Page 91 of Guided by the Stars
His body shakes with tremors and each one brings more pain, more blood, but no response.
“Kai. Open your eyes. This involves Adriane.”
He tilts his head up, trying to focus, and gives me an almost imperceptible nod.
“This note is from Jax,” I say, slipping it into what’s left of the pocket of his jeans. “Find the strength, Adriane’s life depends on it.”
His eyes meet mine in a moment of clarity, and what I see breaks my heart. Pure unadulterated fear. Not for himself, though. But for her.
His legs give out and he groans, the barbed metal chain the only thing holding him up now. Within seconds his eyes glaze over again, a pained expression settling on his face.
A single word escapes him before his body crumples, “Adriane.”
Footsteps echo from the palace behind me and I know I have to leave. If they find me here with him, if they take that note, we’re all fucked. With one last look at Kai, I rush back into the garden.
My thoughts are spiraling when I reach the tree, but there’s still work to do before I leave. I bend down and force my power through the base, carving a hole into it. From my bag, I pull out the one item that will help Kai escape, the helmet. I use my energy to conceal the hole from everyone except Kai, his blood that coats my fingers enhancing the bond. Before standing, I press my hands to the dirt, searching for his presence once more. What I find is even fainter than before, flickering in and out.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I stand and lean against the tree, taking a few moments to try and process what I just witnessed.
If this was the retribution Hades dealt, what of Alexius?
Zeus wouldn’t kill his own son…would he?
