Contents
18. The Symposium
Overview
At the Dolomites Coliseum symposium, a shaken Alexis avoids Augustus and is confronted by Zeus, who criticizes her yet signals interest in recruiting her. As sirens ignite a hedonistic frenzy, Alexis unexpectedly converses with a siren, realizing her power is communicating with sentient creatures. Buoyed by this revelation, she regains agency amid chaos.
Summary
Alexis arrives at the Dolomites Coliseum drained from Augustus’s earlier mental assault and hides in a shadowed booth, avoiding him and the other initiates. The room is an upscale lounge of heirs and mutts. While Augustus socializes with mentors Patro and Achilles, Alexis eats in isolation, trying to steady herself.
Theros presents Alexis to Zeus, the only House leader present. Zeus questions her stutter, build, and manners, backhandedly praising her scores and notoriety and hinting at a place in the House of Zeus. He departs with a cryptic quip, leaving Alexis feeling judged and inadequate. Nyx comforts her.
The lights drop to crimson and sirens emerge, mesmerizing the room. Enchantment devolves into an explicit frenzy involving Spartans and sirens, while Patro and Achilles ignore the sirens in favor of each other. Alexis averts her eyes, trading sardonic commentary with Nyx and noting a mysterious, unresponsive pianist who resists seduction.
A female siren confronts Alexis, shocked that Alexis understands her speech. Nyx points out the implication: Alexis can communicate with sentient creatures. Alexis tests the realization, accepts it with rising joy, and reframes herself as no longer powerless despite her trauma. The scene ends with Alexis agreeing to play a game with the siren as the pianist falters on a note.
Who Appears
- AlexisExhausted from Augustus’s mind attack; hides at the symposium; meets Zeus; discovers she can speak to sentient creatures.
- ZeusHouse leader; critiques Alexis’s speech and manners; praises her scores; hints at recruiting her.
- NyxInvisible serpent companion; comforts Alexis; identifies Alexis’s true power; supplies sardonic commentary.
- TherosDrex’s mentor and Zeus heir; presents Alexis to Zeus; watches jealously at Zeus’s interest.
- PatroMentor; ignores sirens, focuses on Achilles; mocks and teases Alexis from afar.
- AchillesMentor; paired with Patro; shares a private moment, indifferent to sirens.
- AugustusLeads initiates to symposium, armed under his suit; later disappears from view.
- DrexShows concern for Alexis en route; joins other initiates at a nearby table.
- Female SirenPerformer who realizes Alexis understands her; cries with relief; initiates friendly contact.
- PianistHidden musician whose playing captivates the room; resists all seduction attempts; misses a key at the end.
- TitusInitiate present at the symposium; receives attention from sirens with other boys.
- LeoInitiate at the event; part of the initiates amid the sirens’ advances.
- AlessanderInitiate present during the siren-fueled chaos with the other boys.
- CassiusStoic initiate whose mood lifts en route; present during the symposium spectacle.