I instructed Phobos and his former followers to eat and Hebe and Leto set about cooking a large breakfast for them. They all took the time to shower and change into more suitable attire since the only clothing they owned was what they wore the night we besieged Phobos’s house.

Because Memory witnessed all the oaths Phobos and Company made, I knew they were real and true and unbreakable, binding us all together unto death. I hope none of us would have to face that eventuality.

I went into my daytime refuge or more specifically, my office. It was one of the smallest rooms in the penthouse and one of the coziest. It sported a small sofa and two comfortable chairs and a small writing desk with a desk chair. The white carpet on the floor eased the stark feeling of the marble tiles underneath. The sofa was covered in a bright floral fabric and the chairs complemented it. I leaned on the arm of the sofa while I waited for Hermes.

The pretty pig came into the room. He executed a piggy version of a bow and then asked what my pleasure was.

“Hermes, do you want to remain in this form?”

He thought for long minutes before saying, “I have given this much thought. For a time it was novel and unique to experience life as another creature, but I think I am ready to go back.”

I nodded and watched him while shoring up my nerves before attempting what I was unable to accomplish previously. To describe what I actually did is not really possible because it was done on a metaphysical level. I poured gentle energy into Hermes and he slowly changed into his accustomed form. His white-blonde hair floated around his head again and he had a trace of a fuzzy beard on his chin. His youthful body had not suffered from being in a pig’s form for several weeks. He was naked and his lines were perfect.

“Welcome back,” I said to him.

“Thank you. Very nicely done,” he said to me. “When Circe changed me, it hurt a lot. I think I was anticipating that, again, so I was reluctant.”

I nodded and smiled at him.

Hermes said, “If you can unweave Circe’s magic so easily, then you have nothing to worry about when we go to Helios.” My brother reached a hand to my cheek and gave me a small caress. With his thumb, he wiped away a tear I didn’t realize I shed. “A heart like warm custard.”

“And I am in danger of contaminating everyone else,” I said, quoting him.

“Grave danger, indeed.” He grinned, albeit a sad grin.

“Hermes, are you sorry to be away from Zeus?”

He shook his head. “I knew what Zeus planned years ago. He was simply waiting for you to be ready. He told me about 200 years ago that I would move to your side when the time was right. Athena, I want to be here with you. I gave you my oath out of love. I was not coerced, nor was I following any orders from Zeus. What a great leader you will be if you maintain your affection for your charges.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I sometimes feel I don’t deserve this adoration I am receiving,” I confessed.

“You better than anyone else in my opinion. Now, my queen, may I go put on some clothes?”

In spite of everything, I giggled. “I now understand part of the freedom you had as a pig.” He grinned and I said, “Please, go.”

Within two minutes, Ares entered my office as I knew he would. We were planning a campaign and my general would report all was in readiness. “Was it the addition of thirteen followers that gave you the strength to change Hermes back into a bipedal creature?”

“Not at all. Hermes was finally ready to be changed. He simply took the time to explore what being in another form was like, plus he thought the change back to human form would hurt a lot. However, he wanted to be normal when we went for Eli.”

“Was it difficult?”

“No. It was as simple as most things I do on a regular basis.”

I saw Ares’ deep frown. “Undoing Circe’s magic was easy for you?” I could hear the incredulity in his voice.

“As easy as unraveling a knitted sweater.” I took a deep breath and continued. “Ares, I have held myself back, not even trying to explore how great my abilities are. We will all likely have a few surprises in the coming days.” I sat in my desk chair and stretched my legs out in front of me. “Think about Dad. He rarely used his abilities. He didn’t have to because we all remember the things he did to preserve his kingdom. When he did use his abilities, he punished wrongdoers, he championed victims. He was a wise and just king who saw to it laws were made and followed. I only hope I can be half as good as he is.”

“You have already shown many of those same traits. You will have ample opportunities to demonstrate your power in the near future, I suspect.” Ares walked toward the door and said, “I think we will be ready soon.”

He stepped out of the room and through the open door I saw him motion to someone.

Bia and Nike came into my office with my battle dress. Just as I did before the fight at Phobos’s house, I donned the now-cleaned brown leather tank top and miniskirt. Nike helped me to put on my breastplates that had been lined with Kevlar, as well as the greaves and bracers. I pulled on brown leather ankle-high boots with low heels over thick gray socks. Nike helped me strap on the scabbard for the short sword I wore between my shoulder blades and a holster with a Glock 19 that Ares obtained for me.

The handgun had a magazine that held 33 rounds, but what I liked the most about it was it was small enough to fit my hand well. Ares even had the grip specially modified. That is what I loved about him. He anticipated what I needed before I knew I needed it.

Bia braided my hair into a tight rope and then secured the braid to the top of my head in a coil. I left my helmet on top of the desk and the spear leaning against the wall beside the door.

The two goddesses were dressed much the same as me, both ready to defend me to the death. We three walked to the elevator and took it down to the conference room. We looked incongruous in the modern room like we were all ready for a masquerade ball or maybe ComicCon.

I gestured toward Ares and he said, “We don’t know exactly what we will find when we get to Florida. Our objective is to rescue Helios from Circe. She has some wards that will have to be breached, so that will be first on the agenda. Hermes will transport us and Athena will address the wards. We are splitting into three groups of ten. Athena, Titan, and I will each lead a group.” He spent a few minutes splitting us up. I got Nike, Bia, Bill, Hermes, Hercules, Dion, Jason, Boreas, and Memory. I approved of Ares’s choices.

Then, I said, “Hermes, take us to Florida.”