Page 94 of Artemis' Bow
“The phoenix is also known as the sun bird. In Ancient Greek history, the phoenix answers to my father. There’s only one that repeatedly lives and then is reborn from the ashes. I think we’re under attack.” Adrian gulps.
“There’s no doubt that we’re under attack, but did your father underestimate us by only sending his spy, or is there a bigger force waiting to take us out?” I ask, scanning the street but only seeing searing purple flames.
“We’re surrounded by phoenix fire,” Thad mutters. “I don’t even know if my sea demigod powers can put out the flames. They’re damn purple, they’re so hot.”
“I’m not sure it will do any good, but the phoenix is revered. What happens if we kill it?” I ask.
“Even though the bird is known to belong to Apollo, I don’t see how we have much choice. It signaled someone or something. I’m sure of it.”
“Yeah, that piercing cry was definitely a battle cry,” Greyson agrees.
“So what do we do?” Jayden asks. “If we move any closer to the fire, the tires are going to pop and melt into the pavement. We need to stop, but then we’re sitting ducks waiting for whatever army the phoenix has called.”
“We stand and fight no matter what. I still just don’t feel right about hurting the damned bird,” I grumble, cursing my conscience.
I have killed tons of ancient monsters, but one immortal firebird bothers me this much? I always respected and idolized a creature that could rise from the ashes of its death. There’s something symbolic in that. I rose from the ashes of my life that burned spectacularly to the ground when my mother sacrificed her life for mine when I was eighteen.
“We will avoid killing the burning pigeon until it decides to barbecue us, and then all bets are off,” Raven says.
“Agreed,” Adrian says. “My father is the god of prophecy, don’t forget. He sent the phoenix because he knew you would be hesitant to kill something you weren’t sure was innocent or not. He planned this perfectly using his gifts.”
“That bastard,” I seethe. “Do none of the gods value life?”
“The only lives they truly value are their own.” Raven shakes her head.
“We can’t do what he’s expecting us to or we will fail, and if we fail, the world will be destroyed, along with everything and everyone.”
23
“What is that now?” Thad asks.
I glance in the direction he’s pointing. “Shit.”
“They’re pulling all the monsters for this one, then.” Raven shakes her head.
“But what is it?” Thad asks again.
“We’re trapped in a ring of phoenix fire with a bunch of damn wraiths,” I growl.
“Aren’t wraiths underworld creatures?” Thad asks.
“Yeah,” Jayden says. “They sided with Hecate to get out of the underworld and now they do the queen’s bidding.”
The fog inches toward us in eerily slow movements, rising a little higher with each inch closer to us. I turn in a circle, hoping that we aren’t surrounded, but the fog and the fire spread in all directions around us.
“We need to get in a circle back-to-back,” I command. “They’re going to separate us and divide and conquer.”
Everyone turns in a circle with Jayden to my right and Raven to my left. I reach for the Ares charm and call my sword. It lightsup with white electricity that crackles along the blade. The fog retreats slightly but redoubles a second later.
Swinging my sword experimentally at the fog, a hiss escapes one of the creatures inside. “Zeussss.”
“Not Zeus. I’m his daughter and your worst nightmare,” I snarl.
“You realize they are literal nightmares, right?” Jayden asks with a smirk.
“I think that makes me even more of a badass, babe.”
“Are we seriously doing this while surrounded by monsters?” Thad asks.
