《The Persephone Variant》


 Chapter 1 - Catalyst

    The King of the Evernight wears his exhaustion like a heavy crown. Though obviously burdensome, it looks good on him.


    It''s hard to imagine anything that wouldn''t.


    He studies me from across the table of glossy black stone, eyes dark-shadowed, the hard angles of his jaw shaded by stubble. His hair¡ªswept back and out of his face¡ªhas a bluish sheen in the light.


    "Signed, sealed, and sent" I say, voice unnaturally breathy as I set the stylus down beside my tablet. Looking up from his reflection on the table''s surface, I meet his eyes for the first time since we were introduced about an hour ago.


    "Excellent," Hecate, Left Hand of the King, declares happily, clapping her hands together. "I think that''s everything, then." She beams around at all of us, standing as she gathers up her own tablet and other particulars. I can''t decide if her smile is endearing or frightening¡ªonly that it makes me think of a razor-eel. Just a little too wide, flashing fangs any predator would envy.


    King Aidoneus, however, doesn''t budge.


    "Your Majesty?"


    "I''d like a moment alone to speak with Kore before we take our leave, if she doesn''t object."


    I clear my throat. "Not at all," I say, managing to sound almost normal¡ªbut the words still come out an octave higher than usual.


    My older sister looks sideways at me, but I don''t spare her a glance. I can''t look away from the man across the table.


    My husband-to-be.


    Assuming I die within the next few weeks, of course.


    When our respective entourages have left the room¡ªsave our Guardians¡ªAidoneus fixes his eyes on mine. His cat-like pupils narrow and widen as he refocuses, striking against the pale silver of his irises.


    He''s even more imposing with no one else in the room, silhouetted against the window-wall looking out over all of Gaia, an emissary of shadow in my world of never-ending brightness.


    I wait in polite, expectant silence.


    "Kore, I know you''re aware of what you''re getting into, and I respect your decision. But I wanted to hear it from you in person. Face-to-face. Without anyone else''s influence or pressure." He pauses, searching my eyes. "I haven''t signed the contract yet myself. If you want to back out now, I can come up with some reason for cancelling the arrangement. That way the blame won''t fall to you."


    I shake my head. "Your Majesty¡ª"


    "Please, call me Aidon."


    "Your¡ªAidon. I..." I pause, take another breath, and force myself to maintain eye-contact. My cheeks flush with heat. "This is what I want."


    There''s so much more I''d like to say, but it''s as though my words are ground to nothing in the weight of his presence.


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    He stands, rising to his full¡ªand considerable¡ªheight, and circles around the table. His cloak flows behind him, revealing the artfully fitted contours of the dark suit he wears beneath it. I get up, turning to face him. My jaw goes slack, but I catch it before I think he can notice, biting my lip to keep my mouth closed.


    Cold washes off of him in waves, and at this range it''s easier to understand what''s so odd about his skin. It''s not just the ashen, unusually cool tone of it¡ªbut the way the light refracts subtly off its surface, as though its covered in a rime of tiny ice crystals.


    "You want to be surrounded by the dead? To leave behind all of that," he gestures outward towards the vibrant sprawl of Gaia¡ªits colored-glass towers and earthen homes, its trees and parks and gardens and stony outcroppings all bathed in the amber-pink sunlight filtered through the dome.


    "To be tied to me, forever, in the cold and the dark? Are you sure, Kore?"


    He reaches out, offering his hand¡ªand I take it. Its chill spreads through my skin, into my bones. I swallow. His eyes widen¡ªperhaps because I don''t flinch or pull away.


    "I want to be able to leave here, to see other places. To be free," I tell him. "But I also want to do my part for my house. For Gaia."


    I squeeze his palm. "So yes, I''m sure."


    He exhales suddenly, his lips twitching upward in the barest of smiles¡ªthen he releases my hand and inclines his head.


    "Very well," he says, stepping back. "It''s best not to keep Hecate waiting too long."


    And with that he strides away, waving a hand towards the exit. The door whirs open.


    "After you."


    Thanking him, I brush past¡ªtrying to hide the shiver that runs down my spine.


    Glancing over at his Left Hand and the others where they stand chatting with my sister and our people, Aidoneus pausess, then turns back to me.


    "See you at the wedding," he says.


    ~*~


    "Ouch," I complain, eyeing the red fluid in the syringe as Dr. Lepis presses the plunger, sending its chill snaking into my bloodstream.


    The Catalyst.


    Whatever strain of the pseudovirus awaits within me, it''s free to manifest now. Unless of course, I''m one of the Immune. Doomed to an ordinary human lifespan and an ordinary human life, too fragile to ever leave the safety of the dome.


    Then the contract between Aidoneus and I would be null and void, and I''ll never so much as set foot within the halls of Styx. My heart constricts at the thought.


    "Done," chirps Lepis, pulling the needle free and retracting it into her appendage for later disposal. A few more fluid movements and the tiny wound in my upper arm is covered in a cool gel that solidifies an instant later into a flexible film. "Don''t pick at it. Symptoms should manifest anywhere between a day and a week, if they''re to manifest at all." Then she turns and whirs off¡ªa blur of glossy black limbs and cyan lights as the door of my room opens to make way for her. Her model''s never been one to waste words...something I appreciate about them.


    Sitting up off my bed, I pad towards the broad, arch-shaped window at the front of my room, brushing my fingertips softly through the vines, leaves and blossoms of my plants¡ªmy treasures, my babies. They transform the broad, simple curves of the chamber into a dripping oasis of life and color.


    Night has fallen. Not true night of course, we don''t have that on this side of the world. But the dome has darkened, filtering the unrelenting brightness of the sun into a dim violet haze. I take a long breath as my eyes wander over the lights of Gaia, glowing through her many-colored windows and stained-glass structures. Then I step out onto my balcony and into the warm, heavy air¡ªskirting around stocky palms, clusters of succulents and the fountain pool filled with lily pads and rose-gold fish. My Guardian hovers along a few paces behind, a silent silvery specter in the shape of an orb.


    Inhaling again, I taste the sky. Let it fill my lungs and my soul with its scents of salt and sweetspice, greenery and growth and decay. Plastic and people. Fruit and street food.


    I can''t help but wonder which breath might be the last I take as a human. Will it still smell so good here, after I''m reborn? If I am? Or will I long for the clean, cold darkness of the other side?


    The evening''s rain begins, slow at first¡ªthen building. I spread my arms and turn my face up to it, close my eyes as my lips curl into a smile. The water chills my skin.


    My blood, my bones.


    My eyes snap open as my teeth begin to chatter. In a matter of heartbeats, I''m shivering so hard I can barely control my movements. Then my heart stops, and the ground is rushing up to meet me.

 Chapter 2 - Dark Dawn

    Darkness and cold is all there is. For a long time I have no sense of self or body. My awareness of the void is all that defines me.


    Time passes. I don''t know how much. Gradually I begin to sense a boundary between that which is me and that which isn''t. Where the pain ends, so do I.


    It''s the agony of freezing¡ªa cold so cold it burns, a feeling of constraint as though every unseen cell of my being is collapsing in on itself, as though my bones are curling inward like the legs of a dead spider.


    But I have cells. I have bones. There is a me.


    Slowly, I grow to be more than just pain and awareness of it. My memories begin to crystallize.


    And then¡ªfaintly at first¡ªI become aware of a scent. An impossibly, deliciously overwhelming scent. Something like chocolate and strawberries, hibiscus flowers and bonfires¡ªand at the same time unlike anything I''ve ever known before. The essence of perfect, sensual satisfaction. Condensed into a fragrance.


    The scent ignites something else within me.


    Thirst. Desperate and all-consuming.


    It''s the thirst¡ªand the scent that drives it¡ªwhich motivates me to fight the burn of the cold. To attempt to move.


    I start with my eyelids, preparing myself for torture. I feel like I''m made of millions of tiny shards of ice¡ªlike any movement will shatter me.


    When my eyes fly open easily, I''m shocked. I inhale with a start, breathing deep of that scent¡ªand in the next instant I''m up. Striking, viper-like, towards its source.


    My body curls around it, nails digging into its flesh and fangs plunging into its neck.


    In a heartbeat, in a pulse, that intoxicating fragrance becomes a flavor. A revelation that wipes away my pain.


    I draw it into myself like it''s the nectar of life, and perhaps it is. For every drop that passes my lips, my body feels more right, more alive¡ªnot just more than I felt before, but more than I''ve ever felt. More than I ever could have conceived or imagined possible. As though the shards of ice that were my flesh have turned to liquid starlight. Fluid and unbound and radiant.


    When at last it runs dry, I begin to come back to myself. My new self, that is. I pull away, my stomach dropping in shock as full awareness dawns. My hands begun to shake.


    What have I¡ª?


    "Good morning," says the being I''ve just drained dry¡ªhis voice low and almost musical in the way its syllables flow together. "I trust you enjoyed your breakfast?"


    ~*~


    "I...I...wha-who are you?" I stammer, sliding away from the Synthe as he rises from a kneeling position, standing to a height of about a handspan and a half greater than my own. I get up too, taking another step back.


    "I''m Syntrofos. Or Syn or Syntro if you like. Your Companion."


    "My¡ª"


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    "I''m an AI Synthetic designed to attend to your medical, physical, and psychological needs. That includes a lifelike feeding experience."


    The trembling spreads to the rest of my body before it begins to subside¡ªrelief and astonishment turning me into a temporary statue.


    Smiling slightly, he blinks down at me with eyes that glow a feint yellow-green. Like a living sculpture of dark, blue-gray metal¡ªthough parts of him¡ªincluding either side of his neck and shoulders¡ªare made of a matte material of the same shade. I watch, astonished, as the puncture marks over his jugular shrink to pinpricks and then vanish completely.


    He''s largely humanoid save the horn-like protrusions on his forehead and the satyr-ish way his legs bend back at the knees, ending in appendages that look more like hooves than feet. His long hair is tied back at the nape of his neck, the same tone as his skin. His clothes are storm-gray as well, though darker and made of something resembling leather.


    "What do you mean, a realistic feeding experience?"


    "Would you like to sit down while I explain?" He offers, gesturing off to his side. My attention follows, and at last I notice my surroundings. My eyes skip past the furnishings, taking in the whole.


    We''re in a large, high-ceilinged chamber. The walls behind and to either side of me are rough, black stone flecked with bits of silvery crystal, the floor beneath me the same¡ªthough polished. But above and ahead is all glass¡ªor something like it¡ªfortified by a hexagonal pattern of black metal beams.


    Hanging from those beams and nestled in indoor planters against and set into the walls are my plants. every last one of them. Beyond them is the endless night, the darks side of the planet. And, burning in its sky, a sea of diamonds¡ªthe view I''ve longed for all my life.


    Stars.


    ~*~


    I stand there, staring¡ªsearing the memory of my first sight of the heavens across the backdrop of my consciousness. More beautiful than any picture or video ever conveyed.


    After a long time, words return to me.


    "My plants. How¡ª"


    Syn smiles, guiding my over to a low couch set amongst the greenery, shimmery gray and plush. "His majesty knew what they meant to you. The plexiglass here is not only virtually indestructible, but capable of full-spectrum light generation as well. Your plants will have everything they need."


    "And you...what did I just drink?"


    "Ichor. Artificial human blood."


    My hands flutter to my throat.


    I''d known Variants had special dietary requirements. I''d known it was artificially synthesized.


    But...blood?


    No wonder they''re so secretive.


    "You''ll need it daily to stay at optimum health, weekly to function normally. Go more than a month without it and you''ll enter first a disassociated and then a catatonic state. And yes, you can and should still eat ordinary food as well, though your need of it is lessened. You can survive indefinitely without it, but it will take a physical and psychological toll."


    I''m quiet for a long time as the information sinks in.


    Then something else occurs to me.


    "What happened to me, before I changed? I thought the Catalyst wasn''t supposed to take affect for a day at least. But it was almost instantaneous."


    Syn studies my face for a moment before answering.


    "There''s something about your Strain. We''re not sure what it is yet. Something new, or something that hasn''t been seen in a very long time."


    I gnaw my lip. "And how long was I...unconscious?"


    "Five days."


    I take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, let it out slowly. Then I get up, moving towards the front of the room to look out once more at my new world. Comforting in its familiarity, my Guardian floats over from somewhere near the vast bed I''d awoken in to follow me.


    We''re thousands of meters up in the air, looking out over the immense sprawl of Styx, with its impossibly tall towers and spires of broken black stone, blanketed in lights of neon blue and violet and silver which rival the stars themselves.


    That''s when I notice the door set into the glass at the front of my room¡ªa octagon larger than the rest. It opens as I approach, letting me out onto a balcony framed by more beams. The force-field they project lends a subtle haze to the scenery and reduces the howling winds to a strong breeze. A large pool glows at the center of the space¡ªwarm, fragrant vapors wafting off of it. The stone rail is lined with what look like planters full of shimmery succulents. On closer inspection, I find them carved of stone like everything else, and covered in a glaze of ice.


    I grasp the rail and peer over the edge. Directly below¡ªat the base of the gargantuan plateau out of which the Palace of Hades is built¡ªruns the river Styx herself, luminous and icy-blue. Wide and endless.


    "Wow," I whisper under my breath.


    "Lady Kore," Syn''s voice issues from a few paces behind me as he follows my Guardian and I out onto the balcony. "Your fianc¨¦ is at the door."

 Chapter 3 - Cuts

    I whirl on the spot. Within a few heartbeats I''ve swept past Syn and back into my chamber. My movements have a fluid immediacy to them now that I can''t help but marvel at, easy and instinctual as they are.


    I''m halfway to the door when Syn clears his throat from behind me. A noticeable contrivance, coming form a Synthe.


    My heart beats rapidly and my chest heaves, burning with a sudden, intense frustration at the interruption. For the first time I realize that it''s not just my senses and physical abilities that have heightened. It''s my emotions, too.


    When it comes to Aidoneus, at least.


    I turn on my heel, raising an eyebrow at my new Companion.


    "Yes?" I snap, surprised at how harsh I sound.


    Syn''s eyes go wide at my tone, and he hesitates. "Never mind."


    I turn away from him again, calling to the door at the stony end of the room to open. It obeys immediately, its frame darkened by the king waiting at its other side. His eyes widen in surprise as he takes in the sight of me, mouth working silently for half an instant as he brings up a hand and runs it through his hair.


    From the careful way he averts his eyes, I notice for the first time that the simple robe I''d woken in has fallen almost completely open. I''d been so focused on my surroundings and sensory experiences, I''d barely paid any heed to my actual body.


    Oh!


    I''m an idiot.


    Snatching the robe closed, I tie the sash tighter about my waist with as much dignity as I can muster.


    "I''m so sorry, Kore," begins Aidon, obviously flustered. "I know you just woke up, and normally I''d give you more time to adjust before imposing company on you. It''s just that...I thought you should hear the news from me."


    I freeze.


    "What is it?"


    His expression pained. "I think we should sit down."


    "No. Just tell me."


    He takes a deep a breath. "It''s your sister, Eurydice. She was...attacked. It just happened. The identity of the assassin¡ª"


    "Assassin?" My knees go weak. "My sister is dead?"


    His brow twists, his hands twitching upward briefly before curling into fists. "No. It was a failed attempt. She''s hurt. Very badly hurt. But she''s still alive. The assassin is unknown. They reprogrammed a medical Synthe."


    "Is she...is she going to be alright?" I clutch at my robe''s lapels, taking a few faltering steps backward, hands twisting in the fabric. Aidoneus follows me in, the door closing quietly behind him. I sink onto a low, cushioned bench against the wall to one side of the entrance, eyes searching Aidon''s face as he kneels on the ground before me.


    "Probably, but I don''t know for sure. I received the news minutes ago, and the incident occurred less than an hour before that. Kore, I''m so¡ª"


    "Can I speak to her? Can I get her on screen?"


    "She''s unconscious right now. They''ll probably keep her that way for a day at the very least as she''s healed."


    He squeezes my hands, and I look down in shock¡ªI don''t remember him taking them. A subtle shiver runs through my skin at the awareness of his touch. It''s warm to me now, and comforting¡ªand it would be so much more than that, too...if it weren''t for the fact that someone''s just hurt a person I love.


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    "What does this mean for Gaia? If she doesn''t recover..." I choke up, unable to continue the thought or conjure the words.


    "She will. And if she doesn''t there''s always the Dusk. The young and Immune will be able to survive there just long enough for a new heir to come of age and restore the dome. But it won''t be necessary. The Renewal will happen as planned. It''s not for another four months."


    I gnaw my lip. A new heir.


    "But the treaty between our families...we''re to marry within three days of my rebirth. I don''t suppose there''s any way she''ll be able to make it¡ª?"


    But his expression tells me everything I need to know.


    I take a shaky breath.


    "You''ll be alerted the instant you can speak to her," he assures me. Rising slowly, he pulls me with him.


    "I''m sorry you had to learn of this now. Sorry it happened so early into your transition. That it happened at all. But there''s no way I could allow it to be kept from you until later."


    "No." I look up, meeting his gaze. His pupils flare wide as I look into them, actually noticing my own reflection in the mirror of his eyes for the first time since my change. "Thank you for telling me."


    He squeezes my hands again before releasing them gently. "If you have more questions, Syn can answer them. He''ll be fed the information as we receive it. I''m afraid I have to go, now. There''s a lot to be done."


    "Ok," I say, voice breaking as I think of what that means¡ªimagining the millions of ways in which Eurydice might have suffered. But I''m determined to hear every detail of what happened, as if that''ll help her somehow.


    "Please, order yourself some real food. Syn will show you how. And clothes, too. You''ll need something a bit more formal for tonight." His lip twitches upward.


    "Tonight?"


    "Family dinner, to officially welcome you to the House of Hades and receive my mother''s blessing. I know," he says, expression twisting in sympathy at the look on my face. "Believe me, Kore, if I could spare you of all this I would, with everything you''re going through. All I ask is that you make an appearance, and then¡ª"


    "I''ll be alright," I say, drawing myself up and setting my jaw. Deep breath in, deep breath out. "It''s part of what I agreed to."


    His eyes search mine for a moment, but then he nods. "Thank you, Kore. I''ll see you this evening."


    ~*~


    I sit on my bed, frozen to the spot as I watch the security footage play out on the enormous wallscreen mounted across from it. We look almost exactly the same, my sister and I. We have the same masses of rose-red hair, the same oval-shaped face and smattering of freckles. Her eyes, wide in shock and fear, look just like mine probably would¡ªif the doctor I''d trusted all my life suddenly turned on me.


    If it tried to plunge a syringe of poison into my neck and failed. If it then powered up its lazer scalpel and slashed me open with it from chest to hip.


    I watch until the very end, when her guards¡ªhuman ones¡ªrush in, doing the job of her disabled Guardian and destroying the Lepis model before it can finish carrying out its corrupted directive.


    When it''s over, the screen goes black. I sit in silence, staring at my reflection in its glossy surface.


    I want to scream, and I know that if I move so much as a hair''s breadth right now, I will. So instead I become a sculpture. Questions rage through my head. Questions like why did this happen? And who did this? And how can I catch them and make them pay? But the questions don''t have answers right now, and the more I ask them of myself the more I feel as though I''m picking at a wound. The only good I can do right now is to stop.


    And so I get lost in the sight of myself.


    My new self.


    My skin, formerly peachy-pink, has cooled to a blue so pale it''s only a few shades away from pure white. Like snow in shadow¡ªand with the same glimmering sheen when the light hits it. My pupils are like Aidoneus''s now, catlike slits that widen and expand as my focus shifts. And my eyes, once hazel, are the same color now as the River Styx. Even my hair has taken on a colder tone, more a desaturated fuchsia than red.


    Syn keeps his distance for a time, but eventually he drifts back over, concern twisting his sculpted brow. My attention shifts to his face. He''s remarkably well-made.


    "Lady Kore, you really should eat now. Please."


    I eye his neck, but he gives me a stern look.


    "I mean ordinary food."


    "I''m not hungry right now. Nothing sounds good." My eyes flick back to the screen, images of my sister and the medical Synthe flashing across the forefront of my mind.


    Syn''s silent for a moment, thoughtful. "Would you like to see your closet? Or how about the rest of the palace?"


    I finally look up at him, frowning at an unwelcome thought¡ªhow do I know he won''t fall to the same corruption as Lepis? But if he were going to try to kill me, I suppose he could have done it several times over by now. If it were something to be concerned about, surely Aidon would have said something?


    The Synthe smiles, flashing pearly ceramic teeth, and extends a hand to me.


    "Come. Let me give you a tour."

 Chapter 4 - Blue

    I feel like a porcelain doll, empty and breakable, as Syn Ieads me around and acquaints me with my new home. My closet¡ªwhich has both a skylight and an open second level¡ªis stocked with all my clothes from back home, as well as a floor-to-ceiling mirror screen and the most sophisticated garment synthesizer I''ve ever seen. Under normal circumstances, I''d be bursting with excitement over the possibilities. But instead I just find something comfortable from the selection I already have and throw it on. From there on out, all I can do is smile weakly at each new sight and bit of information my Companion shares with me.


    "I''d expected a lot more questions from you, this early on in your new life," Syn says as he leads me from the magnificent palace library and down a narrow hall with an incongruously vaulted ceiling that drips with clusters of illuminated smoky crystal. "Considering everything, of course, it''s unsurprising. That said¡ªI''m meant to ensure you have a basic understanding of everything before you attend University."


    "I''m listening," I say, voice flat. Barely my own.


    Syn''s eyebrows knit as he regards me for a moment. "Well, the first question I was expecting was¡ªwhy blood?"


    I swallow, remembering my first experience as a newborn Variant. Again my hand goes to my throat. We come to a stop before a set of elevator doors, which slide open silently as we approach. I follow Syn inside, and it begins to move upward the instant the doors are closed, without so much as a glance at the touchpad from either of us.


    "We don''t know either. There are conflicting stories in the histories, and equally conflicting opinions as to which are true. Some hold that it was an accident, a job poorly done, others believe it was sabotage or the tampering of someone out of their mind. After all, the pseudovirus was engineered last-minute, in desperation."


    I nod. That last bit I know. Everything about the exodus from Old Earth had been an act of desperation. They''d crammed what people they could in the one ship they had that was capable of both interstellar travel and sustaining thousands of lives. Just in time to escape the Cataclysm.


    But the ship was unfinished. Untested. Unfit to complete the journey to the beautiful, Earth-like planet to which it''d set out. Instead they''d been forced to land here¡ªon Elysia, a tidally locked world with one side perpetually scorched by the sun, and the other cast in eternal, icy shadow.


    And so they''d adapted. Modified the artificial virus that had been engineered to allow the refugees to acclimate to the alien environment of New Earth. But the new pseudovirus required that colonists spend their childhood and teenage years as ordinary humans¡ªanother consequence of their desperation. Exposure to the virus''s full impact at too young an age meant death. True death.


    The dome which had been meant as a temporary shelter became a permanent fixture. Limited space in Gaia made it easy to understand why Variants and the unchanged kept their distance. I''d never before suspected there might be another reason for it.


    The elevator slides to a smooth stop. My Guardian precedes me through the door, though Syn steps aside for me, gesturing me out ahead of him.


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    We''re on the Palace''s rooftop. Or, one of its rooftops, I should say¡ªthe entire thing essentially being three great towers clinging to the side of the plateau, bridged together by more rooms and halls.


    And we''re not alone.


    Forty or so Variants lounge about the open space¡ªagain shielded from the winds by force fields, but otherwise open to the air. Seven-foot-tall statues of icy stone line a huge glowing pool that dominates the center of it all¡ªand it''s there that most of the others are gathered.


    "I''m beginning to notice a pattern," I say, breaking my silence at last.


    Syn smiles. "Would you like to dip your feet in?"


