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Maybe I ed to take him by surprise, or maybe he was simply aht o, and before anyone could say a word, I tore down the hallway and into the nursery

Milo lay in the cradle, crying softly, and I ached to finally touch him Hoas it possible that minutes before, we’d been connected? How had I ever allowed ht," I whispered, reaching for him He calmed, and this time when his blue eyeshappen to you"

The ers brushed his downy cheek, someone cleared their throat behind me, and I turned Calliope stood fraer to Henry’s throat

All of the air escapedto lose oddess who didn’t care who she hurt, so long as she got her way So long as she got to torture me

"Don’t hurt hie of the cradle Henry’s eyes were open, and he stared at me--no, not at me Beyondthat he would die with the knowledge he had a son That at least he would have this moment

"Please," spat Calliope, a h You know it isn’t, Kate Why bother?"

It didn’t h; I had to try I couldn’t live withthat mattered to me "You love him If you kill him, you’ll never have him You’ll lose"

She scoffed, but a hint of doubt flashed across her face "I’ll be the queen of the world I’ll never lose again"

"Being queen won’t make you happy" I studied the way she held Henry He could break her grip if she lowered the knife All we needed was that split second, and I could distract her long enough for Henry to take the baby and disappear "You’ll still be alone You’ll still be miserable"

Calliope’s eyes narrowed "Whatever it is you think you’re doing, it won’t work I don’t need him anymore"

"Then what do you want?"

"I already have exactly what I want" Behind her, Cronus loomed, somehow taller than he had been one now "First I’ to kill your le member of the council Once I’m done, when the world kneels at my feet, I will hold your son, and he will call ether, atch you die"

Henry roared and struggled against her, co She pressed the blade to his throat This wasn’t about winning anymore--she knew she hadh Without Henry, without my mother, without my son, I would welcome death