The Grace Curse

Chapter Thirty-Four (Chase)

MY MAKE-UP PARTY WAS GOING GREAT. I was having a great time, Vivien was happily entertaining some of her friends, and I awaited Blake's return. I had to say, for a party, I was bored. I expected to jump into action and fight Medusa, or a giant troll, or something evil, but I realized I was "safe" at home now. I wondered what Blake was doing at home with his arm cast, had his Grandmother been accepting of his semi-divinity? I had to assume so considering my vision of the past. I hoped Bethany was recovered by now, I was missing her presence on our team. Bethany was a valuable asset, as well as someone I cared about. I looked at my Mom up the stairs, she was busy talking with friends. I found Grayson standing alone and decided to approach him. He turned to me with a small smile painted onto his face. "I'm glad to have everyone under one roof again,"

I let out a small laugh. "Me too, you should have seen it at your funeral, it was packed,"

Grayson smiled. "I bet it was...I actually have some good news for you,"

I rose an eyebrow. "I think that would be awesome right now,"

"I am going to send an email to one of my new journalists for the foundation, he's good at uncovering things and I think he can help us in our continual problems with the Gods, I may just offer him a huge promotion in exchange for his help,"

"Oh?" I muttered. "Do you really think it will help?"

He continued. "Hopefully, but don't worry about that right now, leave that to me. All I want you to think about is enjoying yourself and relaxing...you did just go on a massive quest,"

It was almost silly not to laugh at Grayson's statement, this journey had brought so much out of me and to think that I almost died on numerous occasions. Yeah, I need a break. "I'll catch up with you later, do you know where Andromeda went?"

Grayson nodded. "She's by the garden entrance in the kitchen,"

Andromeda had descended the staircase and looked at me respectfully. "You finally did it," She said.

I ran and gave her a hug. "Yes, yes, I did," I pulled out my iPhone to show Andromeda something. "I want to show you this painting Blake did of you, I think it's definitely more accurate than that stained glass one,"

She looked proud. "It's beautiful, tell him I said thank you,"

I laughed. "Ok I will be sure to,"

Andromeda turned away. "You know it's over for now, all of the drama you went through,"

A laugh escaped my mouth, I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear those words. "Yeah, I guess it is,"

Andromeda looked up at the sky towards a cluster of stars...a constellation. "You do realize Apollo will continue to torment us in the coming months,"

I nodded. "I know. That's why we need to stay together, if you, Grayson, and Vivien stay with me we can take on whatever he's got coming at us,"

Her eyes narrowed in a manner that I knew what was coming next, criticism. "Don't get too cocky. You only beat Apollo with beginner's luck. If Apollo truly intended to kill you, he would have easily done so,"

I stopped short. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you about,"

Andromeda rose an eyebrow. "Go ahead. Ask away,"

"Why didn't you tell me Apollo was your father?"

Andromeda's eyes seemed to stain with tears, she quickly dismissed her emotions as if nothing ever happened. "I didn't want to change your opinion of me...or rather on our family. I clearly have no love for Apollo, especially after he helped seal me away into a spear,"