Jennifer Estep Bundle (61 page)
Read Jennifer Estep Bundle Online
Authors: Jennifer Estep
There were some happier memories, too. Logan prowling through a jewelry shop, trying to find just the right gift for me. Him seeing the necklace and thinking it reminded him of me. The Spartan hoping I would like it. Logan holding me, first that night outside the coffee shop at the ski resort and then again in the library. And finally, our desperate kiss that day in the construction site, the one that had let me tap into the Spartan's fighting skills.
Through all the memories, good and bad, I felt what Logan did every time he saw or thought about meâthat soft, warm, fizzy feeling that only meant one thing.
Logan Quinn really did care about me.
“He likes me,” I whispered. “He really does like me.”
At the sound of my voice, Vic opened his eye. I'd propped the sword up on my desk, and his face was just level with mine.
“That's a shiny little bauble,” Vic said, staring at the necklace. ”Looks like the Spartan boy has good taste.”
“How do you know Logan gave it to me?”
Vic snorted. “I might be old and cranky, but I'm not bloody
stupid
. The boy is crazy about you. Anyone can see that. It certainly took you long enough to figure it out.”
stupid
. The boy is crazy about you. Anyone can see that. It certainly took you long enough to figure it out.”
“Shut up, Vic,” I said, but there was a smile on my face.
I moved around my dorm room, stuffing clothes and comic books into my duffel bags. One of the last things I picked up to take with me was the small statue of Nike I kept on my desk. The winged figure of the goddess looked exactly the same as her statue in the library. Maybe it was silly, but the cheap replica made me feel a little closer to her, made me feel like I could somehow find the Helheim Dagger and keep it safe from the Reapers.
“Have a good Christmas, goddess,” I told the statue, then stuffed it into my bag.
Finally, there were only two more things left to packâthe photos of my mom. I slid the one of her and Metis into my bag. I picked up the second glass frame and stared at the picture of my mom by herself, taken a few months before her murder. Brown hair, violet eyes, beautiful face. She peered up at me, a small smile curving her lips.
This would be my first Christmas without her, I realized with a jolt. The first Christmas she wouldn't be there to open presents with me and Grandma Frost. The first Christmas she wouldn't be around to laugh and talk and joke with the two of us. My chest ached in a familiar, bitter way, but I pushed the feeling aside and focused on my angerâthe anger that had grown and grown like a poisonous flower blooming inside my heart, ever since I'd found out what had really happened to my mom.
I didn't know how, I didn't know when, but I was going to find Loki's Champion, the Reaper girl who'd killed my momâand I was going to shove a sword through her heart. Logan had told Oliver that I was totally kick-ass. I figured it was time for me to live up to the Spartan's words.
But first there would be Christmas with Grandma Frost and Vic. I put the photo of my mom into my bag, nestled right next to the statue of Nike. Then I rummaged through my desk, grabbed the miniature red Santa hat I'd bought for Vic, and stuck it on the hilt of the talking sword.
“You ready to go get that Christmas ham and pie?” I asked. “Grandma Frost called me this morning. She's been baking cookies all day just for the two of us.”
“I
suppose
that a brief holiday wouldn't hurt,” Vic grumbled. “Although you're going to practice with me every day, Gwen. You're finally starting to get the hang of me, and I won't have you backsliding and forgetting what little you've learned, just because school's out. We've got Reapers to kill, you know.”
suppose
that a brief holiday wouldn't hurt,” Vic grumbled. “Although you're going to practice with me every day, Gwen. You're finally starting to get the hang of me, and I won't have you backsliding and forgetting what little you've learned, just because school's out. We've got Reapers to kill, you know.”
“Don't you worry,” I said. “We're going to kill Reapers until we're both bathed in their blood and hungry for more.”
Vic arced his one eyebrow. “That's my line.”
“Yeah,” I said. “And it's a good one. Now come on, we've got a bus to catch.”
I slung my bags over my shoulder and grabbed Vic. I took one more glance in the mirror at the snowflake necklace Logan had given me. Maybe it was just my imagination, but the diamonds seemed to sparkle with an inner fire, blazing as bright as my feelings for the Spartan didâand would over the long winter break. The pure, hopeful light made me smile as I left my dorm room and headed home to Grandma Frost for the holidays.
BEYOND THE STORY
Gwen's Thoughts on the Schedule for the Winter Carnival
Friday
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7 a.m.:
Depart Mythos Academy. Oh goody. I get to be dragged out of bed before the crack of dawnâin the bitter cold, no less.
