“So, a fireplace attacked you?” Nix asked.

  I could hear the smile she was trying to hide. I clenched the comforter beneath us trying to remain calm. It felt more real than a dream. Was I supposed to learn something from it? I was really bad at symbolism.

  “Yes, one second I was staring at it wondering why it was in my room and the next I was covered in flames.”

  Nix nodded thoughtfully. Maybe she was finally taking me seriously.

  “Well, the hearth is Hestia’s symbol, and she’s definitely an Olympian. I just don’t know why she would come after you. She seems like the warm-fuzzy type to me.”

  I had never heard of Hestia, but if she was an Olympian, it didn’t surprise me that she had an issue with me. They all probably wanted me dead because of what Typhon did. What did it mean that she had sent me the dream? Did I have to look over my shoulder for her and Zeus?

  “The Olympians fear the storm.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was fear that made them all take aim at me, but something drove their animosity. This situation had taught me that I needed to learn specifically who the Olympians were. That way, I would at least know what might be coming.

  “So, with The Ancient Eye after me and the Olympians after you, how long do you think we have?”

  I shook my head. It definitely felt like an impossible task, but saying that aloud felt wrong.

  “I don’t know. But if I have to fight a Zeus minion every day of my life to keep you safe, I’ll do it with a smile on my face.”

  “The storm is the hunter never hunted,” Typhon said.

  It felt like a lie at this moment, but I looked forward to the day it was the truth.

  Nix gave me a slow, unconvincing nod and ran her fingers across the comforter. Hating to see her look so unsure of herself, I climbed on top of her.

  “As long as we stay together, they can’t touch us.”

  I kissed her neck. She craned her head to the side and giggled.

  “Speaking of that, I’m gonna have to find a new place to stay.”

  I stopped moving with my mouth less than an inch off her skin.

  “What do you mean?”

  I lay back down beside her, this time on her left side. She turned to face me.

  “I can’t live at home anymore. My parents always put the organization first.”

  Her words felt like explosions in my ears. I sat up.

  “You mean they would choose them over you?”

  I scrunched up my face. I had to have misheard her. There was no way a parent would choose anything over their child, right?

  “They were members before they ever had me. I’ve known since I was a kid where their loyalties lie.”

  It was insane to me that the only place I felt safe was at home and that was the one place Nix couldn’t go. It was too much for me to handle. I got up off the bed and pulled her with me. She followed, but I felt her resisting slightly.

  “Where are we going, Stormie?”

  We left my room and headed down the stairs toward the living room. The room was dark with only a bluish glow from the TV providing light. Before we left the hall and walked into the room, I loudly cleared my throat. There was some hasty movement, and then my mom spoke up.

  “Is that you, Troy?”

  We walked into the room. My parents sat on the couch on the left side of the room side by side. My mom adjusted her top, and my dad sat back acting innocent.

  “Dad, you’ve got something on your lip.”

  I touched my own lip to show him where my mom’s lipstick was smeared on his face. He wiped it with his thumb. I couldn’t help grinning as we sat on the couch on the right side of the room.

  “Oh, hey Nix, we thought you had left,” my dad said.

  “Sorry to interrupt. We need your help.”

  That got their full attention. They both stared at me intently.

  “What’s going on, son?”

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  I looked at Nix briefly before I started talking.

  “We did leave, but we had to come back because Nix was attacked.”

  My mom leaned forward so far I thought she was going to fall to the floor.

  “Oh my God, what happened? Are you okay?”

  Nix nodded and smiled.

  “Yeah, Stor.. Troy handled it.”

  My dad gave me a proud nod.

  “Good job, son. Are you okay?”

  I held up my right arm to show off the green swirl.

  “Other than this receipt.”

  At the sight of my arm, my mom did leave her seat. She sat beside me and took my arm in her hands. She touched the green streak on my arm, and intense pain rocketed through me. Tears welled in my eyes as I snatched my arm away.

  “What is that?” My mom asked, shocked.

  “I think he got it because he overdid it with his power. I call it Typhon’s coil.”

  I sat back up as the pain subsided.

  “The reason we need help is that Nix doesn’t believe she can go home again.”

  My mom looked at Nix expectantly.

  “My parents are more than likely going to side with the organization,” Nix said with a weak shrug.

  “Is that the same people that attacked you?” my dad asked.

  I nodded.

  “Well, they sent the attackers. They weren’t trying to hurt me, just collect me,” Nix said.

  “Collect you for what reason?” my mom asked.

  “Execution,” I said before Nix could respond.

  She shot me a death glare. I gave her a bashful smile. My dad closed his eyes and took in a long deep breath through his nose. I could tell that bothered him.

  “Thanks Troy, I was trying not to startle them,” Nix said.

  “Execution, why?” my dad said, hiding holding back whatever fear he had just swallowed.

  Nix stared at the floor. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before answering.

  “Choosing Troy over them. The cost of being a traitor is death.”

  My mom’s hands clenched into fists.

  “And your parents agree with that?”

  My mom spoke through clenched jaws. I had never seen her this upset before. She looked as if she wanted to handle the situation herself. Nix nodded. My mom and dad stared at each other for a long time without speaking. I wondered what kind of subliminal messages they were sending one another.

  “So, besides a place to stay, what do you need?” my dad asked.

  Nix’s head snapped up.

  “I.. I can stay here? Aren’t you guys afraid that trouble might follow me?”

  My mom took Nix’s hands in hers.

  “Honey, we would rather fight as a family than send you into harm’s way alone. Sure, we can’t fight with you, but let us help you in the way we can. The extra room is yours for as long as you need it.”

  Nix’s cheeks became glossy with tears as my mom spoke. I was so proud to be a product of these two people. I hoped they knew a safe place Nix could stay. Their offer was more than I had even considered.

  “Thank you,” she said hoarsely.

  “So what else do you need — clothes, toiletries, anything?” my dad asked.

  Nix shook her head.

  “I just need to go grab my things. Are you all sure it’s okay for me to stay here?”

  My parents both nodded.

  “All we ask is that no children are created under this roof,” my dad said, shooting me a glare.

  My mouth fell open. They seriously thought Nix, and I were at that stage in our relationship. When my dad smirked, I realized he was joking. I joined in.

  “No promises.”

  I winked at him. Nix’s face turned bright red, and she made a sharp inhaling sound. My mom dug her finger into the green streak on my forearm and kept it there as I writhed in pain.

  “Is that funny, dear?” she asked.

  I shook my head vigorously. It hurt so badly I would have said whatever she wanted me to if it meant she would let me go. She removed her hand, and I rolled around on the couch emphasizing how bad it hurt.

  “Hey, crybaby, come with me to get my stuff,” Nix called.