the-return

Seth joined the group of very stern-looking men, and they immediately started talking, their voices too low for me to hear, but it didn__ stop me from trying. I learned fairly quickly that I sucked at reading lips. Everything looked like they were saying __omatoes_ or __ love you_ and I doubted that was what was being said.

Apollo watched me closely, intently. __o.__y eyes narrowed. __o to what?_____ not sending you after them. Not yet,_ he said, surprising me into silence__ rarity. __ have another task for you. You need to leave for southern Virginia immediately. I__ snap your sunshine-and-rainbows ass there, but now that you__e annoyed me, you__l drive the twenty or so hours to get there.__kay. That was irritating, but I kind of liked road trips, so whatever. __hat__ in southern Virginia?___adford University.__ waited.I waited some more, and then sighed. __kay. You want me to enroll in college?_ I asked, and Apollo tipped back his head and laughed so loudly, he actually whooped. I frowned. __hat the hell is so funny about that idea?___ou. College. Using your head. That__ what__ funny.__ was seconds away from blasting him with akasha.

He seemed to be staring at the chain hanging from the ceiling fan. Seconds later, he confirmed this by reaching out and tugging the chain. Light clicked on.He tugged the chain again.Light went off.Oh for gods' sake, he had a mean case of ADD sometimes. "Apollo," I snapped.

Your sarcasm and general assholeness are not necessary,_ Apollo remarked casually.I grinned at him. __ don__ think __ssholeness_ is a word.___t is if I say it is._ Apollo drew in a deep breath, a sure sign his temper was reaching its knock-Seth-into-the-nearby-ocean point.

Does love survive? Yes, I thought, somewhere in some place it is saved and made sacred.