Earth to the humans and go back and fix our own lands.”
Clay’s head snaps around to where my family has huddled together in the corner of the room, Dad out front with Mom and my sisters cowering behind. Why hadn’t they run? I scarcely ask the question before I know the answer: they stayed because of me. Me.
“Shut up,” Clay snaps at the sound of Sarah sniveling. Then, his eyes are back on mine. “I’m tired of you. For centuries, you’ve made me feel small. Powerless. Weak. Well, no more. It’s time for a dose of your own medicine and then, you’re on a one-way trip out of here.”
So, it’s too late. He’s caught in his own brand of hell and there’s no reaching him anymore. As he raises his hand, brandishing the thunderbolts, I know he’s decided. He’s going to take my family down.
As he moves, ready to unleash Zeus’ thunder, I dive. With one hand, I snag my shield from the floor and summoning Aegis to sing, I throw it like a curveball. It arcs in front of my family just as Clay lets the thunderbolt fly. There’s the same blinding flash as before when Aegis shrieks as the bolt impacts. The light is so bright it burns, but this time, I’m ready, knowing I’ve got less than a second.
It’s enough.
With my goddess reflexes, I grab my sword and lunge. My blade pierces through a momentary resistance, and then, the light fades, and Clay’s gaze locks on me, his face just inches from mine.
He’s puzzled. Confused. Then, slowly, realization dawns in those eyes. The panic shoots across his face as he falls forward.
I catch him. And in this moment, he’s once again my brother, the Epimetheus of old, before everything became dark and corrupted.
“I’m…dying,” he rasps in astonishment. A trickle of golden blood seeping from one nostril runs down his chin.
“You’ll be free, brother,” I whisper. Free of this horrible cycle. Free of the jealousy, the thirst for revenge that has only worsened with each life and led him down this evil path. “Now, you can rest.”
He draws a quavering breath and doesn’t answer. He can’t. He’s already begun to fade, but his eyes speak volumes. In them, I see anger, so much anger, but behind it? Is that…remorse?
I seize it, not wanting to recognize or believe anything else. “Go, brother. Rest in peace.”
The golden light of his skin is already fading, and I try to hold onto him as long as I can, knowing I’ll never see him again. Tears stream down my cheeks.
The kitchen door crashes open and I look up to see Ladron and Mirk barging inside, weapons ready.
“It’s over,” I tell them, but as the words leave my mouth Clay’s weight in my arms grows suddenly light.
My heart pounds as I look down, but his body has already left this world, and all worlds. There’s nothing left but the golden ichor staining the floor.
“He’s gone. He’s really…gone,” I whisper. I know his death will hit me harder later. After all, Prometheus shared eons with him.
But now? I glance at Ladron. He’s standing there, a towering mountain of muscle, his skin glowing as golden as mine, and even though he’s wearing sweats, he still looks like a god. My eyes fall on the caduceus and my heart sinks. Right. Gods and humans don’t mix… While that might be true, there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from connecting with my family right now. They’ve already seen enough. What’s a little more?
Resoundingly Lily again, I rush to my family. They meet me halfway. It’s a real Lemon squeeze and then, we’re all talking at once, choking on our tears.
“Dad,” I choke, so happy to hold him, to hug him again.
“Lily?” his voice shakes.
“I…don’t understand all of this,” Mom cries.
“Lily? Why are you golden?” Melanie croaks.
“Lily. Lily. Lily,” is all Sarah can say.
I grin and hug them all so tight. I never want to let go.
“I’ve missed you, pumpkin,” Dad says.
“The…dogs, at the university—” Melanie begins.
“Hey, don’t think about that.” I press my forehead against hers. “That was just how they fetch us back sometimes. A bit gruesome, but…” I shrug.
“Your skin…”
“That golden glow?” I step back and twirl around. “I’m a Greek goddess now. Can you believe it?”
“Lily,” is all Sarah can say.
“How is that possible?” Mom asks.
I glance at Ladron. There’s a sadness in his smile, and I don’t want to acknowledge what that means. But the more I try to avoid the thought, the