Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo Page B

your vision. And didn’t you hear what Rrrrey-naldo said?” I trilled his name. “He wants us to clean up, and then he wants us out. We need to get moving.” I stacked some papers and put them in a corner, then started to pick up the coffee cups scattered on tables, chairs, and the floor.
    â€œMaybe we can hide somewhere in the room, let him think we left,” Shar offered, finding her cup of chai and taking a sip before I could snag it for the trash. “We could sneak a peek at him.”
    I tapped my foot impatiently. “And then when he finds us, we’ll have to entrance him, Jeremy, Reynaldo, and every other male we come across on our way out of here and to a portal. We won’t get halfway there before we’re completely trans formed. We’ll be winging it to Tartarus.”
    â€œOne of us should stay,” Shar insisted. “I’ll follow Reynaldo out of the room and try to keep him away. You sneak back and hide b ehind the rack. If either one finds you, say a few words and entrance them. Maybe we can take Arkady to a portal late tonight when no one’s around.”
    I tilted my head. “I have a better idea! Why don’t you take off your glasses and tell Reynaldo to let us stay in the room? Or better yet, you put the Greek mojo on Arkady and Jeremy. Time for you to catch up with me—a few more feathers and I’ll have a full wing!”
    â€œI already have total bird feet! And look at my hands!” Shar thrust them out for me to see, but the one holding her tea lost its grip. We watched as the cup flew through the air, almost as if in slow motion, and slammed into the dress on the dais.
    A dark stain streaked down the silk, continuing all the way down to the hem.
    â€œOh my god! Oh my god!” Shar could barely get the words out.
    â€œHow tragic!” Demeter’s liquid voice rippled through the room. All the doors were closed, so she hadn’t just walked in.
    Whirling around, I faced her. “This is not funny, Demeter.”
    â€œI disagree.” A vicious smile appeared.
    I snapped my head around to gape at the ruined dress. There was no way it could be cleaned in time; not only for the show, but before Arkady and Jeremy got here. Arkady was to inspect it and the rest of the collection, then all of it would be moved immediately to the Met. The show was being held there tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, in the Egyptian Temple.
    I was actually looking forward to seeing it, or rather, hearing it. I’d seen the play list and it featured nearly all of my favorite bands, including Elysian Fields. Jeremy had to be in charge of the music. Back when we were folding programs, I’d been trying to think of ways I could somehow ask him about it, but now it looked like I wouldn’t get the chance.
    â€œIt was my fault,” Shar moaned. “I’ll tell Reynaldo. What’s another bird claw?” Her shoulders slumped.
    â€œThere is an easy way out of this,” offered Demeter. I didn’t like her too-soft tone. I probably wouldn’t like whatever was on her mind, either, but at this point, it couldn’t hurt to listen.
    â€œAre you going to tell us, or are we going to wait for Reynaldo to come and join us?” Shar said tartly.
    Demeter’s eyes flared. “Watch the attitude, missy. You’re lucky I deign to help you at all.”
    â€œSorry.” Shar didn’t sound it.
    â€œGive him a call. Kiss up to him. Cry a few tears, show some feminine vulnerability. Tell him something to stroke his ego and then ask him to cut you a break on the bird claws. What’s the worst he could want?”
    Shar looked horrified, and I didn’t blame her. The three of us knew full well what Hades would desire.
    â€œYou don’t have other options.” Demeter examined her nails, blew on them, then buffed them against her skirt.
    I picked up the offending cup and stuffed it into the trash can. The room