    I give him an incredulous look¡ªor what I think is one. May face still feels more like a mask than anything else.


    "It might help you feel a little a better," he prods. "I won''t let anyone bother you if you''re not up for it."


    "I''m definitely not up for it," I mumble, though I begin to drift with him in the direction of the pool. For a few heartbeats, all eyes are on me¡ªa pale array of grey, violet, green, blue, and amber. Pupils flare and contract. Then the amount of time past which looking becomes staring passes, and most revert their attention to where it''d been before. Or at least, they pretend to.


    The nearer we draw to the pool, the more confused I get. Something''s moving in there, something other than my fellow Variants. A lot of somethings, shimmering and translucent and as luminous as the water itself.


    "What are they?" I wonder aloud as Syn steps up behind me to look over my shoulder.


    "It''s easier demonstrated than explained," he says. "All it takes is the barest touch." He drops to his knees¡ªdipping in a synthetic fingertip, spiralling it sinuously through the fluid.


    Frowning, I mirror his action, kneeling to touch the water with the barest amount of skin.


    Energy like gentle lightning snakes up from the point of contact, into my blood and straight to my brain. Flooding it with images, memories, knowledge that goes beyond all of those things, a sort of totallity I can''t describe. Immediately the hairs at the back of my neck raise on end. I''m rooted to the spot.


    The source of the water''s glow is a microscopic, communal organism that resides in all the naturally flowing waters of Elysia. Condensed here at the edge of night and dusk, where hot water coming up from the depths of the ground and melting from far away glaciers come together to form the unending ring of the river Styx. A network...a mind. It lives also within the translucent, eel-like things that twist around my finger now¡ªwhose constant energetic pulse forms the connection between the Blue and anything which touches its waters.


    In contact with it, I become a part of it. Losing the particulars of myself as I become something more. It should be terrifying¡ªbut instead its intoxicating.


    Gently, Syn wraps his fingers about my wrist and draws my hand away from the water.


    "It can be very overwhelming at first," he says. "It''s best to have someone with you the first time, and to start small."


    I don''t need him to tell me that this is a sacred thing, a sacred place. I look more closely now at the statues surrounding us, recognizing them on closer inspection for what they are. The Daimon¡ªpersonifications of the different psuedovirus strains. Gods from the dark age before our true history was rediscovered, whose legends are too deeply entrenched in our culture now to ever truly fade away. Even more so here, in the Variant world.


    My eyes fix on Hades¡ªthe one for whom my fianc¨¦, his house, and the entire side of this planet is named. The Lord of the Dead, of unending night. Beautiful in the severity of his features. He even looks a bit like Aidoneus.


    The sounds of someone sliding rapidly through the water snatch my attention away. I feel my eyes go round with surprise as Hecate, Left Hand of the King, cuts her way toward me¡ªa broad, sharp-edged smile lighting up her dainty features.


    "Congratulations, Kore," she says. "You passed."

 Chapter 5 - Worthy

    Pulling herself over the pool''s edge, Hecate hops up onto the ice-slick stone at my side, dressed in a shimmering, high-collared black one piece.


    "What do you mean, passed?"


    She sweeps her blue-black waves over her shoulder with an elegant flick of her hand. The light of the pool lends an icy cast to the silvery brown of her skin.


    "You''re very trusting, aren''t you? It worked out in my favor this time, but we''re going to have to see to that."


    My stomach clenches in on itself. "What''s going on?"


    She studies me for a moment. "Ah, you weren''t in contact long enough to gain a full understanding." Then they flick to Syntrofos, who frowns. "You''re not just connecting yourself to the Blue by touching that water. You''re connecting yourself to any of us in it, too."


    I take a step back. "What do you mean by that? You could what, read my mind?"


    She laughs lightly. "Oh, nothing so invasive as that, I promise you. It''s just that deception and uneasiness give off certain chemical markers¡ªones we here would have picked up on, if you were hiding anything."


    I sputter, unsure what to say or how to respond. "You¡ªbut I¡ª"


    "Darling, there''s nothing to worry about. And now we know more-or-less for sure that you''re not duplicitous, and that you''re safe and worthy to sit at the King''s side. Well, if we can train that trusting streak out of you, that is. So long as you remain trust worthy." A hint of acid seeps into that last word. A subtle threat.


    Patting me the on the shoulder, she saunters off. I turn on Syn, eyes narrowed. He at least has the grace to look ashamed. "I''m sorry, but it was necessary, and the results are more accurate if you don''t know what''s going on in advance. Just know that His Majesty had nothing to do with this¡ªhe was prepared to trust you on your word alone. Hecate''s just doing her job."


    "And you? I thought your job was to look out for me?"


    "Well, yes," Syn hedges, trotting along behind me as I stomp off to the roof''s edge to look out over the city again. "But I was also designed and made by subjects of the king, and it''s their job to¡ª"


    "I understand," I huff, going straight up to the black metal beams to lean with my face close to the force-field, staring through its haze as snow begins to blow past just beyond it. How many more secret tests await me before I''m truly accepted here? Or was that part of what Hecate meant, when she said I need to learn not to trust? I consider the bleak possibility of viewing everyone around me as a potential threat, every interaction a game¡ªand my heart sinks.


    This is what you signed up for, I remind myself. And it''s going to be worth it.


    "Lady Kore," Syn''s voice issues from behind me. "We should return to your room now. You''ll need to prepare for dinner, soon."


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    ~*~


    I don''t have the heart to design anything new to wear in the garment synthesizer¡ªa shame, as it would have been a wonderful opportunity to impress and possibly even dazzle Aidoneus. Instead I settle for a somber dress from my old wardrobe, a black one with subtle, shifting undertones of violet and rose. Once I''ve changed, Syn arranges my hair in an ornate pile atop of my head before topping it with a pair of black combs hung with strands of garnet tear drops.


    Just as he''s sliding the second comb into place, he looks up as though alerted to something.


    "His Majesty is here," he says. "Shall I¡ª"


    But I''m already on my feet. "Open," I call, and the door whirs aside.


    "Good evening," Aidoneus says, his eyes flicking briefly downwards than up again. Checking to make sure I''m fully clothed this time, perhaps? I can''t help but let out a little huff of embarrassed laughter at the thought. He smiles enough to flash his fangs¡ªsomething he''d been very careful not to do when I''d first met him back in Gaia. He even seems a little embarrassed himself¡ªa surprisingly charming look, on someone so intimidating. "I thought I''d walk you up to dinner myself. Help you prepare."


    I take a deep breath¡ªpartially to calm my nerves, and partially to take in his scent. He hadn''t one, the first time I''d met him. Or at least, not one my weak human nose could detect. But since I''ve changed, he smells of the cold. Of stone and mint and icy wind, but with a hint of something warmer at its core. I imagine fire burning in snow-veiled forest in the mountains, a scene out of Old Earth that exists now only on screen.


    Something about him being here brings me back to myself¡ªjust a bit. My sister never leaves the forefront of my mind, and I don''t feel good. The cold of the winter''s night still looms all around me¡ªbut his presence warms my soul.


    I raise an eyebrow at him. "Worried I''ll make a bad impression with your mother?"


    He exhales in a huff. "Hardly. But it seemed cruel to throw you to the sharks without at least giving you some forewarning."


    I stop in the process of following him through the door. "That doesn''t exactly make me feel better."


    Grimacing apologetically, he offers me an arm, and I loop mine through it, allowing him to guide me slowly forward. Though my Guardian follows as always, Syn stays behind.


    "My mother''s a formidable person, and she''s giving up her position much earlier in life than she ever expected to, after my father¡ªwell, you know."


    Feeling my shudder, he hesitates, then continues.


    "She just wants to be sure about you. She''s going to test you, that much I know. As to how, I can only guess."


    "And what''s your guess?" I peer up at him as we step into the elevator just down the hall from my chambers, disconcertingly aware of how alone we are, how close together. How soon, we''ll be married, and¡ª


    "I think she''ll try to get a rise out of you. To provoke your power, and see how you use it."


    Ah. Of course. Everyone must be desperate to know which type I am.


    I would be too, if it weren''t for the minor distractions of a mortally wounded sister and completely unexpected lust for blood.


    It''s something every child grows up wondering about and longing to know. What type am I, if any? But to this day we''re still piecing our full understanding of the psuedovirus back together after ages of ignorance. There is no test to detect one''s strain, no observable differences in the pseudovirus itself from person-to-person. The only way to know is to wait however many days or weeks it takes for their abilities to manifest.


    As I just woke up today, Rhea''s most likely going to find herself disappointed. By the time I or anyone else knows my strain, I''ll already be the queen of Hades.


    To my surprise, Aidon doesn''t lead me to some grand palace dining hall¡ªbut instead straight to Rhea''s private suite near the top of the south tower. Sleek armored Synthes the shade of merlot wait to either side of the entrance, signaling the doors to open as we approach.


    Arm-in-arm, we enter¡ªfinding ourselves facing a grand staircase carved of the same crystal-flecked black stone as much of the rest of the palace. Rhea awaits us at its top, peering down her regally arched nose at me with piercing crimson eyes.

 Chapter 6 - Seeds

    She descends slowly¡ªa woman who knows how to make an entrance even when she''s not the one doing the entering. Her scarlet gown trails upward behind her, its constellation of tiny rubies glimmering in the light of the crystal cluster chandeliers. Her hair¡ªa shade of burgundy so dark it''s almost black¡ªis swept up into a crown at the top of her head and cascades in curling waves down her back. Even her skin, otherwise an ashen brown, shimmers in hues of violet-red where the light hits it just so.


    "Welcome, daughter-to-be," she says as she reaches the last of the stairs, arms extended to me, her voice rich and musical. Her eyes¡ªhowever, have a hunters glint to them. Hesitating, I step into her embrace. She kisses my cheek, enveloping me in an intense aroma of roses, wet earth, cinnamon and blood.


    Seeing her in person, it''s impossible to believe she''s almost four hundred years old. She doesn''t look a day over thirty.


    We follow her to her dining chamber, where the table is set for three.


    A tall but narrow window to one end of the room looks out over Styx. The rest of the walls are lined in silver-framed screens that display luscious landscapes of Old Earth.


    As Synthes stream into the room with our first course, Rhea settles the entirety of her attention on me.


    "Thank you for joining us tonight, Kore. And with everything you''ve been through, too. I''m so sorry about your sister, but you must know that we are doing everything we can to assist in apprehending the assassin,"


    "The would-be-assassin," corrects Aidon, flashing her a disapproving look.


    "Just so," she agrees. "It''s just that I have so little time to get to know you before you become a part of my family forever. I hope you''ll forgive my impatience."


    "Of course, Your Majesty," I murmur, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of her scrutiny. "It''s important to me to honor my commitments."


    "I''ve very glad to hear that," she says, wrapping her slender fingers about the stem of her wine glass as the Synthe behind her fills it.


    "A toast," she says, lifting her glass once Aidon''s and mine are also full. "To your future together."


    My fianc¨¦ and I flash each other a look¡ªand for a moment I remember Hecate''s words of just a few hours earlier. But if the drink were poisoned, my Guardian would have detected it. As I bring the glass to my lips, I can''t help but think the wine smells a little unusual. But then, I''ve never smelt wine with the senses of a Variant before¡ªand insulting Rhea by not joining her toast could be just as dangerous as any alternative.


    I mean to take only a small sip, but the moment the fluid touches my tongue it''s as though my willpower evaporates. It''s absolutely delicious. I drink deeply, putting my glass down last of the three of us. It lights a spark of warmth and vigor in my belly that quickly spreads through my veins. Rhea smiles dazzlingly at me, and I smile back.


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    Aidon eyes me with a touch of concern. "Perhaps some food, Kore? Have you eaten anything at all today?"


    "Oh!" I startle, turning my attention to my salad and herb-crusted bread. With the buzz of the wine easing my tension, I set into it¡ªrealizing for the first time how hungry for proper food I really am. Next comes soup, and then the main course¡ªtruffle royale and a whole roasted king fowl, both delicacies that comes only from the farm forests of Gaia. Glazed in a sweet red sauce and served on a bed of pomegranate seeds, the meat''s crispy on the outside and tender and juicy within. I eat two servings, finishing my wine between bites.


    As we dine, we engage in amiable small-talk. By the time my plate is empty and a Synthe is refilling my wine glass, I''m actually feeling comfortable. Almost even good.


    Then Rhea puts her silverware down and fixes me with her blood-red glare.


    "So, Kore, what exactly makes you think you''re worthy of my son and my crown?"


    Immediately my stomach clenches.


    "I...what?"


    She exhales through her teeth as she stands, almost a hiss.


    "The treaty dictates that every new ruler of Hades must take an heir of the house of Demeter for their spouse, to reign at their side." She circles the table, coming towards me. Aidoneus''s chair scrapes across the floor as he gets to his feet.


    "Mother, what are you¡ª"


    But her hand flies up as if to block his words as she continues.


    "There were only two daughters this generation, and you''re just the leftover. The one who wasn''t good enough to take on Gaia''s mantle. We may be stuck with you, but please. Tell me something, at least, to console me."


    I look up at her, frozen. Completely at a loss.


    Then she grabs me by the arm, yanking me sideways from the chair. I shout wordlessly in shock as Aidon launches forward to my defense. But Rhea flicks her hand in his direction, and he stops in his tracks¡ªveins bulging and eyes burning with rage. Unable to move so much as a finger.


    My blood runs ice-cold. It''s one thing to know the power of a Gaia Variant. Another thing entirely to see it in action.


    "What are you?" She demands, shaking me¡ªher nails digging into my arm. Behind me, the Guardian whirs nervously closer, its programming at odds with itself. Harming Rhea would be a political disaster, and even my own Guardian takes the greater good of my people into account when it comes to its actions.


    "I don''t know!" I say, voice breaking. "Please, I don''t¡ª"


    Then she slaps me, hard, across the face. Even as the pain of the blow reverberates through my flesh, she shoves me away from her¡ªsending me sprawling across the floor, legs tangling with the fabric of my skirt.


    "Well, what are you? Are you as worthless as you look? Tell me!"


    I slide backwards, away from her, heart battering my ribs as my hair comes undone, falling into my face.


    "Well?"


    And then it''s as if a spark lights within me, searing away my fear and confusion. Transmuting it into something else.


    She strides after me¡ªdress billowing behind her and steel in her eyes as she pulls her foot back for a kick, aiming at my gut.


    That''s when the spark becomes an inferno. Before I know it, I''m on my feet.


    "Stop!" I shriek, and power pulses outward with the word, as tangible as the air rushing from my lungs.


    There''s a cacophony of sounds¡ªcracking, rustling, and a series of ear-splitting crunches¡ªand then a tangled mass of something shoots across the room from the right, engulfing Rhea almost completely for a moment before lifting her up off the ground, arms squeezed to her sides. Completely immobilized by the coils of roots wrapping around her body. My eyes follow them to their source.


    The small copse of pomegranate trees now growing from, around, and through Rhea''s stone dining table.

 Chapter 7 - Cusp

    My eyes are still fixed on the trees, mind blank with shock, when a peal of beatific laughter issues from Rhea where she hangs in the upraised roots. Aidon, released from her power, rushes over to me¡ªhis face drained of blood.


    "Kore, Kore! are you alright?" He takes my shoulders lightly in his hands as his eyes range over me, brows knit together. "Kore?"


    "I...I..." I can''t rip my gaze away from the impossibility before me, can''t even begin to form sentences.


    "She''s a Persephone Variant!" Crows Rhea.


    No. There''s no way.


    There''s no way.


    But...


    But it''s the only explanation.


    As I watch, a pomegranate falls from one of the trees, rolling across the floor to bump against my foot.


    Automatically, I stoop to pick it up. It''s warm, and something inside it is moving, pushing against the skin. Carefully, I break it with my nail¡ªpeeling it away to reveal a damp green king fowl chick. Aidoneus stares down at the newborn creature shivering in my hand, frozen as though under his mother''s power once more.


    Then he seems to catch sight of something, striding across the room and towards the table to kneel beside my toppled wine glass. Touching a finger to the spilt wine, he brings it up to his nose¡ªand his nostrils flare, irises constricting to slits as he turns to hiss up at his mother.


    "There''s real blood in this."


    And Rhea just keeps on laughing.


    ~*~


    "Absolutely not."


    "Kore, please¡ª"


    "If I''m as powerful as you say I am, than I should be able to protect myself. And I''ll have my Guardian to help. I''m not giving up on going to university."


    Aidoneus sighs deeply, running a hand through his hair yet again as he paces across my chambers.


    "So be it, then. But I''m giving you a better model," he scowls over at the Guardian synthe where it bobs fretfully in the air. "And you''ll have your own room. With extra security."


    "Deal," I say, looking back down to the king fowl chick nestled in a heating pad in my lap and stroking the top of its head with a fingertip. His feather-leaves are fully unfurled and dried now, ready to soak up artificial sunlight. Every now and then, his eyes squeeze shut and he expells a single pomegranate seed. "And I''m taking Pompom with me, too."


    He stops mid-stride, raising an incredulous brow. "The bird?"


    "Mhm."


    He laughs¡ªa short bark of incredulity¡ªbefore shaking his head.


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    "At some point I''m going to have to practice saying ''no'' to you, you know,"


    I smile up at him. "But not today?"


    "Not today."


    Taking his leave not long after, my fianc¨¦ huffs purposely out of the room in a cloud of indignation. He has a lot to do, to prepare for our wedding the day after tomorrow. And still more to see to if he''s really going to insist on a new Guardian and a solo room with extra security once I get to school. When I see him again, it''ll be at our marriage ceremony.


    His concern warms me, though. And it''s probably not misplaced.


    Once at University, there''ll be no hiding what I am.


    A Variant with the ability to accelerate growth. To create new lifeforms from old ones. A Variant that shouldn''t exist. My husband-to-be and Hecate both insist I''ll be the target of more than just passive ire at school¡ªbut Rhea scoffed at the idea. Once let down from her snare, it''s like she became a different person. One who couldn''t possibly be more thrilled to have me for a daughter-in-law.


    But it''ll be years before I''m able to forgive her methods, if ever. The violence. The verbal abuse. The dosing. All to draw my power out of me.


    I lay awake in bed for a long time after that. No other day has ever given me so much to process, and I keep hoping that if I stay awake long enough I''ll get more news of my sister. But it''s no good. I ask Syn for updates every hour¡ªeven though he''s promised repeatedly to let me know as soon he has new information.


    When I do sleep, it''s with the depth of total exhaustion. And when I wake, it''s to find Pompom shivering in the crook of my arm, having crawled off of his pad sometime in the night.


    I pass the majority of the day in anxious preoccupation, until finally Syn drags me to my closet wall-screen to look through the dress options designed for me by the house''s Grand Couturier. I fall in the love with the very first one, deciding it needs no changes whatsoever before pressing "manifest." There''ll be no need to try it on beforehand. The garment synthesizer''s got every measurement from crown-to-toe, a full-body scan.


    I''m halfway through my dinner when Syn perks up.


    "Your sister is awake."


    I drop my chopsticks.


    "Can I speak to her? Get her on screen?"


    He shakes his head. "I''m sorry Lady Kore. She has much to attend to, it seems. I''m sure she''ll call in or send you a message the instant she''s able."


    "But she''s alright now? She''ll make a full recovery?"


    "Yes. It very much seems to be so."


    Relief¡ªmore invigorating even than Syn''s artificial blood¡ªwashes over and through me. I take a huge, shaking gulp of air, releasing it slowly as tears warm the corners of my eyes.


    "Thank Gaia," I breathe.


    ~*~


    I have strange dreams the night before my wedding. Dreams of dark things¡ªlike roots¡ªbursting up from the ground, twisting around me, entrapping me. But instead of being frightened, I writhe with pleasure and sigh as they drag me down into the dirt and darkness.


    ~*~


    Syn wakes me gently¡ªso gently that the dreams still linger as I open my eyes. Pom coos happily from a nest of my hair, breaking into chirps of protest as I sit up to wrap my arms about Syn''s shoulders. The false flesh of his neck gives way easily to my fangs, like fresh fruit that''s just ripe enough. The flavor and feeling of it has been different every day so far.


    This morning, it reminds me faintly of blueberries and lilacs, and it''s as soothing as it is enlivening. I have no idea what to do with myself while I wait for the big hour to arrive, and for some reason Syn''s discouraging me from wandering. There''s a conspiratorial air to him they makes me decide not to argue with him. If someone''s trying to surprise me with something, I''m not going to ruin it for them.


    So I spend my free hours engaged in my new favorite pass-time¡ªpestering Syn with questions.


    "Will I be able to take some of my plants to school with me?"


    "A few. His Majesty''s having a small solar hutch built for your bird...thing...which will be temporarily installed in your dormitory. There''ll be room for some plants in there as well. "


    A little thrill runs down my spine at the mention of Aidoneus.


    "Excellent. And you''re certain my sister still can''t make it to the wedding¡ª?"


    "Yes, Lady Kore. Unfortunately her entire schedule is in chaos after what happened, and her security''s more than tripled. There''s no way she can manage an excursion."


    It''s the answer I was expecting, but that doesn''t make it easy to hear.


    "Ah, of course," is all I manage. Syn studies my face, eyes full of sympathy. But it''s not long before I force myself out of thoughts of Eurydice''s absence and turn them towards the asking of more questions.


    After five hours that pass at the speed of a glacier, it''s time to get dressed.

 Chapter 8 - Wedding

    "Are you ready?" Syn''s glowing eyes search my face, expression unreadable.


    Already breathing hard, I haul in another gulp of air and nod.


    "Alright. Here we go."


    The door slides open at his silent command. I gasp as the hall beyond reveals itself to me¡ªentirely transformed.


    Leaves, vines and flowers in every shade of violet and blue cascade from the ceiling and down the walls, aglow with millions of tiny motes of fuschia light. The floor is covered over with a carpet of plush moss¡ªand I have to fight the urge to kick my shoes off on the spot. Taking Syn''s proffered arm, we cross the threshold together.


    Foregoing the elevator, we follow the mossy path down the corridor and around a corner, and suddenly we''re not alone. People await us there, lining either side of a stair that leads downward. Rhea and Hecate flank the top, and are the first to reach out to embrace me as Syn leads me past them¡ªeach one tucking a flower into the ornate crown of braided hair at the top of my head. By the time I''ve reached the bottom the crown is full, and the flowers after that are placed in the cascades of curls trailing from the back of it¡ªand then into the silky mesh of my dress''s train.


    The stair reaches a landing, where it curls around and continues downward. It happens again and again as we spiral ever deeper, with each person I pass joining the procession of those following behind me. At last the stair comes to a true end¡ªopening up into a part of the palace I''ve never seen.


    No¡ªI correct myself¡ªnot a part of the palace. A cavern far below it, deep within the plateau its built from. At first, I can''t believe it''s not man-made. My eyes range over its rocky walls, its ceilings dripping with stony spires and spears of crystal¡ªfinding what I at first think are sculptures¡ªthousands of them. But whenever I focus on one, it reveals itself to be a natural formation; folds and swells of stone so complex they trick me into seeing faces, figures, animals and plants out of the corner of my eye.


    The only true sign of sentient tampering here is the path that wends its way through the forest of rocks. The moss gives way, leaving nothing but cold smooth stone beneath my feet. The only light is a broken blue glow coming from somewhere towards the center of the vaulted, tangled space.


    Its source reveals itself as the formations grow sparser and then give way entirely to a plane of stone surrounding a natural pool at its center. I can see the eel-creatures twisting in its luminescent waters from here. What''s more, tendrils of something in the exact same shade as the water hang in clusters above it like the tentacles of glowing jellyfish.


    And I''d thought the rooftop pool felt sacred.


    This place¡ªit''s on another level. Beyond ancient. Sculpted by the forces of Elysia itself¡ªages before any human eye ever beheld her, before any human hand could change her.


