Of all the options, he’s probably the least offensive. Only a fool would underestimate him, but it’s not a bad way to pass the time.
Everyone else picks their partners up quickly. I get a dark sliver of amusement when Aphrodite steps forward, forcing Minos to look up at her. She pairs with Pan. Artemis is with Adonis. Atalanta is with Charon. And Hephaestus is left as the odd man out, given the choice to compete on his own or sit this one out.
He surveys the group and shakes his head. “I’ll pass.”
“Very well.” Minos turns to the rest of us. “Let’s begin.”
It takes about fifteen minutes to actually begin. As Minos said, there are several entrances—I’d bet six—around the perimeter of the maze. Dionysus and I end up near the rear, far away from the lights of the house. There are cleverly lit lanterns periodically placed, but the shadows reign supreme in this area.
He twirls his mustache contemplatively as he looks around. He’s wearing a remarkably simple suit for once, a plaid that’s so low-contrast it looks black in the darkness. “Maybe Hermes wasn’t far off with the talk of ghosts.”
I fight down a shiver. I don’t believe in ghosts, but there’s something truly eerie about this place. Like we’ve somehow stepped out of time. Or maybe we’ll reach the center of the maze to discover the body of one of the guests. “Ghosts aren’t real.”
“That’s what ghosts want you to believe.” With that confounding statement, a bell chimes in the distance. Our signal to start. He offers his arm with a flourish. “Can’t be easy walking in the grass and gravel with those.” Dionysus peers down at my feet. “You look absolutely devastating, by the way. A stone-cold fox.”
If he were anyone else, I’d bristle at the compliment and start looking for the barbs hiding beneath. But Dionysus is as free with compliments as he is with affection—at least to those he enjoys. If he doesn’t like a person, that charming wit turns downright lethal.
I try for a smile. “Thanks.” I will absolutely not admit that my feet are killing me. I’m truly not used to spike heels, no matter what I told Apollo.
The hedge walls close in on us as soon as we step through. I can hear low voices in the distance, but the maze distorts them, giving them an alien quality. I shiver. “Hermeswouldhave a damned hedge maze in her backyard.”
“She’s fond of the dramatic, yes.” We take a turn and then another, coming up against a dead end.
I should be asking about what he knows of Minos, but that isn’t the first question that springs from my lips. “Everyone has a plus-one except Hermes and Hephaestus.”
“Oh, he does. He’s sharing Atalanta with Artemis. Kinky.”
I give him the look that comment deserves. “Now you’re just being preposterous. Everyone knows Atalanta is too smart to get caught up in some family drama with those two.”
“Not everyone, love. Just you.” He squeezes my arm. “You have a knack for seeing what’s really there instead of what the peacocks want you to see.”
“Dionysus,you’reone of the peacocks.”
He chuckles. “And a splendid one at that.”
If I don’t rein this in, the conversation will spiral. I take a deep breath. “And Hermes’s plus-one?”
“Surely you’re not jealous when you have Apollo chasing you around with hearts in his eyes?”
I snort. “Don’t be dramatic.”
“Now you’re just trying to hurt my feelings.” We move deeper into the maze, hitting another few dead ends. Gods, this is going to take forever. Dionysus hums a little. “Hermes had someone coming to the party. I think?” He shakes his head. “No, I’m certain of it. They were supposed to be here for dinner. I wonder what happened with that? She was all secret smiles about the surprise.”
A shiver cascades down my spine. It could be nothing. Hermes isn’t exactly fickle, but she pivots easily and often. “Are you sure she didn’t change her mind?”
“As sure as I am of anything.” He peers at the high hedge walls. “Maybe they were murdered and we’re going to find them at the center of the maze. This is beginning to feel like one of those kinds of parties.”
I don’t like how his words mirror my earlier thoughts. “Surely Minos wouldn’t start a murder spree. What could he possibly gain out of it?”
“That’s for smart people like you to figure out. I’m just here for the free booze.” Dionysus gives a mournful sigh. “On that note, I wish Minos had parlor games among the plans tonight. There’s top-shelf liquor in the parlor.”
As if Dionysus doesn’t have the best alcohol and drugs Olympus has to offer in his warehouses. Like all the Thirteen, he’s disgustingly rich. Calling him out on his lie won’t earn me any favors, though. “Maybe tomorrow.”
We walk around a few more turns before he answers. “I doubt I’ll be so lucky. I imagine most of the events are like this. He’ll likely force us to double up for them, too.”
To what aim? Most of the people invited already know each other. There won’t be any new alliances coming between Hephaestus and Artemis and the others. Minos isn’t using tonight to network, not when his household isn’t participating…
I stop short and Dionysus nearly drags me before he stops, too. I look up at him. “Is he trying to marry off his children?” It would make sense. All of the Thirteen present are unmarried. If he couldn’t secure one of his sons as Ares, a marriage to a member of the Thirteen wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.