As it turned out, Thana wasn’t leaving. She called her boss and told him she needed emergency time off. She told him she’d found her dad, and he said she could have all the time she needed.

“Thana Tossa.” She said her name bitterly. Her mom had named her before she died. She must have known who the father was. She’d probably laughed all the way to the Underworld.

Beside her, Zain snickered. “A fitting name.” But he was still pale from learning who her God parent was.

“Does Thanatos not have many kids?” She asked.

He shook his head. “Supposedly, he rarely falls for mortals. Even then, it’s better if he doesn’t sire…” he stopped talking, his face red. “It’s better if he doesn’t have kids.”

“Why?”

Zain gave her a sympathetic look, which he was getting good at. “Your mom died when you were young, right?”

“How—” Thana cut herself off. She nodded stiffly.

“Whenever a child of Thanatos is born, their mother dies.” He didn’t meet her eyes. “It’s an effect of the God of death.”

“I killed her.” Thana’s aunt was right.

But Zain shook his head. “Thanatos always tells the women he loves who he is. He tells them what will happen. They always have a chance to…”

“To terminate the pregnancy.” Thana finished. Mom wanted me more than her own life.

They sat in silence, watching other students walking between the buildings. Zain had said they needed to wait for someone. Thana guessed it was a teacher or another authority figure. She was an adult, after all. She’d already graduated university, so enrolling her in a high school was out of the question.

She’d broken the record for oldest student as well as brought Oliver, who was the youngest. She would have laughed if the news about her father hadn’t been so earth shattering.

A hand landed heavily on her shoulder, making her jump. “Hi Zain.” A girl said behind them. “This her?”

The girl came around to face them head on. Thana couldn’t figure out where to focus her attention. The girl’s eyes were different colours, one green, one blue. Her hair was black and held back from her face by a brown feathered headband, but there was a streak of gold running through it. Her hands were covered in blacksmith gloves, but she wore a leather jacket over a silky turquoise sundress.

“Hi Amy.” Zain shook her hand. “Yeah, this is Thana Tossa.”

Amy made a face like she wanted to smile, but she’d just eaten a lemon. “Fits.”

“Amy is our Oracle.” Zain explained. “She gives us prophesies for our quests.” He winced. “Including one about a child of Death.”

“Through a monster army walks a child of Death

To bring forth a baby’s first breath

Though love wanes and the sun sighs

A song is sung, played by four eyes

Splintered stories and shattered beams

Old water washes false dreams

Stone walls forged a fiery compass

To pull back the Child of Olympus”

When Amy finished reciting the prophecy, she took Thana’s hands and stared into her eyes. It took Thana a moment, but she realized that the other girl’s eyes were both green. And they were glowing.

“Lose a sister, gain a brother, death marches on

Guide and savior, a father withdrawn”

Amy blinked and her eyes returned to normal. She shook her head, as if dislodging a dream.

“That was new.” Zain commented.

“Oh, no.” Amy looked between them. “What did I say? Who was it about?” she bit her lip and looked toward the Major Dorms.

“Not them.” Zain assured her. “I think you just gave Thana a quest.” He stood and pointed at the main building. “We should talk to Willow about it.”