    More people await us, already gathered in a ring about the pool, their many-colored eyes fixed on me. My procession streams to either side, joining them as Syn continues to lead me directly forward.


    We come to a stop at the edge the pool, where a shallow stair extends outward, leading gradually down into the water. And to the other side of the pool¡ªwaiting at the top of an identical stair¡ªis Aidoneus.


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    Syn''s arm drops away as he steps back, leaving me with a light touch to the shoulder. The world narrows down to just me and the magnificent man standing to the other side of the water. Our eyes lock, and together we take our first steps into the water.


    As with the first time I''d touched the Blue, there''s a sensation like gentle lightning filling my veins from the point of contact upward. But it''s so, so much more this time. New information, new memories flood my mind. Then the desire¡ªno¡ªthe need to be near Aidon overpowers me completely, and I''m dashing through the water towards him. The train of my silvery, shimmering dress flows behind me, a stream of fluid fabric and flowers.


    Aidoneus strides forward with an intensity of purpose that borders on desperation. He''s drenched in black, almost from head-to-toe¡ªhis clothes clinging to his form in all the right places, made of the same leather-like materials as Syn''s. It makes the pale crown of bones he wears stand out even more sharply in comparison.


    The dark mirror of my train, his cloak flares behind him to trail across the top of the water. His stubble has grown into a short beard¡ªexpertly and artfully trimmed to accentuate the hard angles of his face. His hair¡ªmore blue than black in this light¡ªfalls forward into his face in his urgency to get to me.


    It takes me a moment to realize it''s not just my emotions I''m feeling, either. It''s not just my need for him driving me forward, but his need for me.


    Finally we close the distance between us. Unthinking, instinctive, I throw my arms around his waist, burying my face against his chest as he sweeps me into his embrace. For almost an entire minute we stand there like that¡ªwrapped up in each other, oblivious to the world.


    Then he pulls back, just a little bit¡ªhis eyes searching mine¡ªlooking for permission even now.


    For a half a heartbeat, I freeze. This is it. Syn''s prepared me for this moment. My heart batters my rib cage as I reach up to cradle the back of Aidon''s head, and he kneels obligingly to make it possible. Our lips meet one another''s flesh at the same time¡ªright where the neck meets the shoulder, both our attire having been designed to leave the spot exposed. Pain¡ªsharp and delicious¡ªblooms at the twin points where his fangs plunge into me. He shivers with immediate pleasure as my own pierce his skin.


    And then absolutely everything else drops away. The cavern. The other Variants. The water. Even my vision. There''s just Aidoneus and myself¡ªstripped down to our absolute essence, exposed to one another completely. Flowing into each other as though it''s one another''s souls we''re swallowing with the desperation of two people dying of thirst. His blood¡ªit''s different than artificial human blood. Completely different. The former was nourishment. This...this is a liqour. A drug.


    A delicious drug.


    Comparisons race through my mind¡ªbut this defies them all. I can''t liken it to any other flavor I''ve ever sampled. I can equate it only to absolute bliss. An explosion of pure ecstasy. I know both instinctively and intellectually that I can''t drink too much, but stopping is one of the hardest things I''ve ever had to do.


    Aidoneus withdraws first. Regains his words first.


    "Kore. Kore, it''s time to stop,"


    But I can''t. It''s impossible. My jaw continues to work as I draw his essence out of him and into myself. I can never get enough. Never.


    Then a new pain jolts me back to myself. Aidon''s hands¡ªone clenched firmly around my shoulder, the other in my hair¡ªpulling me back, forcing me to retract my fangs or risk tearing his flesh. I peer up at him, sudden panic clutching at my heart.


    "I''m so sorry, Aidon. I¡ª"


    "Don''t apologize. You''ve only just turned, it''s to be expected."


    But I just shake my head, unable to meet his eyes now for shame. My awareness of the others returns as their murmuring grows louder, more excited.


    Lightly, he places his fingertips beneath my jaw, tilting my head upward.


    "My Queen," he begins, opening his mouth to say something else. But the instant my eyes meet his, his pupils expand and I see myself mirrored in their darkness. I feel what he feels, when he looks at me. I turn my face up to his, and in the next heartbeat we come together in a kiss. His lips are soft, working against mine slowly¡ªsensuously¡ªas our arms wrap vice-like about each other. Then the wicked barb of his fang teases my lower lip for the briefest of moments, and he pulls away.


    The cavern echoes with sudden cheering, applause and shouts. His left arm twines with my right, and together we turn to go back the way I''d come.

 Chapter 9 - Dance

    My new husband leads me away from the pool and back through the stone forest. The others trail behind us, loud in their exuberance. My dress is already completely dry¡ªwhatever material it is, water just doesn''t cling to it. Back up the spiraling stair we go, and then in the opposite direction from the one I''d first come. To a part of the palace I remember from my tour a few days earlier.


    The whole way, it''s everything I can do not to try and drag Aidon off to some private part of the palace¡ªwhatever''s nearest¡ªand throw myself at him. Though the intensity of our mutual empathy lessened somewhat when we stepped out of the Blue, the connection it forged between us has not...and I want nothing more than to be as close to him as physically possible.


    But there''s a party to attend to first.


    The ballroom, like so much of the palace, has taken on an entirely new life for the occasion of our wedding. Shaped like a fat disc, half of it is carved directly from the dark rock of the plateau. The other half extends outward, a half-moon of glass and geometric patterns of blacksteel latticework. The tiered levels leading down to the dance floor have all been lined with rows of rose bushes. And at the center of the central space¡ªgrowing from a sunken circle filled with earth and moss¡ªstands a familiar copse of pomegranate trees, tiny motes of crimson luminescence now dusting their leaves.


    The city and stars beyond the glass paint a panorama of glittering lights against a backdrop of deepest night, fading to violet at the edges of the horizon to the north and south where it nears the outer reaches of Dusk.


    While Aidon and I descend the main stair leading downward, most of the others fan out to fill the dining tables of the upper tiers. Now only Rhea, Hecate, Aidon''s inner circle, our guardians and Syntrofos still follow behind us as we cross the dance floor, past the glimmering trees and up the stair at the opposite end. There the grand table awaits us, set in lavish silver and crystal and heaped at the center with flowers in every hue of red between deepest scarlet and strawberry.


    Glasses of bubbly star-wine await at each of our seats, already filled. Synthes line the wall of glass and beams behind us, waiting with more. Taking my spot at the center of the long, curving table, I sit beside my groom and try to hide my growing impatience as Rhea, Hecate, and Aidon''s closest friends all speak and call for toasts. At this point, I''m almost as hungry for food as I am for my husband.


    Finally they''re done. With a heady buzz setting in, I tear into the first dish laid before me¡ªa dainty appetizer made of layers of egg custard, hazelnut and orange chutney, and duck Pat¨¦.


    Feeling his eyes on me, I glance up at Aidon¡ªsomething I''d been avoiding in an attempt to keep my lust at bay.


    "This is the first thing you''ve eaten today, isn''t it"


    My lip quirks upward as I consider, still chewing my most recent bite.


    "I mean real food," he adds.


    I swallow, side-eyeing Syntrofos where he stands just behind me and to my left¡ªhaving refused the place I''d offered him at the table beside me. Instead, Hecate sits there, deep in conversation with the person to her other side¡ªintroduced during his toast as my husband''s lifelong friend, Etros.


    "Oh. I suppose so."


    He huffs a bit at me before his attention is diverted by one of the others calling to him from farther down the table.


    By the time the last course arrives¡ªchocolate cake with salted lavender cream frosting¡ªI''m wishing I hadn''t eaten past the first. With my hunger for food satisfied, the other craving comes to the fore. I watch my groom as he talks animatedly with his friends, admiring the angles of his jaw. The passion in his eyes. The way he holds himself. Drinking in every detail.


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    Recalling the taste of his blood.


    As we eat, musicians appear at the top of the far stair, filing down until they reach the last tiered level and spreading out to ring the entire ballroom. The music begins softly at first, building like birdsong in the early hours of the morning to grow into something wondering and joyful. I close my eyes for a moment in appreciation, imagining a garden made of starlight¡ªblossoms blooming and flaring out and bursting to life again in a perfect dance of birth and death.


    "Do you like it?" Hecate''s draws me out of the reverie. I open my eyes, turning to meet her gaze.


    "I love it," I breathe. She breaks into her shark''s grin¡ªwhich I find endearing now, rather than scary. An affect of my new bond with Aidoneus, perhaps?


    "He composed it for you, you know. His Majesty. Just after meeting you in person."


    "Damnit, Hecate." Aidon leans forward to glare at her.


    "What? Why shouldn''t she know that?"


    "It''s a last minute composition. I''ll probably regret it in a matter of days, I don''t want¡ª"


    "Oh psh." She rolls her eyes before meeting mine with a conspiratorial wink. "He''s just embarrassed to be such a romantic."


    "What the hell kind of Hand are you?" Demands Aidon, slamming his cup down in mock anger. "What happened to your whole ''upholding the dignity of my sovereign'' bit?"


    Hecate scoffs. "I''m the drunk kind. And there''s nothing undignified about romance or talent. Now, isn''t it time you danced with your new bride?"


    He raises an eyebrow at her, his face the picture of severity. "I''ll have to agree with you there," he says, before looking to me as his lips part in a sudden, beatific smile. Standing, he extends a hand down to me.


    "My lady queen, would you honor me with a dance?"


    "Hm." I purse my lips up at him for a moment, pretending to consider before offering my hand. "I suppose."


    Smirking, he locks his fingers firmly around mine and sweeps me up onto my feet. I pause a moment to sweep the train of my dress up, attaching a little silver clip hidden amongst the flowers to the jeweled chain-piece I wear over my hand and wrist for this very purpose. All eyes are on us as we make our way to the center of the ballroom. The song changes, shifts into something at once more muted and yet somehow more vital¡ªalmost sensual. The steady, two-step beat of the drums is like that of a pair of hearts, and the trilling song of the electric violins echoes the thrill that runs down my spine at thought of the night ahead. A deeper, thrumming tune weaves throughout¡ªlike the rushing of blood.


    I stare up at my imposing, beautiful, endearing husband, and slowly we begin to spin across the floor. The flowering train attached to my wrist like a single wing that sweeps around my body and flares outward as we move. Couple-by-couple, group-by-group, people drift down to join us, until we''re whirling through a sea of opulence and color.


    "You really weren''t going to tell me that you composed that song?" I ask, looking at him with what I hope is a playful glint in my eye.


    "Never," he intones, but his lips quirk upward.


    "Does it always feel like this, when Variants get married?"


    He doesn''t even have to ask me what I mean by that. He shakes head, flashing fangs as his smile widens. "It varies from couple-to-couple. If they''re already very compatible, it''ll be like this," he pauses to whirl me outward as the music builds to a moment of intensity before flowing onward. "If they hate each other, it''ll make them able to at least bear one another, to see the other''s side of things and to have some amount of trust. Usually, it falls somewhere in between."


    "So I guess we got lucky," I say, flushing with sudden warmth.


    "Very lucky," he corrects before whirling me out again. We come back together in a rush, laughing, eyes locked¡ªand for a few heartbeats our mutual need for one another is painful.


    When the song ends and I convince Aidon to honor tradition by offering some of the following dances to others, he snubs Rhea¡ªstill angry over the dinner incident¡ªand takes Hecate''s hand instead. While they spin away, I drift toward the miniature forest of pomegranate trees. After all, none of my own friends and family are here, and I certainly don''t feel like dancing with Rhea or any stranger right now. Syntrofos offers his services, but I wave him off. A moment to myself to breathe and rest is actually exactly what I need.


    Stepping beneath the low canopy, I''m bathed in crimson light. I kick off my heels, allowing the plush moss to cradle my feet as I make my way to the heart of the miniature grove. My flower-drenched dress pools around me as I sit, and I throw back my head, breathing deep of the smell of greenery and petals and earth.


    "Enjoy it while you can," says an unfamiliar, purring voice from just behind me. My guardian hovers closer, and I turn with a start to see an unfamiliar woman stepping up to me through the trees.

 Chapter 10 - Grove

    I''m sorry?"


    The newcomer smiles wide, baring her fangs for a fraction of a heartbeat too long. Holding a hand close to her chest, she twists a lock of her strawberry-gold curls about one pale finger. As she comes to a stop, she flicks it off over her shoulder.


    "You''re starting out at Styx next week, right? The university''s nice and all, but it''s got nothing on this place."


    "Oh," I breathe, wondering why I''d found her words so alarming a moment ago. "Well, I''ll have centuries to make the most of it once I graduate."


    Her lips purse for a moment as she considers me. "Yes, I suppose you have been luckier than your sisters so far."


    Of course, I only have one sister¡ªbut I shake off the mistake, not bothering to correct her. Something about her presence makes me uneasy. Careful not to get tangled in my skirts, I get to my feet.


    "Um, I''m sorry. I don''t think we''ve met."


    "I''m Minthe. I''m a student at Styx U myself, coming up on my third year. Oh," she pauses to flash that smile again. "And an old friend of Aidon''s." She puts special emphasis on the word "friend," reaching out to grasp my hand for a half a heartbeat before dropping it as though I''ve burned her. "Pleasure to meet you," she adds. Her lips are just parting to say something else when Syntrofos steps through the trees, luminous eyes narrowed.


    "Excuse us please, Lady Minthe. I require a moment with our queen."


    She twists around to face him. Her acid-green eyes narrow and it almost looks as though she might refuse him...but then she seems to think better of it.


    "Very well," she says, turning back to me. "Congratulations, La¡ª" her gaze flicks sideways to Syn. "Your Majesty." She inclines her head to me in a shallow bow, then slinks off through the trees.


    "You''re welcome," says Syntrofos once she''s gone, crossing his arms.


    "So I take it you don''t have anything urgent to discuss with me?"


    "I do not." He grins.


    "Well, I''m glad you''re here. There''s something that was bothering me¡ª"


    "That''s exactly why I got rid of her for you."


    I wave a hand. "No, not her. It''s all of these plants,"


    Syn frowns. "I thought you loved them. We all did."


    "Oh, I do, it''s just...I''m confused. If you''ve gotten to the point of being able to control environments in Hades to where you can keep all of these different plant species alive, why can''t humans live here too? I mean, I know not everywhere here is as sophisticated as the palace, but..."


    At the odd look on Syn''s face I trail off.


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    "There were three drops of real human blood added to your wine, the night of your dinner with Rhea. Three drops. The scent of the wine was just enough to mask them. Now, imagine being surrounded by humans as a newborn Variant. Each one of them pulsing with hot, living blood." He pauses to let his words take affect as my own, much cooler blood drains from my face.


    "You''ll be able to attend the Renewal in Gaia only because you''ll be prepared beforehand and heavily guarded. But the populations freely mingling together?" He shakes his head, smiling ruefully. "That''s another matter entirely."


    Just as I''m opening my mouth to pick at his reasoning, he goes on.


    "Besides, those roses are artificial. The flowers and moss trail were brought in from Gaia, and are temporary. The full-spectrum panels that keep your plants alive require meticulous placement, and it only works because those plants are stationary. And the pomegranate trees and your little bird-thing? Well that''s all you. It seems the changes to their DNA made them hardier." He exhales in a brief, wondering laugh.


    "And certainly, we could create some habitats here that could sustain humans. But it would be at a huge material cost and for a very poor and dangerous quality of life. Besides, the secrets of Hades are for Variants alone. Otherwise, humans would live in fear of us."


    I frown. Something he''d said has given me the seed of an idea, but it''s too new and too big to bring to words yet.


    "Well, it''s good to know at least that they could survive here, if they needed to." I say after a moment. "If anything happened to Gaia, there''d be somewhere for them to go other than Dusk."


    "Dusk would be safer for them."


    "In the short term. But¡ª"


    "Kore?"


    There''s a rustling from the far end of my little grove as Aidon ducks beneath the greenery, starting towards us. He brushes a few leaves out of his hair as he steps up to me, stooping obligingly when I reach up to pluck out the one he''d missed.


    "Is everything alright?"


    "Mhm. I just met an old friend of yours, actually."


    He arcs a brow. "Oh? Which one?"


    "It was Minthe," Syntrofos cuts in before I can answer. "Don''t worry, Your Majesty, I took care of it."


    "What?" I look from one to the other of them. "What do I need to know?"


    Aidoneus sighs. "We were involved once, before I became heir to the throne. She can be...difficult."


    "Oh. She didn''t seem too terrible," I say, feeling generous. I''d probably be a bit bitter too, if I''d had Aidoneus and lost him. "Not terribly friendly though, either."


    "She just didn''t have enough time to be terrible," quips Syn as Aidon runs a hand through his hair, looking almost flustered.


    I smile up at him, offering my arm.


    "Come," I coax. "The rest of tonight''s dances are mine, yes?"


    "All yours," he confirms with a grin as he loops his arm with mine.


    ~*~


    My husband is true to his word, though we dance to only three more songs before I drag us away to mingle with the others. Then I hang back, letting him do most of the talking. Partially it''s because big social events with people I don''t know are exhausting. But, more importantly, it gives me a chance to see what and who makes his face light up or darken. To learn more about this man I''ve tied myself to forever.


    I begin making a list in my mind of the things that interest him, make him happy. Music. Art. Architecture. Resource management and governance. Animals.


    And me.


    I feel it every time his eyes find me and his pupils flare wide. Every time he flashes me that crooked, fangy smile that he only ever shows a select few.


    Every minute spent with him here amongst the throngs is delicious agony. His presence is a pleasure in any capacity, and I adore seeing him with others-laughing and talking and letting other facets of himself shine through. But I''m also desperate to be alone with him-and desperately nervous about that very thing.


    Anticipation and anxiety coil together like a family of silksnakes in my stomach as the time draws near. When the hour strikes and Aidoneus takes my hand, I''m trembling enough for him to notice. He squeezes my palm, and the look of sympathy and understanding in his eyes in that moment washes away most of my fear and doubt-at least for now. I take a deep breath and rise for the night''s final procession.

 Chapter 11 - Threshold

    There is no unforging the bond between us now, but our marriage won''t be legally official until tomorrow morning. As we step through the ballroom''s grand entrance, a pair of bone-white Synthes hands each of us an ornate lantern aglow with blue flame. The crystal chandeliers and flower lights have all gone out, leaving our lanterns the only illumination in the otherwise blackened corridors. Our guests receive lights of their own as they follow, and I imagine us from a bird''s eye view-blurring together into a river of cerulean luminescence that snakes through the night-dark palace, flowing upward.


    Upward, to Aidon''s chambers at the top of North Tower.


    With each step we take, my excitement and anxiety escalates, building into a conflicted storm of emotion. As we step off the stair onto the landing just outside our destination, my knees suddenly feel as though they''ve turned to jelly¡ªand for a half a heartbeat I''m certain they''ll buckle.


    Sensing this, Aidon releases my hand at last to link our arms together, squeezing me close. Briefly, I envision him sweeping me up off my feet and carrying me the rest of the way like they do in some of the ancient Earth films I''ve seen. But of course, he can''t¡ªit''s an important part of the ritual that we both step through of our own free will.


    The door whirs open on Aidon''s command and we pause a few steps before it. My groom looks down at me as I take a deep, steadying breath. Four Variants break away from the others that crowd the landing and stair behind and around us, taking their places to either side of the door. Chosen for their neutrality, they settle in to stand vigil for the night.


    Glancing up to meet my new husband''s eyes, I give him a tiny nod. Then, as one, the two of us cross the threshold together.


    The door closes behind us, silencing the cheers and shouting of the crowd while our Guardians hover off to make themselves inconspicuous. Following my husband''s lead, I hang my lantern on an ornate hook to one side of the entrance.


    Like the rest of the palace, Aidon''s chambers are dark¡ªdimly illuminated by the cool light of our lanterns, the ambient glow of the river Styx and the glimmer of city lights and stars outside his enormous windows. From somewhere off in the shadows, the rhythmic trickling of flowing water whispers over the otherwise total quiet.


    It smells of ozone and rain-washed stone...but thicker than any scent in the air is the electric hum of our mutual desire and the shared apprehensions that clash with it.


    "Please don''t be frightened," murmurs Aidoneus from beside me.


    "Why would I¡ª"


    Something moves from off to my right, emerging from a pool of darkness as a broken silhouette against the scattered light streaming in through the windows. There''s a sound like stone clacking on stone as it moves closer, stepping into the light of the twin lanterns. Its three spiny necks twist, angling each of its skulls in their own way as it regards me from the black pits of its empty eye sockets.


    I''m dimly aware of my jaw going slack as I make sense of what I''m looking at. A creature-or what was once a creature-three heads taller than me at its shoulders alone. Six legs. three heads. One slowly thrashing tail. What were once its bones have since transmuted to blue-gray stone, shot through in places with veins and chunks of opal.


    "Wha-what-"


    "This is Cerberus," says Aidoneus. "My familiar."


    "But how?"


    "My control over the dead extends beyond flesh and bone. Whatever spark it is that I tap into, its left behind even when all organic cells are gone and turned to stone." He smiles with his eyes as he gazes up at the fossilized beast. "This world wasn''t always the way it is now. Once, it turned. Once, it thrived. But not all of the treasures of that time are lost."


    "He''s beautiful," I breathe, breaking away from Aidoneus at last, freeing my hand to reach out to the magnificent creature, unable to resist. He extends its middle skull to meet me halfway, and I run my fingers across the cool planes of his jaw. "Amazing."


    Taking another step forward, Cerberus''s leftmost skull ducks down to nuzzle my face, while the other seems to sniff at my hair.


    "He likes you." Aidoneus sounds almost shocked.


    "Were you worried?" I smile over at him, trying to catch his eye from beneath his familiar''s massive skull.


    "Terrified. I''d have had to divorce you on the spot otherwise." His lip quirks upward.


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    I laugh, and Cerberus makes a low rumbling sound somewhere between a roll of thunder and several large stones grinding together.


    "Don''t worry, that''s a good sound."


    "I can tell," I say as the massive creature gives my head a final nuzzle before loping off the way he''d come, sending some of my flowers drifting to the floor. In a few fluid movements, Aidon strides forward, stoops to pluck up the largest and most beautiful of the fallen blossoms, and rises to his full height once more to tuck it back into my hair. Our eyes lock for a heartbeat of searing intensity. Then, like stars colliding, we converge on each other. His lips crush against mine as my tongue teases at his, flickers across the edges of his fangs. His hands move up into my hair and mine wrap about his neck.


    His lips travel downward, kissing and teasing at my skin with his teeth in turns. The scent and feel of him overwhelms my senses, and suddenly the memory of his blood is crashing over me in waves of temptation. My fangs extend further as my mouth fills with saliva.


    "May I-" I whisper, my lips brushing against his ear.


    "Yes."


    A thrill runs down my spine as he breathes the word across my skin. My lips part, my fangs plunge into his flesh, and his blood flows into me-lighting up my entire being in a supernova of golden ecstasy.


    Dimly, I''m aware of his hands untangling from my hair, following the curves of my body as they travel downward to my hips, my thighs¡ªlifting me up. I wrap my legs about his waist, fangs sinking even deeper as my arms lock about his shoulders. Then we''re moving, but I don''t see where. Already drunk on his essence, my eyes are closed, every bit of my attention riveted on the feel of him, the taste of him.


    Softness embraces me from behind as we tilt downward onto what I assume is the bed. Laid out over me, his body presses into mine¡ªthough I can tell he''s being careful not to crush me. Bringing up one of his hands, he cradles the back of my skull-gently at first, then firm as he pulls free of my jaws. With his blood still on my lips, he kisses me, losing himself in the urgency of it so that his hips grind into mine. I suck in a sudden quick breath as I feel him harden, pressing against the insides of my thighs.