Depart Mythos Academy. Oh goody. I get to be dragged out of bed before the crack of dawnâin the bitter cold, no less.
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9 a.m.:
Arrive at Powder ski resort. If I have to schlep over to the resort, I at least hope that the rooms are nice.
Arrive at Powder ski resort. If I have to schlep over to the resort, I at least hope that the rooms are nice.
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Students check in and enjoy a day on the slopes. Maybe the other students will. I've never been skiing before and don't have any desire to start now.
Students check in and enjoy a day on the slopes. Maybe the other students will. I've never been skiing before and don't have any desire to start now.
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7 p.m.:
Social time in the alpine village. In other words, the students party hard with minimal interference from the professors.
Social time in the alpine village. In other words, the students party hard with minimal interference from the professors.
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Saturday
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8 a.m. to 10 a.m.:
Breakfast buffet will be served. I hope they have some normal food here, unlike the dining hall back at the academy.
Breakfast buffet will be served. I hope they have some normal food here, unlike the dining hall back at the academy.
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
The Winter Carnival will be held. Daphne tells me this is an actual carnival with games and prizes and stuff. This might actually be fun.
The Winter Carnival will be held. Daphne tells me this is an actual carnival with games and prizes and stuff. This might actually be fun.
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7 p.m.:
Social time in the alpine village. More parties, more drinking and smoking, and more kids hooking up.
Social time in the alpine village. More parties, more drinking and smoking, and more kids hooking up.
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Sunday
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8 a.m. to 10 a.m.:
Breakfast buffet will be served. Maybe they'll at least have pancakes and waffles ... Oh, and bacon!
Breakfast buffet will be served. Maybe they'll at least have pancakes and waffles ... Oh, and bacon!
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Students enjoy a final day on the slopes. Maybe the other students will. Not me.
Students enjoy a final day on the slopes. Maybe the other students will. Not me.
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8 p.m.:
Students board the bus for the return trip. Time to schlep back to the academy. Oh, goody.
Students board the bus for the return trip. Time to schlep back to the academy. Oh, goody.
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10 p.m.:
Arrive at Mythos Academy. We'll get back to the academy just in time for curfew, and we don't even get a day off before we have to go back to class in the morning. That's
so
not fair... .
Arrive at Mythos Academy. We'll get back to the academy just in time for curfew, and we don't even get a day off before we have to go back to class in the morning. That's
so
not fair... .
Mythos Academy Warriors and Their Magic
The students at Mythos Academy are the descendants of ancient warriors, and they are at the academy to learn how to fight and use weapons, along with whatever magic or other skills that they might have. Here's a little more about the warrior whiz kids, as Gwen calls them:
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Amazons and Valkyries:
Most of the girls at Mythos are either Amazons or Valkyries. Amazons are gifted with supernatural quickness. In gym class during mock fights, they look like blurs more than anything else. Valkyries are incredibly strong. Also, bright, colorful sparks of magic can often be seen shooting out of Valkyries' fingertips.
Most of the girls at Mythos are either Amazons or Valkyries. Amazons are gifted with supernatural quickness. In gym class during mock fights, they look like blurs more than anything else. Valkyries are incredibly strong. Also, bright, colorful sparks of magic can often be seen shooting out of Valkyries' fingertips.
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Romans and Vikings:
Most of the guys at Mythos Academy are either Romans or Vikings. Romans are superquick, just like Amazons, while Vikings are superstrong, just like Valkyries.
Most of the guys at Mythos Academy are either Romans or Vikings. Romans are superquick, just like Amazons, while Vikings are superstrong, just like Valkyries.
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Siblings:
Brothers and sisters born to the same parents will have similar abilities and magic, but they're sometimes classified as different types of warriors. For example, if the girls in a family are Amazons, then the boys will be Romans. If the girls in a family are Valkyries, then the boys will be Vikings.
Brothers and sisters born to the same parents will have similar abilities and magic, but they're sometimes classified as different types of warriors. For example, if the girls in a family are Amazons, then the boys will be Romans. If the girls in a family are Valkyries, then the boys will be Vikings.
However, in other families, brothers and sisters are considered to be the same kind of warriors, like those born to Spartan, Samurai, or Ninja parents. The boys and girls are both considered to Spartans, Samurais, or Ninjas.
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More Magic:
As if being superstrong or superquick wasn't good enough, the students at Mythos Academy also have other types of magic. They can do everything from heal injuries to control the weather to create lifelike illusions with their bare hands. Many of the students have enhanced senses as well. The powers vary from student to student, but as a general rule, everyone is dangerous and deadly in their own special way.
