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  A few moments later, Athena was splashing through the waves, scowling at Allegra. “You disappeared.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s just...” Allegra turned to look out at the blue horizon, “...something about the water seems to be pulling me toward it.” She’d spoken almost to her herself, but Athena’s grunt of annoyance broke through her semi-trance, and Allegra looked over her shoulder at the demigod.

  “More reason to let me know where in Hades’ name you are going. We can’t afford to assume your life is not in danger, Allegra.” Athena shook her head, then turned to scan the shoreline. Beachgoers were scattered along the shoreline for a mile up and down the beach, children playing in the sand, swimmers cavorting in the waves and a few people walking along the sand. A perfectly tranquil afternoon, but that meant nothing in the scheme of things.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more aware,” Allegra said, her gaze going back to the water.

  From the side of her vision, she caught Athena turning to look at her. “What is it?” she asked, beginning to understand that there was something more going on than the need for rebellion.

  Allegra shook her head. “I’m not entirely sure. Something urged me here...not sure why.”

  “Well, if anything, it includes swimming.” Athena’s comment was dry and filled with amusement.

  Allegra glanced back at the demigod in time to see her deliberately scanning Allegra’s black bathing suit. “You came dressed appropriately.”

  Allegra frowned and looked down at her swimwear. “I didn’t even know...How odd.” She looked back out to the water.

  “What do you suppose this means?” asked Athena taking a step past Allegra as she shaded her eyes again.

  “I feel like it means I need to venture deeper inside. I think...I think I may need to swim out toward whatever is calling me.”

  Athena let out a derisive snort. “And what do we do if this is just a call to you to swim to your death?”

  Allegra hesitated. “Where is Xales?”

  “Disappeared, so I’m assuming he’s around and watching you.”

  Allegra looked around her. “Xales?”

  The air shimmered in front of Allegra, and the haze from of the boar-man appeared. He’d materialized only partially, his glamor ensuring his appearance would go unnoticed by any observers around them. “I am here, my lady.”

  “What do you think?” she asked him softly.

  The familiar looked out at the ocean again. “I do not feel like this option is dangerous for you, but I cannot see the future,” he said with a smirk. Then he shook his head. “In any case, I will go with you, so should you go underwater, I shall still remain at your side. You are quite safe with me.”

  “I don’t deny that, but I’m coming too,” said Athena, armed crossed over her own swimsuit. She too had dressed accordingly.

  “What if I have to go under?”

  “Then I’ll come with you.”

  “Can you breathe underwater?”

  She shrugged. “When the need arises. Demigod...I’ll be fine.”

  Allegra lifted an eyebrow. “And what if you are not fine?”

  “Then I shall pay the price.” Athena shifted to face Allegra head-on. “I am going to say this now, before we go into the water—because I am coming with you. I am making this decision because it is my choice. I know Xales is going with you, and I know you have to go, because I feel like this must have something to do with the tsunami you saw. So in the interests of keeping you safe as well as making sure we find out everything we need to know about the disaster, I am coming with you. If I fail to return alive—unlikely, might I add—it will be my own choice. You are not responsible for my decisions.”

  There was a long silence in which Allegra simply stared at the demigod’s implacable expression.

  At last, she inhaled deeply. “Very well. Though I cannot promise that should this prove a journey that will cost you your life, I will not feel free of the responsibility.”

  “I understand. Just don’t be too hard on yourself,” Athena said with an airy wave.

  Allegra chuckled as both the women turned to stare out at the azure sea.

  “Well, this is it,” Allegra said as she began to wade deeper into the water.

  Athena followed, and the pair swam further and further into the ocean, until the waves began to lift them off the ocean floor.

  “What now?” Athena asked scanning the waves around them.

  Behind them the shore was a thin line on the horizon and water surrounded them, almost enough to terrify Allegra. She took another deep breath, and as she treaded water and paddled with her hands, her fingers brushed against Xales’ fur. She sucked in a breath. “Now we need to dive.”

  “Are you certain? Perhaps we could just wait here until we figure out what is next?” suggested Athena, concern darkening her green eyes.

  “No. It’s time. We don’t have all the time in the world in which to make this decision. That eruption or whatever it was can happen at any moment.”

  Athena nodded, defeated. “Very well. I’m ready when you are,”

  Allegra reached out and touched the demigod’s shoulder. “I meant to ask you to be my handmaiden, but I kept not getting a chance.”

  “And you think now is the best moment to make such a proposal,” Athena asked grinning.

  “I take it the idea is something you approve of?”

  Athena nodded. “I admit I never considered it as a possibility. Or anything...I didn’t even entertain the thought.” the demigod grinned. “I’ll be happy to be your handmaiden Pythia Allegra. Now let’s get out of this alive, and I’ll ask Mara to start my training.”

  Athena was muttering something about being worried about the training because Mara was so scary, and Allegra smiled as she sank into the water.

  Chapter 28

  As Allegra sank deeper into the water, the throbbing need within her began to lessen, but only by a small fraction, giving her a sense that she was moving in the right direction. A part of her mind rebelled at the thought that she was ultimately being controlled by some unknown force, and thereby also endangering Athena’s life. But she had no sense that the call was something she should be worried about. The feelings within her, though jumbled, felt safe.

