Wendy was so overwhelmed with fear that she didn't hear the voice that followed:
"So this is where you are hiding, sister?
She swiftly switched on the light and screamed. Sitting casually on her bed was a man in a flowing white robe.
He screamed too, startled by the intense mascara on her face.
We all ran into Wendy's room alarmed - only to find Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods, calmly sipping from a golden flask. Athena crossed her arms, clearly irritated.
"I'm terribly sorry for the mix up," Hermes said, wobbling slightly. I was dining with Dionysus before coming here… I may be a little tipsy."
"What is it now?" Athena asked coldly.
"I bring information," he said "Our father - the king of the Gods, the great Zeus - has disappeared.
The moment I heard the name "Zeus" I froze. The idea that not just Athena and Hermes, but Zeus himself might show up in my house was incredible. I nearly fainted with excitement. Maybe next week we'll host all of Mount Olympus in my living room.
"We've searched everywhere for him" Hermes continued, "so I decided to ask for your help."
"How is that my business?" Athena snapped. "Come on, don't be difficult," Hermes urged. "You're been on earth for nearly 80 years, He's been gone for four. There might be a connection."
"Do what you have to do, but leave me out of it," Athena said, her voice hard
"You're still a goddess - his favorite child," Hermes said gently.
Athena glared at him. "Zeus can take care of himself. He's probably off chasing mortal women like he always does. And I've said it before: I don't want to be a deity anymore. I don't care."
She stormed out.
Honestly, I loved every second of it. A god-level soap opera unfolding in my sister's room, I couldn't have asked for better. One by one, everyone left the room. Wendy even refused to sleep in her bed for the night.
Just as I wanted to leave, Hermes called my name
"I also have a message for you," he said
I forgot to mention earlier- I had begged Athena to connect me with someone who could teach me Greek magic. She warned me, it is dangerous, mostly dark. But I told her I was already a master of magic and could handle it. She resisted but I wouldn't back down.
Eventually, she relented
"Write you request on a scroll," She said
"You mean paper?" I asked
"Yes."
When I was done, she tossed the paper into the air - and it vanished. That was magic.
And Hermes had come with the reply: "You're been accepted."
Accepted! But who would teach me? And how would it go?
That, as they say, is another story.
"We leave at dawn," Hermes said
I gathered everyone and shared the news. By early morning, we were on the move.