Page 48 of Loving the Liar

He extends a hand, presenting the entrance of the maze. “In less than a minute, you will all be given a chalice filled with Circe’s poison, which will help reveal who you really are. Then you will enter Daedalus’s labyrinth. In the center, the bachelors who are being initiated into the circle tonight await their wives, their Hera. Be the first to reach one and you will become his. You will become a goddess highly respected in the Circle. You will carry our children and ensure our legacy.”

His gaze travels over all of us, darkening as flames of excitement dance in his pupils. “But don’t forget that five minutes after you enter the labyrinth, the Shadows who are already members will come chasing after you, and if one catches you before you find a husband, and brings you to the center of the maze, you will become no less of a goddess, but a servant to our needs. Aphrodites live to feed the lust of men, and you shall submit to the choice your heart made. Your bodies will be ours, and we will forever cherish them.”

He pauses, looking like he’s already analyzing our reactions so he can find the woman he’ll go after. I find it insane to say we would have to submit to the choice our heart made when we’re basically running for our lives and forced to submit if we’re caught.

My knees weaken as a line of men dressed in suits advances toward us. They all have the Silent Circle signet ring, each holding a chalice in their hand.

Eugene Duval approaches me, but at the last second, he turns to Megan, offering her the drink. I look around, wondering who around here is her family. Is it a dad? A brother? Both? She seems to have so much advantage over everyone else.

Megan doesn’t hesitate to drink the liquid offered to her. Her lips are a deep, burgundy red when Eugene walks away, and she looks at me with a smile on her face.

“Here he comes,” she tells me. “The man who invited you.”

I follow her gaze to Professor Reeves, approaching me like a hunter on prey.

“You’re here,” he says blankly.

I don’t reply anything, simply take the chalice he offers me.

“I think I’ll be running after you tonight, Ella. After all, if you’re here, you know what you’re getting yourself into, right?” My stomach clenches as a slow smile spreads on his lips, and he nods at my cup. “Drink up.”

It tastes like bitter red wine, and I gag as I down the whole thing. Looking at Megan, she has a hazy smile on her face, and panic takes over me.

“Wait,” I hesitate. “Did they… Are there drugs in this?”

She nods, laughing softly. “Have fun.”

“Ladies, on your marks.” Eugene’s voice brings my attention back to the entrance of the maze. “Ready…”

A buzz resonates around me, all the women starting to feel the effect of whatever they drugged us with.

“Let the Dionysian Mysteries begin!”

Chapter Thirteen

Ella

.Goetia. - Peter Guidry

Ashot resonates in the air, and I’m swept by the wave of women running toward the entrance of the maze. The night is black, and there are speakers playing ominous music. Some sort of gothic, haunting tune.

I have to keep running, pushed by the crowd until the second or third turn I take. After that, everyone spreads out, going the route they think best, some running faster than others. I’ve lost Megan, though I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. I take a left turn and jump back in fear, a sharp scream escaping me.

There’s a statue of a half-man half-bull in front of me. The Minotaur that hides in Daedalus’s labyrinth, stuck in here for eternity. And that’s when it hits me. The drugs. Because I could swear statues don’t move. I don’t think his creepy hooves are supposed to make the ground tremble or his nose is meant to let out a dangerous grunt.

The whole world tilts as I take steps back and go a different way, turning another corner and catching my breath by trying to lean on the hedge nearest to me. But I don’t get a minute of rest. The music lowers for a second, and Eugene’s voice resonates all around.

“Shadows. You may hunt.”

My heart drops, but my feet are slow when I try to start moving again. I stumble from one hedge to the other, scratching my arms and ripping my dress as the ground ripples beneath me.

I don’t feel like myself anymore. The leaves on the walls of the maze change colors as the wind rustles them, and every time I turn a corner, I fear someone is going to jump at me.

“Fuck,” I groan as I fall face-to-face with the Minotaur for the fourth time.

I’m terrified. That beast is following me everywhere, and as I turn another corner, I bump into someone.

Is he real?

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