  Which in the end, meant nothing at all.

  Allegra’s lungs sparked with pain as she swam deeper into the water, leaving behind the azure blue and descending into inky blackness. Athena swam beside her, and a glance at the demigod confirmed that she wasn’t struggling as badly as Allegra would have guessed. Perhaps she was right, and her demigod genes would help her get through to their destination.

  Wherever that was.

  Minutes passed, and Allegra began to struggle, her chest tight and throbbing now, as though her heart were about to burst right out of her chest. Xales was beside her the entire way and seemed to sense her desperation, shooting forward and pulling Allegra along. He was implying he’d take her where she wanted to go, but she wasn’t about to leave Athena behind.

  She glanced over her shoulder at the demigod who was swimming beside her, and beckoned her closer. Athena obeyed and angled toward Allegra, following her instructions to hold onto Xales. The moment she grasped the boar’s fur, he looked pointedly at Allegra.

  She stared off into the depths and pointed down to the left, to where the pull seemed strongest.

  Without responding, Xales began to swim, faster than Allegra could have hoped for. Her hair streamed behind her, and she had to hold onto the wrap at her waist. A glance over Xales’ shoulder revealed Athena was in the same situation and looked exhilarated to boot. Her eyes sparkled as she grinned at Allegra.

  Grinning back, Allegra refocused on the magnetic pull, patting Xales to indicate that he could aim straight ahead. With her lungs bursting, Allegra soon began to see the flickering of starbursts in her vision, the edges going slowly darker and darker. Athena grabbed her hand, and Allegra looked over at her, head lolling. Th
e demigod tugged hard at Allegra’s hand, scowling at her, urging her to stay awake.

  Shaking her head, Allegra focused harder on the depths of the ocean, but only seconds later she felt as though she was never going to make it. With nothing in sight, and her lungs exploding, her vision blurring, and her consciousness ebbing, she knew she may have made a huge mistake.

  She tugged on Xales, and he came to a halt, both he and Athena throwing questioning glares at her. She shook her head and pointed up at the surface, stabbing at the top frantically.

  Athena’s expression darkened, and she shook her head, but Xales seemed to agree, and he began to turn away. Allegra spun around and kicked upward and was about to pull on Xales and request a faster ascent when Athena disappeared. For a moment, Allegra felt panic flood her veins, and she spun around, terrified that something had happened to the demigod. Instead, she spotted Athena a few feet away, her eyes widening as Allegra beckoned frantically, pointing at the depths again and shaking her head.

  Startled, Allegra looked below her, and almost sucked in a lungful of air when she spotted a glow emanating from the murky depths. She tugged at Xales, who obeyed and began to pull her toward Athena. Allegra wasn’t sure how long they’d been diving, but she knew it was far longer than her usual three minutes. She had to wonder what was giving her the extra ability to withstand such an extended period of time without oxygen.

  But her mind was pulled away from those practical thoughts when she found herself slamming into what appeared to be a greenish-blue dome under the sea. And no slamming happened.

  The trio passed right through the barrier and were still conscious and alive despite Allegra’s fears.

  A blurry figure flashed past Allegra, and she swirled to follow the creature’s movements, only to find herself turning to face a strange man.

  The edges of his body glowed as though his body was a living lightbulb. His green eyes were somber as he nodded slowly at Allegra then said, “You may breathe.”

  Allegra shook her head and glanced over at Athena who also shook her head.

  The man chuckled, making Allegra wonder how it was possible that he could speak underwater. Then she blinked as he looked over at Athena. “My dear Athena, for a goddess who has such a depth of faith in me, it seems you have in fact failed to recognize me.”

  Athena’s eyes widened, and she coughed, breathing in the water around her. A terror-filled moment went by—during which Allegra had to wonder where it was wise to just believe anything the stranger said—and then Athena let out a self-deprecating laugh.

  “I apologize, my lord,” she said as she bowed low.

  Allegra’s gaze flashed toward the god, accepting now what the strange glow meant. She took a breath of the water and coughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “I apologize, my lord. I should have trusted you.”

  Neptune smiled, the expression benevolent. “My dear Pythia. I don’t believe you have any reason to believe me. I have, after all, attempted to kill you once before.”

  The god’s words seemed to swirl around Allegra, and for a moment she felt faint. Then she glanced over at Athena, shifting her eyes pointedly at the god, her actions saying, “See, I was right.”

  Athena frowned and focused on Neptune. “My Lord, did you truly make an attempt to kill the Pythia?”

  Neptune tipped his head forward, his expression sad. “I will discuss this further once we are in safer territory. The seabed is far too unstable for us to remain here out in the open. I promise to explain, and I believe you will understand.”

  “I’m to trust a god who just admitted he’d tried to kill me?”

  Neptune shrugged and began to swim away. “I’m not trying to kill you anymore, if that helps.”

  Then he was gone, and Allegra found herself carried along as Xales pulled her forward. Athena snagged a handful of the boar’s pelt just in time, and the pair held on for dear life as Xales sped through the water following the path taken by Neptune.

