by Kate O'Hearn
“Oh, please, I think I might be sick…,” Zephyr said.
“Can we go now?” Cupid said impatiently. “The sun will be up soon.”
Astraea nodded. “All right, let’s go. Angitia and Picus, please be careful. We’re counting on you.”
“We will,” Picus said. “You be fast!”
They separated and made their way down the street. Astraea, Zephyr, and Cupid headed toward the rear of the large property. As they moved, Belis paused and turned back to look at Angitia.
“Come with us, Belis,” Astraea called. “If you go with her, Hyperion might see you and he’ll hurt her.”
Belis lingered a moment longer and then followed Astraea.
“She really is a snake charmer,” Zephyr teased. “Belis has only just met her and he’s already taken by her. I think you’re losing your pet.”
Astraea looked at the snake and realized she felt a tinge of jealousy that Belis was drawn to Angitia. It was petty and small, but she couldn’t help the way she was feeling. The fact that Zephyr noticed made it even worse.
“I’m fine,” Astraea said. “Belis can like whomever he wants. I don’t own him—no one does.”
Zephyr looked at Astraea and did the best she could to raise her brows. “Oh really…?”
They made it to the rear of her grandparents’ home and found the back doors open as a gentle breeze set the sheer curtains billowing.
“Stay here a moment,” Cupid said. “I’ll fly up onto the roof and see how the kids are doing.” Without waiting for a reply, Cupid opened his large wings and took off.
“Kids?” Zephyr said. “He’s not much older than us!”
“Actually, he’s a lot older,” Astraea said. “He just looks young. I don’t think he ages anymore. My mother says he’s almost as old as Pegasus.…” Astraea paused. “Sorry, I said the ‘P’ word.”
“It’s all right. He doesn’t really bother me much anymore. Even though I’ve lost my blaze and look more like him.”
“That’s a relief!” Astraea said. “Not about the blaze, I mean. It’s funny seeing you without it. But I mean how you feel about Pegasus. It makes things much easier, especially now with all of this going on.”
Moments later, Cupid returned. “They are doing great. Both Theia and Hyperion are talking to them about their parents.”
“Let’s go,” Astraea said.
They dashed through the garden and across the long lawn, then climbed the marble stairs and entered the house through large double doors.
For Astraea, everything looked the same as it always did. There wasn’t a thing out of place. It was hard to imagine, as her grandmother was the tidiest person she knew, but the house looked even cleaner.
“Does Hyperion have a private room where he might keep the keys?” Cupid asked.
Astraea didn’t know. She realized that despite being related to him, she knew very little about her grandfather. “I’m not sure.”
Cupid gave her an exasperated look. “That is just great. You search in here. I’ll try some of the other rooms.”
When he left, Zephyr said, “I don’t think I like him very much.”
“He doesn’t like us, that’s for sure,” Astraea said. She was darting around the room, searching every drawer, bookshelf, and desktop she could for the keys. “They’re not here.”
Belis slid up the stairs and entered the room. His scales were jet-black as he moved around a long sofa.
“I know there are Mimics here,” Astraea said softly to him. “But stay there. We have to keep looking.”
“Looking for what?” Mimic Hyperion said as he entered the room.
Mimic Theia was behind him, prodding Picus and Angitia along with a walking stick.
Astraea’s heart leaped and she caught her breath. “Grandfather, Grandmother, it’s so lovely to see you!”
“You may drop the act with us, Astraea,” Mimic Hyperion said coldly. He looked over to Zephyr. “You too. You know who we are, and we certainly know you. The question is, what are you doing back on Titus?”
30
“POLICE?” TRYN SAID.
“Yes,” Jake cried, watching the line of police cars driving down the road toward them. “They are the authorities. It means we’ve been discovered and they’re coming to get us!” He looked back at Tryn. “How did they find us?”
Tryn’s eyes went wide. “Maybe they followed Aurora and the others when they were out scrounging. If they find us, they could call the CRU!”
