The receiver is cold against your ear, but the voices on the other end are warm. Too warm. The kind that lingers under your skin long after you step away. But there is no stepping away now

Baby, it’s Aphrodite. Can you hear me?

Static curls like smoke, thick with roses and iron. Her love is war—violent, inescapable

Oh, my sweetest thing… did you think I would not find you?

A low chuckle, rough as crushed bone

She’s been talking about you.

Ares. A battlefield set alight. He does not whisper. He conquers.

"You think you can exist without me?"

Apollo, his voice feverish, edged with something dangerous

Did you think you could ignore us?

Eros. Love sharpened to a point. You are already pierced

Come on, babe

Hermes, smooth as a lie You think you can run?

I will not chase you

Hades. The underworld is patient. The only place they cannot reach

Drink.

Dionysus laughs. Forget. Do you even want to fight it?

Pick up.

What will you do?