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"Very well," said Calliope, but despite the fact that she was getting everything she’d ever wanted, there was an edge in her voice, a hardness I didn’t understand She should’ve been celebrating I was broken I had nothing, and she had it all now "I swear on the River Styx that I will not har as you stay with me"

"So be it" There was soft thunder in Henry’s voice, and my vision blurred There had to be a way out of this--this couldn’t be what Henry had intended He wouldn’t leaveto leave hi her eyes from Henry, she said to Ava, "Do it"

"But--" said Ava, her earlier courage failing

"Do it"

Do what?

It didn’t take long for rew until it touched Henry, and like lightning, it hit Calliope Instead of crying out, however, her s s "Now let Kate and the baby go"

"You heard Father," said Calliope "The baby stays with Henry But if you insist, I will give hi" She stepped toward him, and my heart pounded "Who do you want to stay with? Me or Kate?"

Was this some kind of joke? Of course Henry wanted to stay with me, especially e could all be a fah, and my eyes widened He set his hand on her cheek in the familiar way he always touched me, and then--

His eyes fluttered shut, and he leaned down to kiss her

What had Ava done?

Stupid question I knew exactly what she’d done And no matter what her reasons were, noover her head, noson, I would never, ever forgive her forHenry fall in love with Calliope

Cronusno room for rationality, and I clawed at his hands, desperate for hio I couldn’t leave, not now Not whenaway from Henry, Calliope eyed al voice that would have had Cronus s her two minutes earlier

"And why is that?" said Cronus