Page 64 of A Touch of Chaos

Well, he’d thought it was over.

Until something horrifying slipped out from between Phaedra’s legs.

“What the fuck is that?” Dionysus demanded.

“A placenta, Doctor,” the nurse said, her tone clipped.

“A placenta. Of course,” he said. He took a breath. He started to wipe a hand across his forehead but paused when he realized he was still gloved and covered in blood.

“Aren’t you going to clamp it?” the nurse asked.

“No,youcan clamp it,” Dionysus said and looked at Lilaia. “Are you almost done?”

“We have to weigh the baby, Di—Doctor,” she said. “And he needs another Apgar. Then we’re done.”

He said nothing as they finished, his mind wandering to Ariadne.

Gods, he hoped she was safe.

When Phaedra and the baby were cleaned, dressed, and warm, Dionysus met her gaze.

She smiled at him, almost dreamily.

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“I do not deserve your thanks,” he said, and then Phaedra’s face changed, her bliss replaced by confusion as he asked, “Are you ready to see your sister?”

CHAPTER XIV

PERSEPHONE

When Persephone and Ariadne arrived at the Palace of Knossos, the light shone on the horizon, casting shadows over the scattered ruins of what must have once been a magnificent fortress. It seemed to go on for miles in all directions with only a few walls standing. Still, they were covered in vibrant frescos and beautiful murals, the colors burning brilliantly against the now all-white stone.

There was a strange peace here that Persephone found unnerving given that somewhere below all this stone was a labyrinth in which Hades was being held prisoner.

Persephone looked at Ariadne, who was rifling through the bag she’d brought.

“Where is everyone?” she asked. She had expected something akin to a guarded fortress, but instead, she found ruins, trees, and barren hills.

Ariadne rose to her feet and slung the bag over her shoulder.

“There is no one, save those who have entered the labyrinth,” she said. “And they never come out.”

Galanthis meowed loudly.

Ariadne smiled faintly.

“Do not worry,” she said, scratching the cat behind the ears. “I imagine if anyone is the exception, it will be you.”

Persephone frowned. “Do you have so little faith?”

“It isn’t about faith,” Ariadne said, meeting her gaze. “I know Theseus.”

Persephone’s stomach twisted sharply.

Ariadne turned and began navigating the scattered stone. She seemed to know exactly where she was going, and Persephone followed at a distance, Galanthis in hand. She could not help being a little suspicious of the detective, a woman she barely knew—a woman who would likely do anything to protect her sister the same way she would do anything to protect Hades.

“How long have you known Theseus?” Persephone asked.

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