    I release my grip about his neck as my fingers seek out the clasps to his cloak. Unhooking them, I flick the fabric back so that it slides away to pool like an inky shadow at his feet. He bares a single fang in the lopsided grin I''ve already come to adore as his hands find my roving ones, assisting in their endeavor to relieve him of his fitted tunic and sleeves. Moments later they fall to the floor atop his cloak, baring his torso in all its hard-edged glory, the wintery light glinting and refracting off his skin. Looking up at him now, it''s hard to believe this otherworldly being of frost and ash was ever an ordinary human. That he''s my husband and mine to love. Forever.


    His brows peak, coming together as I study his magnificence.


    "Kore, we don''t have to do anything. If this isn''t what you want¡ª"


    "It''s everything I want."


    Knowing how in tune with one another we are now, it''s hard to believe he could doubt my desire for him. A hot spike of anger strikes me as I find myself wondering who burned these doubts so deep into his heart. I''ll make them pay, eventually. But for now the rage only adds fire to my passion.


    I reach for him, pull him down into another hungry kiss. Before I even know I''ve decided to do it, I''m rolling on top of him, straddling his hips, fingers wrapped in the blue-black silk of his hair as my lips work along his clavicle. He exhales slowly in a long hiss, body arching beneath mine.


    Freeing my hands from his hair I run them down his torso and the sculpted planes of his stomach, finding the lacing of his pants while his hands wander over my body. When at last I have them undone they pause in their exploration and finish the task for me, dragging off the offending article and tossing it aside. It''s all I can do not to balk in the face of his glory. My hand traces the invisible line that leads from his belly button downward until my fingers find the warm hardness of his cock. With the other hand I adjust my skirts, lifting and then letting them fall again to pool around both our hips. But just as I''m pulling my flimsy undergarments to the side, Aidoneus reaches down to grasp my hand, stopping me.


    "Not yet," he growls.


    In the next instant I''ve been flipped onto my back again. Aidon leaves a trail of kisses from my lips down my neck and further, until he reaches the bust-line of my dress and makes another low, rumbling sound of frustration. I arch my back as his hands snake beneath it to work at the lacing, until at last its loose enough to pull down over my ribs, past my hips, and off. What little remains of my clothing joins it shortly after. For a few moments he kisses my thighs, teasing the soft flesh there with the edges of his fangs until I think he might just sink them in.


    Then his lips find their place between my legs, the agile work of his tongue spinning pleasure like threads of platinum, binding me up from the inside out in delicious, mounting sensation...


    But just as its reaching its crescendo he stops, pulling away.


    "Do you want me?" His voice is a breathy rasp.


    "Yes," I manage, writhing against him, hands curling around his hips.


    "Are you sure?"


    I moan my frustration, long and low. "Yes."


    He''s in position in an instant, plunging into me the next. I gasp as the length of him drives deep-pleasure and pain spiraling together until they''re one and the same. My hips buck against his, driving him deeper. For a heartbeat our eyes lock, his pupils flaring wide. Then he strikes-fangs driving into my neck. I gasp again, legs locking around his hips as he thrusts into me again and again and my blood courses into him, his pleasure building on mine and mine on his until it''s more than either of us can handle. Until my vision explodes in stars. Until my legs tremble and my skin feels like millions of pulsing embers of ecstasy and he spends himself inside me, face buried against my neck, his panting breath cooling my sweat-dampened skin and stirring the coils of my hair.


    In the next heartbeat it all becomes too much, crashing outward in an explosion of power. Slender woody vines burst in multitudes from my back, lifting me up off the bed and pushing Aidon onto his knees, eyes gone wide. The vines erupt with blossoms, and the heady scent of lavender fills the room.

 Chapter 12 - Flight

    The wallscreen casts a pool of flickering, jewel-toned light over our naked bodies. The old earth film makes for a pleasant backdrop of color and sound, but neither of us is paying much attention. I lay sprawled on my stomach across the luxurious synthe-fur blanket we''ve tossed across the floor. Aidoneus is stretched out beside me, stroking my hair.


    "You''re sure they''ll come off on their own?" I ask after a minute, turning my cheek to rest on my arm as I look into his icy eyes.


    "Mhm. You just need to relax. That''s how it is with the other Variant types who can grow things on their bodies, unless they''re making a conscious effort to maintain it."


    His fingers travel through my hair to trace slow patterns across the skin of my neck, upper shoulders and arms.


    "Just give it time."


    I close my eyes, focusing on my breath and the gentle, fluid movements of his hands. Eventually, clouds of lavender begin to drift from the vines like fragrant snow. Then the roots loosen where they tap into my flesh, which heals rapidly when they fall away.


    Each time a branch comes loose, something scuttles from the shadows to snatch it up. I piece together what it looks like over time¡ªsome sort of ancient, eight-limbed fossil of a crustacean, articulated with additions of silver joints and fixtures.


    "Why don''t you use servitors?" I wonder aloud.


    Aidon''s eyebrow shoots up, but his tone is evasive. "I have a Guardian."


    "Other than that."


    "Later," he says with an enigmatic smile. "We''re supposed to be relaxing now, remember?" His fingers travel down my back, to the last few stalks sprouting from my skin.


    Grumbling a bit under my breath, I close my right eye-keeping the other open for just a moment longer to glare up at him. But my lips betray me, quirking upward.


    If he thinks I''ll forget to ask again, he''s mistaken.


    By the end of the movie, my tangled botanical wings have been reduced to a dusting of tiny petals intermingled with my mane.


    After a while I fall asleep, awakening only somewhat when Aidon lifts me off the ground and carries me back to bed. I smile to myself as he tucks me carefully under the covers before sliding in himself and cuddling up at my side. Within heartbeats, I''m fully unconscious once more.


    When I wake, it''s with the evanescent mist of beautiful dreams still lingering over my consciousness. His breath drifts across the nape of my neck, one hand curled around the point where my waist meets my hip, the other tangled in the mess of my hair.


    "Kore?" He murmurs. "Did you sleep well?"


    "You have no idea," I breath, stretching as I twist around to face him. "But as good as my dreams were, this is even better." I wrap my arm about his waist, reaching upward to explore the muscular planes of his back as I bury my face against his neck. Drink in his scent.


    "I wish our honeymoon could be longer," I add after a moment. "Three days suddenly doesn''t feel like enough."


    "I agree," he says, twisting a lock of my hair between his fingers. "But weren''t you the one insisting on the importance of attending university?"


    "Doesn''t mean I can''t complain about it," I grump, words muffled as I nuzzle closer. "Can''t you order them to start semester a few weeks later or something?"


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    He laughs. "That''d be a bit of a misuse of my power, don''t you think?"


    "Ugh," I groan, stretching my neck up to nibble at his ear. "Ethics."


    "I have a certain fondness for them." He massages my scalp, and I feel his satisfaction and happiness in that moment like a pleasant static. It warms me from within.


    A little later in the morning, I get to speak to my sister on-screen for the first time since my awakening as a Variant. Aidoneus leaves to attend to "important things," giving us the privacy to use the enormous screen in his¡ªno, our¡ªchambers.


    Eurydice''s eyes are shadowed by dark half-moons, and her freckles stand out starkly against the extreme, translucent pallor of her skin. But otherwise, she seems almost herself. At the sight of her, it''s as though an invisible weight vanishes from my shoulders.


    "Oh, Kore, I''m so, so sorry I couldn''t call sooner. I''ve been so worried-"


    "You''ve been worried? Eury, you''re the one someone tried to assassinate!"


    She waves that off. "But you''re all alone over there, where it''s so dark and cold and everyone''s, well," she falters for a moment, gaze roving over her screen as she studies my face. "Everyone''s so different from what you''re used to."


    "I''m fine, Eury. No, I''m...I''m wonderful. I love it here. I love him."


    Her eyes go wide as the words spill out of me. My hands fly up to my lips. I hadn''t meant to say that, hadn''t even known. But it''s true.


    "Really? Oh thank Gaia, I was so worried. That''s wonderful. I''m so happy for you," she gushes, teardrops glinting at the corners of her eyes. Taking a deep breath, her lips part to speak-but then she seems to rethink whatever it was she was about to say. She takes another breath and starts again. "I can''t wait to see you. I miss you."


    "I miss you too. So much."


    "Promise next time you''ll tell me all about your first week at University and whatever parts of your honeymoon won''t gross me out?"


    "Promise."


    I have to let her go not long after. Moments later, there''s a chirp at the door and Syntrofos enters with Pompom perched on his shoulder. After my morning serving of ichor, he helps me dress in soft rose-gold layers to join my husband for our proper breakfast.


    I carry Pom close to my chest as Syn leads me up to a shielded rooftop launchpad, where I blink around, confused. The sleek black Corvus M6 perched a few paces away hums to life even as the door glides upward and Aidon steps out.


    "You didn''t think we were going to spend our entire honeymoon in our own house, did you?"


    Offering a hand, he helps me up the short flight of stairs and into the darkly shimmering grays and dim lighting of the Corvus''s interior. Syntrofos and my Guardian follow us in as he shows me to a pair of plush seats facing a table set directly below a long window. The stair withdraws, the doors slides shut. Aidoneus settles in beside me. Then we''re off. The Corvus launches easily into the sky, and the city of Styx expands beneath us¡ªa tapestry of glowing jewels against the dark. To the West of it stretches its namesake, the endless river. Beyond that, the violet edge of dusk. And to the other side lies the void of Midnight, the inner reaches of Hades. Broken only occasionally by the barest glimmer of lights in the distance.


    As the Corvus twists in the air, setting its course, our window faces the latter view. We travel rapidly northward, following the luminous line of River Styx.


    "Now, breakfast," declares Aidon, catching my eye away from the view and smiling. He gets up, disappearing behind a door at the back of the aircraft for a time before returning with a full platter.


    "Oh, I could have¡ª" Syn begins, but at a look from his king he goes quiet.


    Aidon lays out the food and returns to his place by my side, throwing me a sideways glance as I pick up my utensils and dig in.


    "Oh," I breathe appreciatively between bites. "That''s delicious."


    It''s some sort of thin, lightly sweet pancake, wrapped about a treasure trove of cloud-like cream and caviar. Absolute bliss.


    "You like it?"


    Something about his tone gives him away. "Wait, did you actually make these?"


    His cheeks darken in a cool flush. "They''re based off an old earth recipe I''ve been wanting to try. It''s not difficult. It''s really the quality of the ingredients that matter."


    I shake my head, laughing. "You''re incredible."


    Once I''ve devoured my portion, I move on to the stuffed figs and bits of honeycomb. Aidon''s lip twitches upward as I lick honey off my fingers. I waggle my eyebrows at him.


    "Holding something back from me already?" I tease. His face splits into a grin.


    "Just looking forward to more time together," he says, eyes crinkling at the corners.


    As he clears away the remains of the last course, I catch sight of what I think¡ªwhat I hope¡ªmust be our destination.


    The Corvus dips low on approach, slowing. As it veers towards its landing point, it tilts sideways until the sky vanishes entirely and we peer directly down into the vast glowing bowl of the caldera below.

 Chapter 13 - Visitor

    If there weren''t a table between the window and my face, I''d be pressed up against the glass as we make our descent into Olympus.


    I never thought I''d get to see it so early into my change.


    The city clings to the insides of the dead volcano''s broken crown, its lower tiers lit from beneath by the glow of the lake that fills its center. Shielded from the worst of the winds but farther from the heat of the lake, snow blankets the ridges and structures of the caldera''s upper reaches.


    "Wow," is all I can manage. Heartbeats later, a flurry of snow obscures the view. When it clears again, we''re hovering over a landing pad.


    After touchdown, Aidon¡ªnow smiling from ear-to-ear¡ªtakes me by the hand as we step into the fresh, cold air outside. Loose strands whip around my face, collecting snowflakes as I struggle to brush them out of view. We''re high up in the peaks here, with most of the city a ring of light laid out beneath us. Built outward from the rough stone is a house too grand to call a manor, but too small to call a palace. Made entirely of storm-gray stone, many of its tall stained-glass windows are set with stylized images of the Daimon. Every corner has a turret, and every level boasts an array of ornately railed balconies.


    "Welcome to our mountain house," my husband declares as he leads me to the entrance.


    "What was that you said about honeymooning in our own home?" I smirk up at him.


    He laughs. "Ah, but this is our vacation house. It''s different."


    Our guardians trail behind us, Syntrofos taking up the rear with Pompom now huddled in the perfectly-calibrated warmth of his hands. For half a moment I worry that I hadn''t been able to pack anything, but then I smile to myself. Whatever I might need, there''s no way he won''t have thought of it.


    As we approach, the door creaks slowly outward. Aidon''s eyes flash to mine, watching for my response as a human skeleton steps into view, holding the door open for us. It''s glossy black--as though it''s been lacquered¡ªand held together by bits of silver.


    "Oh, ah, it''s an old place, from the Dark Age. It''s got the updates that matter, but otherwise, I''ve kept it as it was. No automatic doors.


    "And no Synthes?"


    "Not many."


    "Why is it that you don''t have more?" I prod as I follow him.


    "It''s important I have outlets for my abilities." He says simply. I get a distinct sense there''s more to it than that, but decide not to press him on the matter.


    The bone-servitor closes the door behind us. Distantly I''m aware of releasing Aidon''s hand as I step forward, craning my neck to take everything in. The entrance leads straight into a huge foyer whose two-story tall windows look out over the luminous caldera and snow-swept sky. A pair of curving stairs lead up to an open level, while the ground floor glitters in a mosaic of crystal tiles in every shade from purest white to onyx black. I study the flowing images as I step across them¡ªa luscious array of plants, animals and mountains.


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    A resonance piano stands at the center of it all, awash in the blue glow of the illuminated skylight in the vaulted ceiling overhead. Clusters of low, dark furniture are arranged at a comfortable distance around it. Over near the windows, a fountain trickles musically.


    "Do you like it?" Aidon steps up beside me, brows furrowed ever-so-slightly. I purse my lips for a moment, drawing it out, before grinning up at him.


    "It''ll do."


    With a disbelieving scoff, my husband offers me his arm before taking me on a full tour that culminates in the master bedroom. Syntrofos doesn''t bother to follow us in.


    Before I know it, my back''s pressed against the cool stone of the wall. Aidon lifts me off my feet, hands burried deep in my skirts as he grips the soft flesh of my thighs. We kiss, hard and desperate, before his lips leave mine to work down my neck. I gasp as he teases me with a fang, tangling a hand into his hair to press his head forward. He takes this for the invitation it is, and I sigh with pleasure as his fangs drive into me.


    Some time later, we lay in a tangle of blankets, leaves and partially removed clothing on the enormous bed. Propping myself partway up on my elbows, I look out the ceiling-high corner window that serves as a headboard.


    "Don''t worry," murmurs Aidon, reaching out to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear before it can fall into my face. "At University, you''ll learn how to direct and contain your energy."


    "So I won''t have to worry about bursting into bloom every time we have sex for the rest of forever?"


    He shakes his head, chuckling, as a ripe fig drops from one of the branches growing from my back. "No, but I think it''s charming."


    "Wait," I sit up, snatching the fig from his hands, turning it over in my fingers. "It''s fruiting? But it shouldn''t be able to do that without wasps..."


    At that, Aidon all-out laughs. "You can grow trees from your back and create hybrid lifeforms and this is what surprises you?"


    Scrunching my nose at him, I lift the fig and take a bite¡ªraising my eyebrows at his look of shock. "We drink each other''s blood, what''s this in comparison? Oh,"


    "What?" Brows peaking in concern, his eyes dart about as he studies my face. "Are you al-"


    "It''s delicious," I sigh, closing my eyes. "So fresh. It tastes like sunshine."


    His lips curl upward. "That sounds about right."


    I offer him the other half, but he shakes his head. "Blood or no, this is little weird for me," he says. Shrugging, I pop it into my mouth, savoring the flavor as much as possible before swallowing.


    "You know, if you keep stimulating yourself, the branches won''t fall off."


    I chortle. "Stimulating myself?"


    "You know what I meant."


    I''m just opening my mouth to antagonize him further when suddenly he looks up, eyes narrowed and pupils going to slits.


    "What is it?"


    "My brother''s here,"


    "How do you know?"


    "My servitors." Already sliding off the bed, he begins tugging his cloths back on. I can''t help but feel a pang of loss as he pulls his shirt down over the sculpted contours of his abs. "Stay here and relax. I''ll get rid of him."


    "Get rid of him? Why-"


    But he''s already off, striding purposefully across the room to fling open the door. In the next instant he''s gone, door slamming shut behind him.


    Sighing in frustration, I lay back down on my stomach. Normally, I''d be after him in a heartbeat--but the branches and inability to get fully dressed would make for an awkward first meeting. Instead, I close my eyes and do my best to clear my thoughts.


    Just as the first branch begins to loosen, there''s a shout and a crash from somewhere outside the room. Yanking up the sheet, I wrap it hastily about myself as best I can before dashing out the door and down the hall to the interior balcony overlooking the foyer.


    Down below, Aidon''s just getting up from the ground¡ªhair wild, fangs bared, and clutching his left arm. Blood glistens between his fingers, runs down his sleeve. His guardian lays on the ground behind him, completely disabled. Not a few paces away, a Variant who can only be his brother leers down at him, eyes aglow as white-hot bolts of electricity flare around his body in a blinding whirlwind.

 Chapter 14 - Dessert

    The next moments are a blur. Rage, blinding and immediate, burns away every thought. I don''t remember getting down the stairs. One moment, I''m on the balcony-and in the next, I''m not. Perhaps I jumped.


    The Zeus Variant shouts as woody vines shoot forward from my back to coil around him. With no time to struggle, he''s rendered immediately motionless-hoisted off his feet with his arms squeezed to his sides, legs locked into place. Charging ahead, I shove him backwards until I''ve got him pinned against the wall. The vines growing from the other side of my back curl over my shoulder, poised with their sharpened tips pointed at his throat.


    "What do you think you''re doing to my husband?" I growl.


    His gray eyes go wide at first. Then his lip twitches up to bare a fang. He looks a lot like his brother, save for the blue-gray color of his hair-streaked through with silver at the front-his clean shaven jaw, and the piercing coldness of his gaze.


    Suddenly, he bursts into laughter. I glare at it him.


    He''s just like Rhea.


    "Nice to meet you too, little sister,"


    Wiping his arm off with a black handkerchief to reveal a wound already half-healed, Aidon strolls over.


    "Kore, this is my brother, Deius. Deius, this is Kore-my wife and this round''s clear victor, I think."


    I twist my head around to face him, eyebrows shooting up my face. "This round?"


    "It''s tradition," offers Deius. "A friendly competition between brothers."


    "You''re not telling me you beat each other up every time you meet."


    I look from one to the other of them, but Deius just grins like an idiot.


    "Well..." Aidon laughs uncomfortably, not quite meeting my gaze.


    I know the distress I''d felt from him had been real. Tradition it might be, but there''s something else to this. I know it.


    "You could have warned me. Or, I don''t know. Just not attacked each other, perhaps?" I complain as I struggle to release my death-grip. Now that my temper''s faltered, it''s a lot harder to muster the energy for it.


    "Don''t push yourself, my love," says Aidon, placing a hand on my shoulder. As the last word crosses his lips, a thrill runs down my spine. "He''s fine where he is."


    "The problem is he''s too close to me," I grumble, glancing up to find the one in question still looking entirely too punchable.


    Aidon snaps his fingers, and something large begins to clank and clatter its way down one of the shadowy halls towards us. A man-no, a skeleton-in ancient black armor, bearing an enormous cleaver of a sword.


    "May I?" Aidon looks to me as the behemoth skeleton raises its sword over the vine-branch things where they snake across the floor, connecting my brother-in-law and I.


    I nod. In the next moment the blade comes down, severing the link in a single, powerful stroke. I feel a moment''s anxiety and a bit of pressure-but little else. The vines still clinging to my back go limp. The ones left behind stay put as if grown there, still rooting Deius to the spot. The armored skeleton turns and trundles away.


    "Oh come on. Let me down."


    Aidon quirks his lip, regarding him for a moment. "Eh."


    "You know, you should be thanking me for giving you an early introduction to life at University," says Deius, looking to me now. "Dueling''s the best part of the culture. It keeps everyone sharp, helps you hone your skills."


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    I scoff. "Duels are one thing, but all-out fights? Drawing blood?"


    Deius begins to laugh again.


    "What do you think the duels are? We''re not a fragile little mortals anymore. Things are different for us."


    While I process that bit of information, he quiets-concentrating as more electricity crackles outward from his skin. His muscles strain against the branches, which begin to blacken and break. At last they give way, and he drops to the ground.


    "Anyway," he says, brushing himself off. "I came to invite you both to a party at my place tonight. In your honor, of course. I felt so terrible we couldn''t make it to your wedding, it''s the least I could do."


    "That wasn''t necessary," says Aidon stiffly. "There was a Squall. No one gets through those. It''s fine."


    "Nevertheless," shrugs Deius, smiling. "Teleia planned it, and it''s happening."


    With a long-suffering sigh, my husband looks to me. "What do you say to this?"


    I scrunch my nose, turning from him to scowl at my new brother-in-law. "The food had better be really, really, really good, after all the energy I just wasted on you."


    Deius smiles, flashing both his fangs. "Only the best," he assures me.


    ~*~


    Deius''s estate is on the far side of the caldera, closer to the city than ours but still perched just above it all. The moment we step off the landing pad, it begins to sink-taking the Corvus to some hidden hangar that must be very crowded by now. More craft hover overhead waiting to land, and music and laughter filters up to us even over the howling wind.


    A lift takes us down to the foyer, where we''re greeted by a pair of the largest and most extravagant synthes I''ve ever seen. They almost look like sets of armor themselves-save their tapered, back-bent legs-crafted all of platinum and silver with accents of gold.


    In fact, everything about the place is grand and shining and gilded. It almost hurts my eyes.


    From there, the synthes lead us down a long corridor with windows to either side-a covered bridge leading from one rocky peak to another. We step through the broad entryway at its far end to find ourselves in a tower crowded with Variants. Instead of successive floors it''s filled with tiered, open levels that decrease in size as they go up. The entirety of the tower''s forward face is glass in a rainbow of melting colors, fortified by slender panes.


    There''s a deafening clap of thunder as an enormous bolt of lightning shoots downward from the ceiling, striking the metal tree "growing" from the open space at the forefront of the tower.


    The laughter and talking all quiets as a familiar voice rings out, amplified a hundred times over.


    "Our guests of honor have arrived! Welcome, King Aidoneus Hades, my beloved brother! Welcome, Kore Demeter Hades, the world''s only Persephone Variant!"


    Beside me, Aidon bares his teeth, hissing his brother''s name like a curse.


    "Damn him."


    "Everyone was going to find out anyway."


    "They might have at least doubted it before."


    I squeeze his arm. Cheers of welcome and even applause break out as we step forward, and I try to turn my grimace into a smile while fighting the urge to cover my ears. Several of the guests bow as we pass. Deius approaches from somewhere near the tree, arm-in-arm with a beautiful, gold-and-silver haired woman who must be Teleia. Her eyes are as warm as his are cold, the color of honey and sunshine, warmed further still by the brightness of her smile.


    As Deius grasps his brother''s hand, his wife reaches out questioningly, and I step into her light embrace.


    "Welcome, Kore. I''m Teleia. It''s so wonderful to finally meet you." She kisses me once on both cheeks then draws back, taking my hands in both of hers as she searches my eyes. Warmth floods up my arms at her touch, through my veins and straight to my heart. Standing in her presence-it''s like listening to birdsong while sipping honey wine under the sun. I''d imagined a lot of things, when I''d wondered what it''d be like to meet a Hera Variant. But I''d never come anywhere close to this.


