Titans of Chaos

He stepped away from me. His red wings opened and folded again across his back, a rustlinggesture, as he crossed his arms and looked carefully left and right, up and down.

He said, "Even if your story is true-which I doubt, Miss Windrose-your companions would keepwatch over you. To exercise the full range of chaotic powers requires all four of you, andNausicaa as well; and you need each other for mutual protection. No one else could protect Mr.

Triumph, for example, from siren attack. They will come out when I carry you off."

I said, "No they won't."

Cool and calm and regal. I was doing it now without trying.

As if it were the real me.

"Oh? Why not?" His head was cocked to one side, his expression amused, aloof.

"Because you won't carry me off."

"And-?"

"And what?"

"And complete the utterance of your threat. Please keep in mind, however, that I have beenthreatened by gods and monsters much more malevolent than yourself, older, stronger, and whosesupremacy over me I had demonstrable cause to fear."

"Fine," I said. "Here's the threat: If my friends are watching me, they will go to whichever factionamong the Olympians who most wants the powers of Chaos on their side. Mulciber, Mavors,Pelagaeus, or even Tritogenia. The only price they will ask is that your head be delivered to themon a silver platter. How popular are you among the Olympians, Headmaster? What would thereasonable course of action be for any Olympian who-?"

He held up his hand. "Spare me further emphasis. My imagination is as fecund and lively as yourown, and painted in a somewhat darker stain."

"Well?"