Contents
20. The Pianist
Overview
From his piano bench at the symposium, Kharon obsessively watches Alexis flirt and play with sirens, barely restraining violent jealousy. When Augustus stops Alexis and rouses her desire, Kharon’s fixation deepens and he relishes their chemistry. Concluding events are moving faster than planned, he resolves to accelerate his scheme and ensnare her.
Summary
Earlier at the symposium, Kharon plays piano while fixating on Alexis, who laughs with the sirens. He struggles to maintain control as a male siren grows bold near her and as Spartans and sirens try to seduce him. He rejects them, focusing on his objective and the music to steady himself.
Kharon studies the room and Alexis’s effect on it, aroused by her disheveled, battle-marked appearance. His jealousy peaks when she teases at undressing, and he moves to intervene, prepared for violence if the sirens see more of her.
Mid-stride, Kharon stops as Augustus seizes Alexis by the neck, halting her and igniting mutual heat. Watching their charged interaction, Kharon recalls their history of sharing partners and recognizes unprecedented intensity centered on Alexis.
Driven by lust and possessiveness, Kharon dismisses a male siren who touches him and steadies himself with ambrosia. Accepting that events are advancing quicker than he expected, he decides to accelerate his timeline and proceed with ensnaring his chosen prey: Alexis.
Who Appears
- KharonPianist at the symposium; obsessively watches Alexis, battles jealousy, and resolves to accelerate his plans to ensnare her.
- AlexisAt the sirens’ table; her teasing and response to Augustus intensify Kharon’s fixation.
- AugustusIntervenes by gripping Alexis’s neck; his chemistry with her pushes Kharon to hasten his scheme.
- Hell and HoundKharon’s beasts at his feet, reacting as admirers crawl to him during his performance.
- Male sirenFlirts with Alexis and later presses on Kharon, provoking Kharon’s jealousy and disgust.