against him.”
“Why would a demigod pose as an Idol and join the Neo Gods?” Soren asks. “It makes no sense.”
I pass a hand over my face. “I don’t know. But not all demigods are created equal. Some have limitations.”
I acquired this knowledge once I learned about my lineage. The thought is bitter, but my lingering feelings of low self-esteem are not important right now. What the demigod said is. He called me “brother,” and I don’t know what to make of that statement. He can’t be a lost sibling, which only leads to one conclusion: he was messing with my head. But to what purpose?
Andromeda throws her legs to the side of the couch but remains seated. She massages her right hand while keeping her chin dipped low.
“He wants Daisy,” she says.
Fear and anger mingle, forming a cold dagger that pierces my chest. All Neo Gods are gunning for her now that they know she’s the Unmaker. But adding a demigod to the list of people who want to harm Daisy only makes everything worse. Maybe Nathaniel is working for the island god. Fuck!
“He’s not touching a single hair of hers,” I grit out.
“He doesn’t want to kill her. He’s collecting powerful Idols.”
“What for?” Soren asks.
“I don’t know. He never told me.”
An idea springs into my head. But first I need to know what the Knights want to do about Andromeda’s boss. “What was your plan?”
“The only people who know Andromeda is a Neo God are those in this room and Stephan. I haven’t disclosed her double agent status to the rest of the Knights, and I intend to keep it that way.”
It’s a smart move. The fewer people who know about it, the less likely it is her cover will be blown.
“He doesn’t know Andromeda was captured, right?” I ask.
“I don’t believe so,” Mr. Silverstone replies, glancing in Andromeda’s direction.
“He doesn’t know. It’s why he was punishing me. He does that when he thinks I’m blowing him off.”
“But he knows now that I helped you,” I say. “So you’re going to bring me to him.”
She lifts her chin, piercing me with such an intense stare that it almost feels like she has X-ray vision. “And you think he’s going to welcome you with open arms without retaliation?”
“He won’t retaliate.”
“What makes you so sure?” Soren asks.
“She said he collects powerful Idols, right? You’re looking at one.”
Soren snorts. “Cocky much?”
Andromeda tilts her head to the side, narrowing her gaze. “You’re not an Idol.”
Soren whips his face to hers. “Come again?”
She ignores him and keeps staring at me. “You’ve been masking your powers all this time. You’re a demigod.”
3
Daisy
My mind is still whirling as I board the small private jet. Andromeda being a spy makes no sense to me. She saved me countless times; she even killed a Neo God, for crying out loud. And there’s no way that encounter in the alleyway was planned. Something isn’t right, but unfortunately, staying in Hawk City for another day to find out the truth wasn’t an option. Principal Fallon was eager to return to Saturn’s Bay as quickly as possible. I hope Morpheus can get to the bottom of it.
The tension inside the plane is so thick, it’s smothering. I’m sitting next to Bryce, and Phoenix is across from me, but neither speaks much. Principal Fallon is in the seat across the aisle, presumably sleeping. I honestly doubt it. I wouldn’t put it past the woman to pretend to be asleep so she could eavesdrop on our conversation. Too bad she’s out of luck and no one is talking.
Rosie and Toby are sitting behind me, and Rufio took the farthest seat from us as possible. He’s in avoidance mode, but as painful as it is, I’m glad. I still can’t look him in the eye. There’s no amount of excuses or pleas for forgiveness that can make things better.
I thought we would strategize during the flight, but perhaps Principal Fallon doesn’t think it’s safe to talk about the Knights and the Neo Gods in public. The Knights are still considered criminals. Terrorists, even.
My chest becomes tighter when I finally have the time to think about the implications of the events of Hawk City. The guys and I were probably caught on camera fighting that gang of Fringes. Does that mean we’re wanted by the authorities now? One of the Neo Gods was Hawk City’s chief of police. All Bryce’s father has to do is make a call and we’re doomed.
I gasp out loud, earning