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Our group made for the classroom at the end of the hall, two doors away from the reflection room. I followed my friends inside a dim, gas-lantern-lit room and confirmed beyond all doubt—the goddesses of fate hated me more than any being in all five dominions.
Sirena sat front row before the instructor. By her side was Alexander. I avoided her self-satisfied grin as she nuzzled his ear and slid past the back of Alexander’s head.
Didn’t look like our instructor had arrived yet. In the meantime, we were free to spread out and grab seats in the coolest classroom I’d ever been in.
High, sloped ceilings depicted a famed battle scene between its rafters. The round tables were ornate, sturdy creations that easily seated four people. Gray stone walls peeked through the space of the twelve-foot-tall bookshelves, and just like in movies, there was a moving rail ladder to go with it.
Like the mess hall, I noticed at once there was a clear difference between where Alex and Sirena were sitting and the seats Theron, Ionna, Nitsa, and Tycho were heading toward.
Theirs were cushioned thrones placed before proper desks with drawers and a hook to hang their bags. We got simple wood tables to go with simple wooden chairs.
The room was set up with a big split down the middle. Sisypheans on one side, Titans on the other.
Bang!
Jason, Dimitri, Castor, and Sebastian Barba blew into the classroom.
Wonder if he’ll reveal those supposed magnificent powers today? Although, talking to ghosts sounds pretty magnificent to me.
Sebastian glanced up and locked eyes with me as the thought floated out of my head. Icy-blue pools trapped me, holding me still in the middle of the aisle. No, it wasn’t him that held me still. It was me. I didn’t want to look away.
It wasn’t that he was beautiful—because, gods above, was he. It was the swirling mystery behind those eyes. Sebastian gazed at me like he knew more about me than I did, and wouldn’t I give anything to know how?
A head blocked my vision.
“Move.” Sebastian shoved the guy out of the way, nearly making him face-plant across the desk.
He got up and was struck twice.
“Quicker,” Castor drawled, shoving him again and sending him flying the rest of the way.
Vasileios, the kid who could make wheat grow from stone, rolled off the desk and scurried away. The look on his face was so much like the one I knew was on mine when I ran from the mess hall.
The fluttering butterflies in my stomach caught fire and died a terrible death. Sebastian and his crew weren’t beautiful. They looked like every other hideous bully to me.
“All right, ladies, gentlemen, and demigods. Now is your chance before the captain arrives,” Sebastian said. “We’re open for business.
“Hellstones for your enemies. Paradise flowers for all your party and sexual needs. Lethe water for that morning-after regret. As for me...” Sebastian trapped my gaze. “When we’re snuggled up in a quiet, cozy corner, I’ll tell you exactly what I’ll do for you.”
Giggles sounded all around me. I rolled my eyes so hard I hurt myself.
Girls and guys were out of their seats and rushing them—shouting over each other for their prizes.
“Let’s go.” Nitsa grabbed my arm and took off running for Jason.
“Why do I have to come too!”
Jason spotted her running up with me hostage. He broke into a smile. “Nitsa. Hey, darling.”
“What? Me? You know who I am?”
“Course I do. I make it my business to know all the beautiful women around me.”
Nitsa was not rolling her eyes with me. The girl looked like she might faint from the blood rushing to her cheeks.
“Um, how much for a paradise flower?” she asked.
“Twenty gold drachmas.”
