Sirenz - By Charlotte Bennardo Page 0,30

clean up, and then he wants us out. We need to get moving.” I stacked some papers and put them in a corner, then started to pick up the coffee cups scattered on tables, chairs, and the floor.

“Maybe we can hide somewhere in the room, let him think we left,” Shar offered, finding her cup of chai and taking a sip before I could snag it for the trash. “We could sneak a peek at him.”

I tapped my foot impatiently. “And then when he finds us, we’ll have to entrance him, Jeremy, Reynaldo, and every other male we come across on our way out of here and to a portal. We won’t get halfway there before we’re completely transformed. We’ll be winging it to Tartarus.”

“One of us should stay,” Shar insisted. “I’ll follow Reynaldo out of the room and try to keep him away. You sneak back and hide behind the rack. If either one finds you, say a few words and entrance them. Maybe we can take Arkady to a portal late tonight when no one’s around.”

I tilted my head. “I have a better idea! Why don’t you take off your glasses and tell Reynaldo to let us stay in the room? Or better yet, you put the Greek mojo on Arkady and Jeremy. Time for you to catch up with me—a few more feathers and I’ll have a full wing!”

“I already have total bird feet! And look at my hands!” Shar thrust them out for me to see, but the one holding her tea lost its grip. We watched as the cup flew through the air, almost as if in slow motion, and slammed into the dress on the dais.

A dark stain streaked down the silk, continuing all the way down to the hem.

“Oh my god! Oh my god!” Shar could barely get the words out.

“How tragic!” Demeter’s liquid voice rippled through the room. All the doors were closed, so she hadn’t just walked in.

Whirling around, I faced her. “This is not funny, Demeter.”

“I disagree.” A vicious smile appeared.

I snapped my head around to gape at the ruined dress. There was no way it could be cleaned in time; not only for the show, but before Arkady and Jeremy got here. Arkady was to inspect it and the rest of the collection, then all of it would be moved immediately to the Met. The show was being held there tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, in the Egyptian Temple.

I was actually looking forward to seeing it, or rather, hearing it. I’d seen the play list and it featured nearly all of my favorite bands, including Elysian Fields. Jeremy had to be in charge of the music. Back when we were folding programs, I’d been trying to think of ways I could somehow ask him about it, but now it looked like I wouldn’t get the chance.

“It was my fault,” Shar moaned. “I’ll tell Reynaldo. What’s another bird claw?” Her shoulders slumped.

“There is an easy way out of this,” offered Demeter. I didn’t like her too-soft tone. I probably wouldn’t like whatever was on her mind, either, but at this point, it couldn’t hurt to listen.

“Are you going to tell us, or are we going to wait for Reynaldo to come and join us?” Shar said tartly.

Demeter’s eyes flared. “Watch the attitude, missy. You’re lucky I deign to help you at all.”

“Sorry.” Shar didn’t sound it.

“Give him a call. Kiss up to him. Cry a few tears, show some feminine vulnerability. Tell him something to stroke his ego and then ask him to cut you a break on the bird claws. What’s the worst he could want?”

Shar looked horrified, and I didn’t blame her. The three of us knew full well what Hades would desire.

“You don’t have other options.” Demeter examined her nails, blew on them, then buffed them against her skirt.

I picked up the offending cup and stuffed it into the trash can. The room was ready, with the exception of saving the dress.

“We have other options,” I insisted. “We have our powers. Or, we’ll think of something else.”

“Doubtful, Margaret, but do as you wish. You’ll fail together. I might beg Zeus to let me go to Tartarus just to visit you. It would be very amusing to see you in a gilded cage—when you’re not walking the dogs.”

“I doubt Hades will let you come visit,” mumbled Shar.

Demeter vanished, but not before knocking over the garbage can.

“High class, that goddess,” I said as I righted it and scooped up what