As if being superstrong or superquick wasn't good enough, the students at Mythos Academy also have other types of magic. They can do everything from heal injuries to control the weather to create lifelike illusions with their bare hands. Many of the students have enhanced senses as well. The powers vary from student to student, but as a general rule, everyone is dangerous and deadly in their own special way.
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Spartans:
Spartans are among the rarest of the warrior whiz kids, and there are only a few at Mythos Academy. But Spartans are the most dangerous and deadliest of all the warriors because they have the ability to pick up any weaponâor any
thing
âand automatically know how to use and even kill someone with it. Even Reapers of Chaos are afraid to battle Spartans in a fair fight. But then again, Reapers rarely fight fair... .
Spartans are among the rarest of the warrior whiz kids, and there are only a few at Mythos Academy. But Spartans are the most dangerous and deadliest of all the warriors because they have the ability to pick up any weaponâor any
thing
âand automatically know how to use and even kill someone with it. Even Reapers of Chaos are afraid to battle Spartans in a fair fight. But then again, Reapers rarely fight fair... .
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Gypsies:
Gypsies are just as rare as Spartans. Gypsies are those who have been gifted with magic by the gods. But not all Gypsies are good. Some are just as evil as the gods they serve. Gwen is a Gypsy who is gifted with psychometry magic, or the ability to know, see, and feel an object's history just by touching it. Gwen's magic comes from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.
Gypsies are just as rare as Spartans. Gypsies are those who have been gifted with magic by the gods. But not all Gypsies are good. Some are just as evil as the gods they serve. Gwen is a Gypsy who is gifted with psychometry magic, or the ability to know, see, and feel an object's history just by touching it. Gwen's magic comes from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.
Want to know more about Mythos Academy? Read on and take a tour of the campus.
The heart of Mythos Academy is made up of five buildings that are clustered together like the loose points of a star on the upper quad. They are the Library of Antiquities, the gym, the dining hall, the English-history building, and the math-science building.
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The Library of Antiquities:
The library is the largest building on campus. In addition to books, the library also houses artifactsâweapons, jewelry, clothes, armor, and moreâthat were once used by ancient warriors, gods, goddesses, and mythological creatures. Some of the artifacts have a lot of power, and the Reapers of Chaos would love to get their hands on them to use them for Bad, Bad Things.
The library is the largest building on campus. In addition to books, the library also houses artifactsâweapons, jewelry, clothes, armor, and moreâthat were once used by ancient warriors, gods, goddesses, and mythological creatures. Some of the artifacts have a lot of power, and the Reapers of Chaos would love to get their hands on them to use them for Bad, Bad Things.
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The Gym:
The gym is the second largest building at Mythos. In addition to a pool, basketball court, and more, the gym also features racks of weapons, including swords, staffs, and more, that the students use during mock fights. At Mythos, gym class is really weapons training, and students are graded on how well they can fightâsomething that Gwen thinks she's not very good at.
The gym is the second largest building at Mythos. In addition to a pool, basketball court, and more, the gym also features racks of weapons, including swords, staffs, and more, that the students use during mock fights. At Mythos, gym class is really weapons training, and students are graded on how well they can fightâsomething that Gwen thinks she's not very good at.
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The Dining Hall:
The dining hall is the third largest building at Mythos. With its white linens, fancy china, and open-air indoor garden, the dining hall looks more like a five-star restaurant than a student cafeteria. The dining hall is famous for all the fancy, froufrou foods that it serves on a daily basis, like liver, veal, and escargot. Yucko, as Gwen would say.
The dining hall is the third largest building at Mythos. With its white linens, fancy china, and open-air indoor garden, the dining hall looks more like a five-star restaurant than a student cafeteria. The dining hall is famous for all the fancy, froufrou foods that it serves on a daily basis, like liver, veal, and escargot. Yucko, as Gwen would say.
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The English-History Building:
Students attend English, myth-history, geography, art, and other classes in this building. Professor Metis's office is also in this building.
Students attend English, myth-history, geography, art, and other classes in this building. Professor Metis's office is also in this building.
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The Math-Science Building:
Students attend math, science, and other classes in this building. But there are more than just classrooms here. This building also features a morgue and a prison deep underground. Creepy, huh?
Students attend math, science, and other classes in this building. But there are more than just classrooms here. This building also features a morgue and a prison deep underground. Creepy, huh?
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The Student Dorms:
The student dorms are located down the hill from the upper quad, along with several other smaller outbuildings. Guys and girls live in separate dorms, although that doesn't keep them from hooking up on a regular basis.