“Dad said the CRU were gone,” Triana said.
“Groups like them are never gone,” Tryn said. He looked around the room at all the Titans and Olympians. “This is bad. Really, really bad.”
Word of the police spread through the gathering, and tension was growing. Jake looked at them and saw determination. They weren’t frightened. They looked like they were preparing to fight.
“This is going to turn ugly,” Jake said. “If they start to fight, the police will call in the army!”
Tryn looked down at his ring. “It won’t get that far. If we must, we’ll use the ring to get out of here.”
“And go where?”
“I don’t know. This is your world, not mine. Where could we go?”
Before Jake could answer, a centaur standing at the window on the opposite side of the room called, “They are here. If they want a fight, we shall grant them one.”
“Please don’t.” Jake ran across the room to the windows overlooking the parking lot. The police were pulling up to the locked gates. An officer climbed out of the car, reached into the back, and retrieved a large set of bolt cutters.
“Uh-oh,” Jake said. “That locked fence isn’t going to stop them.”
The centaurs readied their weapons, and one called, “I am sorry, Jake, but we heard what happened to Chiron last time he was here on Earth. We will not let that happen to us.”
Tryn looked at Jake. “Chiron told me what they did to him in Hawaii. It was terrible, so I understand how they feel. I hope we can avoid violence.”
“Me too,” Jake agreed.
Moments later the gate’s lock was cut away and the cars were entering the disused parking lot. They followed the progress as the officers climbed out of their cars and, holding up flashlights, approached the loading dock.
Jake looked around the room at the fighters preparing for battle. “Wait, stop, I have an idea.”
“What is it?” Tryn asked.
“Those police might think you’re all intruders that have broken in. If I go down there and tell them that this is my family’s steel plant and we’re working together, they might leave without trouble.”
“If you do that, they may take you away because of your family,” Triana cried.
“If it means protecting you and saving Titus, it is a risk I’ll have to take.”
“But we need you,” Tryn said.
Pegasus nickered and trotted over.
When Jake looked at Tryn, he translated. “Pegasus says it is a kind offer, but he agrees with me that we need you here.”
“But I’m not needed. Not really. I’m just a human. I’m not strong like you guys, and I can’t fight well. All I can do is talk to Nesso and she talks to the snakes. But you don’t even need me for that now that they’re learning to understand you.”
“You’re not leaving me here, are you?” Nesso hissed. “I mussst ssstay with you.”
Jake stroked the snake at his neck. “No, I’m not leaving you. We’re going to stay together, always.”
“Thank you.” Nesso sighed.
Cylus climbed up from his resting place on the floor and clopped over. “Yes, you are human, and I’ll admit, I didn’t like you when I first met you. But everything has changed. You have earned my respect. All our respect. You are one of us. You have to stay.”
Jake had been stunned that Pegasus wanted him to stay because he barely knew him. But he was ever more stunned by Cylus because the centaur hated him. “Thanks, Cylus, but it’s because
I’m one of you that I might have to go.”
There was the sound of someone running up the stairs. Aurora arrived on the third floor. She was carrying a torch as she ran over to the group. Her wings were covered in long rags, and unless you knew they were there, you’d never notice them. “Jake, we need your help. People have entered the plant and don’t believe we have permission to be here. You must speak with them and explain.”
Jake looked at Tryn and shrugged. “See? I told you so.”
“Jake, don’t let them take you away!” Triana threw her arms around him and nearly crushed him with a fierce hug.
“I’m sorry, but I might have to.” Jake looked over at Tryn. “In case I have to go, I want you to know, you’ll always be the best friend I’ve ever had. When the war is over and you’ve beaten the Mimics, please come to Los Angeles and find me.” Jake ran across the room to his bed and grabbed his backpack and winged skateboard and carried them back to Tryn. Going through his pack, he pulled out a pen and a piece of paper and started to write.
