And everyone held their breath…waiting for her answer.
Athena's heart thundered painfully in her chest. She didn't want to be alone. Not tonight. If she wanted to sleep alone, she wouldn't have walked across dark streets just to come here. She wouldn't have to faced Eryx's jealousy or Theodore's icy stare.
And she definitely wouldn't risk going back to that empty house… not with that voice still echoing in her skull.
Her eyes lifted to Theo's cool and calm face. Just his presence tonight was enough to keep her sane.
So she inhaled, steadied her trembling fingers, and murmured, "I… I know the way to Theodore's room."
Theo's lips pulled into a quiet, victorious smile, small, but impossible to miss. Then he stood straight.
Eryx's face dropped instantly.
He looked away as if the sight of her choosing someone else physically wounded him.
Guilt twisted sharply in Athena's stomach. God, what had she done? She hadn't meant to crush him like that.
