Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)(88)

“So that thing,” said Nim, pointing at the lasso. “It really compels the truth?”

“Yes,” Diana said.

“Had you used it before?” said Jason.

“No,” she admitted.

He raised a brow. “What if it hadn’t worked?”

The faintest smile tugged at her lips. “I wanted the truth. I was going to get it.”

“But where did it come from?” said Nim. “How did you make it?”

“I didn’t. It was woven by Athena on a spindle forged in Hestia’s fire, of fiber harvested from Gaia’s first tree.”

A few days ago, Alia would have laughed, but after tangling with a pair of spiteful battle gods, she wasn’t inclined to scoff.

“Big deal,” said Theo. “You can probably get one on eBay.”

“Off what coast is that located?” Diana asked.

Theo opened his mouth. Shut it. “Good question.”

“So it’s basically organic, locally sourced super string,” said Nim. “Athena is the goddess of war, isn’t she?”

“She’s the goddess of war, but also of knowledge, and the pursuit of knowledge is basically—”

“The pursuit of truth,” said Jason.

Diana nodded. “And like the truth, the lasso can’t be altered or broken. I think that’s why I was able to use it against Phobos. It’s true in a way that the terror he inspires isn’t.”

“Nothing’s indestructible,” said Nim.

Diana looped a coil around her hand and flung the rope into the fire, sending up a shower of sparks.

Alia gasped, but the lasso didn’t catch. It lay in the flames, unaltered, visible through the fire like a stone through clear water.

Diana drew it back and passed it to Nim. “See?” she said.

Nim squealed. “It’s not even warm!”

“We should try it,” Theo said.

“Jumping into the fire?” said Nim. “Definitely go for it.”

“The lasso, Nim.”

“It isn’t a toy,” Diana said.

“Come on,” said Theo. “One question each. Like truth or dare.”

“I don’t know…,” said Alia.

“Please?” Nim begged.

“You’re actually agreeing with Theo?”

“I’m curious! And Jason survived.”

Jason shook his head. “You don’t want to mess with this. I’ve felt the lasso’s power, and you’re not going to like it.”

“Meaning you’re tough enough to handle it, but we aren’t?” said Theo. His tone was light, but Alia could sense the tension in his words.

“That isn’t what I meant.”

“Come on, Diana,” Theo said. “Let’s do this.”

Diana hesitated, and Alia wondered if she knew just how much of Theo’s pride was wrapped up in this moment. She breathed a small sigh of gratitude when Diana said, “Okay, but only for a second.”

“Me first!” shouted Nim.

“But I—” protested Theo.

“I called it, and by Holy Right of Dibs, it is mine.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “Go on,” he said. “I hope it melts your tiny brain.”

Diana bit her lip and formed a loop with the lasso. “You’re sure?”

Nim bobbed her head. “Hit me.”

Diana slipped the rope over Nim’s head and down to her shoulders.

Suddenly, Nim’s eyes went blank. She sat up straight, slack-jawed.

“Nim?” said Alia.

“What do you wish to know?” Nim replied. Her voice was oddly formal.

“Umm…what should we ask her?” said Alia. “Quick!”

Diana frowned. “I’m not sure. I’ve never seen anyone react that way.”

“Did you cheat on our U.S. History final?” said Alia.

“The system is corrupt. It was my duty to subvert it.”

“Are you kidding?” said Alia.

“I must tell the troooooth,” said Nim. “You should own more than one color of lip glossssss.”

Alia punched Nim in the arm. “You are the worst.”

“I am the best. See? Truth. And I can’t believe you would ask me something that boring. Of course I cheated on the history final. Mr. Blankenship is a terrible teacher. If he wants to bore me to death, he should expect me to cheat on his crappy test.”

“What was I supposed to ask you about? Were you the one who put shaving cream in Alicia Allen’s locker?”

“Yes, but only because she kissed me at the harvest party and then pretended it never happened and then called me a lezzie to all her friends.” Nim clapped her hands over her mouth.

Alia stared at her. “Are you serious?”

“I—I didn’t mean to say that.” Nim’s eyes looked slightly panicked. “I…” Sweat broke out on her brow, and her breath came in shallow pants.

Diana pulled the rope free. “I’m sorry! I warned you.”

A tremor passed through Nim’s body. “That was so weird.”

“Alicia Allen?” said Alia. “Really? You’re always saying how awful she is. You said she had a face like a weasel.”