Page 81 of A Touch of Chaos

“You might want to move a little faster,” she said, out of breath. “We’ve got visitors.”

Persephone drew away from Hades, and they turnedto see five Minotaurs approaching. They were large and had bulging muscles. Some were covered in fur; others had bare chests. Some had the head of a bull while others had more human features, but their one common trait was that their eyes were trained on their prey.

“What the fuck did Theseus do?” Hades said.

“He’s been breeding them,” said Ariadne.

They both looked at her.

Breeding?

Persephone’s stomach turned. She didn’t need details to understand what she meant, but what she wanted to know was where had the women come from, and where were they now?

That was if they’d survived the birth of such creatures.

“I asked you to help me,” Hades said. “And you refused knowing that this is what he was doing?”

Ariadne glared, her features hardened. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Thatonlymatters if we survive,” Hades said.

“Now is not the time,” Persephone said as she looked from one to the other.

They had bigger problems—literally.

“How many bullets do you have left?” Persephone asked.

Ariadne drew her gun and checked. “Two,” she said.

“Can you make those shots?”

Ariadne almost looked offended. “Yes.”

“So we’re responsible for three,” said Persephone.

Ariadne got into position to shoot.

“Do not shoot until I say,” Hades said. “Once you do it, they will rage.”

“Got it,” she said.

Hades looked at Persephone. “They have no great power, save for their strength,” said Hades. “It makes them slow, so be fast.”

She nodded, and they descended the platform.

It was a different experience being on the ground with the Minotaurs. Now she could gauge their true size and feel their approach, each of their footfalls vibrating the ground.

Hades and Persephone exchanged a look, one that promised to see each other at the end of this, and broke apart.

Persephone kept her eyes on the Minotaurs as they fanned out, two following her and two following Hades. One continued toward Ariadne. Persephone was disturbed by their very human movements—the way their eyes flashed with malice as they tracked her. One slammed its weapon—a two-headed ax—against its large palm. The other showed its teeth in a warped, wicked grin.

Though Persephone tried to keep her distance, the creatures moved fast, and as they neared, they raised their weapons to strike.

“Hades,” Persephone said, her voice ringing with alarm.

“Now, Ari,” Hades ordered, and two shots rang out in quick succession.

The sound made Persephone’s ears ring, and everything following the blast seemed to happen in slow motion. The bullet struck the smiling Minotaur in the head. Its body jerked unnaturally, head whipping back from the impact as a spray of blood spattered the ground, and when the other Minotaur turned to see itscompanion fall dead, it roared with such rage it shook her to the core. In a matter of seconds, the creature lifted its ax and slammed it down toward Persephone.

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