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She and Theo appeared together toward the edge of the circle She was lying on the f loor, tre and the color of chalk as a pool of blood spread around her, and I went nuone Theo’s hands were on either side of her head, and his brow furrowed as he stared into her eyes Even when the others gathered around him, he didn’t look away I pressed my face into Henry’s chest, unable to watch

"Did Calliope hurt you?" said Henry quietly so only I could hear him, and I nodded It wasn’t physical pain, but I understood nohat hehad disappeared with her and Cronus, but an ache reh me "I’m okay" Henry fell silent, and I consoledthe truth wouldn’the could do about it, not when Theo was busy with Ella, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way It didn’t matter what Calliope had done to me Whatever it was, I was alive and in one piece

"The council will reconvene in f ive minutes," said Walter "Theo, take Ella to her room and tend to her there I already know your decision"

Theo didn’t acknowledge hi the marble f loor stained scarlet Dead silence f illed the throne room until my mother rose, and with a wave of her hand, the blood vanished

If only it was that si face-f irst into the beginning of a brutal war

This time, Henry didn’t touch me

As Walter stood to address what remained of the council, I left my hand on the armrest of my throne in case he wanted to take it, but his remained at his side He’d barely looked atto led not to blurt out the whole truth of it There was nothing he could do to f ix it anyway, and as long as I still loved Henry, it didn’t ht Cronus," said Walter, and Henry averted his eyes from his brother "It will not be easy, and after what happened today, I will not order any of you to help If you do not feel ready or willing to risk yourselves for this cause, you may leave, and no one will think any less of you for it"

I was certain that with how close-knit the council was, no one would back down So when Dylan and Xander stood, I stared at theed the council with a nod, and Dylan led the way out of the throne roo battle, but I had never expected him or anyone else to abandon the rest of the council

Neither had the others, it see, only ten of us re around for the f ight If Henry insisted I couldn’t take part again, then the nuht

"Very well," said Walter "The trap we have constructed will last us until the next winter solstice, and it is my intention between now and then that--"

"Brother," said Henry "If I may"

"By all means," said Walter, and Henry stood stiff ly

"Sisters and brothers," he said, focusing on the pillars behind the pews instead of on the other ret to say that I have decided to withdraw from the war, as well"