Last Shadow || Deception Book III

Chapter 12 Pt.III

"I'm not a traitor," I repeated. "Believe me or not, I have no control over that. But you guys have raised me since I was three. If the past sixteen years have meant anything to any one of you, you should know that I would never betray you for Kronos. Make no mistake, I'm not fighting for you," I added. "I'm fighting for all my friends. Those at camp Half-blood. All those demigods lost in this world. Those who, not knowing any better, joined the enemy. You should have told me about the prophecy and my fate earlier." I met Athena's eyes. "But it doesn't change anything. If it means saving those that I love, I'd gladly die. And yes, I love Luke." I flicked my eyes over to Artemis. "But loving him does not equate to loving Kronos."

"It doesn't?" Artemis finally said. "And how do you know that when he's already been to the Styx?"

"I know Luke better than anyone," I replied firmly. "You have to believe me when I say that he's doing this against his will. Kronos is forcing his hand. He regrets it," I finished, turning to Hermes who was staring at me, his eyes wide. "All of it. But for him, it's much too late."

"You can end this now," Zeus said as Hermes swallowed thickly and nodded at me. "Ask him for his Achilles heel."

"I can't," I shrugged, raising my head to meet his gaze flatly. "I'd rather die than kill him. If you want to kill me for that, go ahead," I added as Zeus's face darkened and lightning flickered in his hand. "Do it. See if that changes anything."

Zeus growled in frustration and anger and hurled a lightning bolt at the pillars behind me. I felt the rush of scorching energy and a boom a split second later as the pillars absorbed the ferocity of the king of the gods.

After a long silence, I tugged a smile onto my face. "Great. So if we've resolved the fact that I am not a turncoat and traitor and I'm still your spy, can you free Percy?"

"No-" Hera started.

"Yes!" Poseidon and Zeus glowered at once.

I bit my lip to prevent the shock from spreading across my face. Never have I EVER heard those two agree on something. I couldn't help but glance at Apollo, who was staring at the two gods slack-jawed.

"The world must be falling," Apollo said. "Did you two just agree?"

"Hephestus, go to Ogygia," Zeus ordered, ignoring him. "Bring my brother's son back in one piece or I'll never hear the end of it from him. And Sinclair."

Hera scowled at him but pressed her lips together and sat back against her throne.

"Yes father," Hepehestus muttered. He gave me a long glance of resignation, respect, and maybe a little bit of guilt before he sighed and vanished in a flash of light.

I forced myself to bow again. "Thank you," I muttered.

Zeus glared at me for a long moment before he huffed out a breath. A loud thunderclap sounded as lightning flashed, so bright that I closed my eyes. When I opened them, he was gone.

I let out a sigh of relief and forced myself to not sag against the marble floor even as my legs threatened to give out from the fact that I'd just barely avoided being smitten into a puddle on the pristine floor. Hera and Ares glowered at me a final time, their gazes so sharp I felt like they were going to cut me in half, before disappearing as well.

"Well, I suppose you'll still be around," Dionysus yawned. "Make sure my daughter doesn't die in this upcoming war and I won't turn you into a dolphin." He vanished, leaving behind a grape-scented wind.

Hermes glanced at me for a long moment. In private, he conveyed. I nodded and he vanished as well.

I glanced at the remaining gods. Poseidon. Athena. Artemis. Apollo.