The Broken Curse (7 page)

"Really? Does she think it will lead to a war?"
 

"She said probably not. But, I had a vision, and people died—my friends died. I think a war is inevitable, and I saw it. I don't want people to die."

"I'm sorry that you had to see that." He pulls me closer—as if that's even possible—and strokes my sweaty hair.
 

"I'm just torn. I don't know what to do," I reveal to him, saying my thoughts without a filter.

"I still think killing Aristeus is the easiest way. We can deal with Hades another time. Or even let the Originals deal with containing Hades. You focus on you, and then we can handle the rest." Ollie tugs my chin and tilts my head up so I stare right into his ice blue eyes. Just the color comforts me, knowing that it's Ollie, my rock.

"That's not fair to our parents. Plus, my mom is somewhere down there. I can't just leave her, and I'm not sure I can find her by myself." I push back from Ollie and sit facing him on the bench. I cross my legs underneath me, and I stare at him hard, trying to gauge his thoughts.

"I can speak with my father, but Ryder, if you go down there with an army, Hades will see that as a threat. My dad warned me about how power hungry Hades is. He won't just wait for an explanation; he'll react. My dad said he'd do anything to get out of the Underworld and get access to earth. Trust me. We can't fool him."

"How do you know him so well?" I ask Ollie, curious.

"Apollo and Hades were best friends before Hades was banished to the Underworld. In my early life, Hades was like an uncle to me. An uncle turned evil, but still. I know who he is. My dad told me stories that would horrify you. He won't just let you walk away after bringing an army into his territory."

"Do you think your father has any pull with Hades?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Maybe? I can ask him."

"No, that's okay. We'll figure it out. I just have to think hard, so I know I'm making the right choice." I shake my head side to side in frustration. I drop my head into my hands and sigh. "I don't think I can kill Ari."

"Ryder," Ollie says, taking my face between his two hands. "When it comes down to it, you'll do what you have to do. I believe in you. I love you, and I always will. And no matter what, I will support you. Don't forget that. You're my soul mate, and we're destined. You wouldn't risk us."
 

His words are meant to make me feel better. They're supposed to reassure me. But I'm left more confused than ever. I know he wants me to bring Ari, kill him and be done with it, but I can't help but feel like we need to do the bigger thing. We need to stop Hades from coming to Earth as well as breaking our curse.
 

"I hate to say this, but I kind of want to be alone."

"I understand," he says, smiling down at me. "I'll stop by the house later to check in on you. Just do what your heart is telling you to. I love you."

Little does he know—my heart doesn't work anymore.

CHAPTER EIGHT

searching for answers

I stare out at the majestic mountains as the sun starts to dip behind them. Oranges, pinks, and purples bleed into the dark blue sky like on a watercolor canvas. I love seeing the reflections in the water, the shadows from the trees. I look down at my cellphone and see that I've been sitting out here in silence for hours.

My mind completely shuts off. I decide that I've been pondering my fate for long enough. I want to see something more. I need explanation and understanding. I lie back, finally moving, and place my head on one the end of the bench, my feet at the other end.
 

My hands rest over my barely moving stomach as I slowly breathe, in and out, in and out. I shut my eyes, a light breeze slowly whipping across my face. Before I know it, the darkness descends over me, and I let myself fall.

I don't know where I am, or even when I am. My fingers tingle, and my head feels fuzzy. It seems like I'm at DGA, and as I walk around, I see Professor Onassis' house just a few yards away. I figure that's why I'm here, so I head over and walk right through the door without knocking.
 

Murmurs trickle over and find me, enveloping me and tugging me towards the voices. I'm shocked when I enter her kitchen and find Cece sitting on a stool, while Ari is cooking at the stove. I miss what they're saying, because my eyes are too busy taking in the odd picture of them together. But I refocus on their words.

"She'll do it," Ari says.

"I think you're mistaken. She doesn't want to risk any more lives," Professor Onassis says back to him. She's small on the chair, different than when I first met her. This must be happening now or in the near time. She's wearing a long, sleeveless, lavender dress with white sandals. It must be summer—like right now.
 

"She'll do it." Ari looks over his shoulder at Professor Onassis with an unwavering stare. "I know her. This is the right move, and I trust her to make it. You should give her a break," Ari says, turning back to his steaming pan. He doesn't sound angry, but his words are firm.

"I'm worried about her. She shouldn't have to go through this and make these decisions alone." Professor's eyes draw together, glassy and sad. She's worried about me.

"I agree. But, she refuses to talk to me."

"When has that ever stopped you?"

"This is different, Cece." She starts to speak, but Ari cuts back in. "Just don't tell her I'm the one who's recruiting the army. Say you are. If she thinks I'm involved, she'll shoot it down. She hates me right now. And this is more important."

"Aren't you worried?"
 

He doesn't respond right away. Instead he plates the food, which consists of two large grilled cheeses cooked to golden perfection. He places one in front of Cece, and the other he leaves for himself. He leans against the counter, thinking deeply.

"Well?" Cece asks between bites.

"Right now, all I'm thinking of is her best chance of coming out of this alive. I know in my heart that I'm her soul mate. But it just seems like no matter what I do, she twists it. Like the bargain with her mother. She thinks that I betrayed her."

