Goddess (Starcrossed)

enviously like he would give anything to fight in the Colosseum, but the haunted look on Orion’s face kept him from voicing that desire. “When I killed Corvus, Phaon lost his only ally—the man who’d raised him like a son. Phaon’d put a knife in my back as soon as look at me. I’ll never stand with him.”
    “Well. That’s something to consider,” Lucas said quietly, and a heavy silence followed.
    Helen could see Hector’s heart swell for his friend. Out of all of them, Hector could relate to Orion the most. It was strange for Helen to think about, but both of them were killers. A bright flash from Cassandra’s direction caught Helen’s eye. The silvery orb that hung in her chest rippled like moonlight reflecting off a dark pond.
    “And you’re not to go anywhere near Phaon,” Orion said suddenly, following Helen’s eyes and pointing at Cassandra. His tone was uncharacteristically rough. “If he tries to get you alone, you come straight to me. Understand?”
    Cassandra nodded cautiously, puzzled by his angry look.
    “Why?” Lucas asked.
    Orion’s lips twisted into a bitter scowl, like there was a vile taste in his mouth. He shook his head, like he was shaking off Lucas’s question.
    “Why?” Lucas repeated, undeterred.
    “He’s a monster.” Orion looked away, his volume dropping. “He only goes for little girls.”
    Cassandra looked away and frowned, the light inside her chest dimming. “I’m not a little girl,” she said quietly, but no one responded.
    “Are you sure about that?” Hector asked Orion seriously.
    Orion nodded. “My father’s little sister.” He didn’t elaborate. “Trust me, Cassandra’s his type . Some family I got, huh?”
    “They’re not your family,” Lucas said sharply. He tipped his chin at Helen and Hector and Cassandra, including everyone before looking back at Orion levelly. “We’re your family. You stand with us.”
    “We are blood brothers,” Helen said, reminding him.
    “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be watching for a knife in the back, too,” Hector said, his face falling. “Tantalus will be there. Who knows what he’ll do when he sees me?” He looked over at Lucas, and the two of them shared a sad smile. “Some family we got, huh?”
    “I think the five of us have to stand together no matter what,” Helen said before Hector could get any more upset. She bit her lip, finding a snag. “Except Cassandra is supposed to be neutral, right? She’s the Oracle and she outranks us all, so she’ll be the only one seated.”
    “Right,” Hector said with a quick nod. “When the Houses meet, she is considered above all bloodlines and sits alone.”
    Helen looked over at Cassandra, so tiny in that big chair. She was always alone.
    “Are you guys okay with this?” Helen asked sheepishly.
    “It’s never worked like that before,” Hector said slowly. A moment later he looked around smiling, his decision made. “If we stand together it’ll be like we’re our own House—the Scion Heirs or something. I’m willing to do it, but I think our parents will be pissed.”
    “So what?” Lucas said, his eyes gleaming dangerously. “We’re not doing things the way they did them. I say we stand together.”
    “I agree,” Orion said with a definite nod. “But only if Helen’s our leader.”
    Helen burst our laughing. “Are you serious?” She looked around, and saw that everyone was nodding in agreement. “Wait. Back up. I can’t be the leader.”
    “Yes you can,” Hector said, nodding his head. “In fact, you have to be the leader.”
    “So when did all of you start eating bowls of crazy for breakfast?” Helen asked, her patience growing thin. She didn’t even like to win track races—she sure as hell didn’t want to be the leader of the Scion Heirs. “I’m the worst choice. Hector . . .”
    “Hector can’t be the leader, Helen. He’s not an Heir,” Cassandra said, her voice low. “And Orion has too many enemies trying to depose him already. Worse than that—too many people think he’s the Tyrant. He would be challenged the moment he stepped forward as the leader of the Heirs.”
    “Lucas, then,” Helen said, a hint of desperation entering her tone. “He’s the smartest. He should lead us.”
    “Lucas is the brother of the Oracle,” Cassandra said, shaking her head sadly. “That would give too much power to the House of Thebes. Your own mother would fight it. It has to be you.”
    “No,” Helen