Of Wisdom: The Gods Were Greek Book I by Hannah Bashir

Author:Hannah Bashir [Bashir, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arden House
Published: 2025-09-23T00:00:00+00:00

XIV

τέτταρες καὶ δέκα

Pallas was the first to speak.

‘Athena!’ Her eyes widened, whipping her gaze to me, scandalised. ‘Do not be–’

‘Foolish, I know,’ I finished for her and plaited my hair quickly, knotting it at the end. ‘But I wish to fight. Anyone with the blood of Okeanos can, can’t they?’ I directed the last bit at Eurynome, who looked as though she’d been slapped. I couldn’t lie and say the sight didn’t amuse me.

It took her a moment to recover, and when she spoke, her eyes sharpened with suspicion.

‘You wish to fight Daemon?’

‘Yes,’ I nodded.

‘Why?’

So I could finally pin him down and make him make good on his promise, I wanted to say, but instead I shrugged. Though from the keen look in Daemon’s eyes, he had guessed.

I stood a bit straighter. ‘I used to spar on the mountain, I wish to see if I still can.’

‘What is your name?’

As if she didn’t already know. ‘Athena.’

‘I do not–’ began Eurynome.

‘I accept,’ said Daemon.

Pallas stepped forward. ‘Then I will also fight, you will fight both Athena and me.’

My head whipped to her face. ‘No, do not be–’

‘Foolish?’ she smirked at me.

‘Pallas,’ I said. ‘Let me do this, just me.’ My eyes held hers. ‘Please.’

I had never seen Pallas fight, I didn’t even know if she could. And if she fought, I would not win, that I did know. My attention would be too focused on keeping her out of harm’s way.

Pallas frowned, and for a moment I thought she would resist, raise her chin and remain defiant, but her eyes wavered and she sighed.

‘Fine,’ she said. ‘But if you fail, do not call for me,’ she added with a flicker of amusement.

‘I won’t,’ and I rested my forehead against hers before turning back to Eurynome, to Daemon.

‘I’m ready.’

‘Very well,’ Eurynome said and waved a stiff hand. ‘Begin.’

I stepped out from the crowd and onto the stone, facing Daemon. He stood tall, his bronzed skin catching in the low torch fire. He was muscled everywhere, instantly shaming the surrounding Potamoi. I wondered how many stood sizing him up, but Daemon appeared at ease. His dark pink lips pressed together, his amber-flecked eyes watching me as I looked over him.

‘Are you sure you want to fight me?’ he asked, his mouth barely moving, and I wondered if anyone else had heard him.

‘I’m sure.’

He nodded. ‘Very we–’

I moved, knowing it was the only way the fight would start. I struck with the bottom of my palm straight into his chin, my movement a blur. Daemon staggered back, stunned.

I smiled, gave him a moment to take the hit, and watched his eyes narrow before hooking my right leg around his left to tackle him. He anticipated the move and aimed his knee into my side, but I had already swept my leg beneath his right, and he fell. I didn’t fall with him, I just stood over him and smiled.

Around the hall several people gasped. Pallas, I was sure, stood shaking her head.

Daemon looked up, ran his eyes over me.

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