Page 91 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“I had hoped to give you a historical basis from which to derive your power,” she snapped, “but if you insist on thinking about werewolves instead of the knowledge you need tosave the world,then I suppose your history lessons shall have to wait.”
Circe snapped her fingers, and I squinted against the harsh, sudden light. When I opened my eyes, I stood in the center of the coliseum. Even with my linen shirt and pants, the sun’s heat was oppressive. Where the sand touched my sandal-clad feet, it burned. Ryder walked closer to me, but my attention caught on sparring across the arena.
With movements as fluid as a dancer, Dad fought Kieran, who turned and kicked and stepped with a wolf’s swiftness in his human form. Melanie, Bo, and Mom stood to the side, watching the fight. I strained to listen to their conversation, but I failed to summon my beast’s sharper hearing. Though some nights I couldn’t sleep thanks to her keener senses, they never came to me when Iactuallysummoned them.
Upon our arrival, the three onlookers turned to face us. Kieran’s green-eyed gaze snagged on us, and Dad used the moment to sweep his leg. The young werewolf hit the ground hard.
“There’s your combat lesson for the day,” Circe said. “Never let your enemy catch you off-guard.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” Dad called and helped Kieran to his feet.
“Considering Elle couldn’t keep her attention off her mate long enough to read a couple chapters,” Circe said as the others walked closer. Embarrassment made me flush. “I thought she might benefit more from thatgrouptraining we discussed earlier.”
I balked, but everyone else’s faces became lined with grim determination.
An apology brimmed in Ryder’s eyes.
“What do you mean ‘group training?’” I asked.
When Circe faced me, she wore a wild grin. “You’ll see.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Elle
Beneath my feet, the ground rumbled, and the sky darkened into night. Only the pale yellow moon provided light. Around me, my friends and family flashed out of existence, and huge rock walls grew from the sandy ground. Instinct urged me to run, but the ground shook too violently for me to move.
When the shaking subsided, only Circe faced me. Behind her, towering rock walls curved across the arena and created a maze.
“Where did you take them?” I demanded.
“They’re hidden inside this labyrinth,” Circe replied and crossed her arms. “You have four hours to find them, though, if I were you, I would hurry. Their positions are not exactly comfortable.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Circe sighed and lifted her hand. An image appeared above it, of Melanie and Bo, entangled in some kind of vine and hanging above a pool of dark water. A gaping mouth full of teeth snapped for Melanie’s feet, and the pink-haired werewolf grimaced. Bo’s breath was ragged.
Circe lowered her hand, and the image disappeared. I glowered at the witch.
“You’re insane,” I spat.
“And you’re wasting time,” she countered. “Every minute that passes, dear Melanie and Bo are lowered closer and closer to the piranhas.”
Circe gestured above her. In the distance, a countdown was displayed on shimmering looking glass. A minute and a half had already passed.
Desperation dragged its claws down my spine.
“Why should I play your game?” I argued. My hands shook at my sides. “You wouldn’t really hurt them. You know I would never forgive you—I would never be your ally!”
Circe shook her head, and her eyes glowed with power.
“Foolish girl,” she said. “I get one chance to mingle in the fates of mortals, to try to banish Medea forever, to win my father’s favor back. Do you know what happens if my meddling fails?”
Circe prowled closer, but my beast refused to retreat.
“I’ll be punished.” Her magic raised the hair on the back of my neck, and I shivered. “Again.”
“If you can’t control your power,” Circe continued, “I have no business helping you. I’d sooner kill you, and have the next chimera be born—maybe it will have a braver heart than yours.”