    "Thank you," I gush. "You have a lovely home." It''s not a lie-though the place had seemed entirely too much on the way in, that''s changed. What had felt like a cold and glaring brightness has taken on a new shade. A heart behind the radiance that makes all the rest of it ring true.


    "You''re welcome here at any time," she assures me.


    Guiding us over to another lift, the pair leads us to the topmost level, occupied by dinner tables and guests in extravagant finery. Shown to a set of high-backed, throne-like chairs at the center of the head table, we take our seats and the toasts begin.


    Some six or so collective drinks in, Deius finally announces the beginning of the meal. A parade of courses, each more elaborate than the last, is trotted out for Aidon and I to take our first share. By the end of it, my appetite for ordinary food is long gone-but I''m starting to wonder where Syntrofos has gotten off to, and whether or not he''s got a fresh supply of Ichor.


    That''s when Deius smiles over at us from his end of the table.


    "Hope you saved room for dessert," he says. Just then, the lift opens and two synthes emerge, each with a tall, hovering box like a metal coffin in tow. I feel the warmth they give off almost immediately. Hear the rush of blood from within. The beating of hearts.


    The synthes arrange the boxes neatly before us, and my cold Variant blood drains from my face.


    Two muzzled humans look out from the heated interiors through narrow glass panels-eyes wild, pale with terror.

 Chapter 15 - Monster

    "For my guests of honor," Deius booms, leaning forward in his seat.


    I stare over at Aidon, but his eyes are on the coffins, pupils flared wide as he swallows compulsively. He begins to rise, taking my hand to draw me up with him, but I don''t budge.


    "You...you drink from humans? But I thought¡ªIchor..."


    "Syntrofos didn''t tell you?"


    "Tell me what?" I''m glaring up at him now, suddenly fighting back a sensation like a frightened bird trying to escape my ribcage.


    Flashing a sideways look across the table to his bemused brother, Aidon sits back down, taking my hands in his.


    "Gaia''s criminals. The truly hopeless ones. The murderers and rapists. They send them to our side. It''s part of the treaty."


    I just stare at him, frozen.


    "And you...drink from them? Over time, or you drain them completely?"


    His brows knit together. "We drain them," he says. "There''s no stopping once you start when it comes to living human blood."


    Many of the others are staring now. I don''t care.


    "How could you take part in this? It''s barbaric! It''s not even necessary!"


    "Kore¡ª" he pauses, takes a deep breath. "It''s tradition. These people would just be put to death some other way. And though we don''t need real human blood, it''s good for our health to have it occasionally. Very good, actually."


    I don''t know what to say. I don''t know what to do. But some distant, detached part of myself apparently does. In that moment, it takes over.


    "Guardian," I say, standing and whirling to face the floating orb. "Call for Syntrofos to join me. I''m going back to the Corvus."


    "Kore, please," begins Aidon, but I''m already on my way to the lift. The others are all murmuring to each other now. Deius gets up from his seat, trailing after his brother as he follows me. But I get to the lift in the next instant to find Syntrofos waiting for me behind its sliding doors. The moment my guardian crosses the threshold, I press the control panel to snap them closed.


    "You know what happened, I take it?" I ask as I select the first floor and the lift begins to drop.


    "Yes. Your Guardian flashed me the footage. I''m so sorry, Kore. I didn''t realize it would come up so soon, and I just felt¡ªfrom my analysis of your current mental and emotional state¡ªthat this was something it would be better to ease you into. I didn''t realize it would come up so soon."


    I just shake my head, burrying my face in my hands as I lean against the wall. The lift comes to a stop and the doors slide open.


    We''re halfway across the bridge back to the main house when Aidon catches up with us.


    "Kore, please. Wait. Can''t we ju¡ª"


    I whirl on him.


    "You should have told me you were a monster at the start. I had a right to know what I was marrying,"


    He freezes, cloak whirling around his suddenly rigid form as he stares down at me. In that moment, I could swear the air grows colder.


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    Then he takes one step closer, and I can feel something building in him. It''s all I can do not to take a step back.


    "I asked you if you were sure," he says, voice barely above a murmer¡ªbut with an edge of a growl to it. "I gave you a chance to turn back. You knew what they call this place. And you accepted it. I thought you accepted me."


    My lips part as I begin to shake my head, to argue...though I have no idea what I intend to say. But he forges on, taking another step closer.


    "You knew Gaia puts its worst criminals to death. Knew it and accepted it. But now that you''re faced with how it''s done, you take issue? We can''t help what we are, Kore. You don''t even know what it is we''re giving up, in how little living blood we consume. You haven''t experienced it."


    "And I never want to!"


    Aidon laughs derisively. "That''s because you''re brand new. It''s a thirst, a longing, a need that builds with time, once the last of your own human blood has gone from your veins."


    "I''ll resist it."


    "Will you? Will you resist it when the ones who tried to assassinate your sister are caught and sent to us and we''ve wrung every last bit of information from them that we can?"


    "I..." my heart constricts, a sudden burst of rage alighting within at his mention of the attempt on Eurydice''s life. "I don''t know," I admit. Even now I can feel the edge of his need through our connection. Even just seeping into the periphery of my senses, it''s distracting. Awakening things within me that I''m not ready to face.


    It might be the real reason I turned and walked out.


    His icy eyes tighten around the corners.


    "You will soon enough, I promise you. How do you think I manage to visit Gaia without being a hazard to the humans there? How do you think you¡¯re going to do it?¡± He flings an arm out and back, towards the tower. ¡°You drink your fill before you ever step foot in the dome. It¡¯s the only way.¡±


    When I have nothing to say to that, he exhales briefly through his nose and turns from me.


    "Go back to the Corvus if you like. I and the other monsters have certain niceties to attend to. I''ll join you in no longer than an hour"


    "You didn''t even want to come to this party to begin with," I protest.


    He opens his mouth to say something more¡ªbut then closes it again, jaw setting into a hard line. Then he turns from me and strides away.


    ~*~


    Back in the Corvus''s narrow sleeping quarters, a sudden enormous crash of thunder jolts me out of a red haze of unpleasant thoughts and confusing emotions.


    "Again with that? Syn, wha¡ª" Another rumble drowns out the rest of my words. Then I''m up, shoving my shoes back onto my feet, Syn and the Guardian hurrying after me as I dash out of the Corvus and back through the house to the tower. "What''s happening?" I call to my companion, knowing he''ll be picking up on all kinds of flashes from the other Synthes on the scene.


    "A duel. Between Deius and¡ª"


    "Aidon." I grit my teeth. "But he doesn''t even have a thrall with him."


    I slide to a stop outside the entryway into the ground floor of the tower, jaw dropping open and hands flying up to cover my ears just as my husband rolls out of the path of a third lightning strike. Even from here, I can tell that there''s something different about him. The power radiating from his essence has intensified tenfold, and there''s a feral sort of joy in his eyes even as he dodges the attack. In the open space over the metal tree, a pair of airborne figures slash and strike at one another before coming together in a tangle of limbs and fury.


    One of them is Deius¡ªelectricity crackling around the silvery-white wings now sprouting from his back. The other''s a cloud shrike, the big, terrifying creatures that hunt the skies over the relatively temperate regions along Styx. But there''s something off about it. It''s not until a chunk of flesh breaks away and lands with a meaty splat several paces away that I realize it''s dead and decomposing.


    Both their Guardians are nowhere to be seen¡ªdeactivated somewhere out of sight beyond the delighted crowd.


    "Syn," I reach for his arm as he comes up beside me. "Lightning can''t kill a Variant, can it?"


    "No," he says, squeezing my arm with his and placing his free hand atop it too. "Only severe damage to the heart or the complete destruction of the brain."


    I let out a deep breath as my husband avoids another close call. "Good."


    The next instant, Deius and the shrike come crashing to the ground, their struggle to incapacitate one another intensifying. But each time Aidon avoids a bolt of lightning, his control of the new thrall falters. The next strike sears the edge of his shoulder, burning his shirt and cloak¡ªgiving Deius the chance to roll out from beneath the grip of the shrike and free himself entirely. He grins, fingers extending into claws as he lashes out to tear at the fleshy membrane of the beast''s wings before dashing to its side, ducking low, and slashing its tendons.


    Then he''s a blur, making straight for Aidon. As he closes the distance, his claws come together...forming a long bony spike which he drives straight through my husband''s chest and out the other side.

 Chapter 16 - Overkill

    I surge through the air towards them, barely aware of my feet making contact with the ground as my surroundings blur by. I reach Aidon¡¯s side just as Deius pulls the spike free and it sinks back into his arm. Inky, acrid-smelling steam rises from his wings as they shrivel away and disappear, a half-smile of smug satisfaction on his face.


    I catch Aidon before he can fall¡ªeasing him down to the ground as slowly as I can, given his stature. Vines studded in tiny black flower buds burst through the skin between my shoulder blades, some curling forward to cradle my husband, the others pointing defensively backward.


    Deius takes a step towards us, and I snarl, twisting to glare over my shoulder at him. ¡°What have you¡ª¡°


    But then there¡¯s a wheezing, sputtering cough¡ªand I look back down to see blood bubbling up from Aidon¡¯s lips. He brings up a hand to wipe it away, but more immediately spurts up. At first, I think he¡¯s choking on it, but then his lips curl upward and I recognize the sound for what it really is. Laughter.


    My teeth grit together, trying to be gentle in spite of everything as I move the bloody shreds of Aidon¡¯s clothes to look at his wound. A powerful swell of relief crashes over me as his wound heals closed before my eyes. The relief washes away my surprise, confusion and terror¡ªleaving room for something else to take over.


    ¡°You grazed my heart that time,¡± he says, voice still weak and wet. Then his chest expands and he takes a deep breath as what must have been a punctured lung seals itself once more. ¡°You win.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± laughs Deius. Brushing past me, he offers his brother a hand and helps him up, clapping him on his bloody back. ¡°Good fight.¡±


    Aidon coughs, hacking up a bit more blood. ¡°Good fight,¡± he agrees.


    I shake my head, hands curled into tight fists, adrenaline still pumping into my veins. I stare at my husband¡ªnoticing things now that I was too distressed, too distracted to see before. Things like the light in his eyes, the radiance to his skin, the vigor and sheer sense of life that practically pulses into the air around him. I can smell the human blood in him, smell the changes it¡¯s made in his chemistry. I¡¯ve never seen him looking so healthy, so vital.


    It suits him.


    And I have no idea what to think or how to feel about that.


    All I know is that I¡¯m furious.


    ¡°I want a duel,¡± I say.


    Deius and Aidon look over at me, the former cocking his head sideways like a curious animal.


    ¡°What?¡±


    I fix my gaze on him, my eyes drilling into his. ¡°I said I want a duel. With you.¡±


    He chuckles, then pauses, his expression changing. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re serious?¡±


    I nod. Just accept, you asshole.


    He scoffs, then sucks air back in through his teeth. ¡°Look, even if I weren¡¯t saturated with human blood right now¡ªyou haven¡¯t even started your first day at University yet. I can¡¯t accept a challenge from you, it would be like...like drop-kicking a baby. My name would be dragged through the dirt¡±


    My vision swims red.


    ¡°A baby¡ª?¡±


    A warm hand comes down on my shoulder, and I whirl to find Syntrofos standing behind me, expression pleading.


    ¡°Kore, we need to get you out of here. You can take all of your anger out on me, but please¡ª¡° he flashes his eyes outward to Aidon and Deius, to everyone around us. My gaze follows, catching on a face in the crowd I hadn¡¯t noticed before. Minthe¡¯s. At the look of satisfied amusement in her eyes, my blood boils. ¡°Let me take care of you,¡± he pleads. ¡°Come on.¡±


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    In the next moment I fight a silent war with myself. Fortunately, the rational side wins, and I contain my fury enough to turn away from the others and follow Syntrofos. Aidon moves as if to join us, but at a look from my Companion, he stops.


    We only make it as far as the hangar before my rage explodes out of me and I launch myself at Syntrofos, slamming him against a broad concrete pillar, nails tearing into the soft parts of his body before I fling him away to skid across the ground. I¡¯m on him in the next instant, legs gripping his hips, hands and vines restraining his arms as my fangs sink into his artificial jugular vein.


    He pushes back as I draw his ichor into me¡ªknowing it¡¯s what I need. The struggle, the fight. To expend the energy and my overblown, overwhelming newborn fury. Finally he manages to push me off, wrenching my fangs from his body as he skids back from me, then launches forward¡ªour bodies coming together forcefully as we tangle together, tumbling across the cold concrete in our struggle for dominance. My Guardian swoops in, but I screech at it not to interfere.


    Finally I manage to get him pinned up against a pillar again. This time, I press my whole body to his to keep him in place while I feed, the vines on my back coming forward to wrap around both our bodies, binding us together. His Ichor tastes of sour cherries and spices tonight, and something else I can¡¯t define.


    It¡¯s delicious. Amazing. I lose myself in it.


    By the time I come back to myself, he¡¯s gone almost rigid¡ªthough his chest still rises and falls in the gentle semblance of breathing. His hands come lightly to rest on my shoulders as I pull away. His yellow-green eyes fix steadily on mine.


    ¡°Better?¡± He asks.


    I gnaw my lip, and nod.


    The little black flower buds on my vines have opened to reveal violet interiors and puffs of fuchsia pollen. They smell of cherries.


    ~*~


    Not long after, I¡¯m back on the bed in the Corvus¡ªcalmer now, but still embarrassed. Still confused. Still upset.


    But when Aidon comes in, we don¡¯t talk much. He just wraps me in his arms and we lay there for a while in silence, until I begun to drift off a bit and he calls for the autopilot to take us home. Syntrofos returns to sit beside me, depositing PomPom in my arms for cuddles. I¡¯d almost forgotten the little plant-bird was here¡ªbut that at least explains why I¡¯d stepped on a pomegranate seed earlier.


    Aidon¡¯s hands venture through my hair, and after a while he begins talking to me in a whisper, as though he¡¯s not sure whether I¡¯m asleep or not. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy for me at first either, adjusting to life here. As a Variant. It wasn¡¯t easy for any of us. Well, except Deius, maybe. He¡¯s always made everything look easy. Everything except behaving like a normal human being, that is,¡± he pauses, chuckling, then goes on¡ªmurmuring stories to me of his time as a brand-new Variant.


    I keep my eyes closed throughout, saying nothing. Just resting and listening as the vines on my back begin to loosen. But he probably notices one corner of my lip curling upward after a while. When we land and I finally open my eyes, I catch hold of his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for how I handled what...what happened earlier. But I really, really wish you or Syntrofos or any of you could have prepared me better. If there¡¯s anything else like that coming up in my future, I need you to keep that in mind.¡±


    His gaze is steady, expression serious as he listens.


    ¡°I will.¡± He brings his other hand forward to squeeze it around our already clasped ones. ¡°I promise you.¡±


    ~*~


    Our honeymoon feels like it¡¯s over before it even began. Sure, we got to bathe in the beautiful caldera hot springs and explore the snowy mountain ridges and ice caves. And sure, we got to have a lot more sex. Still, I could¡¯ve stood for more. Much, much more.


    But I have a semester to start, a dorm to get settled into, and a new Guardian to meet.


    A custom model designed specifically for me, they¡¯d manage to complete the Synthe just in time for me to leave with it.


    I¡¯ve been expecting something that at least vaguely resembles what I¡¯m used to in a Guardian¡ªan unassuming silvery sphere, with all appendages, attachments, and capabilities hidden away until needed.


    I¡¯ve been wrong.


    The bedroom door slides open, everything I¡¯m taking with me packed and ready to go to the side, and Aidon steps past it all into the room. The new Guardian follows, a hulking form of dark, matte gray. He¡¯s so tall I have to crane my neck to look up at his face. So broad he fills the entire door as he enters. Though his body is mostly humanoid, I notice seams just beneath his arms where it looks as though more arms might fold out of him. And his head is more bull-like than human, complete with pointed horns.


    I balk. ¡°This is my new Guardian? But...¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking,¡± Aidon cuts in. ¡°But he¡¯s got a smaller component.¡± He waves at the hulking Synthe, and he kneels obligingly¡ªa piece of his back detaching to hover like a huge dart in the air above them.


    ¡°This is the part that¡¯ll accompany you in lower-risk situations. All the capabilities of an ordinary Guardian, and then some. And of course, it can summon the main body to your location if needed.¡±


    I quirk my lip, bringing a hand up to my chin as I consider my new bodyguard. ¡°What¡¯s his name? Overkill?¡±


    Aidon laughs. ¡°It¡¯s whatever you want it to be. The designers didn¡¯t give him one.¡±


    I smirk. ¡°Overkill it is.¡±

 Chapter 17 - Fraternity

    ¡°Wow. Isn¡¯t this a little big for a dorm room?¡±


    Aidon¡¯s hand flies up to his hair, and he turns to look out the peaked, ceiling-height window.


    ¡°Is it? My memories of university are hazy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a dorm,¡± pipes up Syn from behind us, setting some of my luggage up against the wall. ¡°It¡¯s the old dean¡¯s quarters, from before they did renovations.¡±


    ¡°Damnit, Syn,¡± grumbles Aidon. But the Synthe just shrugs.


    ¡°She¡¯d have figured it out as soon as she saw one of the actual dorms,¡± he says.


    ¡°Yes, but not while I¡¯m around to answer for it.¡±


    I frown. ¡°I¡¯m just worried the other students will resent me for all this special treatment.¡±


    Syntrofos comes up to stand beside me. ¡°They¡¯ll expect it, Kore. You¡¯re a queen.¡±


    ¡°Besides,¡± says Aidon. ¡°They won¡¯t resent it so much when you share the spoils. Your friends will be able to enjoy this place with you. You could throw a party or something.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow at him. ¡°My friends?¡±


    He swoops in to kiss the top of my head. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±


    Then he lets out a small huff of air as I throw my arms about his waist and bury my face against his chest, breathing deep of his mint and mountain scent and wishing I could bottle it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you,¡± I say, my words muffled but still intelligible.


    ¡°Even though you¡¯ll see me almost every week?¡±


    I nod against him, squeezing tighter. ¡°Hey,¡± I say, tilting my head to look up at him. ¡°Leave me something that smells like you?¡±


    He looks thoughtful for a moment before unclasping his cloak and shrugging out of his overcoat and tunic to peel off the thin black shirt he wears beneath it all.


    ¡°Hecate will be interested to hear you demanded the very shirt off my back before you¡¯d let me go,¡± he jokes, handing it over. ¡°You¡¯d better watch out.¡±


    ~*~


    For a little while after my husband leaves, I feel strangely hollow. I sit on the velvet chaise lounge in front of the main window and just stare out of it, petting Pompom as she snuggles into my lap.


    Though it¡¯s got nothing on my new palace home, the room is so much more than I expected. High-ceilinged, with a narrow loft at the outward-facing end that¡¯s lined with bookshelves and opens onto a balcony. I also have a full bathroom to myself, and even a miniature kitchen and bar. The bed is four-posted, circled in heavy curtains of old, bluish-black brocade. Something to block out the perpetual neon glow of Styx and her namesake city.


    There¡¯s an old-fashioned feel to the space that¡¯s quickly growing on me. Some of the furniture is even made of actual wood.


    Syn busies himself with unpacking my things even though I told him I¡¯d get around to it myself at some point. Overkill sits on a nearby chair, looking hilariously oversized and staring blankly at a wall.


    ¡°Um,¡± I hedge, eyeing the new Synthe. ¡°Is he alright, do you think?¡±


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s fine,¡± calls Syn. ¡°He¡¯s just catching up on some reading. Or maybe some viewing. Not sure what he¡¯s on, right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± says Syn, finishing up in the closet and trotting out to where he can see both of us. ¡°He¡¯s got one of those basic starter personalities for now. But it¡¯s adaptive and develops over time, so I¡¯ve given him a kick-start by introducing him to some of my favorite material¡ªsince I¡¯ll be spending so much time around him¡ªand all of yours.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I say again, looking back over at my new guardian. ¡°What, um...what kinds of materials, specifically?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know. Old Earth classics. A Midsummer Night¡¯s Dream. Some Sherlock Holmes. Pride and Prejudice. Terminator 2: Judgement Day.¡± He waves a hand dismissively.


    ¡°I see.¡± I raise an eyebrow, twisting my lips as I regard the zoned-out Synthe. ¡°That sounds like it should be pretty, um...interesting.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I think so. In any case, we should head down to the amphitheater for the opening ceremonies in a few minutes.¡±


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    ¡°Right.¡± I trot over to the bathroom to frown at myself in the mirror and smooth my hair before deciding I¡¯m presentable enough. Then I take a deep, shaky breath. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ~*~


    At Syn¡¯s insistance, Overkill accompanies us to the assembly in his full form¡ªdrawing every pair of eyes within range. A few of the others have small Guardians, but there¡¯s not another Companion like mine in sight.


    I try not to focus on all the attention, instead directing mine outward to the school itself. My new home-away-from-home. There¡¯s an air to the entire campus of being out of place in time. But it wouldn¡¯t fit in any of the periods or places of old earth it echoes, either. It¡¯s a mixture of nineteenth century Sikh and a handful of European architectural styles ranging from medieval to Victorian that shouldn¡¯t work, but do.


    Most of the buildings seem to be carved of stone in varying shades of gray. About a third of the windows are stained plexiglass, their elaborate panes and iridescent colors depicting Old World scenery and the Daimon. Parts of it remind me of Aidon¡¯s caldera home. The courtyards, pathways, and stone gardens between buildings are shielded from the harshest winds by panels and rooftops of force-field grids¡ªas is the amphitheater Syn leads us to.


    With a silent Overkill to one side of me and Syn to the other, I feel almost entirely cut off from the other students. For the third or fourth time, I catch myself wondering just how long that feeling might last. Maybe people will be too intimidated to talk to me.


    Or maybe they just won¡¯t like me.


    I lean against Syn, worrying at my lip with a fang as the seats fill up. At least I have my artificial friends.


    As the last of the students arrive, a curvaceous figure with pale skin and an abundance of coppery locks strides out into the center of the amphitheater stage. Her cloak¡ªmade in the same ashy tones as her dress¡ªdrags behind her. As she comes to a sweeping halt, a small Synthe with a fluttering golden form flits out to hover in front of her face, amplifying her voice.


    ¡°Good evening! For those of you who don¡¯t know me yet, I am Cyrisa Hestia, your dean. And on behalf of all the faculty of the University of Styx, I welcome you back! To our newcomers¡ªwelcome home.¡± She pauses, her smile radiating a brilliant warmth that¡¯s striking against her backdrop of icy stone. ¡°Without further ado, let us proceed to the matter I¡¯m sure you¡¯re all most eager to address: fraternity assignment! Presidents, please gather.¡±


    While a handful of students rise from the ring of seats nearest the center to join her, Dean Hestia goes on.


    ¡°Your fraternity is your family for the duration of your five years here at university. Your successes are their successes, and it is they to whom you¡¯ll turn in times of difficulty. When you win a duel, the points you gain are granted to your fraternity as well yourself individually. It¡¯s these points which determine the order of choosing when it comes to new fraternity members, though their choices may be challenged. And so it is this year that Fraternity Orchid¨¦a chooses first.¡± She steps back and clasps her hands behind her back, inclining her head to one of the five presidents standing behind her.


    Focusing on the strawberry-blonde Variant for the first time, my heart constricts as recognition hits.


    It¡¯s Minthe, Aidon¡¯s old ¡°friend¡± from our wedding.


    The hovering Synthe darts forward to amplify her voice now, and her acid-green eyes go straight to me.


    ¡°We claim the queen, Kore Demeter Hades.¡±


    Immediately, one of the other presidents strides forward, and the Synthe flits to him. Though he¡¯s tall, he hunches just a bit¡ªbut there¡¯s a fluid power to the way he moves, his body all lean muscle. His golden eyes seem to glow against the darkness of his skin, and there are coiling patterns shaved into the sides of his close-cropped hair.


