Another update! We don't get a POV from Orion just yet. I was going to write part of this chapter from his POV, but this just worked better to me!
I'm editing this really late, so if I miss spelling/grammar mistakes, please bear with me.
Thank you for all your lovely reviews! You have no idea how much they are appreciated. I had a guest point out that it was kind of obvious who Cas was... but maybe not quite as obvious as you think. ;) Oh well, you'll be figuring it out yourselves in the next few chapters :)
-Apollo-
It had been one of the weirdest days in Apollo's life, and that was saying something. He walked to the window of the apartment, looking around at the city of New York as the sun hung in the midday sky. It was one of his favorite places he had ever lived in. He loved the speed of the city, the way Americans acted. It reminded him of Greece and Rome. The people had the same drive, the same demeanor of moving forward to greatness. They were so content here, and he couldn't help wonder how much longer it would last. All empires fell eventually.
The past twenty-four hours had proved how quickly the world could go to chaos.
After the principle walked in on him holding a feverish Cas, he called the paramedics, whisking Cas off the hospital. She pled with him to just take her home, but he wasn't having it. Apollo watched as the ambulance drove away, a sinking feeling in his gut.
He began to look for his sister, checking every place he knew she haunted. After he checked Olympus, the apartment, and with his half-siblings, he went to Orion's workplace. He found Orion with a mess of bandages and gauze on his hand. It was a little funny, the irony of the whole situation. A smile came to his face as he thought about it, but it quickly vanished. He discovered more information than he honestly wanted to know.
"What the hell happened?" Apollo asked. Orion held up a bag, and Apollo saw the perfectly cut off finger resting among the ice.
"SHE CUT OFF MY FINGER!" he screeched. He quickly explained what had happened, venom laced in his voice.
Apollo crossed his arms, leaning against the door in the vet's office. "If you didn't lie to her, then she wouldn't have cut it off, you know. Well, most likely she wouldn't have. My sister has quite the temper."
"Oh really? I've never noticed that!" he snapped sarcastically. "I'm not the only one that lied to her," he said with narrowed eyes. Apollo raised his eyebrows.
"I haven't lied to her for long, Orion. Athena told me recently. Why did you do it?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because I'm still deciding on whether or not to blast you into oblivion for upsetting my sister."
Orion took a deep breath, explaining everything that happened to him. Apollo could relate. Sometimes people thought lies were better than the truth. They were easier, saved pain. Apollo totally got it, and he might have done it as well if he was in Orion's shoes. The truth wasn't something Apollo was always at privilege to disclose. It made him think of someone else.
"It was either lie to her or never see her again," he finished. "I thought she could forgive me, that she would understand."
"Maybe she will, after she cools off. That is, if we can find her. Do you know where she went?"
Orion shook his head and looked down at the ground. They both stared out at the setting sun, and Apollo could feel his sibling's absence. He was due back on Olympus soon. Now, their father had been brought into it. There was going to be a big meeting, and Apollo was dreading meeting with the other gods. Orion cleared his throat, bringing Apollo out of his thoughts.
"Umm, I hate to ask this, but I'd really hate to go without my finger for the next six months, so could you maybe fix this?" He held up the ice bag, a pleading look on his face.
"Why should I help you?"
"Because I really do care about your sister, whether you believe me or not. I never wanted to hurt her," he explained. Apollo tilted his head, examining the bag in the boy's hand. He wanted to tell him to go the hospital; he wasn't a free healing service. Apollo knew that they wouldn't be able to attach the finger; it had been too long. A thought, a brush of intuition had plagued him since he had been with Cas, and he was putting things together.
"I'll put your finger back on, but you have to explain something to me."
"Okay?"
"Where did Cassia's scar on her shoulder come from?"
"You mean the one on her back? Um, I'm not sure. She's had it as long as I've ever known her. She hates it."
"Hates it?" Apollo questioned.
"Haven't you ever noticed? She won't show it. She never wears tank tops or anything like that. Even when we went swimming when we were little, she wore a shirt over her bathing suit. I've only seen it one time," he admitted.
"Do you remember what it looked like?"
"No not really." Apollo just nodded his head as he fished the finger out of the bag. "Why are you so interested in Cas? She's a good person, and she doesn't need to get pulled into this madness."
"Orion, shut up. I'm still considering incinerating you to ashes."
Apollo had put the boy's finger back on, and then sat in that infernal meeting until dawn. After a quick nap he was awake again. He couldn't sleep during the day, not with the sun up and all these thoughts plaguing his mind.
