Gods. Amy thought incredulously as she helped her dad clean the house. Gods as dinner guests.

She glanced into the kitchen, where her mom was busy making some sort of Godly cuisine, handing small spoonfuls to Henry for tasting. She had changed into jeans and a simple grey t-shirt. She’d also washed off all her make-up.

“Make sure the pictures are perfect.” Her dad instructed for the tenth time. It was more than just his OCD kicking in. He’d been more lax about things since Caitlyn had moved into the garage, but now he was sweating buckets.

“Dad, they’re just pictures.” Amy moved a photo from her graduation the month before an inch to the right.

“She’ll notice.” Her dad came up behind her and moved the picture another half-centimeter. “If it’s not perfect, she’ll be insulted. And if Aphrodite is insulted, one of us won’t be ending this evening as a human.”

Amy laughed, but stopped when her dad’s mood didn’t lighten. He’s serious? She picked up the ruler he’d given her and checked the pictures again. She didn’t want to spend the evening as a rabbit, or worse.

It took then hours to make the house look like it’d been spit out of a magazine. Amy wiped her brow and looked over at her mom. Henry had been taken off tasting duty, replaced with Caitlyn, who had two new band-aids on her fingers.

For some reason, her parents were never mad when Caitlyn got hurt. Their mom just looked at her fondly and slapped bandages on her. Caitlyn was always in charge of picking what designs they got on their band-aids, since she was the one who’d most likely be using them.

The doorbell rang and her parents jumped. “Places!” her dad cried, even though they didn’t have places to be.

With her parents freaking out, Amy decided she’d better get the door. But when her hand wrapped around the doorknob, voices in her head stopped her. “Yale, can you get the door?” she called into the house.

“You’re kidding, right?” her brother called back. “You’re literally right there.”

“Please.” She retorted, earning an overly theatrical sigh.

Yale walked down the front hall, gave her a swooping bow, and opened the door. Following the voices’ instructions, Amy ducked out of sight. “Hello.” She heard Yale greet their guest.

“My, you’ve grown beautifully.” A woman’s sing-song voice floated in. “You must be Yale. Only a son of mine could possibly look so gorgeous.”

Amy could almost see Yale flipping his hair at the compliment. Knowing now that he was a son of Aphrodite, his vain mannerisms made sense.

“Please, come in.” Yale must have stepped aside, since Amy saw Aphrodite walk past first. “My mom’s been cooking all afternoon.”

Aphrodite’s nose wrinkled. “Yes, your mom must have been busy.” She sounded so disgusted at the mention of their mom, Amy wanted to pummel her, Goddess or not.

Instead, she followed them into the dining room, where their mom had set out their best plates and silverware. A white silk scarf was draped over the chair at the head of the table. The sight would have looked perfect, if it weren’t for Caitlyn leaning over the table, lighting the candles with blazing hands.

“Caitlyn!” Amy screamed. She grabbed a glass of water to douse the flames, but Aphrodite held out her arm to stop her.

“Amy, check this out.” Caitlyn held out her hands excitedly. “I don’t need a blowtorch anymore!”

“Hephaestus would be proud.” Aphrodite said disdainfully. With a more chipper tone, she asked “And where is Ares’ son?”

“Here.” Henry answered, carrying a tray of ambrosia squares from the kitchen. “It’s nice to meet you.” He frowned and looked the Goddess up and down. “No offence, but you don’t have the effect my mom said you would.”

Aphrodite chuckled. “Goodness, I should hope not. Not for you, at the very least.” She gave him a wink. “I’m afraid I only have that effect of those attracted to the female figure.”

Henry blushed and hid behind Caitlyn, who glared. “You got a problem with that?”

The Goddess clicked her tongue. “No.” She said curtly. She clapped her hands twice and their parents entered the room. “Now, I’m afraid I don’t have much time.” She plucked an ambrosia square from Henry’s platter and popped it in her mouth. “I’m afraid the school will be needing your children in attendance.”

Their parents nodded in unison, then left the room, only to return carrying three backpacks. Their dad handed one to Yale and clapped a hand on his shoulder. Their mom handed the two in her hands to Henry and Caitlyn, then wiped a tear from her eye.

For the first time, Amy felt left out. They’d always been the four Niel siblings. Now, she felt the distance put between them by the Gods. She didn’t want to see her brothers and sister leave. She turned to Aphrodite, ready to argue.

To her surprise, the Goddess was already looking at her. “You’ll be coming as well, little oracle.” From a fold in her gown, Aphrodite produced a feathered headband. “Hestia’s school will be needing all four of you siblings.”