“This is my address and phone number in California. The Solar Stream ring should bring you right here. Please, Tryn, come. Bring Astraea and even Zephyr. Then you can tell me how it all went.”
Tryn accepted the paper. “I will, I promise.”
Jake caught hold of Tryn and gave him a firm hug. He felt his throat constrict with emotions. Leaving was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Jake, please,” Aurora said. “I am sorry, but they are waiting.”
Jake sniffed. “I’m ready.” He pulled away from Tryn and walked backward toward the stairs, looking at the strange and wonderful assortment of Titans and Olympians. Jake realized he’d found more of a home with these aliens than he’d ever had here on Earth.
“Please tell Astraea and Zephyr I’m sorry I couldn’t say good-bye face-to-face.”
“I will,” Tryn said.
Jake finally turned away and entered the stairwell with Aurora. “I know they’re gonna take me away.”
“I hope not,” Aurora said. “You mean so much to my daughter.”
Jake stopped. “Will you tell her that I’ll really miss her and that I thank her for everything she’s done for me? Thank her also for being my friend.”
Aurora nodded. “You do not have to thank her for her friendship; you’ve earned it naturally. But you can tell her yourself how you feel when she comes to see you again.”
Jake nodded, but he remained silent.
As they walked down to the lower level, he said to Aurora, “I won’t tell them about you. I mean the truth about Titus and all that. They probably wouldn’t believe me anyway, but I promise not to betray your secret.”
Aurora reached for Jake’s hand. “Thank you, Jake. You have been a good friend to all of us.”
They emerged from the stairwell and started to walk through the plant. The forge was untended, but the glow lit the room enough for Jake to see that all the Titans and Olympians were gathered together in a large group with at least twenty police officers standing before them, their weapons drawn.
One of the officers approached Jake and pointed back to Jupiter. “This man claims you are Jake Reynolds, the son of the owner of this place.”
“Yes, sir.” Jake looked at all the police officers. Their expressions were stern. “Please, don’t hurt anyone. They’re my friends. I gave them permission to be here.”
“We’ve spoken with your family. They are very concerned about you and claim you ran away,” the officer said. “It is time you went home.”
Jake paused and frowned. “How could you reach my family when Jupiter just told you my name?”
“That is unimportant.” The officer turned to another one. “Take him out to the vehicle. The rest of you get ready.…”
Jake started to back up. He looked at Jupiter. “Something’s not right here.…”
“Ready for what?” a young officer at the back called.
A female police officer wearing thick gloves came forward and grabbed Jake roughly by the arm. She hauled him forward. “Come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” Jake tried to pull his arm free, but the grip tightened.
“Quiet,” the officer said. “Or I’ll put the cuffs on you.”
“Why?” Jake demanded. “I haven’t done anything wrong. These are my friends. We’re just working here. You can’t just come in here and take me.”
“We are in command. We can do whatever we like.”
“Actually, I do not think so,” Jupiter said slowly. He took a step forward and raised his hand. “In fact, I think you should release the boy right now. He does not wish to go with you.”
The other Olympians and Titans stepped forward. In response, the line of police officers raised their weapons.
“Jupiter, no, please, don’t do this for me,” Jake cried. “You have other things to worry about. Bigger things. I’ll just go with them and that will be the end of it.”
Jupiter paused, but before he could do anything, one of the officers came forward and shoved him back with the barrel of his weapon. “Stand back, Jupiter. This is over now.”
Pluto moved faster than Jake had ever imagined possible as he caught hold of the officer’s arm. Jake was about to shout “no!” because Astraea had once told him that Pluto had the power to kill with a touch. But when Pluto grabbed the officer’s arm, nothing happened.
“How is this possible?” Pluto asked curiously. Before he could say more, a tendril shot out of the police officer and wrapped abound Pluto’s hand. He fell to the floor, unconscious.
“They’re Mimics!” Jake screamed as he tried to pull free of the arm gripping him. “Everyone, run! They’re Mimics.”