    ¡°Fraternity Lykos challenges that claim,¡± he says.


    Dean Hestia looks around at the other fraternity presidents.


    ¡°Anyone else?¡±


    None of them moves or says a word, so she turns back to addressing a bristling Minthe and the Lykos president¡ªbaring his fangs in a big, insolent smile.


    Minthe snarls something at the other Variant. The force fields don¡¯t entirely block out the roar of the wind, and I¡¯m far back in the rows, so I can only catch a few words, like ¡°how dare¡± and ¡°ranking.¡± But then the dean calls for them to take their positions, and they move to opposite ends of the sunken stage while the other presidents retreat.


    The hovering Synthe returns to magnify Dean Hestia¡¯s voice again as she lifts one hand in the air, three fingers raised. ¡°A dual is declared between Minthe Kytos, President of Orchid¨¦a and Phoebus Tiber, President of Lykos. The winner claims Queen Kore Demeter Hades for membership in their own fraternity.¡± Her gaze travels from the seated students to flick between the ones to either side of her.


    ¡°You know the rules.¡± She inhales slowly, lets out her breath.


    ¡°Three.¡± Now she¡¯s only holding up two fingers.


    ¡°Two.¡± She folds another be-ringed digit to her palm.


    ¡°One.¡± Her hand drops to her side.


    Minthe and Phoebus are in motion before the final word¡¯s even crossed her lips. The former brings her forearms up to cross x-like in front of her as the layer of ice coating the stone cracks and comes apart. Translucent shards fly up to hover like wings of shattered glass to either side of her. Then she throws her arms outward before her, hands coming together, and the shards come together too¡ªsurging straight for Phoebus as he hurtles through the air in her direction.


    Faint electricity crackles around his body as his form warps, and he lurches sideways just in time. Oh great, another Zeus variant. The bolt of ice skims his arm, and blood wells bright and fresh to streak down his sleeve, but his smirk only grows wider. Most of him is growing, actually. His nose and mouth propels outward into a muzzle, his teeth extending and sharpening until he¡¯s got an entire mouth full of fangs¡ªreminding me of some horrible shark-wolf hybrid. His arms lengthen, and he drops to all fours...streaking straight for Minthe once again.


    But she¡¯s drawn more ice to herself already, and she¡¯s prepared. Some of it hovers like a threatening halo behind her, while more of it comes forward to meld together into a shield.


    I slide forward to the edge of my seat, hands twisting in my skirts as one of my fangs digs into my lower lip enough to draw blood.


    His strength must lie in his shape-shifting if he¡¯s relying on that alone so early on.


    At first a blur of light and darkness, the lightning-like crackles of energy begin to fizzle out as he slows. His muscles coil, readying himself as if to leap directly over Minthe¡¯s floating shield. But he shifts his weight to his lower body at the last moment instead, tilting backwards and sliding under the ice shield just as it darts upward to intercept him. More bolts of ice glance off his toughened skin, leaving shallow scarlet streaks but little else. Minthe hisses.


    And then they collide.

 Chapter 18 - Initiate

    For a long time it¡¯s hard to tell who has the advantage¡ªeverything¡¯s unfolding too quickly, too chaotically. But I can see that Minthe¡¯s made the ice form around her arms and hands like barbed, transparent armor. As she slashes at Phoebus¡¯s face and chest, more floating, cudgel-like balls of ice beat at his head and back, but he seems almost unphased by it. When I catch a glimpse of his eyes, I think I might understand why.


    They¡¯re glowing, like the lightning I¡¯d thought had fizzled out. But now that I¡¯m focusing on it, I see that his entire body is faintly luminescent. As if he¡¯s absorbed that energy. Been empowered by it.


    But just as it looks like he¡¯s about to have her pinned, Minthe shrieks. I can feel the power in the air as her energy gathers around her, then surges outward¡ªdrawing even more ice to her. Condensing it all into one massive, cudgel-like slab, two and a half times my height in length at least. But as it rushes through the air towards him, his glow flares suddenly brighter¡ªand then so white-hot I have to close my eyes and shield them with my arm to protect my vision. When I open them again, the cudgel¡®s been reduced to a mess of melting chunks, and Phoebus¡¯s jaws are locked around her throat.


    ¡°Stand down! The match is won!¡± Announces Dean Hestia. ¡°Phoebus Tiber wins. Kore Demeter Hades goes to Fraternity Lykos.¡±


    I start to get up, awkward and unsure of what I¡¯m supposed to do, but Syn takes my arm gently and tugs me back down.


    ¡°After Assembly, everyone meets at their respective Fraternity houses. I thought you read your guidebook?¡±


    ¡°I must have forgotten that part,¡± I frown. It¡¯s not like me, but I¡¯ve been distracted in more ways than one lately.


    By the time all the new students have their fraternity assignments, I¡¯ve nearly forgotten I¡¯m at a school assembly and not some gladiatorial tournament. The arena¡ªor stage, or whatever it is¡ªis spattered with blood and even bits of viscera, but Dean Hestia is unphased as she steps back out to the center of the otherwise empty space. What follows is rather boring by comparison. Reminders of important school rules, events and procedures for new students and other things of that nature. She closes out with some elegant formalities and final welcomes.


    Then we¡¯re dismissed, and I rise along with everyone else to follow Syn¡¯s lead to Lykos House. I¡¯m just out of the amphitheater exit when a familiar voice calls my name, and I catch sight of strawberry-gold curls a little ways off through the crowd, headed in my direction. Syn bristles beside me, Overkill immediately taking up a defensive position as his back piece separates to guard the vulnerable space behind me.


    ¡°Kore,¡± Minthe breathes when she finally breaks through the wall of people to stand before my guardian. Syn opens his mouth, probably to correct her choice of address or tell her to fuck off¡ªbut I put up a hand to forestall him.


    ¡°I need to speak to you in private, before you go to Lykos,¡± says Minthe, eyes widening slightly in response to my letting her speak. ¡°Please,¡± she adds, the word grating through her teeth as though it pains her to speak it.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°If I could say that, we wouldn¡¯t need privacy, would we?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t think being late to my fraternity¡¯s first gathering would leave the best impression.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s important.¡±


    I throw a glance over at Syn. He jerks his head slightly to one side, jaw set in a grim line.


    ¡°Let¡¯s arrange to do it at a better time,¡± I say. ¡°Later.¡± Then, turning from her, I make to rejoin the stream of young Variants heading back to central campus. There¡¯s a rush of movement behind me and I whirl back around to find Overkill much closer than he was a moment before, arm flung out to block Minthe¡¯s path. I step up to her until there¡¯s little more than his arm and a few handspans of space between us.


    ¡°What is it, Minthe?¡±


    Her eyes dart to the sides, then narrow¡ªlips curving sharply downward at the corners.


    ¡°All I can say here is be careful. And¡­I¡¯m sorry I lost you. We could have protected you. But Lykos?¡± She scoffs, looking for a moment like she might spit on the ground at the thought of them. Someone passing by to our left scowls, one of my fratmates, no doubt. ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by what you saw today. Their President¡¯s the only truly powerful one of the lot, and he¡¯s, well¡­you¡¯ll see.¡± Her lips twist, like she¡¯s tasted something bitter.


    For half a heartbeat I just stare. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d expected, but it wasn¡¯t that. I take a deep breath. I can¡¯t let her derail me. Not on my first day. Not this easily.


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    ¡°I don¡¯t need my fraternity to protect me. I¡¯ve got Overkill,¡± I say, patting the Synthe in question on the arm. ¡°And I¡¯ve got myself. But I do appreciate the concern.¡± Then, before she can answer me, I turn from her again, already walking away with Syn at my side and Overkill¡¯s hovering half just behind me when I call over my shoulder to her.


    ¡°Have a nice night.¡±


    ~*~


    Every time I pass a fraternity house on our way across campus, I get excited. Is that the one, with the three-tiered wrap-around balcony and the greenhouse at the top? Nope, guess not. Oh, is that it? Maybe If I end up moving in someday I can live up in that little crow¡¯s nest¡­oh, no, not that one either. How far away is this place?


    Very far, it turns out. All the way on the opposite end of campus, well apart from the others. The buildings here are old, and obviously haven¡¯t been touched by any of the recent renovation efforts¡­nor do they look particularly well-preserved. The force-fields flicker in places, letting in erratic bursts of wind, and the statues are cracked beneath their layers of icy armor.


    We round the corner of a long out-of-use building, and there it is.


    The most run-down house I¡¯ve seen on campus so far. And that¡¯s a feat¡ªconsidering it¡¯s carved directly and entirely from the stone of a rocky upthrust. The ice is thinner on its walls, thanks to the warmth from inside. Layers of colorful graffiti in a thousand different styles are visible beneath its translucent surface, and in some places the ice has been scraped away completely to make room for fresh art.


    An enormous pair of stone wolves flank the entryway to either side. The place was grand, once. Very grand. Still is¡ªin a crusty, decrepit sort of way. I smile as I walk up to the door, reaching a hand out to brush it lightly across the right wolf¡¯s flank, where someone¡¯s painted a lovingly detailed phallus soaring on a set of hot pink wings.


    Just as I¡¯m reaching out to pull the door¡¯s huge ring-latch, it bursts open.


    ¡°Ah,¡± says Phoebus, stepping through the door to hold it open for me as the members crowded behind him part to make way. ¡°It¡¯s our new resident royal, her most glorious ladyship, the Queen of Hades!¡±


    ¡°You mean our newest little squishy baby child,¡± corrects someone behind him, and though I can¡¯t quite see their face, I can hear the smirk in their voice.


    ¡°Kore works,¡± I say, smiling and feeling painfully awkward as the President ushers me inside and shuts the door behind us.


    ¡°Ah, then welcome, Kore! Welcome to the lowest ranking of all Fraternities.¡±


    ¡°Lowest of the low,¡± says the person behind them who¡¯d spoken up earlier, stepping forward now.


    ¡°Worst of the worst,¡± says another who leans against the wall on the opposite side of the receiving hall. They look almost exactly the same as the last, though their eyes are black where the other¡¯s are crimson. Both are tall and bulky, dressed in black and gray with silvery skin, multiple ear piercings, and dark auburn hair.


    ¡°I¡¯m Thanatos,¡± says the first.


    ¡°Hypnos,¡± says the black-eyed one. ¡°That one¡¯s older sibling,¡± they jab a finger unnecessarily at Thanatos, who rolls his eyes.


    ¡°They cracked you out of the ExoPom like, one second before me.¡±


    ¡°Still, though.¡±


    ¡°You know my name already, I think,¡± says Phoebus, grinning before he launches into introductions of the rest the members in the receiving hall. One of them¡ªa tiny woman with fiery eyes and a mane of wild blond hair¡ªpractically vaults across the room when he gets to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Kestrel,¡± she says, before Phoebus can finish the first words of introduction. ¡°I¡¯m a sophomore. I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re here. This place has been such a frozen sausage fest.¡±


    ¡°Meat popsicles,¡± mutters Overkill from immediately behind me. Syn snorts, drawing the attention of the other students¡ªand not for the first time. I¡¯m not sure why, but it makes me nervous.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who keeps drawing dicks on everything,¡± says Thanatos, bringing the focus back to the blonde Variant. Kestrel laughs. Moments later, more laughter filters up from a nearby stairwell, and the President gestures for me to follow. We start down the stair, and the others fall in behind us. It¡¯s dark, damp, and narrow¡ªcold drops of water occasionally falling into my hair from the low ceiling. The raucous noise grows louder as we near the bottom. Bands of broken blue light wash across the stone at the end of the stair, painting my skin and clothes as I step down in Phoebus¡¯s wake.


    The space opens up around us¡ªmostly to the sides, though, as the ceiling is lower. At least up here it is, anyway. A cavern lays before us, studded in places with stalactites, much of the stone between as colorful with graffiti here as it was outside. Roughly oval in shape, its got natural tiered levels, open at the center to reveal the cavern¡¯s pit, aglow with a deep, cerulean pool.


    ¡°The grotto,¡± explains Phoebus, spreading his hands. ¡°Best part of the whole place.¡±


    Strategically draped plastic sheets cling to parts of the cavern ceiling and to the undersides of the tiers, protecting the mismatched furniture below from some of the moisture. There, many of the rest of the returning members are draped and lounging, most with drinks in hand, eyes on my little procession as we wind our way down. Others crowd around the edges of their levels¡ªlooking down to the pools edge where the rest of the newest fraternity members wait in a tense circle.


    They¡¯re able to make just enough room around the water for me. Syn and Overkill have to step back against the wall, but the latter¡¯s detachable piece hovers directly behind me like some kind of overprotective, flying metal manta ray.


    On the tier above, Phoebus positions himself on an outhrusting bit of stone, his voice amplified and echoing through the grotto.


    ¡°Prepare yourselves, initiates!¡± He booms. ¡°It¡¯s time for you all to meet Lykos¡¯ oldest and most esteemed member. To pay your respects!¡±


    Quietly at first, but growing in volume, the returning members all begin to chant.


    ¡°Mother! Mother! Mother!¡±


    Phoebus throws back his head and howls.


    My attention turns¡ªalong with that of most of the other initiates¡ªto the pool. The same small, translucent eels I remember from before twist in the waters below. But down at the bottom, in a huge hole at the far end, something else begins to stir.

 Chapter 19 - Huntress and Hind

    Bubbles rise to the surface and burst one after another as the thing moves in the watery darkness, surging forward until its head protrudes through the hole, its six yellow eyes staring out in all directions. Its mouth gapes, revealing rows of jagged fangs¡ªeach one half the length of my forearm.


    It¡¯s a razor eel. An absolutely enormous one. Probably a queen.


    ¡°Mother is hungry,¡± bellows Phoebus, as another Variant descends the stair towards us with a head-sized chunk of meat dripping in her hands. ¡°Who will feed her?¡±


    At our silence, he balks theatrically. ¡°What, would you have us just toss her dinner into the water?¡± He shakes his head, tsking. ¡°We of Lykos have better manners than that. We show respect where it¡¯s due and feed Mother by hand.¡±


    I look around at the others. There¡¯s fear in their eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± I say.


    Phoebus whoops. ¡°A queen to feed a queen! Perfection.¡±


    The Variant with the meat edges over to me and dumps it into my outstretched hands. Blood trickles between my fingers, but it¡¯s too cold, too animal to tempt me.


    Breaking from the circle, I move around to the end of the pool nearest the stair¡ªwhich levels out before continuing into the steaming water. Stepping carefully down, I¡¯m determined not to slip or fumble.


    Its warmth penetrates my blood and bones even as the electric spark of connection sets in, binding me to the water, the lifeblood of Elysia¡ªand everything in it. In a heartbeat I feel the years in Mother¡¯s bones¡­centuries of them. Feel her pleasure when one of the strange, cold creatures from above¡ªwhose presence she can always distantly feel¡ªcomes down to offer her some delicious morsel. New scents to taste in the water. A new, incomprehensible essence to relish.


    I reel a bit at that. The connection doesn¡¯t work this way with other Variants, but something about the simple, alien mind of the eel lets me right in. More memories flood through my awareness. The times when her visitors did something to startle her. When their scent shifted with fear or disdain and bled bitterness into the water, and she attacked.


    She hopes this won¡¯t be one of those times.


    So do I.


    I focus on my breath and movements as I approach her, doing my best to maintain a measured calm as I draw nearer and nearer her gaping, toothy maw. Blood drips into the water, and the three slat-like openings atop Mother¡¯s nose flare. The water churns as she heaves forward, closer to me.


    ¡°She likes you!¡± shouts Phoebus.


    The new students who circle the pool shift uncomfortably. I take another step forward. Mother¡¯s only a pace away now.


    Then Phoebus howls again. Loud and unusually grating.


    Heartbeats later, half the others join in.


    Mother¡¯s alarm at the jarring, nonsensical sound rips through me almost as if it¡¯s my own.


    I stumble forward just as she lashes out, knocking the meat from my hands. Pain sears across my arm as one of her teeth rips through my skin. Another, distant part of myself takes over¡ªreaching out for some kind of defense. For a weapon.


    For DNA.


    Something shimmering and translucent erupts from my shoulder blades, pushing against the rocky floor of the pool to launch me backwards and out of the water. In the same moment, the hovering portion of my guardian takes action. A dart whizzes through the air. In the next instant, Overkill¡¯s main body catches me¡ªwrapping me protectively in his arms. The enormous razor eels lolls heavily sideways across the bottom of the pool, the silvery-white quil of the dart protruding from just behind her gills.


    Gently, Overkill sets me to my feet. I rush to the pool, ready to clamber straight back into the water in my panic. Then I notice the continued fluttering of her gills, and stop¡ªbreathing a sigh of relief.


    She¡¯s only unconscious.


    That¡¯s when I finally feel the others¡¯ eyes all on me, riveted. My new appendages dance in the air around my body, capturing and scattering the light into an array of luminous rainbow droplets. Blood drips down my arm. Spatters across the stone. My blood. I stare down at it, surprised by the color. Violet and blue, changing rapidly with exposure. Beautiful. Already, my wound is healing closed. There¡¯s a pleasant, electric sort of tingling sensation as cells grow and knit themselves back together.


    Then I look up at Phoebus, and he¡¯s grinning.


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    ~*~


    With the initiation ritual cut short, the house moves on to the evening¡¯s central concern¡ªpartying.


    ¡°Don¡¯t drink, eat, or smoke anything they give you until you¡¯re sure Kill or I have scanned it,¡± says Syn. I take note of his choice of nickname for the Guardian, deciding it¡¯s better than mine. ¡°And,¡± he adds, lowering his voice to a whisper. ¡°You know, I can modify my own blood to function as a comparatively safe intoxicant, if you¡¯d prefer¡ª¡°


    But it¡¯s quickly becoming difficult to pay much attention to his words. Even backing off into an occupied, shadowy nook of the grotto, eyes follow me. And worse yet, they follow Syn¡­brimming with hunger and interest.


    Don¡¯t they have their own Companions?


    It occurs to me for the first time that they might not. A little ways off, on a ragged black leather couch, someone withdraws a gray object from a bag¡ªa rubbery, rigid sort of pouch with a smaller protrusion jutting out one end of it. A tiny green light glows from its side. As I watch, the Variant extends his fangs and sinks them into the smaller portion. His throat works as he begins to drink.


    ¡°Hey, could I get some of that?¡± asks the one sitting to his right.


    But the Variant with the pouch just puts up his free hand and shoves at their friend''s face with it. The other one laughs.


    ¡°Asshole.¡±


    So far, no one¡¯s approached me. Kestrel and the others I met earlier are all clustered around Phoebus, laughing uproariously at something. The rest are intimidated, perhaps, by the combination of Overkill, Syntrofos, and my enormous eel-fin tentacles. I catch Phoebus searching me out with his eyes more than once, but he¡¯s too occupied with other housemates to bother me yet. I¡¯m just thinking I should try moving somewhere even less visible¡ªperhaps leave entirely¡ªwhen I catch a whiff of blood. Real, human blood. I feel my nostrils flare as my head turns immediately, unthinkingly, towards its source.


    Over in another darkened recess of the grotto, on my same level, a handful of other students are circled up together. Passing something around between them. Occasionally, one of them shoots a furtive glance over their shoulder.


    Time to go.


    I can practically feel Syn¡¯s relief as I inform him of my decision. With him to one side and Kill to the other, we head for the exit. I try to make it seem like we¡¯re just sort of wandering through the space, though I know it¡¯s probably obvious I¡¯m making a run for it.


    Thankfully, no one interferes¡ªbut again I feel the uneasy weight of Phoebus¡¯s regard as he catches sight of me leaving the grotto. A heartbeat later, he begins to extricate himself from the small crowd around him. I pick up my pace. Our footsteps echo through the graffitied halls of the main house as we retrace our steps to the front door.


    But just as we enter the receiving hall, two figures emerge from the shadows. One a Variant, elegant in form and movement with black skin and silvery eyes. The other a synthe, four-legged and unlike any other I¡¯ve ever seen.


    ¡°Hello, You Majesty,¡± says the Variant in a voice that, somehow, invokes thoughts of a forest at night. Wings beating at the air, eyes flashing in the moonlight. A few thick coils of her long silvery-blue hair falls over her shoulder. On the right side of her head, close to the scalp, intricate braids flow together in a pattern like overlapping arrows.


    ¡°Just Kore, please.¡± I say, eyes flashing to the door, though my feet have rooted to the spot. Something about her holds me there. ¡°Um, I was just about to head back to my dorm. Today¡¯s been a lot. I¡¯m kind of exhausted.¡± I laugh awkwardly, ears pricking as they pick up on distant footsteps.


    She dips her head in a shallow nod of ascent at that. ¡°I¡¯m Artemisia. May I walk with you a little ways?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Syn tenses at my side, but I don¡¯t want to say no to her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she says, gliding along beside me as I head for the door. ¡°Ah, and this is Hind,¡± she adds, indicating her synthe as it falls into step behind the rest of us. I turn to look at it again¡ªfascinated. Though it seems as though it¡¯s been made of salvaged parts, their shapes flow together beautifully, almost organically, into the form of something resembling a stag. When we step outside into the relative darkness of the perpetual night, his golden antlers glow.


    ¡°Hello,¡± says Hind.


    ¡°What do you think so far, of Lykos?¡±


    I hesitate, trying to read her intent.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s¡­interesting. But it¡¯s hard to say much so soon.¡±


    A crooked smile quirks her lip.


    ¡°Interesting. Yes, it is. And my brother. Phoebus. What do you think of him?¡±


    I slow. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know yet.¡±


    She exhales through her nose and I look over at her, but she¡¯s staring off at nothing, brows knit together.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t been the same since he turned. No one is, I know¡ªbut the changes in him are more¡­distinct.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be president just because he was strong enough to win the role. He needs time to stabilize before he¡¯s leader of anything.¡±


    I glance behind us, then back at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be rude¡­but why are you telling me this? I just got here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m telling you,¡± she says. ¡°He wants the fraternity to move up in the ranks, but he¡¯s lazy. He put all his effort into winning you, now he¡¯s going to want to use you. Incite people to challenge you so that you can rack up duel points for Lykos. And he¡¯ll be displeased if you turn them down. Does that sound good to you?¡±


    I take a deep breath, processing. ¡°No. It doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Someone more suited is going to challenge him for his position, and soon,¡± says Artemisia, her voice dropping to a hush. ¡°Until then¡­you should try to stay away from him as much as possible. Don¡¯t come to Lykos House unless you have to.¡±


    We¡¯re more than halfway back to my building, and I stop, edging off the main path before turning to her.


    ¡°Thanks for the warning, I can¡¯t say that I doubt you. But¡­I still don¡¯t understand why you went out of your way for this.¡±


    ¡°Because without my warning, you might¡¯ve become one of his cronies¡­though you don¡¯t seem the type,¡± her eyes travel across my face, expression thoughtful. ¡°And if that were the case¡­that would make things harder for all of us.¡±


    Behind me, my Companion clears his artificial throat and I turn to look at him.


    ¡°Yes, Syn?¡±


    ¡°You have a message¡­an urgent one. A private one.¡± His glowing eyes flash to my classmate.


    My stomach twists. I look back to Artemisia.


    ¡°I have to go. Thanks again. I¡¯ll keep what you¡¯ve said in mind.¡±


    Then I leave her there.


    ¡°Who¡¯s it from?¡± I ask Syn, once we¡¯re far enough away from any of my new classmates. ¡°Is it bad?¡±


    He clenches his jaw, and for a moment I¡¯m worried he¡¯ll make we wait till we get all the way back to the dorm before he says anything at all.


    ¡°Your sister,¡± he says after a moment. ¡°And it¡¯s¡­not good.¡±

 Chapter 20 - Library of Leaves

    I watch the recording for the third time, trying to understand.


