words spilling out uncensored. ?My dad says she must have been
planning to leave for a long time because by the time he figured out
she had left us, all the pictures were gone. Every single one. Even
pictures he thought she had no idea he?d taken.?
Helen stood up suddenly and started pacing around aimlessly.
She walked to the far end of the library, looking at all the books
that the Delos family had collected together, all of the antique furniture
they probably handed down, generation to generation. It
was a family legacy Helen had been denied, and she felt a sense of
loss not knowing where her mother was, or where she?d come
from. But she also sensed a possibility in that ignorance.
?Your family is tight, I can see that. You always know where
everyone is. But my mother did something drastic, right? She ran
away.? Helen struggled with the right way to phrase her thought,
and decided the best thing would be to ask a question. ?Why were
you so sure that the House of Thebes was the only House left? How
could you possibly know that??
?We keep very close watch over our numbers, Helen,? Cassandra
said.
?Yeah, but how can you know for sure??
?It?s barbaric,? Castor said, shaking his head. When Helen gestured
for him to continue he did. ?When one demigod kills another
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from a rival House there is a traditional celebration for the champion
called a Triumph. It?s considered a great honor.?
?But that doesn?t mean my mother is dead. Maybe she?s just
missing! You don?t even know who she is!? Helen said. The tears
tipped over the edge of her eyelids and splashed down on her shirt.
?The fact that you exist proves that anything is possible,? Cassandra
said. But she wasn?t able to look Helen in the eye.