"Because the only thing she saw was you throwing Athena under the bus," Cece explains.

"Right. But, she never asked why I did it. She never spoke with me. She thinks the worst of me, and that will never change. Even if she picks Orpheus, I couldn't feel worse than I do now. It's always him, and I don't know how much more I can take."

Ari turns his back to Cece and me. His back shakes, and his hands run through his hair. The desperation is clear in his actions. I think my heart breaks right there on the spot.
 

"You've been doing this for thousands of years, Aristeus. You're strong. Just hang in there. One way or another, the curse will end. You can all be free."

"It's just so final, you know?" He turns to face her. He rests his elbows on the counter, but drops his head into his heads instantly. I catch a glimpse of his red, bloodshot eyes. They almost look like he's fighting himself.

"Trust me, I know."

They fall into a moment of peaceful silence as they each eat their sandwiches. For some reason, my face is wet. I reach my hand up to my face and brush the tears to the side. I can't even place what I'm feeling—a mixture of regret, sorrow, and guilt, I suppose.

For some reason, I'm not dropped out of the dream. That was definitely what I was supposed to see, so I don't know why I'm still here. Cece and Ari still eat together, chatting about school and people he's recruited to help.

I follow Ari and Cece as they move into the living room. A roaring fire is burning in the fireplace. Ari sits on the love seat while Cece rests on the couch. Neither speak, but their comfortable silence speaks volumes.

I don't want to be here anymore. I need to talk with Ari in real life. I need to apologize for all of the horrible things that I've done to him. I have to agree to make the army. Cece and Ari believe in me, and I can't let them down.

Finally, the blackness envelops me in its arms, leaving me with the image of Cece and Ari in blissful silence engrained in my brain.

Instead of being dropped back on the bench, I'm dropped into another vision. I've been in this house so many times in my childhood, the unique smell alone gives it away. I'm dropped in the mudroom, and the smell of bacon leads me to the backyard.

Junior has a pool in the backyard, one of the best parts of his house. It's a perfect rectangle with a long diving board on one side and a set of stairs jutting out of the shallow end. The water is crystal clear and sparkles in the strong rays of the afternoon sun.
 

I see the two guys sitting on the lawn chairs. I step closer and get so close I think I've almost blown my cover, but they don't notice me. Ollie looks up for s second and then goes back into his notebook and scribbles something down.

"You have to get focused," Junior says.

"It's not so easy when the fate of the world is all on Ryder. Not to mention my life."

"Dude, you know she'll do the right thing."

"I'm not so sure. I spoke to her today and she was teetering."

"Anyone with eyes can see that you're her soul mate."

"Not her." Ollie shakes his head, his blond hair fanning out against the white chair. "How's this: The fate of my life is in her hands; the verdict will come down to where she stands? I can't get her off my mind. Even my lyrics are messed up."

"That was pretty bad." Junior laughs and shoves Ollie on the arm. Ollie punches him back and Junior squeals as he clutches his arm. "You suck." Junior jumps up from the chair and tears his shirt off his back. He walks over to the diving board and dives in. His mohawk gets floppy underwater and when he surfaces at the other end, his hair is all over his face.

"Do you think I should call my dad?" Ollie calls over to Junior, who's wading in the pool.

"For what?"

"I don't know. A favor? Maybe he can talk to Uncle Hades or help me figure out if I'm her soulmate."

"I mean, I guess you could. I don't see how he'd be able to help though."

"Yeah…" Ollie nods. He throws the notebook on the cement and then leans back on the white chair, crossing his arms behind his head. "I guess it's all on me."

CHAPTER NINE

it's final

My heart beats against my ribs. I wake immediately and jump up from the bench. It takes me a moment to realize where I am since I just had two dreams in a row. I try to remember all the details from both dreams. And then I remember that I have to talk to Ari.
 

I sprint back to Demi God Academy, my feet pounding against the black top in a steady rhythm. There's no time to lose. I can't stand the hurt in my heart over what I've put Ari through. I relied on what I saw to be the truth of what was happening and refused to hear him out. I've made a terrible mistake.
 

As I enter the black gates, I go straight to Ari's house. It's near the front, against the woods, so it's not too far of a walk. I pray that he's there, but I can't fight back a sinking feeling in my gut. Something is off. Something is wrong.
 

I knock on his red door, banging my fist until it cries out in pain. It's dark now and not a light is on in his house. I knock again, but nobody answers. I move past the door and peek in the window, cupping my hands around my eyes to try to see past the darkness. Without the lights on in the house, I can hardly see a thing, no matter how hard I press my head to this pane.

"Find anything interesting?" His voice startles me, and I jump like a scared alley cat. I land awkwardly on my ankle and fall into one of the bushes in front of his house, head first. I spring up with all my strength and speed, and glare at Ari for making me look like a moron.

"Thanks," I growl as I pull a twig out of my brown hair.

"Hey!" His hands spring up in surrender beside him, palms out. "You were the one peeking in my house."

"True." I nod my head in agreement. "Do you think we could talk?" I ask him, hoping he gives me a chance. He tilts his head to the side, his eyes squinted on me like he's deciding. I glare because I know that he's just messing around.