Page 58 of A Touch of Chaos

“Three,” Lilaia added.

Dionysus glared at them both.

It wasn’t his fault. He didn’t exactly have the best parental figure. Zeus was absent completely. And Silenus taught him how to drink and encouraged him to fuck. If he had any claim to a childhood, that was it.

“Wherever Phaedra goes, the baby will go,” said Naia.

Gods fucking dammit.This was going to be a nightmare.

He had known they would face retaliation if they managed to rescue Phaedra—but a baby too? He would be lucky to escape with his life and the lives of those he cared about, his maenads.

“Why the fuck did I agree to this?” Dionysus muttered.

“Because,” said Lilaia, “this woman is being abused, and you know that will not change once this child is born.”

“This is one life threatening hundreds,” Dionysus said.

“Two lives,” said Naia. “And it’s worth it if we say it is.”

Dionysus would not argue with that.

“What am I supposed to do?”

“You are going to shape-shift into this man,” said Naia, turning her tablet around. She showed Dionysus a picture of a pale mortal with graying hair. “His name is Dr. Phanes. He is the only one allowed in Phaedra’s room along with two other nurses. Lilaia will disguise herself as one. The other will be a hospital employee,” Naia continued and then met Dionysus’s gaze. “We figured at least one person should know what they’re doing.”

“I don’t see your name on this plan,” Dionysus said.

“I will make sure Dr. Phanes and his nurse do not make it to their posts,” she said. “And when I’m done with that, I’m coming for this bumbling idiot.” Naia showed another picture of a beefy man with small eyes and a permanent scowl. “His name is Tannis. Theseus has him posted at Phaedra’s hospital door.”

Dionysus shook his head.What a fucking asshole. He treated Phaedra like a prisoner.

“I’ll make sure he’s gone by the time we’re ready to leave,” Naia said. “We move as soon as Ariadne and Persephone leave for Knossos.”

Dionysus stiffened, and suddenly, he felt like he couldn’t take deep enough breaths. He had known this was coming, but he still didn’t like it. Ariadne was essentially using herself as bait to lure Theseus away, and Theseus would go because he wanted her.

That thought turned his stomach.

He’d been surprised by her sudden change of heart.She had gone from refusing to help Hades to jumping at the chance to lead Persephone through the labyrinth, but he understood now. Her participation ensured Theseus was distracted enough to extract Phaedra safely.

He didn’t like it, but he would do it for her.

His only worry was what he’d do if she didn’t make it out of the labyrinth.

Dionysus looked at Naia and Lilaia. “Best not tell Ariadne,” he said. “She doesn’t need distractions in the labyrinth.”

“Tell me what?”

Dionysus whirled as Ariadne entered the room. She was dressed from head to toe in black with her hair pulled back, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder. She was followed by Persephone, who was carrying a cat.

“Nothing,” Dionysus said quickly, then his eyes fell to the fluffy feline. “Why do you have a cat?”

“Hecate says to bring her to the labyrinth,” said Persephone. She exchanged a look with Ariadne. “And when Hecate tells you to do something, you do not argue.”

That was fair. Hecate was the Goddess of Witchcraft. Whatever she sent along with Persephone was bound to help, which meant it was also of benefit to Ariadne. Still…why a cat?

Dionysus’s gaze returned to Ariadne, who dropped her heavy bag to the ground. She bent to unzip it and dug out a set of clothes before handing them to Persephone.

“Change,” she said, taking the cat. “Down the hall to your left.”

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