by Kate O'Hearn
“This sucks,” Jake complained.
“Please, Jake, just this once, would you do something I ask without turning it into a drama? You know I’m going to need your help when the baby comes. It’s only a couple of weeks now. With Richard working away so much, I’m counting on your support.”
Jake looked at his mother and sighed. “Fine, Mom, but you owe me for this.”
“I know, I know.” She smiled. “You can put it on my bill.”
“Don’t think I won’t.” Jake leaned down to kiss his mother on the top of her head. He had only recently turned thirteen, but he was already much taller than her. His father was a retired basketball player, and by all accounts, Jake was going to be as tall if not taller than him. “Where is the Mole?”
“She’s just getting ready. Molly! Come on. Your brother is waiting!”
Moments later Molly arrived. His sister’s light brown hair was uncombed and hanging long and unkempt down her back. She was wearing stained denim shorts and a ripped top.
“Aren’t you gonna get changed?”
Molly looked down at herself. “I did.”
“Yeah, right. I don’t want to be seen with you if you’re going out like that.”
Molly harrumphed and put her hand on her hip. “Just coz I don’t spend hours in front of the mirror like you do doesn’t mean I don’t look nice.”
“You look like a slob. Ever heard of something called a brush?” Jake looked at his mother. “Mom, tell her.”
“Molly, your brother’s right. Go comb your hair and change into something nice for your dad.”
“Mom!”
“Do it!”
“I don’t even want to go out with Dad!” Molly grumbled as she stormed off and slammed her bedroom door.
“And brush your teeth!” their mother called after her daughter. She turned back to Jake. “You know it’s been rough on her with the baby and all. Just give her a few minutes.”
“But the guys are waiting for me.”
“Let them wait. Please just get your sister to the pier and wait for your dad. Then the rest of the day is yours.”
He grinned mischievously. “If I do, can we order pizza tonight?”
“You’re negotiating with me?”
Jake nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “If you want peace, you gotta sweeten the pot a little.”
His mother smiled. “You want terms? Okay, pizza tonight if you promise not to fight with your sister on the way.”
Jake hesitated. “Wait, I was just supposed to take her to the pier. You didn’t say anything about not fighting with her. For that, I think we need extra toppings. . . .”
“Jake!”
He grinned again. “Okay, deal. I take the Mole to the pier with no fighting and we have pizza tonight—with two toppings.”
She sighed in exasperation. “Yes, fine, pizza with two toppings. Now just wait for your sister. I’m going to go lie down for a while. This California weather is getting to me—I’ll never understand why we left Detroit.”
“Because you didn’t like the cold,” Jake said.
“Well, it’s better than this heat,” his mother said. “Be back around seven and we can order in.” She rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “You’ve got your phone and helmet?”
Jake turned around to show his backpack. “Yep, in here.”
“And you’ll wear your helmet?”
“Duh, Mom. ’Course I will.”
“Just checking,” she said.
Molly returned wearing clean shorts and a T-shirt. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
“That’s better,” his mother said. “Now both of you be good and have fun.”
It wasn’t a long walk to the Santa Monica Pier as they made their way from their apartment building on Olympic Boulevard down to Ocean Avenue and toward the water. But as they neared the beach, the Saturday crowds and tourists were out and filling the streets around it. Traffic was heavy as people fought over parking places. Jake changed routes and took a quieter street.
“I hate Saturdays here,” he said, trying to start a conversation with his moody sister. “It’s like, ‘Hey, dude, I’m a tourist, can I take your picture?’ like I’m some kind of freak or something.”
“You are a freak,” Molly said glumly.
“You’re the freak,” Jake said. “You’re always like life has squished your kitten or something. Would it kill you to smile?”
Molly stopped and put her hands on her hips. “As a matter of fact, it would. So just shut up and take me to the pier.”
“So just shut up and take me to the pier . . . ,” Jake mimicked his sister’s whiny voice.