  Allegra was a little unsure of what had just happened.

  One, the powerful magnetic force that had been calling to her, had come from the god of the sea.

  And two, that same god had once tried to kill Allegra.

  She was pretty sure that the smartest move should have been to make a beeline for the surface and get the hell out of Neptune’s domain.

  Then why was she willingly following Neptune deeper into his world?

  Allegra shook her head. Perhaps this was one decision she’d have to keep from Max.

  Maybe Athena could take responsibility, she was the handmaiden to the pythia after all.

  Chapter 29

  Despite Allegra’s reservations, she found herself still alive and being guided into a dark rocky cavern, one that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere as they swam through water so deep that she was surrounded by blackness. Had it not been for the subtle glow emanating from the green dome above, she was sure she would not have been able to see anything.

  Xales drew to a stop as Neptune turned and hovered in front of what looked like a golden gate. As they drew closer, Allegra was amazed to see that the gate was not gold. Instead, it appeared to be constructed from a pearlescent substance that gave off an iridescent glow. With the movement of the water, and the glow from above, the gate shimmered and appeared to sparkle with every color of the rainbow.

  Neptune extended a hand in front of the gate, and the enormous gate opened slowly, allowing the trio to enter before he followed and shut it behind them.

  Allegra hesitated for the briefest moment, aware now that there really was no turning back. They were deep underwater, locked beneath a magical dome, and now trapped behind an enormous gate. If Neptune had wanted to trap Allegra, he’d certainly managed it without much trouble.

  But the God of the Sea appeared to be the nicest of villains, guiding them toward a small hall, the floor of which was made of the same pale iridescent substance as the gate. Here though they formed great irregular marble-like tiles forked with gold and silver. The floor was raised and was surrounded by nine pillars, making the structure look quite similar to a Greek temple, no surprise given this was Neptune’s hall.

  They swam up to it, and then settled onto the floor, as though they were no longer floating. So strange to ignore the fact that she was breathing underwater.

  Neptune waved to a large oval table and seated himself opposite Allegra. She noted that the god did not select the head of the table for a seat, and Allegra responded by sitting in the seat facing Neptune. Leaving Athena and Xales hovering.

  “Sit, please. We do not stand on ceremony here,” he said waving a hand over the table.

  As he moved his hand, a selection of platters appeared on the table filled with an array of unrecognizable delicacies. None of which appealed to Allegra—who needed to think about eating while inhaling and exhaling the ocean.

  Allegra shook her head, ignoring Athena’s pointed glare. Clearly declining the god’s offer was rude, but Allegra didn’t have the time to be wined and dined before finding out why Neptune had called her to him.

  The god gave a nod. “I apologize for the subterfuge. I don’t resort to using the power to compel a mortal to come to me very often. I find it most distasteful.”

  “As distasteful as trying to kill me?” Allegra asked, to a chorus of shocked gasps. She ignored them and lifted her chin. Too late to apologize and go back on her words now.

  Allegra lifted her chin and met the god’s eyes. And found him smiling, his lips pursed as he shook his head.

  “I must apologize, my lady Pythia. For the longest time, I’ve been led down the wrong path, believing, as so many do, that the Pythia is bad for humanity, that her very existence is leading to much of the terrible events in this world.”

  Allegra frowned. “Why would you have thought such a thing? Has a Pythia ever threatened you?”

  Neptune rested against the back of his chair. “The world must exist in balance. The Pythia’s visions have seemed to upset that
balance.”

  “Because a natural disaster is an act of nature and by averting it, we may be thwarting the very basic nature of nature.” Allegra smiled as she spoke, understanding Neptune’s point only too well.

  “I see you share my position. It had been the very basis for much of the decisions in the last few centuries. There was a time when I did believe that the Pythia stood for the benefit of the mortals, but that was back when the Sybils were speaking the words of Apollo.”

  “But were they not said to have been intoxicated at the time, merely speaking what their drug-induced illusions told them to?” asked Allegra.

  Neptune nodded. “In all things, there is the truth, and the reality behind that truth.”

  “That’s a lie?”

  “In ancient times, mortals found it extremely hard to accept that one of their own could access the future, could tell even the most powerful of men that their lives would go a certain way unless they avoided the choices that would lead them down that path. But the flaw in that is that people also wanted to know what their future holds. So, a person who has the ability to predict the future is also a danger to a mortal. The power of the oracle was an almost god-like one, and mortals were uncomfortable with the thought that one of their own peers could be this powerful naturally. The gods believed the best way to soothe the discomfort of those mortals who could rebel against the oracle’s power was to engender the impression that the words were those of the gods themselves.”

  “Which is when Apollo decided to be the oracle’s guardian?” asked Athena, her brow furrowed as she thought it over. “So, the gods decided that the oracle would be drugged?”

  Neptune laughed loudly. “The Pythia was never really drugged. Herbs were burned yes, but there were two sets of herbs, those that intoxicated the Pythia and those that left her clearheaded.”

  Allegra let out a low gasp. “The oracles didn’t always have the power to tell the future,” she said softly, lifting an eyebrow, both surprised and impressed. “That’s a tale that had withstood centuries of retellings.”