The meeting went better than expected. Luckily, they managed to keep their father out of the bulk of it. He and his half siblings had until the equinox to find Artemis and earn her forgiveness, or he would get involved. Thankfully, he had been distracted by Hera, who had found out about his latest fling with a gymnast on the USA Olympic team. Athena was already angry enough, and Aphrodite had calmly handled the situation. They would take over Artemis's duties, and Apollo was going to continue to endure his punishment while he headed the search for Artemis. He had gone to Actaeon before he crashed for a couple of hours, who explained his revelation. There was no hint as to where his sister had gone and that worried him.
He wondered if Cas knew.
Orion didn't want her brought into the madness, but it was too late for that. He had questions, and he deserved some answers. It was a Saturday, and he was going to find Cassia and see what she was hiding. His mind swirled with possibilities as to her little gift, but he didn't want to speculate. He had a bunch of possibilities in his mind, and he had a feeling that her scar or birthmark or whatever it was, had something to do with it.
Apollo finished his wine, tossing it back with a reckless abandon he hadn't practiced in many years. He closed his eyes, focusing in on Cassia's house. When he opened them he was in front of it, looking at it wonderingly. There were no vehicles in the driveway, and for a second he wondered if she was even home. Apollo knew she had made it home safe last night. After explaining that she was sick, Orion dashed home, checking on her. He'd asked him to let her know if she was okay, and he agreed after Apollo shot him a withering glare. He found the message when he arrived back from the meeting. Orion stated that she was okay, but she did look unwell. Apollo didn't want to out her to Orion, but if he was her best friend, why hadn't she told him?
Yet another question he was determined to figure out the answer to.
Apollo rang the doorbell, listening intently for any movement inside the house. After a few minutes, he rang it again and knocked on the door. He was beginning to think she wasn't home, but he heard someone coming down the stairs.
"Hi," he said as she opened the door. She still looked unwell. There were dark shadows under her eyes, and she was wearing an oversize sweater and leggings, her hair hanging down around her face in soft waves. She wasn't wearing any makeup, and she looked…younger, but just as fascinating. Cas gawked at him like he had sprouted two more arms and was solid green.
"What in Jup-the hell are you doing here?" she ground out through her teeth.
"Jup, huh? That's a weird thing to say. Almost sounded like Jupiter, as in the Roman God. Why haven't called me?"
"One, I don't have your number, and two, I decided to join the circus. I'm just here to pick up my stuff."
He stared at her. She was messing with him. She had the perfect poker face, but he wasn't ready to give up quite yet.
"Can I come in?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to."
"That's not a reason," he admonished her.
"Then why don't you tell me the reason why you are here? If it's a good one, maybe I'll let you in."
"I want to see your scar," he blurted. "And you owe me some answers."
She stared at him, a perfectly black look on her face. Apollo knew he had shocked her, but she was good at keeping that covered. If it was what he suspected it was, then he had more on his hands that his sister and her ex.
"You know, there are better ways to get a girl to take her clothes off. I heard you were an expert in that," she replied sarcastically as she tried to shut the door. He flung out his hand, and she sighed in exasperation. She didn't fear him at all. Apollo was not going to hurt her. He…gods…he liked her. He finally admitted it to himself. She was beautiful and brave, and she didn't take crap from anyone. She seemed out of time, like the Queens of old. He had to know. He couldn't stand not knowing the truth. It wasn't like anything would ever happen between them anyways. She wasn't that type of girl.
"I'm not leaving until I get some answers."
She raised her eyebrows, opening the door just enough so she could stick her head out. She leaned close, so close he could smell the jasmine on her skin. He let go of the door, surprised at their proximity. His breath caught in his throat. Her could see the flawlessness of her skin, the way her eyes were a swirl of violet and blue. He was mesmerized by their beauty. He hadn't felt this kind of pull from a mortal in ages, and he was trying so hard to ignore it. Her lips were by his ear, and he would feel the warmth of her breath hit him.
"Go. To. Tartarus."
She slammed the door in his face, and he heard her retreating steps up the stairs.
Apollo let out a loud groan. Fine. If she wanted to play this game, then he was all for it. Apollo vanished, reappearing in what must be her bedroom. He took a seat at her desk, sitting so he was facing her bedroom door. He could hear her on the other side.
The door opened, and he patiently waited for her to notice him. He knew it would only take a second, perceptive thing she was. She closed her door and leaned against it with closed eyes. Apollo felt bad for a moment. She seemed so tired and overwhelmed. He wanted to ease that burden, not make it heavier.
She opened her eyes, and narrowed them upon seeing him. She was mad, beyond angry. She took a deep breath, glaring in his direction.
"God or not, it's rude to barge into someone's home uninvited."
"Let me see it."
"No," she said crossing her arms over her chest.
"What's the big deal?"
"Why do you want to know so badly?" she retorted.
"You knew Artemis would leave, before it ever happened."