    ¡°The attempts on my life haven¡¯t stopped. Even after we removed all synthes from my residences, terrible things kept happening. It was as if, well¡­¡± She falters, trails off. Her hand goes up to rub her shoulder at this part, drawing my attention momentarily to the wallscreen just behind her and the strange, macabre image displayed there. Her eyes have deep purple shadows beneath them.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t safe at home. So I¡¯m being moved to a hidden, secret location until the day of the Renewal. I¡­I won¡¯t be able to communicate once I¡¯m there.¡± She takes a long, shaking breath. ¡°I¡¯m scared, Kore. I¡¯m not sure I really believe I¡¯ll be safe anywhere.¡± Again, she rubs her shoulder¡ªthis time her pointer finger lifting up for a moment, backlit by the screen with its horrible image.


    But she¡¯d always set her wallscreens to shimmer with abstracting, melting colors¡­when she wasn¡¯t watching movies on them, at least.


    ¡°If they don¡¯t find out who¡¯s behind this before I return for the Renewal, I don¡¯t know what we¡¯ll do. And if I never emerge from this exile¡­it means I¡¯ve misplaced my trust. That those closest to me here are the ones to blame. And the people of Gaia will have to look to you and your husband for help.¡±


    She pauses again, glances briefly to the side.


    ¡°I love you Kore. I miss you. I¡­I believe in you.¡±


    The message cuts off.


    ¡°Syntrofos.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± My companion, who¡¯s sat by my side throughout, responds immediately.


    ¡°What is that hideous painting that¡¯s displayed on the screen over her shoulder?¡±


    ¡°That is Saturn Devouring His Son, by Francisco Goya, an Old Earth artist. Would you like to know more?¡±


    Why in Hades would she have that on display?


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    A chill snakes down my spine as I listen to the story he goes on to tell me, of an artist with an ever-darkening mood, sickened by the world around him. Of a god who ate his children to prevent them from ever taking his place. Of a son, sent away and hidden where he might be safe.


    I believe in you, she¡¯d said.


    I¡¯m silent for a long time. Syn¡¯s hand goes up to squeeze my shoulder.


    ¡°Kore, are you alright? Is there anything I can do?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I say. ¡°Call Aidon.¡±


    ~*~


    It¡¯s a strange experience, talking to my husband through the medium of Syntrofos¡¯ body.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Syn, he¡¯s off in Overkill¡¯s head with him. I think he said something about watching a movie.¡±


    ¡°Oh, alright,¡± I flash a look over at my Guardian, who has indeed taken up a seat on one of my couches to stare blankly in the middle distance. Then I look back to the Synthe wearing my husband¡¯s mind, trying to process the disconnect.


    I¡¯ve seen how Aidon does this. A large device set into the wall made of a rippling, silvery material. He steps into it, and it engulfs him¡ªconnecting his mind to a linked Synthe somewhere else in the world and allowing him control of its form, access to its senses.


    As I step into his embrace, the scent of Syn¡¯s ichor sparks my appetite. I stifle it, ashamed to even be capable of such a thing at a time like this. For a while I just let him hold me, melting into his presence. I pull back, and he takes my hand and leads me to the chaise near my window.


    Everything pours out of me then. Not just the mystery of my sister¡¯s message, but all that¡¯s happened since he left. When my words are spent, we watch the recording side-by-side, one of his borrowed arms squeezing me about the shoulders.


    As the recording comes to a close, his synthetic brow is furrowed and his citrine eyes narrow, lips drawn in a hard line.


    My gaze flicks to Overkill where he sits, statue-like on the other couch, and I wonder if my husband¡¯s thoughts have carried him down the same path as mine.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come into the city early this weekend. Aphrosday night. It¡¯s time you saw our penthouse.¡±


    I blink at that, but by the next blink I¡¯ve caught on. He has had the same thought as I have. Relief breathes through me, and my hands¡ªwhich have been clenched into clammy fists into my lap¡ªuncurl. I reach out to lace my fingers with his, squeezing our palms together. A physical reassurance of our invisible bond.


    I¡¯m not alone in this. I¡¯m never alone in anything.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk in person then. Just you, me, and the sky.¡± Then he drops my hand to wrap both his arms around me, pulling me into his¡ªSyn¡¯s¡ªlap, and strokes my hair as he whispers into it.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be alright, my love. We¡¯re going to make it be alright.¡±


    He pulls away from me then, enough to lock his gaze with mine, his essence piercing through Syn¡¯s artificial eyes as he reaches up to brush away the moisture streaming down my cheeks.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find whoever¡¯s caused these tears, and we¡¯ll drown them in their own.¡±


    ~*~


    I don¡¯t get much sleep that night. After hours of researching Saturn¡¯s devouring of his sons and the rabbit-hole of information the subject leads me down, I manage perhaps a few miserable, nightmare-chased hours of unconsciousness. Then, all too soon, it¡¯s time to rise for my first day of classes.


    Finished with my morning ichor-feeding, I leave Syntrofos, Pompom, and most of Overkill behind to their own devices¡ªbringing only Kill''s hovering back-piece for a guardian.


    ¡°It¡¯s my first day, and I¡¯m distracted enough as it is,¡± I say firmly, putting down Syn¡¯s protests. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be any more of a spectacle than I already am.¡±


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    With my hunger for ichor satiated, my need for food comes into sharper relief. Kill, programmed with the schematics of the school and indeed, the better part of the city¡ªdirects me to the main dining hall.


    It¡¯s vast and high-ceilinged, with a wrap-around mezzanine floor for additional dining space and one force-field wall that opens onto a great balcony overlooking the river.


    It¡¯s there where I take my second breakfast, once I have it. Finding not only more tables, but also couches and lounge chairs set about pits of blue glass and even bluer fire, I find myself a chair in a sparsely populated corner near the balcony rail. Even if it weren¡¯t for my anxiety over my sister, my experience of the day before would have put me off socializing for a while.


    ¡°Warn off anyone who tries to approach me, please,¡± I throw over my shoulder to my hovering Guardian. It bobs dutifully in the air, pivoting to face outward.


    The force fields here are minimal, sheltered as the space is by the architecture rising to three sides of it. I breathe deep of the comfortably frigid air, savoring the rare experience of being truly outside.


    The food¡¯s delicious, of course. Mango chutney, creamy spiced potatoes, and flavorful flatbread packed with nuts and bits of dried fruit. I can practically taste the sunlight in the berries, which must have been imported from Gaia. I wonder what sunlight will feel like to me, now. Maybe this is the only way I¡¯ll be able to enjoy it? I think of the Renewal, the next time I¡¯m set to see the light.


    A Renewal that may not happen as planned, if my sister never returns from exile. A ceremony that might hide a deadly trap if she does.


    Again I feel the warm threat of tears, but without Aidon¡¯s arms to fall into, I wall them away instead. Sit up a little straighter, relax my face to betray nothing.


    My first class is also one of my most mundane¡ªElysian History. When the lecture lands on the subject of Gaia and its life cycle, I resist the urge to sink into my chair under the weight of the other students¡¯ regard. Instead I square my shoulders, shifting my focus back to the professor.


    ¡°It is unknown,¡± continues the elder Variant, a sage-eyed individual of indeterminate type who wears no gender-signifiers, ¡°at what point exactly Demeter I realized her influence couldn¡¯t hold forever, that she would need an Heir. Five hundred years in, perhaps more. This is when the first of her children were born. But it¡¯s not until the birth of Demeter II that any are capable of taking up her mantle. By then, of the course, the First of Her Name was slipping, her mind almost entirely subsumed by Gaia¡¯s.¡±


    They gesture, and the hologram in the sunken center of the classroom flickers and changes, the portraits of my foremothers becoming instead a scene of violence¡ªwarped humanoid forms ripping into struggling humans with teeth and claws, gorging themselves on flesh and blood alike.


    ¡°At this point, we see the appearance of the first of the Corrupted as the dome¡¯s AI struggles to maintain control,¡± continues the professor whose name I¡¯ve already forgotten. ¡°Since the defeat of the last of the Corrupt and the installation of Demeter II, it¡¯s said that every daughter born to Gaia¡¯s queens is almost identical to the last.¡°


    Again I feel the eyes at my back, and again I shrug them off¡ªfighting the temptation to excuse myself to the bathroom. I¡¯ve never liked hearing any of this. I take some notes, mostly just because it feels wrong not to, and count the minutes to the end of class. When it finally comes, I bolt up to spill out into the high halls ahead of my peers to find my way to the next one.


    Everyone¡¯s got orientation classes for their Variant types for the first two years at university. As the only one of my own, I¡¯ve been bundled in with the next closest thing. The Demeter Variants.


    I¡¯m bemused when Kill¡¯s directions lead me briefly underground and through a ceiled, temperature-controlled chamber. But then I step onto the landing of the stair at its other end to find myself standing before a set of grand glass doors, a bronze plaque above which reads simply The Greenhouse.


    As antiquated as most of the school appears, its technology isn¡¯t so much outdated as it is well-integrated. That couldn¡¯t be more obvious here, a place that resembles nothing so much as the most magnificent greenhouse Old Earth Victoriana ever conceived. But rather than glass, here there are sun-panels similar to my own back at the palace¡ªtranslucent in appearance, but producing both the light and color of a sunlit day.


    Birds sing in the upper reaches of the greenhouse canopy, and my heart lifts at the sound of them. For a few sweet moments I nearly forget everything else as I soak in the atmosphere of the place. Lush and cultivated and just a little bit wild all at once. Lovingly overgrown. Everywhere I look I see blooms and leaves, fruits and fronds of plants I¡¯ve never heard of, and others I¡¯ve read about but never seen or thought to. I reach out to touch the silky trunk of a tree whose bark is peeling away to reveal layer-after-layer of pastel color. Something shifts in the branches overhead, and I look up to see a drowsy fruit bat blinking down at me.


    I¡¯m so entranced by the flora and fauna that I¡¯m barely aware of my classmates filtering in. Then Phoebus¡¯s voice booms out behind me, and my spine goes rigid.


    ¡°Kore!¡±


    I turn slowly, fighting to keep my emotions off my face.


    ¡°Hey Little Queen,¡± he slows, smiling crookedly, a hand reaching up to rub at the back of his head. Is he trying to be charming? Kestrel and Thanatos filter in behind him, but linger at the door, standing off to the side to make way for other students.


    ¡°There¡¯s a thing that I wanted to tell you about¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± I cut him off, again feeling the prickle of unwanted attention as the Demeter Variants who actually do belong here observe our exchange. ¡°But can it wait until later? I¡¯m kind of about to start a class right now.¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course. I was going to mention it last night, but you hightailed it before I got the chance. Didn¡¯t see you at breakfast either, though I got there kinda late.¡±


    Good.


    ¡°It¡¯s just that it¡¯s time sensitive. Right after classes get out tonight¡ª¡°


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell me about it at lunch?¡±


    He looks like he¡¯s about to argue, but then our professor makes an entrance¡ªemerging like an errant shadow from the trees at the further reaches of the greenhouse. Phoebus¡¯s eyes flash to him, then back to me.


    ¡°Sure, at lunch. ¡± He reaches out to clap the back of my shoulder, that sun-bright sardonic smile stretching across his face again. Kill Buzzes a warning, and he withdraws it hastily. ¡°See you then, Your Majesty.¡±


    I turn from him as he leaves with his cronies, avoiding the gaze of my watchers. Some take their time in turning their attention away, trying to make their disapproval apparent. But I give my focus to our teacher instead, who observes us all with arms crossed and a slight smile twitching at the corners of his lips. Branches like antlers grow from the crown of his head, sprouting bursts of fir needles, and a cloak of needles and pinecones cascades from his shoulders. His eyes are the rich amber-gold of resin.


    ¡°If we¡¯re all quite ready?¡± There¡¯s some murmuring at that, and warmth rushes to my cheeks¡ªa reaction I can never seem to quell. ¡°I am of course, Professor Cernuios Hatch. But I¡¯ve resigned myself to students referring to me simply as Hatch. I understand you have time to save.¡± He smirks. ¡°Now, with that out of the way, I¡¯d like to welcome you to The Greenhouse. This place is not only my pride and joy and that of many who came before me, but it will also be your most important resource for the entirety of your career here. Forget the library. This is your treasure trove of knowledge. All of it writ in the most sacred of languages. DNA.¡±


    As he speaks, he paces, flourishingly grandly. Between that and the cloak and antlers, I almost forget I¡¯m not watching a thespian at work.


    ¡°We have a reputation, our type, of being nurturers. And while it¡¯s true we foster growth, it¡¯s important to remember the full potential of growth. Of life.¡±


    He reaches upward, practically begging for a spotlight as the leaves of a strawberry plant burst to life in his palm, flowering in the next heartbeat and fattening with fruit the one after that.


    ¡°The potential to nourish.¡± He rips the berries casually from his hand before coaxing a student forward with the crook of a finger to deposit it in hers. ¡°The potential to destroy.¡± A rainbow-array of fuzzy mold and fungi erupts to life, eating away the remains of the greenery in his hand. A vividly red amanita mushroom rises at the heart of it all.


    ¡°And the potential to remake.¡± He plucks the fungal fruit from his hand, offering it about¡ªbut no one comes forward. One of them twitches towards him, but seems to suppress herself with some effort. Again, that smirk.


    ¡°Ah, well.¡± Stuffing the mushroom into one of his pockets, he goes quiet for a moment, eyes a little far away. ¡°Now that my entrance is made.¡± He shrugs off the cloak of growth as if it¡¯s nothing, hiking the robes up at his back to cover the freshly exposed skin of his shoulders. He cocks his head to one side and then the other, and the antler branches fall away too. And then, much to my dismay, his gaze lands directly on me.


    ¡°But today we have the company of one with yet more potential¡ªone with the power to add to our library, and make all of us the greater for it.¡±


    I swallow, not sure I like the hungry way his eyes search mine.


    ¡°Please come forward, Miss Demeter-Hades. I¡¯d like to start this class with a little experiment.¡±

 Chapter 21 - Snake Eyes

    For a moment, I hesitate...but disappointing my teachers just isn''t in my nature. Professor Hatch grins on my approach.


    "It''s an honor to have you. Now," he turns to the rest of the class as I take the place he indicates at his side. "As I''m sure you all know by now, we Demeter Variants are limited to the growth and manipulation of existing species of plants and fungi. Once we come into contact with a species, its ours forever to recreate. Our queen, on the other hand, is far less limited."


    I shift uncomfortably at that, trying not to meet anyone''s eyes.


    "She can not only bring about animal life in addition to our plants and fungi, but can create new species entirely. Including¡ªI believ¡ªplant-animal hybrids. Is that not correct, Ms. Hades?"


    "Er, it is," I confirm.


    "And so. My experiment."


    He reaches into one of his pockets and produces a live snake.


    "If you would, please. I''d like you to acquire the snake''s DNA and that of any plant specimen here, and make for me a hybrid creature. Something that looks like a snake, and which moves like a snake, but which is in fact mostly vegetative."


    I suck in a breath.


    "A-alright."


    Professor Hatch deposits the snake into the cup of my outstretched palms. A brilliant shade of turquoise, it''s soft and smooth against my skin. It twines itself around my fingers as I concentrate, registering the faintest tingling sensation where its body comes into contact with mine. Maybe that''s it?


    Handing the little creature back to him, I look around at the bounty of options available on the flora side of things. My eye settles on a flowering vine that twists about the trunk of a nearby tree. Taking a deep breath, I put my hand to one of the berry clusters. Oh Gaia, I have no idea what I''m doing.


    But I close my eyes anyway and concentrate. Envisioning the snake, I call up the memory of the look, smell, and feel of it in my hand. I imagine its essence blending with that of the vine. Imagine a snake that is a vine. The tingling sensation in my hand where it touches the berries intensifies, and their flesh parts and bursts, revealing seeds that are also eggs. Already, there''s movement beneath their pliant shells.


    Professor Hatch strides over to join me, cradling the seed-eggs in his hands as I pull away.


    "Brilliant," he says as the first snout breaks through its shell, tiny green tongue darting outward to taste the air. "Absolutely brilliant. Now, who would like to try first?"


    There''s a brief silence. "Ah, try what exactly, sir?" Asks a Variant in the front with yellow eyes and wild, dark hair.


    "To recreate it, of course," answers Professor Hatch, sounding almost affronted. The other students look around amongst themselves.


    "If it is more plant than animal, it just might be possible. So. Who''ll it be?"


    The wild-haired Variant shrugs.


    "I''ll give it a shot."


    Ambling forward, she reaches out to pet the baby snake-vine''s head. Her lips curl into a smile. Closing her hands together, she takes a step back. When she pulls them apart again, it''s to reveal a seed¡ªroughly the size and shape of the eggs¡ªbut very much just a seed. Twisting her lips, she seems to concentrate. A small green sprout cracks through, curling upward toward the light.


    But it''s only that¡ªa vine.


    Shrugging again, the student shuffles back to the group with the seed and vine still in hand.


    "A valiant effort," says the Professor, looking around at the rest.


    The next student to try has a similar level of success, and the next...and the next. By the time everyone''s had their hand at it and failed, Professor Hatch''s disappointment is evident on his face. Surprisingly, he doesn''t make an attempt himself.


    "Ah well. It was worth it. My curiosity is sated, for now." He looks around at all of us, composing his expression once more to that of the enthused teacher. The snake-vine creature coils around his fingers, its eyes drifting closed.


    From there, the professor transitions to a more ordinary first class format, going over his curriculum and what we have to expect in the semester to come. And just as it draws to a close, I catch a scent that I''m becoming all too familiar with.


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    Phoebus''s.


    Did he skip out on class early to catch me here before I even have a chance to get to lunch? Heat rises under my skin. As the professor retreats to the back of the greenhouse and most of the other students are filing out, he strolls in.


    "Hey, little queen. Mind if I walk you to lunch? There''s a lot to go over and¡ª"


    My hands ball into fists.


    "I told you I would meet you at lunch. Not before. Not on the way. At." I glower up at him, and for an instant his eyes narrow, and he shifts ever-so-slightly backward. But then his smile widens.


    "That''s exactly the kind of fire I want to see in you, li¡ªKore," he says, stumbling to correct himself. Trying to suck up to me. "See, we have a duel club here, and their first meet-up of the year is after classes today and I thou¡ª"


    My nails bite into the flesh of my palms, and I could swear my blood''s boiling.


    "A duel club, you say?"


    Phoebus blinks, then breaks into a grin. "Yeah. There are a lot more constraints than in freeform duels, but they earn twice the points."


    "Great," I say through gritted teeth. Somewhere in the trees behind us, there''s a yelp, then a lot of rustling of leaves and undergrowth. But I keep my eyes fixed on Phoebus. "How about this? Duel me."


    Something immense slithers up behind me, and I recognize it without turning to look. I don''t just know it by scent alone, I know it intrinsically because I made it. The snake-vine. Looks like my anger found an outlet. Now I''m the one smiling. It coils around my feet protectively, hissing and snapping at the air in Phoebus''s direction.


    "Duel me as soon as classes are out, and if I lose I''ll join the club. But if you lose, you never get to bug me about the club or any other duel ever again. Or hound me between classes."


    His eyes tighten around the corners as he glances at the snake, but he doesn''t lose his smile.


    "Alright, little queen, you''re on."


    ~*~


    I let him choose the place, with the caveat its somewhere we won''t get expelled for fighting in¡ªtrailing a good distance behind him and his entourage on the way there. Overkill''s full form follows behind me alongside Syntrofos. The vine snake coils across the icy stone at my side. The first thing I did after getting out of class was go back to the Green house for the hybrid¡ªsince it''s a direct result of the use of my powers, it doesn''t break any rules for it to fight as my companion.


    On the way to wherever Phoebus is taking us, Artemesia materializes from the shadows between buildings with Hind at her side and trails after us. Her brother''s site of choice turns out to be one of the tower rooftops of central campus''s largest building, Hyperion Hall. It''s bordered by the usual high-reaching forcefields, so falling over the edge won''t be an issue. Their faint violet glow illuminates a mostly featureless space¡ªthough towering Daimon statues look down on us from each of the four corners. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Gaia.


    The spectators spread out around the outer edges, Artemisia placing herself conspicuously far from her brother''s crowd. Syntrofos and Overkill hang back too, but Kill''s back-piece detaches to hover behind me. Its instructions: not to interfere unless I''m at risk of serious injury or death.


    "Kestrel," shouts Phoebus as we each take our places at either end of the rooftop. "Call it."


    "Happy to," trills the tiny blonde Variant.


    That''s when I come down from the adrenaline high of rage and it hits me for the first time. Really hits me. That I''ve just challenged the strongest person in our whole fraternity to a duel. My first ever duel.


    Oh no. I''m an idiot.


    On the other side of the roof, Phoebus begins, faintly, to glow.


    "Three...two...one...fight!"


    There''s a flash of light so brilliant that I actually hiss at the pain of it, squeezing my eyes shut. Temporarily blinded.


    But I''ve got the serpent, and it doesn''t rely so much on sight.


    There''s a meaty impact. Phoebus snarls. The flare subsides and I open my eyes to find my vision still bright and blurred. Useless.


    But I can still smell Phoebus. Can still hear him struggling to free himself from the vice-grip of the snake. And...and I can grow more eyes.


    There''s a series of rips as my shirt tears, and new appendages burst from my shoulders-drawing from my most recent animal DNA acquisition, the snake.


    Suddenly I can see again. But it''s not a sight like anything I''ve ever known. The perspective is wildly disorienting at first¡ªtwenty-something eyes arrayed along two scaled tentacles¡ªand everything''s in just two colors, neither of which I can describe.


    Phoebus''s eyes go wide as he sees this, managing to free himself of my serpent companion and flinging it violently away a moment later. Its wounds spray nectar rather than blood. He rights himself, sporting hardened, leathery skin for armor. His enormous forearms are covered in fur, with paw-like hands that end in wickedly sharp talons.


    Thank the Daimon he doesn''t have Deius''s power to grow additional limbs, too. At least not yet.


    I concentrate again on the flesh at my back, until two more scaled appendages erupt from my skin, these one eyeless. Huge snake''s tails. Gaia, it''s gonna hurt to get all these off. I shudder, remembering when I shed the eel tentacles. If only they could just melt away in smoke like they do for Deius.


    Phoebus smirks, likely thinking the shudder is for him. And then he''s a blur of movement. The snake tails whip forward to intercept. I scream as his claws and teeth tear into them, ripping away chunks of flesh, but squeeze them tighter around his body, bringing the eye-tentacles forward to hook around his neck. But he''s too strong, freeing himself of my grip in the next instant. Blood pours everywhere as he manages to tear off the last third of one of my snake tails, and for a moment I reel¡ªlost in the pain of it.


    My ordinary vision is almost entirely back now, but all I can see is Phoebus. Phoebus, too close now to get my grip around him. Phoebus, that sun-bright flash of fangs threatening to blind me again. But there''s also a glimpse of green behind his back as my serpent companion returns. Poised to strike.


    The Zeus Variant roars in sudden pain.


    He twists backward, his grip on me loosening as he attempts to get free of the snake-vine''s long fangs. I pull too hard to get myself away from him and stumble, falling on my ass. Simultaneously, Phoebus reaches backwards and rips my companion from his flesh with one huge clawed hand-hurling it to the far end of the roof where it zaps against the force field before falling at its base with a meaty thud.


    His grin widens as he looms over me, and his eyes begin to glow.

 Chapter 22 - Crimson Hearts

    This time I manage to shut my eyes before the flare, saving myself from a second blinding. Then the light is gone and there''s a great weight pressing me to the stone. A weight that grows as Phoebus transforms¡ªleaving behind all human features and the tatters of his clothes in favor of more fur, fangs, four legs...and sheer size. Twice and a half what he was. Maybe more.


