the memories wouldn’t make him so devastated that he’d ever agree with his parents. He hoped he was making the right decision. Now that he knew they’d been taken way, his curiosity was overwhelming.
The only thing Jen could imagine Poseidon would want to discuss was what had gone down between her and Scylla. “If this is about Scylla…”
“Indeed.”
“I was trying to do my job. She’s a victim, you know.”
“Why are you so defensive, like a child? You think I mean to scold you?”
Jen didn’t know what to say.
“Very little goes on in my waters without my knowledge, Jen Holt. I admire your courage and your dedication to your duties.”
She hid her surprise. “I could have used your help when Keto tried to feed me to her husband.”
“Who do you think forced Charybdis to vomit you onto that island?”
Jen’s mouth dropped open.
“That’s right,” Poseidon said. “Keto meant to take you all the way to her castle. Why would she make Phorcys come out to an island? It was because I intervened.”
“I was still nearly swallowed.”
“But you weren’t.”
“Someone else saved me.” As soon as she’d spoken, she realized she’d said too much. Hip had told her she wasn’t to speak of it.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s what I want you to find out,” he said. “If you want my help in saving that girl, I want you to use your relationship with Scylla to get information for me.”
“But you said you couldn’t help me.”
“Not by damaging a ship or creating a storm, but I never said I wouldn’t help.”
“What kind of information?”
“I think the Old Man of the Sea and his wife know who’s been attacking Gaia.”
“I think so, too.” Jen recalled what Keto had told her. “They didn’t know anything when they were questioned by Apollo, but later, I think they found out something.”
“Whoever is doing this wants to take over Mount Olympus,” Poseidon said. “There’s no other reason. This is serious, Jen Holt. We need to use everything in our arsenal to protect our way of life.”
“But what can I do? Scylla hates me now.”
“I want you to reach out to her again and offer her another chance. Get her to trust you again. Then maybe she’ll turn on her mother and tell us what we need to know.”
Jen took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ll do it, but it’s going to take me a long time. I may not even succeed. This girl only has a couple of hours before she’s put in harm’s way.”
“I’ll take you on your word, Jen Holt,” Poseidon said. “Those sons of Ares owe me a favor. I’ll send them to the girl.”
“What sons?”
“Phobos and Deimos. Do you not know them?”
“Fear and Panic? They tried to kill my best friend. Why would we send them to a helpless twelve-year-old?” Jen wondered if she should trust the god of the sea after all.
“Fear and Panic aren’t all bad,” he said. “In fact, they often save lives.”
Jen looked back at him skeptically.
“Fear makes a person flee from danger,” Poseidon explained. “Panic makes a mother rush her child to medical care. That surge of adrenaline that can make a father lift a car to save his child—that comes from Phobos and Deimos.”
“Oh,” Jen said. “So how will they help the girl?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” he said. “And to show you I’m not just a bull-headed god full of hot steam, I’ll even go with you to watch the boys in action.”
Jen still wasn’t sure this would work, but she had no better plan.