Circe didn’t say another word even as Ares stalked toward us, his every step as imposing and stiff as the expression he wore. I glanced between them, unsure what to do: should I rise, or should I stay down? The enchantress had yet to budge, and it felt wrong to jump to my feet while she was still lounging. So I did nothing, only dropping my eyes to the ground and fervently hoping no violence would break out. But maybe that was too much to hope for; I could see the dark storminess that clouded Ares’s face as he continued his approach. How Circe could remain so unaffected, I didn’t understand: powerful enchantress or not, that was still the wrath of the god of war that was bearing down upon her.
When he finally drew close enough and stopped before us, looming over our heads like a terrible
