would disappear and relatives we wished we didn’t have. Her dad was a hollow who cursed her because she and the rest of the family refused to pledge. And my mom traded her life away to the hollows. In a way, our sucktastic histories bonded us. We kept each other’s secrets. Still, this might be taking things too far.
“But Ione,” I let out a breath. “I’m not a geniox. People are going to figure that out.”
Her mask cracked.
She waved her hand in the air, turning back around. “For all you know, you could be. Just because you haven’t tried practicing other magic doesn’t mean you can’t.” She untwisted her towel and brushed out her wet, platinum-blonde locks.
“What happens when a Zeus descendant asks me to manipulate electricity? Or a Poseidon descendant wants me to do water-magic? What the hell am I supposed to do then?”
She shrugged. “Look, it’s not perfect, but it stops other mages from labeling you a traitor. Genioxes are rare, but everyone accepts their ability to practice all magic. Thanks to me, you’re no longer two-faced. You’re talented.”
I ground my teeth together. “Riley will tell everyone I’m not—”
“Maybe. Maybe not. And if she does, who cares? You’ll just be a liar on top of everything else, stuck in the same situation you were in before. But I don’t think she will, because I don’t think she knows the truth.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Just a hunch.”
I tilted my head, knowing her well enough to know there was more to this than a hunch.
She caught my glare and groaned. “I have friends inside of Ares, okay? Riley is aware of your dad’s history, but she doesn’t know a lot about her mother or yours. For all she knows, genioxes exist in your family tree.”
“And these friends are reliable sources?”
She nodded. “I’m trying to get as much info as I can on your sister. Find out what she knows, and more importantly, what she doesn’t. If she ever discovers that Xander is tied to her, she could easily manipulate him.”
The thought made me shudder. “She suspects something.”
Xander stopped me from hitting Riley that day by the fountain, but she didn’t fully understand why. She was, for now, blissfully unaware of the Silver Oath and that Xander was sworn to protect her at any cost. It needed to stay that way.
I sat on the edge of my bed, inhaling a shaky breath. If she learned the truth, she would use him to get to me—just like she did with Connor.
Connor.
I winced, remembering how far she went to hurt me. Not for one second did I believe Riley ever loved him. If she did, she wouldn’t be here, in Mythos. It was obvious she used Connor, and he played right into it like the fool he was.
Ione eyed me through her vanity mirror. “Don’t worry, Sheridan. Everything will be fine.”
As much as I wished that were true, it didn’t feel like everything would be fine. It felt as if I were on a steadily sinking ship. At some point, I would have to jump out.
“She’ll never learn the truth.” Ione sensed where my thoughts had traveled without me having to say anything.
I nodded, hoping she was right.
Ione’s methods were unusual, but she always had my back. For someone who hated me so vehemently only a few months ago, it was still surprising. Somewhere along the way, my biggest enemy had become my closest friend.
“Thanks, Ione.”
“Don’t mention it.” She swiveled back around, an idea lighting her blue eyes. “Aphrodite is holding a dinner party tonight. You must come.”
“I don’t know…” I chewed the inside of my cheek. With everything going on, a party probably wasn’t a good idea.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Socializing will be good for you, fire-blood. You’re going, and don’t you dare argue. I did, after all, save your reputation.”
3
An hour later, we were dressed in our finest silk togas, our heads covered in gold laurel leaves. Every mage was a vision of loveliness, in matching shades of lavender, pink, and white. The dinner hall was romantic too, decorated with hundreds of roses and candles, the ceiling spelled to look like the night sky. These particular descendants wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, they were the rulers of love and beauty.
But they weren’t the only descendants present. Once per semester, it was tradition for each of the houses to host another, to help foster relationships. Tonight, we were hosting House Poseidon.
I fidgeted nervously, reaching for the