Page 131 of Styx

We will not play the strange games

that other Gods play.’

Perhaps it was naivety. We were

young, determined our friendship

would form the basis of our families.

Perhaps it was hope. That we

could build a more beautiful thing

than what we had been given.

But the next day,

when we all met together in the halls

where their parents had laid

a morning feast, I saw him.

One of my father’s messengers.

There was a grave look on Eurybia’s face.

She turned to me and said,

‘Your father has asked for you

to return at once.’

I frowned. What could possibly

have happened in the short time

I had been away?

And then, Crius said words

that chilled me to my very bones.

‘You sister Metis has disappeared.’

Styx

OF SISTERS AND SEARCHES PART V

Dread

For years, I had feared this.

Since Metis was an infant,

I had feared that one day

she would disappear,