Before he had another chance to grab me, I slipped through the crowd. Knowing that he had slept with a redhead the other night, which was the catalyst for Nikki slapping Renata, I had no intention of being the next redhead in line. After all, I had other things I needed to focus on. Things like figuring out ways to escape my destiny.

Chapter Twenty

Apart from the weird encounter with Damian, the day turned out to be—as I’d initially predicted—uneventful. I had gone back to my room and tried to translate the torn page using the online translator, but I didn’t get any new information. It was just a continuation of what Adrian had said—the Great Massacre, Zeus, and Hades. However, I discovered one thing of interest: at the corner where the paper was torn there were three Greek letters: τιμ, which was part of the Greek word for price. Perhaps it was talking about the price of angering the gods or something along those lines. I texted Adrian to let him know I was making some progress but that I needed his help. He replied soon after to say that he was at the Court Hospital—it seemed that Caitlin’s condition required her to be admitted—but he could meet up with me this evening. Before I typed my reply to Adrian, a text from Kris came in:

I’m bored. Domenico is going to the Panhellenic archery competition. Are you up for shopping? Then the beach party later?

I’ll meet you in fifteen on Ermou Street!

I sent another text to Adrian to let him know where I’d be tonight. He replied,

I’ll stop by for a bit. Don’t forget to bring that paper, I need to see it again in person.

I was putting my coat on when I heard the sound of the keypad and my mom burst in, hugging a paper bag of groceries with one hand.

“Are you going out?” She put the bag on the counter.

“I am.” I straightened the collar of my dark-grey coat and grabbed my purse.

“Where? With who?”

“I’m going shopping with Kris, Mom.” I sighed.

“Oh, perfect. I need to do some shopping too,” she said. “Wait until I sort these first.”

As my mom put away the groceries, I sent Kris another text to let her know that my mom had invited herself.

“Are we going or what?” My mom asked, as if she had been the one waiting on me.