“Poseidon clan.”
I clapped hard and cheered as he moved down to the arena. He beamed as he took his spot in the circle.
Other friends were called.
Mia went to Hera clan. Rosie joined Artemis, and Diego ended up with Dionysus.
Revana landed in Aphrodite’s clan, which didn’t surprise me in the least, as she was as deceptive and mean as the Goddess herself. Isobel, I heard, didn’t make it through the trials, and she’d already been evacuated out of the academy.
“Georgina Stewart.”
I grabbed her hand. “I love you, Gina. You’re going to be amazing.”
“I know.” She smiled.
“Demeter clan.”
She stood and took her place. I was so proud of her. She deserved her place in the pantheon.
More people were called, and then my heart leapt into my throat.
“Lucian Perro.”
He stood. His gaze captured mine, and I couldn’t look away from him. He was beautiful in his white robes and golden waves.
“Zeus clan.”
His eyes widened. He was obviously surprised at his placing. He’d told me before that he’d expected to be in Ares’s clan. Everyone cheered as he walked down into the arena and took his place next to the father of all Gods. He looked good there.
More people were called. One by one, they moved down into the circle. And then I was alone in the stands. Nerves zipped through me, and I didn’t know what to do. I supposed someone had to be called last, and that someone was me.
“Melany Richmond.” Zeus’s voice boomed all around me. “Never in the history of this academy has one recruit ever passed all twelve trials.”
That caused a ripple through everyone. Some of the Gods looked at each other, obviously not knowing that was the case.
“I am at a loss on exactly where to place you, where your skills will be most valued and nurtured.”
Aphrodite spoke up. “That’s not possible, Zeus. She must have cheated somewhere.”
“Oh, shut up,” Demeter said to the Goddess. “You always think someone is cheating because that’s how you work.”
As the Gods squawked and squabbled amongst themselves and my peers whispered about me, I stood and watched it all, unsure of what it all meant. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the shadows along the stadium move. Wisps of darkness curled and snaked along the floor, then wound up the few steps to the platform. The black tendrils swirled around Hera then Artemis and Apollo. They whipped around, confusion on their faces.
Finally, the wisps swirled in the middle of the platform, making a dark tornado. Zeus took a step back, his eyes narrowing. Then the tornado just froze, the shadows evaporated, and Hades stood there, looking cool and hip in his purple suit and slicked-back, dark hair.
His appearance caused a stir, and every God gasped in shock.
Zeus pointed a finger at him. “You can’t be here. It’s impossible.”
Smiling, Hades gave a deep bow. “It is possible, brother.”
“What are you doing here? How dare you come.”
Hades turned his head toward me and grinned. A shiver rushed down my back.
“I’m claiming her for my own.”