Theseus shook his head. “That won’t work. Kekrops can tell when you're lying.”
“Shit!” Jason cursed. “I forgot. Maybe he isn’t here today? Callum said only nine of the council are here.”
Theseus snorted. “Unlikely, the old fool never misses a meeting.”
My head snapped to Theseus. He looked so certain. Was that what was going on with him? He knew the people on the council…was he once on it?
“What do we do?” I asked Theseus.
“Atalanta, you will have to answer all of their questions honestly. Everyone else, stay quiet. Only speak when spoken to.”
“Theseus,” Percy said and signed.
I believe that was the first time I had seen Percy sign Theseus’s name. A closed fist and a circle around the head. I had once heard that in deaf culture, a person’s signed name was wholly unique to them. I didn’t know if it was true or not, but I wondered what Theseus’s sign meant.
No, focus.
Theseus growled. "I know what I’m doing, Percival.”
“But if they find out, we’ll lose her.”
“We won’t lose her. Have faith.”
Percy breathed heavily through his nose, but shut up. I met eyes with Ajax, who simply shook his head. There was always tension between those two, just like Jason and Hip. At least they seemed to be getting along better. I hoped Percy and Theseus could one day work through their problems as well.
Moments later, the council entered through a door I hadn’t noticed before.
Nine people. Six men and two women strode in, their backs straight, looking regal and powerful. They were wearing half cloaks that went down at their waists. Black with purple trimming. Some of the few Mer I had seen wearing clothing in the city. They floated down to sit at the same level as Calder.
“This trial of the made Mer shall now commence.” An older looking gentleman with a long, gray beard said.
A woman, whose skin was dark with pink hair and a sapphire tail, smiled. “My name is Zala. Once a human, like yourself. I know all of this must feel extremely confusing, but we are simply here to help you transition well into our world. Please, tell us your story.”
I stayed silent. Staring up at the nine council members before us. They were watching me like a bug under a microscope. Theseus said to be honest with their questions, yet the first one they asked was one I was not willing to answer. Especially not to these strangers.
Rule #3: become the person given to you in the file. Believe you are that person, and no one will doubt you. And one of these men could magically tell if I was lying.
I pushed myself forward, away from the guys. My name is Atalanta North.
“My name is Atalanta North. Born in Michigan, recently moved to the town of Argos, Washington with my father and sister.” I paused, waiting to see if the man named Kekrops would call me out. “When I came to the town, I suspected something was up. The people there were too strange. I dug around until I figured it out.”
I stopped watching for their reaction, waiting for Kekrops to call me out.
“Anything else?”
I gave a mental sigh. “What else would you like to know?”
“The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate your worth and discuss your future. We can't determine that until we know all about you, Ms. North,” Calder said, the smirk on his face making me want to smack him.
I clenched my jaw, straining to keep my face neutral. “My worth is decided by only myself. My future is my own.”
A male with jet black tail and a scar running up his left cheek sneered. “A feisty one.”
“Aren’t they all?” One with spiked up white hair and a golden tail said, making all of the men chuckle.
I watched Zala and the other female Mer roll their eyes. Clearly, there was no lost love between the genders on the council.
“So,” a man, with deep red hair and silver tail, began. “You grew up in Michigan?”
I nodded. “For a time.”
“And what was your life like before you came to Argos?” The woman asked again.
“Moved around some, but otherwise what one would probably consider normal. Went to school, had a few part time jobs. Nothing too exciting.”
“And what of the danger?” The scarred man ask.
“Danger?”
“When I brought you here, I was under the impression your life was under threat by another human.” Calder said, looking smug.
I glared at him. “You misheard.”
“Lies.” A really young boy with fluffy blond hair and a silver tail said. He must be Kekrops. I had expected it to be the old man.
Shit.
“It’s a personal matter.”
“Regardless of your personal opinions, Ms. North, you will tell this council what we need to know.” The older one withe the beard said sternly.
I refused to speak anymore. They didn’t earn shit.
Calder sneered. “Ms. North, we can make you speak.”
I glared Calder down, daring him to use his powers on me. “And if I don’t speak? Will you deem me unworthy? What happens then?”
“We kill you.” The scarred one said.
“Fuck, no!” Hip shouted, and the rest of the guys surged forward from behind me.
The guards around the room shot into action, and in a split second had us all subdued. One guard wrapped his arms around my middle and squeezed.
BANG!
How does it feel, you little bitch?
Hold her still.
I was screaming. There was so much blood.
Make it stop!
“Let her go!”
Mom? No.
“She’s having flashbacks. You’re scaring her!”
“If she won’t answer our questions, she will be considered unworthy and must be disposed of!”
“I, Theseus Attica, former crown prince of the kingdom of Attica, deem her worthy! Now let her go!”
The arms around me let go immediately and I dropped, gasping for air.
“Atalanta.” Hands touched me and I jerked back.
I stared into pools of gray-blue. “Th-Theseus?”
“That’s right, pretty girl, it’s okay. Come back to us.”
“Breathe,” came Hip’s voice from my right.
Had Theseus just said prince? He was a prince? Oh, my God! it made so much sense! All the strangeness I had seen! The guards staring at him with almost a reverent look…and respect. Why he was so quiet and secretive since we had arrived.
Holy fuck, I was dating a prince.
“What was that?” Came one of the councilmen, drawing my attention back to them.
“Don’t be a fool, Tambor. The girl has clearly been through something, what do humans call it? PTRD?”
“PTSD.”
“Yes, right.”
Zala got up from her seat and came forward. “Dear girl, do not worry. If the prince has vouched for you, then no one here will do you harm.”
I nodded, hoping desperately that I could trust what she was saying. Zala radiated warmth and comfort. Theseus and Hip helped me up and kept me from free floating. I looked back over my shoulder. Ajax, Jason and Percy were okay. Disgruntled, but okay, thank God.
“His testament should be worth nothing to this council. He may hold royal blood, but he no longer holds a title.” Calder said, a couple of the other councilman murmuring in agreement.
“Regardless of the prince’s testimony, this trial is still underway. Councilwoman Zala, please come back to your seat.” The old man, who I had a feeling was the leader of the council, said.