?Helen of Troy was in the House of At
reus,? Lucas said as he
slumped down into a straight-backed chair that decorated the
entryway. ?So Pallas was right. You are Daphne Atreus.?
?I suppose Pallas had to be right about something eventually,?
Daphne snapped before she stopped herself and softened her tone.
?I know he?s your uncle, but we have a complicated history. Your
father was different. He was very kind to me, or at least he tried to
be. The Furies make kindness a very relative term.?
?The Furies,? Lucas said as an idea struck him. ?Why don?t I see
the Furies when I?m around you??
?For the same reason your family doesn?t see them around Helen
anymore. You two risked your lives to save each other, and that released
you from your blood debt. A long time ago I went through
something similar with another member of the House of Thebes.
But I don?t have time to explain the whole story to you,? Daphne
said not unkindly. ?Helen and I have to get off this island, and we
have to do it now.?
?No,? Lucas said, looking at Helen. ?Come back with me, both of
you. My family . . .?
?Your family wants me dead,? Daphne replied coldly. ?And Creon
is here to hunt Helen down. I have to get her off this island, and if
you love her the way I know you do, you?ll help me do it.?
?I can protect Helen from Creon,? Lucas said defiantly, still waiting
for Helen to look at him, but she wouldn?t.
?How? Are you ready to become a kin-killer? An Outcast??
Daphne asked harshly.
Lucas snapped his head around to look at Daphne, responding to
a phrase that he had been raised to abhor. For a moment he hated
her, but only because she was right.