Page 77 of Curses & Keys
The trio continues to advance. Mathias takes my hand and pulls me toward one of the excavated residences. The gate with its padlock provides little resistance. He pushes me inside and to the corner, palming two of his knives. I draw my gun and peek around him. He mutters something and motions for me to get back. I shake my head and move to the entrance.
“They’re gone,” I tell him, tucking my gun away. I point to the mosaic on the floor. “This is the House of the Dolphins. There are several houses here with intact mosaics that are simply stunning.” My mouth curves down. Every time I see an inlaid mosaic, I think of home. The one I lived in as a child.
Shaking off the melancholy, I turn toward the gate. “You want to hear something funny? I thought I saw Apollo a minute ago.” I’d laugh but that might tempt fate. I turn back to find him staring down at the inlaid tile.
Mathias points to the mosaic, sheathing his knives. “That’s the brand, isn’t it?”
I squint, but I don’t see what he’s talking about. “Where?”
His hand grips mine, and he pulls me closer. “There.”
In the center of the mosaic is an image of several triangles stacked inside each other, two lines across the point, and a circle above them. I bend down. “Damn. You have good eyesight.” Inside the circle is a tiny symbol. Hephaestus’ brand.
“You might want to step back,” I tell him.
He moves closer.Damn.Nervous, I stand there for a minute, trying to figure out what’s going to happen this time.
He reaches out and takes my other hand. “I’m right here.”
My gaze finds his, and I tilt my head. “Why do you wear glasses? It’s obvious your eyesight is perfect.” Yes, I’m stalling. Sue me. I still want to know, though.
Voices echo outside the gate. “I’ll tell you later.”
I nod and turn back to the brand. Placing my trembling hand directly over it, I hold my breath while I wait for something to happen. A bright light appears, and I squint, trying to see past its rays. It fades, leaving a golden bow and arrow floating in the air.
Mathias moves to get it, but I pull him back.
“The gods are particular about their quests,” I say softly, not wanting them to overhear me. “I wonder what they want me to shoot?”
He looks around. “That,” he says, pointing into the distance. I must appear confused because he elaborates. “There’s a gold serpent wrapped around an apple. It wasn’t there a minute ago.”
I grab the bow and arrow and follow his finger to the pedestal. Emerald eyes stare unblinking at me from the head of the snake as the body slithers around a golden apple.
Bracing myself, I pull back the arrow, but it disappears the moment I release it. “Of course it’s not this easy.”
“Take a few steps back,” he tells me.
I step back, and the tip of the arrow returns. Continuing backward, I watch a small piece of the arrow reappear with every step until I’m standing in the mosaic with a full arrow in my hand. “Damn. They want me to shoot from here.” I stare at theweapon in my hand. “And they’ve only given me one shot. How do I hit a target I can’t see?”
My eyes find his. “Did you bring binoculars?”
Instead of answering, he tentatively reaches out and strokes the arrow. “No, but as you pointed out, I have excellent eyesight. I can help you.”
I stare at him, afraid of saying yes. What if something happens to him?
He walks behind me. “Stop worrying. Take your stance.”
I take a deep breath and get into position. He slides his body directly in line with mine and covers my hands with his. I silently groan as his breath whispers down my neck, making me want to turn and face him.
Not the time, I remind myself.Concentrate on the task.
“We’re going to pull back the arrow together.” Our hands grasp the nock and the string on the bow, then we draw our arms back until the bow is fully loaded.
I shift my focus to the pedestal at the far end.
“Steady,” he says, adjusting our position. “We’re lined up. Breathe in. Out. That’s it.” His voice in my ear is nothing but confident. Cool. My racing heart steadies. My breath syncs with his. Everything around us blurs. There is only this moment.
“I’ve got the target in my sight,” he assures me. “Close your eyes.”
