Page 54 of The Brothers Bane

Still, I can tell she’s impressed—maybe even proud that I could best her—but there’s that wary look she gives me that makes me wonder if I’ve crossed some invisible line.

Lunch passes in a blur of thoughts about the sacrifices people are being forced to make for my sake—Campe’s and Pan’s especially—and what they’re risking just to keep me out of Chaos’s clutches. But when afternoon training rolls around, I push those worries aside and focus on what’s in front of me.

I dive wholeheartedly back into training after lunch, hoping to redeem myself for getting distracted earlier.

“Again!” Mel calls out, and I lunge at her with renewed energy. She meets my attack with a glint of fresh challenge in her eyes, like she’s ready to kick off my training wheels. She’s been unrelenting for the past hour, forcing me to focus on form and finesse and not just rely on brute force to beat her.

This time, instead of meeting her strike head-on, I let my instincts take over. My power flickers within me like a match striking in the dark—and then I’m gone.

I reappear behind her, catching her by surprise and tapping her shoulder lightly. Her eyes widen in shock as she spins around, lips curving into a grudging smile.

“Didn’t see that coming,” she admits.

I can’t help but grin back at her. It feels good to keep her on her toes for once, even if it is just training. But it’s more than that; it’s proof that maybe I can handle whatever comes next—not just for myself, but for all those who are putting their necks on the line for me.

Campe and Alcides give her a breather and drill me hard until dusk when the dinner bell rings. I’m sweat-soaked and exhausted, but the practice honing my focus left me with far more power today than I had yesterday. But then I remind myself that I’m fully bonded with all the guards now, and my well feels exponentially deeper than it did when all this started.

Is this my limit? That’s a question I’ll have to explore. I’ve never felt more powerful, but I also have yet to fight someone who’s actually trying to kill me.

When Mel calls a halt for dinner, I return my weapon to the armory and meet the others back outside where yet another migration to the mess hall for the evening meal is underway.

I trail behind Alcides, feeling the ache in my muscles with every step toward sustenance. Despite them pushing me hard all afternoon, I feel oddly wired, if not actually energized. As we near the entrance, he slows down and glances back at me, a mix of anticipation and nerves flickering in his eyes.

“I’ll be eating with Ele again at Hipployta’s table. Would you join us tonight?” he asks, gesturing toward where Ele is waiting.

I’m about to say yes when I remember Campe. Turning to her, I ask, “Will you come too?”

Campe shakes her head, a stern resolve etching her features. “Vesh needs me back for tomorrow’s preparations.” Her façade cracks when she meets my gaze and she takes a step closer. The stream of women part around us and she pulls me off the path.

“What is it?”

“I won’t be able to return here again. I might find time to meet you in your sanctuary, but the next time we meet will likely be our confrontation with the Titans. Keep Alcides with you. He’ll bring you when it’s time.”

Something akin to panic clutches my insides. I’ve had such brief stretches with each of the guards; it’s not enough. A selfish urge overtakes me to go to Vesh and tell him to set them all free once and for all, or to argue with Campe so that she sees reason. Sheistechnically free.

“It’s only temporary,” she says, a worried frown marring her brow when she sees the displeasure on my face.

“You shouldn’t have to do this,” I say, sounding like a broken record even to my own ears.

Her expression softens and she lifts a hand to cup my cheek. “It’s my choice, Nemea. It’s so you can have the freedom you seek. To me that’s worth everything.”

She leans close and presses a soft kiss to my brow, then tilts my chin up to capture my lips. Anger and sadness tighten my throat, and just as I move to embrace her tighter, she pulls away and disappears.

I remain staring at the empty air where she stood, trying to get my emotions under control. After a moment it hits me that the earth remained still through all of that, even though my power is a roiling mess inside me. My well is deep enough now to keep it from spilling over.

A gentle touch on my upper arm pulls me back to the present, and the next thing I know, I’m enveloped in Alcides strong embrace. I heave a sigh.

“This sucks,” I mutter into the fur of his cloak.

He makes a gruff sound, stroking my head.

“There is nothing we won’t do for you, Nemea.”

“When do I get to do something foryou?” I ask, peering up into his face.

“Your existence is all we need.”

Staring up into his eyes, I can sense that he understands that will never be enough for me. The more powerful I get, the more I need to fix what’s broken.

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