Contents
Chapter 18: The Price of Power
Overview
After a brutal run, Kharon and Augustus corner Alexis with a “gift,” but she refuses and short-leaps to safety, asserting boundaries. In hiding, she fails to control her blood magic while Ceres’ notes suggest a plot linking Zeus, Vyco, and Hercules. Comforted by Poco and briefly free of nightmares, Alexis is awakened by Patro seeking a private talk.
Summary
Exhausted from a sixteen-hour rain run led by Augustus, Alexis limps into the villa and is intercepted by Kharon and Augustus, who attempt to present a “gift.” She refuses, holding her ground despite their approach, then escapes by short-leaping to Helen’s room, locking them out as they alternately scold and attempt clumsy apologies through the door.
Hiding in the bathroom, Alexis tries to harness her blood magic—recalling Hades’s encouragement—but nothing answers. To calm herself, she plays an old alliteration game with Nyx, even roping in the hellhounds. The moment underscores her lack of control over powers others in the Assembly wield at will.
Later, Alexis checks on Ceres, who sleeps amid Spartan texts. Ceres murmurs progress in recovering memories; Alexis finds notes reading “Zeus + Vyco. Hercules? Assassination?” scrawled beside cryptic symbols, implying a dangerous link between Alexis’s past and a broader conspiracy. Uneasy, Alexis retreats to Helen’s room, noting Charlie’s thriving bond with Helen.
As Alexis tries to sleep, a grim, reaper-like presence promises to return, but Poco crawls into bed and soothes her into the first peaceful rest in weeks. Hours later, gentle knocking wakes her: Patro whispers through the door that they need to talk, setting up a tense, private conversation to come.
Who Appears
- AlexisProtagonist; refuses a coerced “gift,” short-leaps to safety, fails blood magic attempt, notes Ceres’s ominous clues, finds brief peace with Poco.
- KharonHusband and Death; corners Alexis with Augustus, issues brittle apology, displays possessive concern and veiled threats.
- AugustusHusband and trainer; leads punishing run, joins Kharon to offer a gift, shows concern and attempts sincere apology.
- NyxSnake familiar; offers snarky counsel, prompts calming alliteration game, fixates on hellhounds.
- CeresAmnesiac ally; sleeping among texts, notes link Zeus, Vyco, and Hercules to an assassination.
- PocoSmall companion; comforts Alexis in bed, enabling her first nightmare-free sleep in weeks.
- PatroHusband; arrives late at night, asking to talk, signaling impending personal conversation.
- AchillesHusband; silently watches Alexis, the only one to notice her slip away.
- Hell and HoundHellhounds; follow Alexis, join the alliteration game with limited wit but eager loyalty.
- Fluffy Jr.Large guardian creature; accompanies Alexis and naps protectively near Charlie.
- HelenHost and tutor; asleep in her room where Alexis seeks refuge; bonding with Charlie.
- CharlieRecovering boy; healthier and happier, closely bonded with Helen, sleeps peacefully.