He made his way to Robert’s side, but his attention had shifted to my father. To Loren Swift in the corner. To the larger game being played.
“We tried asking,” Elias continued. “We tried appealing to Helena’s maternal instincts. We tried trusting she’d handle this situation with something resembling decency.” His mouth twisted. “We were naive.”
“Mr. Swift—” I started.
“I’m not finished.” Elias cut me off. “I left House Hermes a long time ago. I wanted nothing to do with Olympian politics. I wanted to raise my daughter in peace, away from the games and the casual cruelty of people like you.”
He gestured at my father. At me. At the office around us with its glass, steel, and carefully cultivated authority.
“But you dragged her into it anyway. All of you. Helena with her secrets. House Zeus with its obsession. And now our daughter is on an island none of us can reach, and the only language any of you understand is politics.”
He turned to Loren Swift. Something passed between them—acknowledgment, agreement, a signal I couldn’t read.
“So politics it is.”
Loren pushed off from the wall. “House Hermes has been observing this situation with growing concern,” he said. His voice carried the formal cadence of official business. “An Omega of House Hera descent held against the will of her legal guardians. She is now in a facility controlled by a House matriarch who has declared unilateral lockdown.”
“What are you talking about?” Argos asked. “Helena is her mother.”
“Incorrect. Dr. Cross and Mr. Swift are her legal parents.” Loren’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “They have not consented to her detention. Under Olympian law, this constitutes unlawful imprisonment.”
“That’s a stretch.”
“Perhaps. But it’s a stretch the Council will have to evaluate.” Loren glanced at Elias. “The Beta Houses have concerns about how Omega welfare is being handled. House Zeus was involved in triggering Miss Cross’s current crisis. Previously, House Hera was the greatest advocate for an Omega’s happiness and freedom. But that no longer seems to be the case. These seem like excellent matters to raise formally.”
“You would take this to the Council?” I asked in disbelief. “Make it a political spectacle?”
“We would do whatever is necessary to secure Andromeda’s safety,” Loren shot back. “Unless House Zeus has a better solution. Unless you are prepared to intervene with House Hera on behalf of Miss Cross’s actual family.”
I opened my mouth to respond—to say what, I didn’t know—when the lights flickered.
The shadows in the corners of my office deepened and began to move in unnatural patterns. My hackles instantly rose. I’d seen that type of manifestation before.
Robert stepped back instinctively, pulling Elias with him. Loren Swift went very still, and my father’s lightning flared brighter. I prepared myself for the unavoidable battle.
And from the darkness behind my desk, two figures emerged.
Damon Blackwood stepped into the light first. The shadows clung to him like living things, reluctant to release their master. By his side stood a woman who assessed the room with predatory efficiency. Elara Blackwood. Damon’s cousin, his security chief, his head of intelligence.
Two House Hades Alphas, in my territory, with no invitation. This could easily be grounds for a war between Houses.
“Lord Blackwood,” I said, “this is House Zeus territory.”
“I’m aware, Lord Stormwright.” Damon grinned as if he found my warning very amusing. “You look terrible.”
“I’ve had a difficult few days.”
“Yes, we’re aware.”
Every single person in the Olympian world now seemed aware of Andie’s condition. First Orion Maris, now Damon. How the fuck was I supposed to protect her from this threat, too?
“Why are you here?” I asked, testing the waters.
“I heard there was a discussion about Omega welfare happening in House Zeus territory. Given my recent experiences, I thought I should contribute.” He glanced at Loren Swift. “You were about to take this to a higher level, weren’t you? Perhaps to the Council?”
Loren’s expression had gone carefully blank. “That was being discussed.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” Damon’s shadows rippled around him like dark water. “Lord Stormwright has always been so concerned about doing the right thing for Omegas. I’m sure he’ll agree to do the same thing now.”