Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

and pain, and Helen knew the Furies had possessed him. Still far

away, Hector bounded across the wet sand, his eyes locked on

Creon, as Creon turned and stared at Daphne. Creon clutched the

bloody knife he held in his hand and advanced with murderous

purpose toward Daphne.

?Get back!? Helen yelled at Creon as she thumped down into the

sand next to her chained mother.

Helen?s hands glowed icy blue with the light of a gathering bolt.

Knowing he was outnumbered and outgunned, Creon immediately

turned and ran inland. Just seconds away from reaching his target,

Hector snarled and changed direction, chasing after Creon.

?Hector, wait! Don?t go after him alone!? Helen called after him,

unable to leave her bound and wounded mother behind. But Hector

didn?t listen to her. Helen saw the two of them sprint away, so

similar in looks they could be twins, and for all the world, it looked

to her like Hector was chasing a shadowy version of himself.

Helen turned back to Daphne and ripped the chains off the

shackles with her bare hands.

?What did you do, Mother?? she asked through gritted teeth.

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?Not this!? Daphne said breathlessly as she gestured to Pandora?s

body.

?I saw you in Pandora?s shape from the air!? Helen yelled, raking

her hands through her hair and starting to pace with frustration.

?I did that to confuse Creon?I had no idea he would kill her!?

?And you didn?t use the cestus to influence him?? Helen asked

skeptically.

?I never influenced him to kill!? Daphne asserted vehemently as

she got up off her knees and faced Helen. ?I was just trying to buy

some time, stall for as long as I could. I never thought he?d do