Athena glanced at Hermes, who stared back, following the conversation with interest.
“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” she said. Hermes didn’t need to be thinking about their fallen family right before he fought the surviving members. He didn’t need to be thinking about what would happen if he died. If he went into battle afraid of the void, he’d get himself killed for sure.
They pulled the cars off the road, into a quiet turnaround just short of the state park. Athena was out first, and she saw the others get out of the Mustang. Andie hugged herself tight, feigning cold to cover her shaking. Henry popped the trunk.
“No,” Athena said. “Leave that one packed. In case something happens to the other supplies. The Mustang will make for a better escape pod than this would.” She drummed her fist against the hood of the Dodge and accidentally dented it. Odysseus eyed the dent.
“I thought you said we were going to win,” he said quietly.
“Pack up,” she said, and gestured up the hiking path. She looked at Andie. “How far up the trail?”
Andie shrugged.
“Half a mile? It’s just across a stream.”
“Okay.”
They walked single file, the only way the narrow path would allow. Hermes led, and Athena brought up the rear. The spring melt turned the dirt to mud and loosened the rocks.
“Hermes,” she said, “keep it slow. We don’t need anyone turning an ankle.”
As they crossed the creek, the cave became visible, not much more than a five-by-five black spot in the dirt and stone of the hill.
“Is that it?” Athena asked.
“Yeah,” said Andie. “It looks weird, without the leaves and grass. I’ve never seen it like this before.”
“Just wait until we get inside,” Hermes said.
“It’ll be fine,” said Athena. No need to frighten them any more, right from the get-go. “Stop outside the mouth. Let’s arm up.”
They did it quietly, helping each other secure knives against their sides and legs, sliding blades down into boots. Achilles put his favorite sword across his back. Odysseus opted for a crossbow, but strapped a sword on, too, when Athena threw it at him. Henry and Andie took up the only two spears they’d been able to fit in the cars, and a matching set of shields. Calypso chose long-bladed knives. Athena, Hermes, and Cassandra were unarmed.
“Cassandra,” said Athena, “maybe you should take a shield.”
Cassandra smirked.
“You are my shield.”
Achilles moved to stand beside her. “She’s your shield, and I’m your sword.”
Odysseus gathered the rest of their supplies and stowed them behind some bare shrubs. It wasn’t exactly the best cover, but no one was likely to come along, anyway. The park didn’t open to hikers for another month.
“Ready?” Athena looked at Odysseus, and at Hermes. They nodded. “Okay. We switch leads in the cave. Hermes is in the back. I’m out front, with Achilles and Cassandra. Then Odysseus and Calypso. Andie and Henry, keep to the middle, and don’t leave Hermes. Understand?”
“Don’t leave him?” Henry asked. “What if he leaves us? It’s not like we can keep up.”
“I won’t leave you. I promise.” Hermes smiled. “And if I do, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Athena turned her back on them. Now wasn’t the time for her to comfort mortals. She was mortal. And inside the cave, she would take her godhood back.
She filled her lungs with cold air and felt it rush into her blood. Her heart pumped. Her muscles wound tight.
I am the goddess of battle.
*