Page 14

She started up her enhanced ultrasound. Things immediately got weird.

The screen flickered. Ancient Greek text began scrolling across it faster than I could read.

"That's... new," Clio muttered as she adjusted controls that caused several runes on the machine to glow.

"The babies' energy is interfacing with the equipment somehow.

It's like they're trying to communicate. "

"Can you read what it says?" Mom asked, watching as Aidon leaned closer to the screen.

"I can if it would slow down," he said. His blue eyes scanned the ancient text.

Being the son of Hades and being alive for thousands of years meant he was fluent in more languages than I could comprehend.

"But this... can't be right." His voice held a mixture of awe and concern.

"It speaks of the First Powers. They were reportedly beings that existed before the gods.

Yes, before even the Titans. There are mentions of 'The Primal Song' and 'The Weaving of Worlds’. "

The symbol flared suddenly, and every piece of equipment in the room lit up like Times Square.

Readings and charts appeared on multiple screens.

"Extraordinary," Clio breathed as she frantically took notes.

"The triplets aren't just channeling power.

They're weaving it into something entirely their own.

Like watching three stars being born inside a mortal body.

Each pulse echoes with both divine and earthly rhythms."

Aidon moved closer, placing his hand on my belly.

Energy radiated from him as he tried to shield the babies from whatever was happening.

The moment his power touched the symbol, everything changed.

The room filled with a light that wasn't quite right.

Power surged through me. It was ancient and vast. And it made my skin tingle and my heart race.

Through it all, the babies responded to Aidon's presence. Along with something else. If everything we’d heard of since the mark appeared, it was likely old enough to make gods seem young.

"So," I said into the stunned silence, "I'm guessing that's not typical for a prenatal checkup?"

"Nothing about this pregnancy is typical," Clio replied, still staring at her readings.

"These energy patterns are growing more complex by the day.

It's like watching evolution happening in real time.

Only this is with magic instead of biology.

Look here," she pointed to one screen. "Their individual signatures are distinct, but they're also creating something new together. Something unprecedented."

"Is that dangerous?" Nana asked as she gripped my hand. Her magic flickered anxiously around her.

"I don't think so. The babies are healthy. Thriving, actually. Their development is perfect for this stage. It's just..." Clio trailed off, searching for words.

"Just what?" I prompted, even though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

"It's like they're growing physically while also being connected to something we only know as ancient. It’s unclear if the former is changing them or if this is their natural progression. It’s fascinating. Each time I check them, their power has evolved in new ways."

"Being the offspring of a god wasn't enough?" I asked weakly. "Because I was kind of hoping we'd peaked at 'half-divine triplets with possible world-altering powers’."

"Don’t borrow problems before we know they exist. This development makes sense," Stella interjected. "If these fertility rituals that Nana found really do predate Olympus, and the babies are somehow linked to that, then there is more at play here. But it doesn’t mean it’s bad."

"I don't trust ancient forces I can't see or touch," Aidon added, looking troubled but not afraid. His hand found mine, steady and warm as always. "And they might not appreciate being stirred from their slumber because of our children."

"Well," I said, trying to process everything, "at least we know why Mrs. Stavros ran away. I'd run too if I sensed something that powerful."

"About Mrs. Stavros," Clio said slowly, setting down her tablet. "She's a keeper of old knowledge. I never thought much about it before, but she once mentioned being part of a lineage that predated the Oracle of Delphi."

"Let me guess," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "She's part of some secret society that's been waiting for these babies?"

"That's more likely than not given your luck." Clio began shutting down her equipment. "And if she recognized the symbol, others will too. We need to be careful."

"More careful than we already are?" Mom asked incredulously. "We've got wards on top of wards, guard dogs from the Underworld, and enough protective spells to secure the Pentagon."

"None of which stopped that symbol from appearing," Aidon reminded her. "Or prevented those shapeshifters from attacking. If these powers are as ancient as they seem, our usual defenses might not be enough."

"That's the first statement anyone has made that makes any sense," I muttered.

"Think of how wonderful it'll be when these kids are born. They might be able to do things no one's seen in millennia!" Stella said with too much cheer.

"Assuming they don't accidentally tear down Olympus during their terrible twos," I said dryly. "Can you imagine? 'Sorry, Zeus, little Nyssa had a tantrum because we wouldn't let her have a second cookie.'"

Everyone laughed, but there was an edge to it.

We all knew this was bigger than anything we'd faced before.

I was only certain of one thing about what lay ahead of us.

Our family would face it together. Even if that meant dealing with secret societies, ancient rituals, and powers that made gods nervous.

When I thought of it like that, I really needed more pickle pancakes for this.