“You are not going anywhere, spawn,” the officer holding him said coldly.
Jake watched in horror as an all-out war started on the main floor of the building. Jupiter fired blazing lightning bolts at the line of police, but they passed right through the Mimics, hit the wall of the building, and blasted holes right through them. In response, some of the Mimics shot their tendrils at the Titans, while others fired their weapons.
Looking at the mayhem, Jake realized that a few of the police officers were human, as their terrified eyes watched the unearthly battle raging before them. One was struck by a tendril and instantly went down. The others ran for cover behind the forge.
“No!” Jake tried harder to pull away, but the Mimic’s grip was too tight. Before he could reach for Nesso, a tendril shot out from the Mimic’s torso and touched his bare hand. The effect was immediate. He was paralyzed and felt the sickening weakness start. As his vision faded, he watched more Mimics arrive through the loading dock doors and charge at the Titans.
31
ASTRAEA FELT SICK AS SHE stood before Mimic Hyperion and Theia. The expressions on Angitia’s and Picus’s faces revealed their absolute terror. But that was nothing compared to what she felt.
“I came back to find my brothers,” Astraea answered defiantly.
“And you thought you might find them here?” Hyperion asked.
“I hoped that my real grandparents were still here. But I was wrong. You’ve taken them. You’ve taken everyone.”
“Not quite everyone,” Theia said. “But soon we will. Soon we will no longer need these uncomfortable disguises and all of Titus will be ours.”
“Titus will never be yours. We’ll fight you!” Astraea cried.
“You can try, but you won’t win,” Theia said. “We are already in the final phase. When that is complete, our queen will divide and increase tenfold and we will spread through the known and unknown universe.”
Hyperion moved closer. “But you will not live long enough to see our glorious rise. Your part in this struggle ends tonight.”
Behind Hyperion, the front door of the house opened and was slammed violently shut. “I’m not through with you yet!” called the voice.
Astraea recognized the voice long before she saw the short, stocky man. Tibed, her g
randfather’s assistant, stormed into the room. When his eyes landed on her, he frowned. “Astraea, what are you doing here?”
“Me?” Astraea said. “What are you doing here?”
Tibed shuffled on his feet like a child that had been caught doing something very wrong. “It’s none of your business. Why have you come back?” He looked at Hyperion. “I had nothing to do with this.”
“We are aware of that,” Hyperion said. “This young spawn has caused us much grief in many places. But that ends now.”
“You might kill us tonight, but that won’t end the fight. We’ll stop you,” Astraea challenged.
Tibed looked at her and took a step closer. “Astraea, we cannot win against them. The only hope is to join them and gain as much power as you can.”
Astraea could hardly believe what she had just heard. There were beads of sweat breaking out on Tibed’s brow, and Astraea realized he wasn’t a Mimic. He was real, and he knew about the Mimics.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Astraea cried. “You’re the Titan traitor! How could you do it? How could you help them defeat your own people? Look, they’ve already replaced my grandparents.”
“Why should I care,” Tibed said, “considering how Hyperion has treated me? Is it any wonder that I turned against him? I want him and his brothers to suffer the same way they’ve made me suffer.”
“What have they ever done to you—nothing!”
“It is not nothing!” Tibed fired back. “If they were so good, why did Jupiter and his brothers turn against Saturn and the others?”
“That was in the past. It happened a long time ago. Jupiter was never mean to you, and yet you betrayed him, too!” Astraea cried.
“True, but Hyperion and Saturn were. They’re all the same. Same family, same ruling elite. It’s time for something new, and I’m going to be the head of it. I will rule the survivors of Titus. If we serve, we will survive.”
“You foul little man!” Zephyr cried. “I should stomp you into the ground right now. You caused all this? You betrayed us?”
“It was going to happen anyway,” Tibed said. “They were already moving in here when I found out. Why shouldn’t I profit from it?”