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“Nemesis doesn’t help anyone, Hera.” Erato’s voice was quiet. “Did you promise her a favor? Because that’s—”
“Stupid. That would be stupid. She is dangerous. And she is—”
“Demeter.” Aphrodite laid a quelling hand on Demeter’s forearm. “Before we go accusing Vengeance of evilry… Which is not here or there at this point—”
“That is exactly the point, Dite. She has ravaged nations for less than a favor. She has decimated countries and continents. The disasters she has incited. The murder. The waste she has laid…”
Demeter stood up and reached for Hera’s hand.
“You think you can control her, sister. But you cannot. She might be fun for a flirtation or a one-night stand, but don’t become indebted to her. You’ll lose your soul.”
Erato whimpered then coughed. Then bit her lip. Then let it go before visibly chewing on the inside of her cheek.
“Seeing the entire thought process on your face is mildly fascinating, Muse.” Hera shook off Demeter’s touch.
Erato grimaced.
“I mean, she is Revenge. But also, she is super hot. And you are… well, you? So, it might not be such a bad idea?”
Suddenly, there was total silence in the office. Aphrodite’s eyes narrowed in what appeared to be deep consideration of all the possibilities. Hera’s chest tightened, but she had had enough.
“How about this? And I would like you to listen to me very carefully when I say this. Because it is extremely important to me that you do.” Hera whispered. The three women leaned closer. “Get out of my office and stop interfering in my life!”
The scramble that followed was a sight to behold. Hera laughed for a long time as she sat all alone in her space, not looking at the card smeared in red ink on her desk.
6
WHERE THE PLAN SLOWLY MOVES FORWARD (AND A MUSE LANDS FACE-FIRST IN THE EMPRESSES’S LAP… OF COURSE, IT’S ERATO…)
Hera watched Nemesis observe the crowds milling about on the street beneath them and wondered what this woman did on the daily. Surely there had to be something mundane, beside—
“I build Lego sets. I am running out of space for them, but I picked it up as a hobby, and now I am stuck with it. It’s surprisingly addictive.”
“I didn’t mean to ask.” Hera wanted to know when she’d become so careless with her thoughts.
“Sure you did. Your question was all over your face. I fascinate you.” Nemesis smirked and popped a baby carrot from the tray in front of them into her smiling mouth. Hera looked away. She’d better not order any ice cream, otherwise she’d have difficulty controlling—
“Say, would some dulce de leche ice cream be something you keep around the house?” Nemesis’s smug grin grew wider. A bear appeared in the living room with another tray. Hera sighed.
“Why are you here, Nemesis?”
Hera sat down. Nemesis did not.
“Just dropping by. On my way to other places.”
“What places would those be?” Hera looked into Nemesis’s eyes and smiled as they dilated slightly. Two could play this game.
“Zeus is holding a few meetings in town. I thought I might find some of them interesting.”
Hera sat up.
“Those are shareholders’ meetings. Then the Board. Then the Executive level.”
Nemesis picked up the ice cream bowl and the silver spoon. Hera braced herself. The red lips tipped at the corners.
“I know. I am on the Board.”
Hera gasped.
