“Very well,” said Walter. “The trap we have constructed will last us until the next winter solstice, and it is my intention between now and then that—”
“Brother,” said Henry. “If I may.”
“By all means,” said Walter, and Henry stood stiff ly.
“Sisters and brothers,” he said, focusing on the pillars behind the pews instead of on the other members of the council. “I regret to say that I have decided to withdraw from the war, as well.”
My mouth fell open, and a murmur rippled through the remaining council members. Ava, who looked like a child curled up in her massive throne made of seashells, began to cry.
Walter shifted his weight, as if he were about to step forward, but at the last minute changed his mind. “We are counting on you,” he said slowly. “Together, with some time, we have a chance, but without you—”
“The Underworld is my realm, not the world above.
I will seal it off and ensure that Cronus remains trapped until the winter solstice, but I have made my decision,” said Henry. “I ask that you all understand it was not made lightly.”
My mother stood, and she had the same look on her face that she’d worn when I’d decided to color my hair purple at eleven and get a tattoo when I was fourteen. Neither of those things had happened. “Henry, we are all frightened of the risks, but if you refuse to help us, we will lose. Surely you know that. The blood Cronus has already spilled—”
“It is a shame, and those of you who are injured have my deepest sympathies,” said Henry. “You of all people should understand why I am doing this, Diana. Kate is Calliope’s target, and you cannot deny that it is a miracle nothing happened to her today. I have already failed her twice, and I will not allow for a third time.”
I was on my feet before I realized what I was doing, the ache of my guilt and grief swiftly replaced by fury. “Don’t you dare use me as an excuse to abandon your family. Calliope will come after me whether you f ight with them or not. I won’t stand by and let you do nothing just so everyone can blame me when the council loses.”
“No one would blame you, my dear,” said Walter.
“Henry, without you, loss is inevitable. There is no one else capable of stopping Cronus, and if Calliope does not see the error of her ways within the year—”
“I am sorry,” said Henry. “I will not change my mind.
You are not an excuse, Kate. If I step aside and seal the Underworld, no matter the outcome of the war, I will be able to keep you safe while continuing my duties and watching over the dead.”
“Why can’t you f ight anyway?” I said. “Everyone’s going to die if you don’t.”
“Everyone may die if I do,” he said. “I will not risk your life. We have already seen the lengths Calliope will go to destroy you, and with Cronus’s interest in you, it is far too dangerous.”
Before I could sputter out a retort, Persephone stood.
“What about the other Titans? If Henry—”
“What other Titans?” I said, my heart pounding.
Persephone gave me a look. “Would you let me f inish?
If Henry doesn’t want to help, then f ine. There’s obviously nothing any of us can say to change his mind.” Her eyes f lashed as she glared at Walter. “Father said no one would be judged for backing out. And before you throw a f it, Kate, we aren’t the only ones who can f ight him. Not all of the other Titans were imprisoned. If we’re lucky, the ones who weren’t might be willing to help us.”
“The chances of the other Titans agreeing to f ight on our side after we usurped them are inf initesimal,” said Walter, his expression hardening. “Nor would it be wise for us to risk giving Cronus allies.”
“Isn’t it worth a shot?” said Persephone.
“Rhea might help us,” said James, who’d remained quiet up until now. “I know where she is.”
“We do not have the time to court her,” said Walter. “We must prepare, and convincing her to go against her mate will undoubtedly take time—”
“Then let me do it,” I said, sounding much braver than I felt. “I want to do something.”
“Kate—” said Henry, but I cut him off.
“Don’t. You made your decision, now let me make mine.
If you’re not going to participate, then we need to f ind someone else who will.”
“Henry is right,” said Walter. “You have had no experience with the Titans before. You are new to this life, and one wrong word—”
“Then send someone with me.”
“We cannot spare anyone,” said Walter tightly. “If you wish to go—”
“You can spare me.”
Ava spoke softly and without conviction, but her voice rose above Walter’s, and he paused. As they exchanged looks, something seemed to pass between them.
“Very well,” said Walter, and hope f luttered within me.
Finally I wouldn’t be useless. Even if Rhea didn’t want to help, I would at least have the chance to try to make up for Henry withdrawing because of me. I couldn’t sit around and not do a damn thing when no matter what anyone else said, I knew their loss would be my fault.
A shadow passed over Henry, darkening the lines in his face until he was nearly unrecognizable. “Kate, please.
Whatever concerns you have about taking the blame for this, how do you think I would feel if you did this because I withdrew and the worst happened to you?” Something snapped inside of me. Of all the things he could use against me, this was the route he chose? “That’s the problem, Henry. I don’t know how you feel about me.
Everyone else seems to have an opinion about it, but the only person I want to hear from is you. You won’t tell me though no matter how much I beg—all you do is risk the lives of everyone I love to keep me safe. How do you think that makes me feel?”
For a moment, he looked bewildered, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. “Before I met you, I was ready to fade. If something were to happen to you, my wishes have not changed.”
At f irst I thought I’d heard him wrong. He’d manipulated me before—the entire council had—but he’d never used his life against me. That was a line I thought he wouldn’t dare cross. Apparently I’d been wrong.
“Forgive me for not being worried,” I said, my words dripping with sarcasm as every small step we’d taken in the past few weeks crumbled. “Now that Persephone’s back in your life, I’d imagine you’ll want to stick around as long as there’s a chance she’ll kiss you again.” Henry stilled, and behind me I heard my mother hiss,