AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I looked, but all I saw was the same pleasant scene of families and joggers enjoying the park. “You mean the people?” I asked. “But if they’re mundanes, why are you saying it like I’m not one of them?”
“Because you’re not.”
My brows crumpled. “Why would you say that? You just met me. What makes me not like them?”
Alexander didn’t reply right away. Eyes narrowing, his hand slowly moved toward his hilt. “How about this? I ask the questions from now on. Why are you acting like you’re hearing all of this for the first time?”
I backed up and hit the tree. Alexander had proven he knew how to use that weapon. I had no doubt he could skewer me before I got out a scream for help. “Because I am,” I said slowly. “I don’t know you, or what you’re saying, or anything about this. I’m just looking for my mom.”
If anything, his eyes narrowed further. “Of course you know who I am. There isn’t a single person in Olympia who doesn’t know me and my father.”
“I’m not from Olympia.”
Shock loosened his grip on the sword.
“But my dad is,” I said quickly. I couldn’t risk changing his mind about taking me there. “My mom told me he was before... Well, that’s what she said.”
He was still staring.
“I looked it up,” I blurted. “Dozens of times. It’s in Greece, which doesn’t make sense because she also said my dad isn’t from Greece.” I shook my head. “The doctors had a lot of fun with that one. From a place in Greece but not from Greece. It was just more proof that I’m delusion—”
“You’re not from Olympia?” he sliced in.
“No.”
He erased the distance, flattening me against the bark. “You’ve never been there?” he demanded.
“No,” I cried. “Why?”
“Do you even know what I’m talking about when I say Olympia? Do you know anything about it?”
I just shook my head, widening his eyes further.
“Then where are you from?”
“From here, of course.” I swept out my hand. “New York.”
“You were born here?”
I nodded.
“What about your mother? Irida Vanda. Born here too?”
Another nod.
“And your father? You said he’s from Olympia. What’s his name?”
“Crisanto Vanda.” Hope lit in my chest. “Have you heard of him?”
Alexander tossed his head, extinguishing that hope like water dumped on a candle flame. “But that’s definitely an Olympian name and— Hold on. I may have heard the Vanda family name somewhere. Possibly when I was studying the noble lineages.”
My ears quirked up. “Did you say noble—?”
“But you,” he whispered, talking to himself. “Mundane mother. Olympian father. How can you be? There’s no question you’re one of us, but you’re out here.” Alexander once again looked around like he was standing in a trash heap instead of one of the most amazing cities in the world. “What are you doing out here? Why don’t you know who you are?”
“I know who I am,” I replied—mildly offended.
“Where’s your father?” Authority laced his voice. Alexander spoke like someone used to being obeyed, even though I was fairly sure we were the same age, or at least very close in age.