“Grow up, Jake.”
“You grow up,” he said back. Jake might have promised not to fight with her, but Molly was making it almost impossible. To avoid the situation getting worse, he put his skateboard down, climbed on, and glided down the sidewalk.
“Oh yeah, that’s adult,” Molly called. “Just walk away.”
“I’m boarding away, and it’s better than talking to you. . . .”
Jake had gone only a few feet when he heard Molly scream. He looked back, his eyes widening at the sight of someone—or something—grabbing his sister.
“Hey, you, let her go!” Jake was still on his skateboard, and it cut sharply to the left. He tried to correct himself, but the angles were wrong. He lost his balance, flipped off the board, and crashed down to the ground, smashing his head on the curb.
The last thing he heard was his sister’s terrified screams.
3
ASTRAEA WALKED BESIDE ZEPHYR AS they made their way through the thickening crowds. The whole new city was called Arcadium, but at its heart stood Arcadia, the massive school that would educate all the Titan and Olympian children together.
“Well, it is bigger than I thought,” Zephyr commented. Her white head was raised higher than most of the Titans.
Astraea stood on her toes to see what Zephyr was talking about. “I can’t see anything with all these people in my way.”
Zephyr laughed. “That’s because you’re too short. I can see everything. There are several large buildings. I thought there was only going to be one.”
“There are too many students for there to be only one building,” Aurora explained. “There will be a lower school for youngsters, a middle school for students your age, an upper school, and then a university for further education. From what I understand, each building has a number. Arcadia One is the largest and that is where they are holding the opening ceremonies. I have also heard talk of another building for adults who wish to take courses.”
“Why would adults want to go to school?” Astraea asked.
“Just because we are older than you does not mean we want to stop learning. There is so much we can do now. We can study the arts, literature, and science, as well as many other subjects. I myself am considering taking some courses. I hear that some of the Muses are giving dancing and singing lessons, and Urania is going to give lectures on the heavens and stars.”
Astraea stared at her mother in complete disbelief. She had never imagined that Aurora would want to learn new things. “You going to school—this I need to see!”
Her mother laughed as they continued. The crowds were getting denser, and they were being shoved on all sides as they filtered through the narrow streets of Arcadium to reach the area of the opening ceremonies. Shops selling school equipment, books, and supplies lined the street, while vendors tried to sell fruit and ambrosia cakes off carts, but with the swelling crowds unable to stop, business wasn’t good.
“Wow, look at it, it’s so beautiful,” Zephyr teased. She looked at Astraea and winked a large, dark eye. “What an amazing place. You should see it. . . .”
Astraea shot a dirty look at her best friend. “I don’t care anyway. It’s just a dumb school.”
“Jealous,” Zephyr nickered.
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
�
��Girls, please,” Aurora said. “That is no way to behave. We must set an example.”
“An example for who?” Astraea asked.
“For everyone. Your grandfather is a very important man. We must all behave in a way that does not bring disgrace to him.”
Astraea wanted to say more, especially about her grandfather and the human woman, but she kept silent. Her grandfather was Hyperion—brother to Saturn, onetime leader of the Titans. He was also the uncle to Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, the Big Three who now governed both the Titans and Olympians. Hyperion served on the high council and was the head of security—which meant Astraea was part of the most influential family on Titus.
It was because of Hyperion’s position that Astraea was expected to behave differently from other kids her age. It also explained why she didn’t have any friends except for Zephyr. Everyone else was too frightened of her grandfather to speak to her.
They kept moving with the crowd until the large gathering slowed to a stop before the entrance steps to the Arcadia grounds. Astraea finally got her first good look at the school and gasped. Arcadia One was five stories high, with tall windows lining the sides, and it stretched farther than any building she’d seen before. There were tall white marble pillars in front that reminded her of Jupiter’s palace. The neighboring school buildings were almost as tall, but equally long.
“It’s huge!” Astraea said. “Why do we need a school this big?”