The student dorms are located down the hill from the upper quad, along with several other smaller outbuildings. Guys and girls live in separate dorms, although that doesn't keep them from hooking up on a regular basis.
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The Statues:
Statues of mythological creaturesâlike gryphons, garygoles, and moreâcan be found on all the academy buildings, although the library has the most statues. Gwen thinks that the statues are all super creepy, especially since they always seem to be watching her... .
Statues of mythological creaturesâlike gryphons, garygoles, and moreâcan be found on all the academy buildings, although the library has the most statues. Gwen thinks that the statues are all super creepy, especially since they always seem to be watching her... .
Who's Who at Mythos AcademyâThe Students
Gwen (Gwendolyn) Frost:
Gwen is a Gypsy girl with the gift of psychometry magic, or the ability to know an object's history just by touching it. Gwen's a little dark and twisted in that she likes her magic and the fact that it lets her know other people's secretsâno matter how hard they try to hide them. She also has a major sweet tooth, loves to read comic books, and wears jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers almost everywhere she goes.
Gwen is a Gypsy girl with the gift of psychometry magic, or the ability to know an object's history just by touching it. Gwen's a little dark and twisted in that she likes her magic and the fact that it lets her know other people's secretsâno matter how hard they try to hide them. She also has a major sweet tooth, loves to read comic books, and wears jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers almost everywhere she goes.
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Daphne Cruz:
Daphne is a Valkyrie and a renowned archer. She's also has some wicked computer skills and loves designer clothes and expensive purses. Daphne is also rather obsessed with the color pink. She wears it more often than not, and her entire dorm room is done in various shades of pink.
Daphne is a Valkyrie and a renowned archer. She's also has some wicked computer skills and loves designer clothes and expensive purses. Daphne is also rather obsessed with the color pink. She wears it more often than not, and her entire dorm room is done in various shades of pink.
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Logan Quinn:
This seriously cute and seriously deadly Spartan is the best fighter at Mythos Academyâand someone who Gwen just can't stop thinking about. But Logan has a secret that he doesn't want anyone to knowâespecially not Gwen.
This seriously cute and seriously deadly Spartan is the best fighter at Mythos Academyâand someone who Gwen just can't stop thinking about. But Logan has a secret that he doesn't want anyone to knowâespecially not Gwen.
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Carson Callahan:
Carson is the head of the Mythos Academy Marching Band. He's a Celt and rumored to have come from a long line of warrior bards. He's quiet, shy, and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, but Carson can be as tough as nails when he needs to be.
Carson is the head of the Mythos Academy Marching Band. He's a Celt and rumored to have come from a long line of warrior bards. He's quiet, shy, and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, but Carson can be as tough as nails when he needs to be.
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Oliver Hector:
Oliver is a Spartan who is friends with Logan and Kenzie and helps with Gwen's weapons training. He's also one of Gwen's friends now too, because of what happened during the Winter Carnival.
Oliver is a Spartan who is friends with Logan and Kenzie and helps with Gwen's weapons training. He's also one of Gwen's friends now too, because of what happened during the Winter Carnival.
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Kenzie Tanaka:
Kenzie is a Spartan who is friends with Logan and Oliver. He also helps with Gwen's weapons training and is currently dating Talia.
Kenzie is a Spartan who is friends with Logan and Oliver. He also helps with Gwen's weapons training and is currently dating Talia.
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Savannah Warren:
Savannah is an Amazon who was dating Loganâat least before the Winter Carnival. Now, the two of them have broken up, something Savannah isn't very happy aboutâand something that she blames Gwen for.
Savannah is an Amazon who was dating Loganâat least before the Winter Carnival. Now, the two of them have broken up, something Savannah isn't very happy aboutâand something that she blames Gwen for.
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Talia Pizarro:
Talia is an Amazon and one of Savannah's best friends. Talia has gym class with Gwen, and the two of them often spar during the mock fights. She is currently dating Kenzie.
Talia is an Amazon and one of Savannah's best friends. Talia has gym class with Gwen, and the two of them often spar during the mock fights. She is currently dating Kenzie.
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Helena Paxton:
Helena is an Amazon who seems to be positioning herself as the new mean girl queen of the academy, or at least of Gwen's second-year class.
Helena is an Amazon who seems to be positioning herself as the new mean girl queen of the academy, or at least of Gwen's second-year class.
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Morgan McDougall:
Morgan is a Valkyrie. She used to be one of the most popular girls at the academyâbefore her best friend, Jasmine Ashton, tried to sacrifice her to Loki one night in the Library of Antiquities. These days, though, Morgan tends to keep to herself. Gwen isn't sure what Morgan remembers about that night, but she thinks that Morgan knows more than she's letting on... .
