screen, Helen saw a few incoming unlisted numbers and a single
outgoing call to someone named Daedalus before she had to shove
the phone back in the bag.
Ariadne appeared in the entryway to answer the door, and a moment
later Castor and Pallas appeared behind her. They were tense
382/395
and probably expecting either the police or a member of the Hundred
Cousins. After the briefest of pauses they nodded to Ariadne,
signaling that it was okay for her to open the door. When she did,
Daphne was standing on the doorstep.
?I call for a meeting between the House of Atreus and the House
of Thebes,? Daphne announced as she crossed her arms in an X
over her breast and tilted her upper body forward, giving the suggestion
of a bow.
Castor and Pallas looked at each other. Whatever hatred they carried
toward Daphne needed to be put down now, and they both
knew it. Pallas swallowed hard and finally nodded.
?You are welcome in this House and you have our hospitality,?
Castor offered formally as he bowed, stepped aside, and let Daphne
over the threshold as his sacred guest.
The official meeting between the Houses took place in the library,
with everyone arranged around Cassandra?s chair. Helen took her
place next to her mother on the couch, and tried not to look at Lucas
even though he was sitting directly opposite her.
?First of all, I would like to make amends for the violation of your
safety while you were a guest in my House,? Castor began humbly,
but Daphne cut him off before he finished his thought.
?Pandora was distraught. She and Ajax had a special bond, and
because of that I could never hold a grudge against her for trying to
avenge him, especially not now that she?s lost to us,? she said, waving