“It is not only going to be used as a school,” Aurora said. “There will be meeting halls and places for other gatherings. The design was based on Earth buildings that serve many purposes.”
Zephyr tilted her head back. “Wait. Why did they use Earth designs when it’s a quarantined world?”
“It is true that we can no longer visit Earth, but that does not mean they do not have some excellent ideas. This school is a good example. It will become a community center for everyone.” Aurora led them forward. “Now come along. They are waiting for us.”
Up ahead loomed a large stage with multiple chairs set up across it. There was also a series of chairs set up in front of the stage for the invited guests, while the rest of the huge gathering stood.
As they made their way to the front, Astraea noticed that most of the chairs were occupied except for a few along the first row. These were reserved for dignitaries and their families.
“There they are,” Aurora called as they moved to the front row. Astraea’s father and four older brothers were already there, dressed in their best Titan robes.
Astraea was grateful to her father for saving the aisle seat for her. She and Zephyr could stay together as she sat and Zephyr stood in the aisle beside her. Just as they settled, horns started to blare and the crowd began cheering the arrival of the Big Three.
Everyone turned and watched Jupiter waving to the crowd as he walked confidently toward the stage. He was tall, powerful, and commanding. Astraea noted how much he looked like Saturn, with his gray beard and neatly styled long hair. Jupiter was the oldest Olympian, but the blazing blue of his eyes still held a twinkle of youth. He was followed by his two brothers, Neptune and Pluto. Neptune, like Jupiter, also waved to the crowd and had a broad, beaming smile and eyes the color of the ocean, whereas Pluto in his dark robes did not smile, but nodded to the people who greeted him.
The Big Three were followed by Saturn, Hyperion, and the Titan and Olympian high council. But everyone else who followed was quickly forgotten as Astraea inhaled at the sight of Emily Jacobs astride Pegasus. The winged stallion glowed in the light and held his head high and proud. The tall Xan, Riza, walked closely beside them, looking calm and stunning in her long robes. Then came Joel DeSilva, their Olympian friend, Paelen, and Pegasus’s brother, the winged boar, Chrysaor—these were the Heroes of Olympus. They were followed by Emily’s father, Steve, and Jupiter’s daughter, Diana.
Astraea felt Zephyr react to the presence of Pegasus. A muscle in her friend’s shoulder twitched in irritation as her whole body tensed. Her wings fluttered lightly. “What’s he doing here?”
“I don’t know,” Astraea said. “Father didn’t tell me that Pegasus and Emily were coming. I thought it was just the Big Three and the high council.”
“Look at her, riding Pegasus like he’s some kind of horse. It’s disgusting, and he shouldn’t let her do it. Well, if he’s here, I’m leaving.” Zephyr started to move, but Astraea reached out and caught hold of her mane.
“Zephyr, no, you can’t go. We’ve been specially invited.”
“I don’t care. Being here with Pegasus is humiliating. The teasing is going to start all over again.”
Zephyr had spent her whole life trying to prove that she was her own person and not just the offspring of Pegasus’s clone, Tornado Warning. She never considered herself a relation to the Great Stallion of Olympus, though he always referred to her as his niece. Pegasus’s presence at the opening of Arcadia would bring it all back to her. People would once again see how alike they were and call her his daughter.
Astraea leaned closer to her friend. “Zeph, stand tall and proud. You have every right to be here—more than he does, because you live here and he doesn’t. He lives on Xanadu with Emily and her family. You mustn’t let anyone see that he’s bothering you.”
“But he is bothering me,” Zephyr whispered.
“Girls,” Astraea’s father warned.
All Astraea could do was rest her hand on her friend’s neck and be there for her. She could only imagine how difficult it must be. Except for the black blaze on her chest, Zephyr was identical to Pegasus in every way, right down to the golden hooves.
“Just remember I’m always here for you,” Astraea whispered softly.
