Page 49 of Harbinger

The scent of the sea and the taste of salt enveloped Cassius as they passed atolls enclosing sparkling, crystal-clear lagoons. The tangy freshness went some way toward clearing his mind and easing the tightness in his chest.

He’d been loath to leave Morgan when Theo had opened a doorway to the home of the Nereids on the terrace of their apartment building shortly after they’d returned fromOhomgath. Even in the hours since they’d been at Bostrof and Lilaia’s place, his condition had deteriorated.

But Atropos’s strategy made sense.

As long as Tenebra’s plague remained a threat to Earth, it was best she and the Black Fates stayed put in San Francisco. With Victor, Theo, and Eden at their side, they at least had a fighting chance if Elios decided to attack again. Which left Cassius and Tisiphone free for the mission to find the Nereid who had last seen Ladon.

Loki had wanted to accompany them. Atropos had stopped him.

“We cannot afford to lose another artifact to Elios, Keeper,” the Moira had said quietly. “If he intercepts you during your passage between realms, we may not be able to save you.”

The imp had clenched his fists at her words, torn between the divine duty he had inherited and his affection for Cassius.

Morgan had ruffled his head gently. “You know she’s right, flea ball.”

The imp had squinted at him.

“I guess someone has to say here and look after your sorry ass,” he’d mumbled with a sniff.

Morgan had rolled his eyes at that.

“Be safe,” he’d murmured to Cassius when they’d hugged each other goodbye.

Cassius had swallowed and nodded, Morgan’s fever almost searing his flesh. What he’d sensed in the demigod’s soul core had made him want to weep.

Tenebra’s Rot was winning.

“Make sure he rests,” he’d told Victor and Theo before gazing at a distraught Loki. “Be good.”

The imp had wiped his cheeks before nodding.

“Elios may already be aware of our intentions,” Atropos had told Tisiphone grimly. “Now that we’re having to work in the open, I see no need to hide our presence from our friends. Go meet the queen of the Astrea Sea and seek her help.”

The Fury’s voice broke through Cassius’s thoughts. “We have company.”

Cassius’s gaze found what her divine sight had spotted first.

They were fast approaching the wall of mist shrouding the looming landmass from view. Something glimmered against the haze rising above the wind-tossed waters at the base of the cliffs. It grew into a troop of armored figures atop winged seahorses.

Tisiphone and Cassius slowed to a hover some hundred feet from the line of soldiers. The leader of the Nereids cut an impressive figure on her mount as she came toward them, her hold firm on her reins and the trident in her hand.

“Identify yourselves!” the sea Nymph barked.

Tisiphone’s eyes brightened with divine power. “I am the Fury Tisiphone, daughter of Nyx.” Her voice boomed against the invisible cliffside and sent the seabirds nesting beyond the mist flying into the sky. She indicated Cassius. “My companion is Icarus, the North Star and Awakener.”

The Nereid commander sneered. “The Awakener? Do not jest, woman who dares mimic a Goddess!”

Tisiphone’s face fell. She looked pointedly at Cassius. “You’re gonna have to do your thing.”

Cassius sighed. They’d agreed in advance how they would go about convincing the Nereids of the authenticity of their claims.

Well, at least this is better than fighting with our future allies.

Heat bloomed inside him. He unleashed Heaven’s Light.

The Nereid commander squinted as brightness flared across the ocean and lit up the pale backdrop behind her. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, only to freeze when her vision cleared. Shocked gasps rose from her soldiers. Their seahorses reared in alarm at the sight of Cassius’s full demigod form.

The creatures could also feel his divine force.

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