Morgan is a Valkyrie. She used to be one of the most popular girls at the academyâbefore her best friend, Jasmine Ashton, tried to sacrifice her to Loki one night in the Library of Antiquities. These days, though, Morgan tends to keep to herself. Gwen isn't sure what Morgan remembers about that night, but she thinks that Morgan knows more than she's letting on... .
Who's Who at Mythos Academy and BeyondâThe Adults
Coach Ajax:
Ajax is the head of the athletic department at the academy and is responsible for training all the kids at Mythos and turning them into fighters. Logan Quinn and his Spartan friends are among Ajax's prize students.
Ajax is the head of the athletic department at the academy and is responsible for training all the kids at Mythos and turning them into fighters. Logan Quinn and his Spartan friends are among Ajax's prize students.
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Geraldine (Grandma) Frost:
Geraldine is Gwen's grandma and a Gypsy with the power to see the future. Grandma Frost makes her living as a fortuneteller in a town not too far away from Cypress Mountain. A couple of times a week, Gwen sneaks off the Mythos Academy campus to see her grandma and enjoy the sweet treats that Grandma Frost is always baking.
Geraldine is Gwen's grandma and a Gypsy with the power to see the future. Grandma Frost makes her living as a fortuneteller in a town not too far away from Cypress Mountain. A couple of times a week, Gwen sneaks off the Mythos Academy campus to see her grandma and enjoy the sweet treats that Grandma Frost is always baking.
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Grace Frost:
Grace is Gwen's mom and a Gypsy who had the power to know if people were telling the truth or not just by listening to their words. At first, Gwen thought her mom had been killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. But thanks to Preston Ashton, Gwen knows that Grace was actually murdered by the Reaper girl who is Loki's Champion. Gwen's determined to find the Reaper girl and get her revengeâno matter what.
Grace is Gwen's mom and a Gypsy who had the power to know if people were telling the truth or not just by listening to their words. At first, Gwen thought her mom had been killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. But thanks to Preston Ashton, Gwen knows that Grace was actually murdered by the Reaper girl who is Loki's Champion. Gwen's determined to find the Reaper girl and get her revengeâno matter what.
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Nickamedes:
Nickamedes is the head librarian at the Library of Antiquities. Nickamedes loves the books and the artifacts in the library more than anything else, and he doesn't seem to like Gwen at all. In fact, he often goes out of his way to make more work for her whenever Gwen is working after school in the library. Nickamedes is also Logan's uncle, although the uptight librarian is nothing like his easygoing nephew. At least, Gwen doesn't think so.
Nickamedes is the head librarian at the Library of Antiquities. Nickamedes loves the books and the artifacts in the library more than anything else, and he doesn't seem to like Gwen at all. In fact, he often goes out of his way to make more work for her whenever Gwen is working after school in the library. Nickamedes is also Logan's uncle, although the uptight librarian is nothing like his easygoing nephew. At least, Gwen doesn't think so.
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Professor Aurora Metis:
Metis is a myth-history professor who teaches students all about Reapers of Chaos, Loki, and the ancient Chaos War. She was also best friends with Gwen's mom, Grace, back when the two of them went to Mythos. Metis is the Champion of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and she's become Gwen's mentor at the academy.
Metis is a myth-history professor who teaches students all about Reapers of Chaos, Loki, and the ancient Chaos War. She was also best friends with Gwen's mom, Grace, back when the two of them went to Mythos. Metis is the Champion of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and she's become Gwen's mentor at the academy.
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Raven:
Raven is the old woman who mans the coffee cart in the Library of Antiquities. Gwen's also seen her in the academy prison, which seems to be another one of Raven's odd jobs around campus. There's definitely more to Raven than meets the eye....
Raven is the old woman who mans the coffee cart in the Library of Antiquities. Gwen's also seen her in the academy prison, which seems to be another one of Raven's odd jobs around campus. There's definitely more to Raven than meets the eye....
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The Powers That Were:
A board made up of various members of the Pantheon who oversees all aspects of Mythos Academy, from approving the dining hall menus to disciplining students. Gwen's never met any of the board members that she knows of, and she doesn't know exactly who they are, but that could changeâsooner than she thinks.
A board made up of various members of the Pantheon who oversees all aspects of Mythos Academy, from approving the dining hall menus to disciplining students. Gwen's never met any of the board members that she knows of, and she doesn't know exactly who they are, but that could changeâsooner than she thinks.
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