The twitch in Zephyr’s neck increased with each step Pegasus took. Finally the stallion was passing directly beside her.
Emily spotted them and waved. “Hi, Zephyr and Astraea. It’s great to see you!”
“Hello, Emily!” Astraea waved back, flattered that Emily remembered her name. But for all her excitement, she was also concerned about her friend—especially when Pegasus looked directly at Zephyr and bowed his head. “Zephyr, it pleases me to see you here. I hope you are well. . . .”
“Pegasus,” Zephyr responded, keeping her voice neutral.
Then they were gone, climbing the stairs to join the Big Three and the high council
Astraea looked at everyone on the stage and noticed something that most people wouldn’t. The Big Three looked pleased to be there, as did most of the others. But when her eyes landed on her grandfather, she saw the intense expression on his face. He wasn’t smiling like the others—in fact, his brows were knit together in a deep frown, while his eyes never stopped panning the crowd.
“Look at Hyperion,” Astraea whispered to Zephyr. “It’s like he’s looking for someone.”
“He’s looking for a way off the stage,” Zephyr responded. “I don’t blame him. I want to go too.”
“No,” Astraea said. “It’s not that. He’s looking for more you-know-whats.”
“You’ve got you-know-whats on the brain,” Zephyr said. “You don’t seriously think there would be any here, do you? Look around. Most of the Titans and Olympians are here. A you-know-what would have to be insane to come.”
“Maybe, but look over there. That’s Tibed.” Astraea pointed to a heavyset, humorless man in the crowd. His dark eyes were intense, and he was motioning to Hyperion. “He works for my grandfather. Look how he’s trying to get his attention. I bet you a bowl of nectar there’s been another sighting.”
Zephyr leaned closer to Astraea and whispered, “You’re obsessed. But it’s just to avoid today. If I can put up with him being here”—she indicated Pegasus on the stage—“you can put up with this ceremony. Let’s just get through this and hope it doesn’t get any worse.”
Astraea looked from Zephyr to Pegasus and back to her best friend again. “You know, things might be easier for you if you get try to get along with him. He’s a lege
nd, and like it or not, you are related to him. You can’t avoid him forever.”
Zephyr gave Astraea a withering look. “Wanna bet?”
“Fine, I give up. Go on hating Pegasus for the rest of your life and see how far that gets you. But I like him. He’s always nice to me, and I really like Emily.”
Astraea’s father nudged her and warned, “Girls, that is enough. Pay attention.” The expression on his face showed he meant business.
Facing forward, Astraea kept her eyes on her grandfather until he seemed to sense her watching him and looked at her. Knowing she’d been caught, Astraea smiled at him. Though he didn’t smile, the corners of his mouth did turn up a bit, but the intensity in his eyes remained. If she had any doubts about what she’d heard the previous night, her grandfather’s expression removed them. Hyperion was worried about something, and it showed on his face to anyone who was really looking.
When everyone was settled, Jupiter came forward. He nodded his head to the crowd.
“Welcome one and all to this very special occasion. I know it has been an enormous adjustment, having all of us living together here on Titus since the destruction of Olympus. And at times it has proved to be very difficult. That is why I am delighted that we can begin to bring everyone together in this exceptional place of education—Arcadia.”
The crowd roared and applauded until Jupiter had to raise his hands to calm them down.
“It also gives me great pleasure to introduce the one whose suggestion it was to build Arcadia. I give you Emily Jacobs.”
Emily slipped off Pegasus’s back, and the two of them came forward.
“Hello,” Emily started. “It’s wonderful to see so many Olympians and Titans standing together to celebrate the opening of Arcadia. Some of you may be wondering why you have to go to school. Well, as you may know, I come from Earth and grew up in New York City. When I was there, I liked going to school. It was where all my friends were, and where I could make more friends.” She smiled as she looked over at Joel DeSilva. “I met Joel there. And at first we really didn’t get along.” Her smile broadened. “Did we, Joel?”