"I just had a feeling they wouldn't last. No one believed me anyways-"
"I did," he replied sincerely. "I've believed every word you have ever said to me, yet you keep using it as an excuse. I believe you."
She looked at him like she was seeing something that was utterly impossible. She shook her head, leaning against her bedpost.
"Well, if you believe me, then believe me when I say that one more day isn't going to matter. She's not coming back anytime soon," she sighed as she opened her bedroom door. "Can we do this tomorrow?"
"We can do it today. Starting with this: Do you know where Artemis went?"
"No, I don't. There're flashes and things, but I don't recognize the people or the terrain. If I do, I'll let you know, but any attempts to get to her will fail miserably. She doesn't want to be found right now."
"You think you know her better than I do?" he ground out furiously. "What exactly is your little gift? And how do I know you aren't lying to me?"
"I've never lied to you," she whispered tiredly. "Please, I swear on the Styx I'll tell you what I know, let's just do it tomorrow. I can't think, and things haven't settled. It's all changing too much."
"You've hidden things from me."
"I have a good reason for not telling you things. If you really believe me then prove it, and I might share some of them with you."
As aggravating as this mortal was, he found that he did believe her. Maybe that's what would soften her up: a little bit of trust. "Tomorrow then."
"My parents are out of town. Just come over whenever," Cas said as she opened her door. She narrowed her eyes, and then looked up at Apollo, a slight smile on her face. "But not at the crack of dawn please. Not all of us get up that early."
Apollo found himself smiling along with her. "How about nine, then?"
"Sounds good," she yawned. He walked out of her bedroom as she closed the door behind him. Maybe intimidation wouldn't work on this mortal. She seemed to be responding to kindness more than anything else. His charms certainly hadn't worked. Maybe he should do something nice to soften her up. Mortals liked coffee and food especially when they first woke up. He opened up her door once more.
"Cas, what would you-
Apollo froze. Cas had been in the process of taking her sweater off, leaving her in nothing but a tank top. Her scar, her mark, was visible. It stretched across her shoulders and upper back, harsh against the paleness of her skin. It looked like a burn, but it was perfectly healed, despite its reddish tint. It was a little blurry around the edges, but there was no mistaking what it was: a raven with an arrow in its beak. It was a perfect outline of the bird, seared into her flesh.
Cas turn around, quickly snatching her sweater back down. She looked mortified, mirroring how he felt inside.
It was his symbol, a symbol of prophecy. A symbol that showed up on people he had cursed.
"Apollo-"
"There are very few people who bear that mark," he murmured. It was hard for him to get his words out. His mouth felt like a desert. He hadn't cursed anyone in at least a millennium, yet here was a girl bearing his mark. And only one he had cursed bared a gift similar to hers. He had known this was a possibility, but he never imagined it to be true.
Others had come back, chose reincarnation, why not her? She would certainly seek revenge against him, would know who he was. She would know; she would see things and no one believed her, just like Cas.
Cas…Cassia….Cassandra. It made perfect sense.
Apollo moved before he had time to process the thought. Rage, white hot and consuming, clouded his mind and judgment. His bow and arrows appeared into his hands, one notched and ready to fly right into her heart. Cas had fallen back on her bed, utmost fear in her eyes. He stood above her, but the fear in her eyes made him hesitate. Cassandra didn't fear anything. She was a snotty, self-absorbed brat who deserved her curse. No one goes back on their word to a god and lives to tell about it. He had been merciful with her, spared her life, and this is how she repays him?
"You should know better to lie to me twice."
"What are you-
"I'm done with the games, Cassandra. You better tell me everything, right now, and I may just keep you out of the fields," he threatened. She shook her head, her eyes wide and frightened.
"I'm not Cassandra," she pleaded with him.
"That's my mark! The mark of those I cursed! If you are not Cassandra, then who the hell are you? Did you change your appearance so I wouldn't recognize you? I haven't cursed-"
"You didn't curse me-
"I beg to differ!"
"Not directly," she whispered. "You didn't curse me directly."
Apollo set the arrow against her chest, rage taking over him as he looked at the terrified girl in front of him. Cas was shaking from head to toe, but she never backed down from him.
"You have three seconds to explain and do not lie to me," he warned in an authoritative tone. She held up her hands, and she looked right into his eyes. She may have been scared, but her eyes were stern and insistently brave. She took a deep breath, her words coming out far more steady than he thought possible.
"I've never lied to you. I'm not her. Cassandra is my ancestor…or at least that's what I've been told."
DUM DUM DOOOOMMMMM. Do you hate me for leaving it there?
I hope you enjoyed it, and I'm already working on the next chapter! I won't leave you hanging for long...
Please leave a review to share your thoughts!
until next time! :D