Vaso scowled as he assessed the sprawled figures of the trainees. A servant had brought the news to Olympus's gates. As the Pallasian leader and descendant of Cratus, Vaso assigned himself to the task. Within the academic halls, he stepped amongst the bodies, placing his booted feet with care. It was a testament to his endless training, that one with his bulk could move with such agility.

"You found it like this?" he asked, turning to address the servant. Fotios, wasn't it? With a sniff, he picked up a slight godlike essence and nodded. Unknown parentage meant servant status. The gods were too happy to fornicate with anyone and toss the unwanted babes to the townsfolk to raise.

"Yes, my lord. One moment, they were all laughing, more intoxicated than they should've been and the next, utter silence."

Vaso approached a flask and raised it to his nose. Watered down elixir, as expected. He drew in another breath. There was something else, a hint of aniseed and added honey to mask it. He handed the jug to Dimos, his second-in-command and descendant of Bia. He sniffed the flask too.

"But why?" Dimos asked.

"I suspect all the Academies were struck down. If we don't find the cure in the next four days, we shall lose our reinforcements. Send men to assess; I want a full report."

Dimos nodded and rushed out leaving Vaso standing there, his hands laced behind him, his shoulders drawn back and stiff in his white and gold chiton. He wore no cloak, and his chiton was military length, as in mid-thigh.

"Is anyone missing?" He turned to level his eyes on the servant. Fotios shook his head then paused. "Give me a name."

"Rina never attends celebrations; she's not welcome here." Fotios gestured to the sleeping trainees with a flick of his fingers. That spoke volumes to a man such as Vaso. The servant disliked how they treated this girl.

"Does she despise them for this?"

"Oh, no! I did not mean to imply she's the culprit, my lord."

"Where are the flasks refilled?" Vaso turned, a silent command for the servant to lead him. Fotios did so, scurrying ahead, along a passage and down narrow steps into a cellar-like kitchen. Nearest the back door stood a row of caskets. Vaso opened each one and sniffed. Tainted.

"Our usual supplier delivered these," Fotios said.

"They might have been tampered with en route. I will investigate this. Now, take me to Rina."

"She could be anywhere, my lord. I shall escort you to her chambers and search the Academy for her."

They didn't walk for long. Her room was on the same floor as the kitchens and the hall. Vaso stepped inside and grimaced. It was the size of his water closet. The door closed behind him and he turned, noting the bolts on the door. She didn't feel safe here. Drawing in a deep breath, he assessed her parentage from her lingering scent. It was devoid of Olympian essence which meant someone had hidden her identity. That explained why the Academy had taken her in. Another perusal had him arching a brow. She kept her room neat, nothing out of place, perhaps to maximise the space she had. Strange garments hung on hooks and then he knew, Fotios wouldn't find her.

"Where last did you see her?" he asked the moment the servant returned wringing his hands.

"In the catacombs."

Vaso strode towards the underground floor, following her scent which grew stronger the lower he travelled. She spent too much time alone down here. The air was damp, the torches still lit from her last visit. Propped up against one stone wall was an array of weapons, all low quality. That she could use any of them with any accuracy was a miracle. Following her fading essence, he trailed her to the gated arch and outside. A glance up the cobbled street revealed the activated portal on its raised platform.

"Evening, General," the portal guard greeted him. He was alone; Vaso scowled at this dereliction of duty. He'd send Dimos to deal with it but for now, Vaso had lives to save.

"Where on Earth did she go?" he asked.

"To study spear fighting with monks," the guard said. "She said she'd need two hours. I expect her back soon."

Ten days to learn a skill she should've received training for at the Academy? "Does she travel often?"

"Yes. Some of what she learns is unusual but effective," he said, rubbing his chest.

"The penalty is beheading if she uses these skills in the arena, Guard."

"I informed her of the consequences, General Vaso, but she said she needed to survive the Academy first."

"You are to deny her access henceforth."

"I have but she sneaks through. She causes mayhem forcing the abandonment of our posts."

"I see," Vaso said with a scowl. He awaited alongside the guard but said no more. Before the moon reached its brightest position, the portal shimmered, and a woman stepped through. "Good. Name?" he asked her, ignoring her startled expression.

"Korina Sideri, my lord," she said. He nodded, grabbed the scroll off its plinth and whispered to it.

"You are denied access to Earth's realm. Come with me, Korina."

She paled, the effect darkening the red hue of her lips. Vaso allowed his gaze to drift over her features but as he catalogued her eyes, she blurred. A dainty nose, she blurred. Magic! He'd have her remove her glamour before sunrise.

He couldn't trust his eyes. Her brown hair in a thick braid, her almond-shaped brown eyes, her olive skin tone, those cupid-bow lips, and high cheekbones? All a deception? What else was this brown mouse hiding?

He couldn't trust his nose either. If he did, he'd return her to Earth permanently. She scented Human, and not because of her recent travels.

"You are to address me as General as per your studies you've received." Silence met his remark, so he glanced at her, expecting instant obedience.

"My apologies, General. I've not received training on this protocol."

So, he had more to investigate than the poisoning of trainees. "Where were you born?"

"Here, General."

"And raised?"

"In the slums of Prostakáto by an old woman I believed was my grandmother." Her lips curled into a grimace. Not grandmother then. "She gave me a letter on her deathbed. It's the only reason the Academy took me in."

"Do you still have the letter?"

"Yes, General."

He nodded and led her into the catacombs where she hastily rested her spear amongst her other weapons. "Did the monks aid you?" he asked, unusually curious. She nodded, flashing a smile before returning to his side. They travelled up to the hall and with his long strides, he made sure he was inside the hall and facing her to assess her reaction.

Horror, disbelief, fear crossed her features as her eyes darted around the room. She jerked as if she wanted to rush forward to help. She was looking at a servant who must have sampled the elixir. Pursing his lips, he agreed. Korina hadn't done this. With a flick of his finger, he gestured to her to follow him. Inside her room, he sat down on a water casket and waited as she settled onto her worn mattress. Vaso stared at her, watching the blurred image of her glamour. The silence stretched on, but she remained immobile, too calm for one so young.

"You do not want to know what happened to your fellow trainees?"

"I assume that if you needed me to know you'd inform me."

Vaso grunted. She had the right of it. "No feminine reaction, no tears?"

"The stench of death wasn't in the hall," she said.

He pursed his lips; she was correct in her assessment. "Do you keep your glamour on all the time?"

She shrugged. "My usual colouring draws attention. I don't need the trouble it brings." She ran her hand in front of her face and auburn locks emerged from the brown and then her almond eyes glowed red.

Vaso's breath hitched but he hid his reaction well. Blinded by her startling colouring and goddess-like beauty, he had one thought...Zeus had to be told.