Athena emerged from the depths on her hands and knees. Dirt in her teeth. Blood from her palms where splinters had gone deep.

  Light. Warmth. She'd made it. They were seated around a campfire outside.

  The laughter faded. Someone said "Oh shit."

  She looked up through matted hair. Found grey eyes that matched hers exactly. Cassandra stopped drinking mid-air.

  They stared at each other. Something twisted in both their chests. Recognition without context.

  She set down her cup. Crossed the space between them. The others... faded.

  Cassandra kneeled, reached out, pushed the hair from Athena's face with careful fingers.

  "You're hurt."

  Athena nodded. Couldn't trust her voice.

  Cassandra's thumb found her cheekbone. Athena flinched.

  "I know you," Cassandra said quietly.

  Athena wanted to say yes. Wanted to say: Mother abandoned us both.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Instead she croaked: "From the fire."

  Cassandra studied her for another moment.

  "You need a drink," Cassandra decided. "After I look at that ankle."

  Her hands moved down, tracing bones, feeling for breaks. She found swelling. Heat.

  "What's your name?"

  "Athena."

  "Right. That ankle's fucked Athena."

  "Water," Damon said, appearing with a cup. He crouched beside them. "Take it slow."

  Cassandra guided the cup to Athena's lips. Watched her throat work. There was something about this girl that made her want to... keep her close. Not let her go.

  Unsettling.

  Anaktoria followed Cassandra's fingers as they caressed the girl's ankle...

  Heat flooded her cheeks as she looked at the stranger.

  She was perfect. The way she looked back at Cassandra, like confession and recognition and worship all at once.

  Anaktoria watched her relax under Cassandra's touch. Watched her eyes flutter closed.

  Those eyes. Grey mirrors of each other. The cheekbones... the angle of her jaw.

  The way they fit. Her chest went tight.

  "Oh gods," Anaktoria breathed. She tried not to think about it. "Holy sh--"

  Damon casually blocked her view. "Hey."

  "I'm fine." she said honestly.

  Athena's fingers found Cassandra's wrist. Weak grip, but urgent.

  "Tomorrow..." she whispered. "Sunrise... don't..."

  Penthesilea approached with a punishment jar.

  She kneeled beside Athena.

  "Bad girl. Should've stayed in bed."

  Before Cassandra could ask what Athena meant, Penthesilea had already tipped the jar into her mouth.

  Athena gasped as the poppy hit. Her eyes started to glaze, still locked on Cassandra's face

  "Wait, what about..." Cassandra started.

  But Athena was already snoring. Penthesilea nodded to Damon.

  He carried her into Beerheim.

  "Why do I feel like I just lost something?" Cassandra asked the fire.