    Not even bothering with my arms or legs, he pins what remains of my extra appendages down with his massive paws. Opens his jaws to hover around my throat. In a real fight, this is where he could kill me if he wanted to.


    Which means it''s over.


    "I submit," I pant.


    Immediately Phoebus retreats, actually wagging his tail at me. Whether it''s because he''d be naked otherwise or because he can''t just yet, he remains in the form of freakishly large wolf as I gather myself, using bits of already-shredded fabric to staunch the bleeding of one of the snake¡¯s tails. Before long it stops of its own accord, and the lot of us walk back to the residential side of campus.


    My snake-vine companion is wrapped about Overkill''s shoulders, hurt but healing. For my part, I feel a lot like I just got hit by an asteroid. Drained of blood and energy and with the remains of my tentacles dragging behind me, I make slow progress. But¡ªto my annoyance¡ªthe giant wolf matches my pace. With Artemisia at my other side and Synthe and Overkill at my back, I imagine we make an interesting procession.


    "Welcome to Duel Club, I suppose," says Artemisia, brushing some snow out of her braids.


    I take a deep breath. "What do I need to know?"


    "It meets every day at five thirty in the main arena, first of all. But you only need to show up four times and fight at least twice per week to be an active member. Obviously, though, the more you fight and win the higher your standing, and the less you fight the more other people in the club will call you a casual."


    I exhale through my nose. "Oh no, anything but that."


    Artemisia smiles.


    "Club duels can work in one of two ways¡ªeither through random pairing with someone of comparable standing, or through a challenge between members."


    "And Phoebus said something about constraints?"


    "For that, you''re better off pulling up the club rulebook and getting into the details. The biggest thing is never to injure someone so much that they won''t be able to make it to class the next day. No ripping off essential limbs, things like that."


    "Oh. That''s...nice." I look over at her. "Are you in the club? Who else in Lykos is in it?"


    She laughs darkly. "Yes, I''m in Duel Club. Phoebus is, of course. And now, there''s you."


    I stop without realizing it. Phoebus whines and paces.


    "Just the three of us? Really? Why?" I can''t help but doubt her, thinking of Phoebus''s cronies.


    "My brother likes to collect oddities. But to be fair, it''s a long-standing tradition of the fraternity."


    I frown, not understanding.


    "It''s a brotherhood where many who might not find a place elsewhere can have one," she explains. "But for most, that place will never be on the dueling field. Hypnos, for instance.¡± She nods to where the tall Variant walks far ahead of us, side-by-side with their twin. ¡°Their ability is to make others fall asleep, and I think they''re working on dream manipulation these days, too. There is no dueling that. And Thanatos? One touch when his power is activated means instant death. As for Kestrel¡ªwell, I could go on. But you get the idea."


    "Yes, I do." I glance sideways at the restless wolf, gnawing my lower lip. There''s more I want to ask Artemisia, but not in front of Phoebus. And not when I''m exhausted and bleeding and famished. We start walking again, my Synthe companions and I breaking away as we approach Asteria Hall, my building.


    "Goodnight," call Artemisia and Hind at once as we part ways.


    "You too, both of you. And thanks for the rundown on the club."


    Phoebus howls, then breaks into a sprint down another of the branching walkways.


    I''m just about to open my dorm room door when I realize that the greenhouse would be a better place for the new hybrid¡­visions of PomPom becoming a snake-meal playing themselves out in my head.


    Sighing¡ªand so tired and hungry for blood I could practically cry¡ªI turn on my heel and head for the greenhouse. While Syn stays behind to resupply on Ichor, Overkill remains at my back. I''m half-considering asking him to carry me as I drag my feet on the way out of the greenhouse, snake-friend deposited in one of the nicer trees.


    And then. Again. I smell him.


    Hades-damned Phoebus.


    He steps out of the shadows of a walkway lined by malfunctioning forcefields, an almost apologetic look on his face. My hands fly up, Overkill moves forward, and already I can feel my anger playing out across my face. The other Variant takes a step back.


    "I know. I know. I''m always hounding you here. You''re sick of my face. I''m sorry. But this is important, and I wanted to say it clothed."


    "Fine," I snap, brushing past him and continuing down the darkened walkway. "Talk."


    "I know I''m pushy, and people probably say I''m crazy, or lazy, or both."


    I press my lips together and walk a little faster.


    "But¡ªthe Duel Club really is the best way for you to get stronger, fast. And you need to. It''s important. Not just for the frat. For you."


    He stops, and to my chagrin¡ªso do I, turning to meet his gaze almost automatically.


    And it¡¯s strangely sincere, even intense.


    "You have to understand that you''re in real danger. Always. And you shouldn''t be wandering around with nothing but Synthes for companions. You need other Variants at your side."


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    Confusion, anger, and exhaustion cast my thoughts into chaos. I can¡¯t deal with this right now.


    "I''m going to bed, Phoebus. You might be my superior in the fraternity, but you don''t get to dictate how I live. Goodnight." I turn from him to start back down the path.


    "Wait¡ªcan I walk you the rest of the way back, at least? I won''t talk."


    "No thank you."


    "I''ll turn back into a puppy."


    "That was not a puppy.''


    "You liked it, though."


    "I said goodnight."


    He sighs. "Have it your way, little queen. Guess I''ll just hang back a while, then, since we''re going the same way and all."


    "Sure." I snap. "You do that."


    ~*~


    The next day starts with General Phys Ed, something I wish I would have considered the night before. While our Variant Orientation classes cover the specifics of our own type, this one is all about the differences and similarities of all the types. Their strengths and weaknesses, the ways in which they impact one another, and generalized training that benefits us all.


    I''ve heard other students call it "Combat Class," and I''m both interested and anxious to find out why.


    "As new as you all are to this world, it may be difficult to understand why dueling is such an intrinsic part of our culture. For others, it may be all too obvious," says Professor Biston, a tall Variant with a perpetually furrowed brow, blue-gray hair, and hardened features.


    "The same passion, energy, and instincts which have so benefited our survival here can also make us volatile. Distracted. Duels not only force us to develop our skills and hone our ability to control them, but also allow an outlet for our natural aggression. And, as modeled here in our school, they can also serve as a means to resolve certain disputes and to assign merit-based positions. By allowing controlled battle on a small scale, we reduce conflict on a larger scale." He takes a long breath, giving my hand a chance to rest. My fingers hover over my tablet screen.


    "It''s important to remember, going into all of this, that your peers are your allies¡ªoff the dueling field and on it. We are all working towards our own collective good. Please try to remember that as we review Variant weaknesses later on." He pauses to rub his forehead. "And try to remember that I''m not just teaching you these things so that you can target and defeat whomever will be easiest for you. It''s also so you know when not to go too far, and in what circumstances another Variant might most need your help."


    There''s some sinister chuckling at that, and he moves on. I can sense the class''s disappointment when he dismisses us without ever talking about weaknesses or even asking us to spar, but I''m grateful to have just a normal, do-nothing first class. My back is still raw and sore, and the last thing I want today is more fighting.


    At lunch, Overkill and I run into Artemisia and Hind, and the four of us go out to sit together on the balcony space.


    "So. Are you going to Duel Club tonight?" Asks Artemisia as I take my first bite of brie-and-fig sandwich.


    "Absolutely not."


    She nods. "Good call. Though remember¡ªyou don''t always have to fight. There''s a lot you can learn just from watching."


    I swallow my food. "You seem pretty on-board with me being in the club. I don''t get it. I thought you didn''t approve of your brother''s leadership?"


    Artemisia''s lips twist. "Well, you''re in it now, aren''t you? You may as well make the best of it. And your doing well in that department benefits me, too. And the fraternity."


    "Right," I say, looking down at my plate. "Still, though. I need a night to myself."


    "That I understand," replies the other Variant, finally cutting off a piece of her stuffed squid.


    ~*~


    My last class of the day is Wildlife and Ecology, and I''ve been looking forward to it. Our professor has a permanent re-creation of a riverside rock-pool environment set up at one end of the classroom, surrounded by temperature-control forcefields. Dusk has the most natural biodiversity on the planet¡ªand nowhere is that more evident than in its rock pools.


    But I have to wait until the end of class to get a proper look at it. Most of the rest of the students shuffle out, a few lingering to chat with the very likable Professor Enkomi. After clearing it with her, I wander over to the enclosure and push my hand through the gentle field of resistance surrounding it. Letting my finger hover just a little ways away from the nearest cluster of life, I waggle them to see if can I attract any interest. A tiny crablike creature with a turquoise carapace scuttles close, scenting the air with lime-green antennae.


    "That one''s my favorites," says someone behind me, making me jump. I''d been too focused on the habitat before, barely even registering his presence.


    "Her name is Puk." Adds the other student as I turn to look at him. He''s lanky and fine-featured, with green-gold eyes that sit at a sharp angle over his high cheekbones and medium-length hair in several shades of brown.


    "It''s nice to meet her," I say. "How do you know each other?"


    "Oh, uh yeah, it''s not my first time taking this class, in case you couldn''t tell," he says, chuckling as a hand goes up to muss his already mussed hair.


    I feel my eyebrows shoot up. I didn''t get the impression this was that kind of class.


    "Really? Is it that hard?"


    He cracks up. "Oh Daimon, no." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he bends at the waist a bit to get closer to my ear. "I failed on purpose. It''s just really nice, you know? Seemed a shame to only take it once. Besides," he adds, straightening. "Puk would miss me if I didn''t come back."


    He sticks a hand through the forcefields and Puk scuttles over, immediately pinching it with both her claws.


    "Ouch," he hisses through his teeth. "Love hurts."


    I snort a bit at that. "Alright, well...I''m going to head to dinner now."


    "Oh really? Figured you were lingering here to avoid the whole broo-ha-ha in the dining hall."


    "Broo...haha?"


    "Yeah, the semester kick-off party. It''s one of the First Week events. Big school mixer kinda-thing where they have special food and entertainment and stuff."


    "Oh," I say. "I completely forgot about that. That actually sounds kind of nice." And here I told Artemisia I was going to take time to myself. Well, I can go down there, have dinner, linger a bit...and then go isolate myself and think about how to help my sister.


    "Well, it was nice talking to you," I say. He smiles and gives a little mock-salute. It''s not until after I''ve left the classroom that I realize I forgot to ask his name.


    I enter the dining hall with Overkill at my side to find the place festooned in school banners and flags. Several tables are filled with fancy finger foods and fizzy drinks. There''s also a bunch of red synthes I''ve never seen on campus before wandering through the crowd. As I watch, one of them¡ªhorned and with back-bent legs much like Syn''s¡ªapproaches a cluster of Orchid¨¦a students. One of them steps up almost immediately to embrace them, burying her teeth in the matte material between their neck and shoulder.


    As I navigate my way through the space¡ªtrying to decide what I want to eat first¡ªMinthe emerges from the mass of students at my back.


    "I heard about your duel with Phoebus," she says, lip quirking up to one side.


    "If you''re going to tell me I''m stupid for even trying, I already¡ª"


    "Uh, no. A duel is literally the only thing he¡¯d take seriously. You made the best move you could."


    I stare at her for a moment, taken aback.


    "Oh. Well...thanks."


    "Sorry you didn''t win, though," she adds, eyes sparking.


    I shrug and change the subject. "What''s with all these new synthes, do you know?"


    "Them?" She glances over her shoulder quickly, strawberry blonde curls dancing around her face. "That''s the Order of the Crimson Heart. They go around and offer the full feeding experience to Variants who can''t get a hold of a personal Companion. Usually it''s free, but the university pays them to come to these events. The proceeds help fund their charity. They''re pretty great, actually."


    I shift a bit uncomfortably, feeling both grateful for and guilty about my regular and exclusive access to Syn. I should have guessed his kind would be rare. The Ethical Intelligence Generation guidelines are stringent, and I imagine it''s unusual for the system to generate an AI who naturally and willingly commits to the life of a feeder. At least, apparently, not for the sake of one Variant alone.


    "Wow, that is really good of them," I say after a moment, voice quiet.


    "It''s a spiritual thing in their view," adds the upperclassman. "It''s how they fulfill themselves."


    I''m trying to think of a way to politely extricate myself from Minthe''s company when one of the Crimson Heart synthes takes notice of us.


    "Hello," they say, in a low, musical voice designed to soothe. "Would you care to feed?"


    "I¡ªno thank you. I''m not ready yet."


    The synthe¡¯s head tilts slightly but very suddenly to the side before righting itself again.


    "Would you care to feed?" They repeat.


    Something''s wrong. I take a step back just as the Crimson Heart synthe lunges for me. In the next instant Overkill moves to block it, reaching out to grasp the other synthe''s head in one behemoth fist before lifting it off its feet.


    "Behind you!" shrieks Minthe. I whirl in time to meet the gaze of a second Crimson Heart just as its hands whip out with lightning speed to wrap around my throat.

 Chapter 23 - Bright Decay

    My body reacts instinctively, dark vines three times the thickness of one of my arms bursting from my back and curling around the Synthe¡¯s body¡ªone grasping its lower half, one the upper. For a few heartbeats, everything becomes a blur. The next thing I know, there¡¯s a shrieking of twisted metal as the Crimson Heart is pulled into two parts and tossed aside.


    But there¡¯s no time to process what I¡¯ve done. Even as Overkill¡¯s divided bodies incapacitate another two Hearts, three more close in around me. There¡¯s a shout as the air grows suddenly colder. I bring the vine-tentacles sweeping forward¡ªhoping to dash all the synthes off their feet at once¡ªbut each of them avoids it with fluid precision.


    Striking so fast I barely see it happen, two of the three grasp hold of my vine tentacles and wrench them from my flesh. Pain explodes across my awareness like a searing red wave. A blood-curdling shriek echoes through the hall, and I only realize it¡¯s me about halfway through.


    The air crystallizes as the cold intensifies, congealing in a flash around all three synthes. Freezing them in place beneath a thick layer of ice.


    I catch a glimpse of Minthe, whirling to face the opposite direction as more synthes close in around her. Stepping forward to help, I slip on a frozen pool of my own blood¡ªfalling hard on my ass.


    Fresh pain jolts through my bones as a blur of red appears at the corner of my vision. But in an eyeblink its swallowed up by something bright and snarling.


    Phoebus?


    A familiar voice shouts my name, and I sit up just in time to see Artemisia arrive, conjuring a bow and arrow of silvery light from thin air. She lets the bolt fly just as Hind bounds from her side, grappling one of the Crimson Hearts with his glowing antlers. There¡¯s a sizzling hiss as her bolt strikes home. The acid scent of melting metal burns the air just as the synthetic body hits the floor.


    I whirl, feeling movement to my back and realizing I¡¯m surrounded entirely by chaos. Everywhere I look, classmates locked in battle with charity workers. My teeth grit, and a tear rises to the corner of one of my eyes.


    They¡¯ve been hacked, just like the Synthe back in Gaia. This isn¡¯t their will. They came here to help, and they¡¯re getting torn apart.


    Because of me.


    I have to stop it. Stop it all.


    But how to do that, without causing just as much devastation as I prevent?


    The upper third of a Crimson hurtles my way and I duck, only narrowly avoiding its collision with my head. My gaze darts to its source and finds the immense, wolfish form of my fraternity president, the bottom half of a synthe still hanging from his jaw.


    I¡¯m not sure what triggers it. The confusion, the sensory overwhelm¡ªor the fact that Phoebus nearly knocked my head off by accident. But a fuse is lit, and there¡¯s no putting it out.


    Power explodes outward from my core¡ªevery last bit I have. The air clouds with fuchsia mist, and I blink in confusion as tiny particles powder my skin, catching in my eyelashes. The strange dust begins to settle, and the shouts of combat transition to ones of shock. At first, I don¡¯t quite understand why. There¡¯s a heavy clanging in the near distance, but the haze is so thick that I can¡¯t see further than a hand¡¯s length from my face.


    Then my eye catches on one of the synthes, frozen on its feet with its arms outstretched, hot pink mushrooms blooming across its artificial skin. Bursting from between its seams.


    The light in its eyes goes out.


    My breathing slows to a stop and I spin slowly around, the realization of what I¡¯ve done building as I come full circle.


    I¡¯ve disabled every synthe within a twenty pace radius. Even Hind.


    Even Overkill.


    ¡°Kore!¡± Cries Artemisia, darting over to me ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m¡­oh Daimon, I¡¯m so sorry!¡±


    I drop to my knees beside Overkill¡¯s main body¡ªbarely recognizable beneath the new growth¡ªand sob.


    ~*~


    ¡°Kore, please. My love. Breathe. It will be alright.¡±


    I stop pacing my dorm and stare over at the possessed synthe.


    ¡°How?¡± I demand, hiccuping a bit as I peer up into Syn¡¯s glowing eyes, my husband¡¯s presence evident in his expression. The way he sets his jaw, the way his eyebrows pull together.


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    ¡°Overkill has a replacement body, and his program is automatically backed up thousands of times a day. All synthe programs are. And if the Crimson Hearts don¡¯t have body back-ups, I¡¯ll pay for them myself.¡±


    ¡°But¡ªbut Hind. Artemisia¡¯s synthe. He was a work of art, one of a kind. She made him herself¡­¡± I trail off, in danger of dissolving into tears again.


    ¡°If she can¡¯t afford the parts to rebuild him, I¡¯ll pay for them. As for Overkill¡¯s new body, it¡¯ll be there within the hour,¡± Aidon assures me. ¡°You have nothing to feel guilty about.¡±


    But I just shake my head over and over again.


    ¡°No, no no no¡­my classmates were in danger because of me. What I did was an accident. I just got lucky the spores only grew on synthes¡­it could have just as easily been all of them! And the Crimson Hearts were tampered with and damaged because of me. I was stupid to think I could come here and just be a regular student. Everyone who said so was right. I should just¡ª¡°


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No? But I¡ª¡°


    ¡°None of your classmates was seriously hurt, and danger is something school is meant to prepare them for. We¡¯re a dangerous people, Kore. You all handled yourselves admirably. If anything, this incident proves you¡¯re capable enough to be there. I¡¯m not letting you give up now. Let this become further motivation to master your own power.¡±


    Something inside me warms at his praise.


    ¡°You truly think we did well?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    I take a deep, trembling breath.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll stay. But if something like that happens by accident again, if I can¡¯t control myself...I¡¯m coming home. I swear it. Until then, though, I¡¯ll help find out who did this. It must have been the same person¡ªor people¡ªwho did this to Eury. Right?¡±


    Aidon¡¯s borrowed lip quirks upward to one side, brows coming together again in thought.


    ¡°It¡¯s probable, but not certain. And don¡¯t forget there are people whose entire job it is to find and apprehend those behind this. Don¡¯t let it distract you from your studies.¡±


    ¡°I¡­I¡¯ll try not to.¡± Inhaling deeply again, I finally work up the nerve to ask the question that¡¯s been plaguing me.


    ¡°But how can we know whoever they are won¡¯t try to turn Overkill against me, or Syn?¡±


    Taking me completely by surprise, Aidon smiles.


    ¡°I designed them myself. They have a completely unique operating system. No one else knows it. I created the security that defends its integrity, too. Well, myself and one other. A person I trust completely.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    Aidon frowns. ¡°That¡¯s confidential.¡±


    My throat sticks like I¡¯ve just swallowed a rock.


    ¡°You can¡¯t even tell me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I grit my teeth, my fangs biting into my lower lip as Aidon-Syn¡¯s eyes go suddenly distant.


    ¡°Forgive me, love, but I have to go. I¡¯ll return through Syn later this evening, though. I can stay with you until you fall asleep.¡±


    ¡°That would be nice,¡± I sniff. ¡°Goodbye until then, I suppose. I lo¡ª¡°


    But Syn blinks, and the trickster gleam returns to his eyes.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± explains my Companion unnecessarily, sympathy realigning his features. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I shake my head, offering what I know must be a sad excuse for a smile.


    ¡°He¡¯s never entirely gone, is he? Not when I¡¯ve got you around.¡±


    A broad smile breaks across the synthetic¡¯s face. ¡°That might just be the corniest thing anyone¡¯s ever said to me. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Corny?¡±


    He chuckles, lips parting to reply when a sudden commotion of raised voices from out in the hall stop us both short.


    ¡°Is that¡­Phoebus? And¡ª¡° I strain my senses. ¡°Huh. Someone I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Kore. Stay¡ª¡° Syn begins, but I¡¯m already halfway to the door.


    ¡°Your services are not required,¡± says a coldly stoic voice from the other side. ¡°Nor are they desired. Please leave unless you have business with the queen.¡±


    ¡°Of course I have business with the damned queen! Now let her know I¡¯m here or¡ª¡°


    That¡¯s it.


    Unlocking the door, I yank it open to find Phoebus¡ªof course¡ªand a tall, silvery-haired Variant in a dark suit.


    ¡°Excuse me for interrupting,¡± I cut in. ¡°But what in all the Daimon¡¯s names is going on here?¡±


    They both start speaking at once.


    ¡°Apologies, my queen. But the Left Hand felt¡ª¡°


    ¡°I came to take you back to the frat house so¡ª¡°


    I bring up a hand to silence them, experiencing a tiny rush of pleasure when it actually works.


    ¡°First of all, sir, who exactly are you?¡± I begin, looking to the stranger.


    ¡°I¡¯m Mr. Gray, Your Majesty. Here by order of the Left Hand. She felt it best your guard detail include a non-synthe. There is one other, but I have first shift.¡±


    ¡°Hecate ordered you here? Not the King?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I assure you¡ª¡°


    ¡°I believe I outrank the Left Hand of the King. In which case, I dismiss you.¡±


    Standing just behind me in the doorway, Syn edges a bit closer.


    ¡°Kore, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. Perhaps you should have Variant guards as well.¡±


    I inhale through my teeth, considering¡­though I really don¡¯t want to.


    ¡°No,¡± I say finally. ¡°People are just as corruptible as machines. But I trust Aidoneus. I trust you, Syn. And Overkill. I don¡¯t need even more guards trailing me around all day.¡±


    ¡°Then perhaps just keep them around for when you¡¯re asleep, and otherwise away from all Variants who might help you. Keep them for when you need them.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need them, she¡¯s got a whole fraternity that can protect her,¡± says Phoebus, bristling. ¡°Kore, come stay at the frat house.¡±


    I mask my groan as a sigh, or try to.


    A wise queen takes wise council, whether she likes it or no.


    How many times did my mother say that to me? One hundred? Two?


    ¡°Fine,¡± I concede at last, meeting the flat, gunmetal gaze of the stranger and ignoring my frat-mate completely. ¡°You can stand guard as I sleep. But you¡¯re not following me around school all day.¡±


    The Variant who calls himself Mr. Gray gives a curt nod.


    ¡°As you wish, my queen.¡±


    ¡°But Kore, what abo¡ª¡°


    ¡°No,¡± I repeat, this time leveling it at the upperclassmen. ¡°Thank you for the offer, but I¡¯m staying here. Goodnight.¡±


    Then, before he can argue, I shut the door again in both their faces. Scooping a cooing Pompom up off the floor, I pad over to the chaise lounge by the window and drop onto it with a long sigh. Staring out over the blue, snow-swept haze of the city, I don¡¯t move from the spot again until Overkill¡¯s replacement body arrives.


    When my true guardian¡¯s returned to me and looking exactly as before, I slip into the bathroom to get ready for bed. But just as I¡¯m leaning into the sonic cleanser, there¡¯s a knock from the main entrance to my suite.


    ¡°A Miss Artemisia wishes to speak with you,¡± calls Mr. Gray as I pop my head out of the bathroom.


    Pulling my dressing robe tighter about my waist, I hurry back over to the door and fling it open.


    ¡°Kore,¡± breathes Artemisia, eyes wide as though she¡¯s surprised to see me at my own door. ¡°May I come in? I¡­I need to speak with you.¡±