Page 69 of Crown of Olympus
Her chin lifted, and her eyes locked onto mine. “Your trial ends when you claim your medallion from beyond the castle walls. If the sun sets and it is not in your possession, you will be disqualified from further trials. Good luck.”
Less than a day. Approximately eighteen hours to breach the wall and claim a necklace. It sounded achievable, but I knew better than to expect anything straightforward. Athena would have chosen her obstacles with strategic cruelty.
I only hoped I was ready.
As Hermes had gleefully explained prior to transporting us: because Athena was selected to design this particular trial, she was barred from competing in it. Instead, the Fates, working in tandem with the other Primals, crafted one solely for her. She now had to survive inside a locked box, submerged deep in Poseidon’s turbulent seas, for the duration ofourtrial. I did not envy her.
The lack of air would not kill her, but it would drown her — repeatedly. Forhours. If she did not succumb to madness, she would move onto the next challenge with the rest of us.
I shuddered at the thought.
Gods and their bonded animals began to break off, separating into smaller groups. Others lingered, toying with the odds of solo success.
Tychon, predictably, strode right up to Leander. His beady-eyed crow clutched his shoulder, cawing at Leander’s Telkhine hound, while the gods bared their teeth at each other, with thinly veiled hostility.
To my surprise, Aphrodite sidled up to Aros, whose eyes had been burning holes into the side of my face. I had been pointedly ignoring it, indecision warring inside me.
To ally, or not to ally? That was the question. And one I needed to answer quickly.
What do you think, girl?
My dragon swung her violet head around until she located something — or rather,someone. She squawked and nudged me to look.
Intense silver eyes clashed with mine, and my breathing stuttered. I was forever being caught off guard by the storm-wielder’s gaze.
Caelus lifted his chin and strode over, never once breaking eye contact. Diana’s python hissed angrily as he narrowly avoided stepping on it. Somehow, I knew the serpent would fare far worse than the burly god. Diana scowled. I narrowed my eyes right back.
A debt was owed there.
She would soon learn what happens when you attempt to poison, maim, and killdeathherself. A devious grin twisted my lips as I plotted silently.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked drily.
“Good morning to you too, Nightshade,” he returned, equally sarcastic.
But then Caelus dropped the pretence of joviality, his face falling into something resembling sincerity.
“Ally with us.” He gestured to Aros and Aphrodite, who had their heads drawn together, whispering urgently. “You can’t do everything on your own. And besides, we could use a death-wielder on the battlefield.” He shrugged, a smirk flitting across his face.
I pursed my lips, considering. The dragon had nudged me towards him — without knowing he’d formed a team of hisown. But could I trust the judgement of a six-pound creature I’d only just met?
“I’ll join you on one condition,” I said slowly.
His brows lifted, wariness creasing the skin between them.
“And what’s that, dare I ask?”
“You tell me why you keep calling meNightshade.”
Caelus huffed an amused breath. “Join us, and I’ll tell you after we win.” With a grin, he walked back over to the duo, who were watching the exchange with curiosity. He cocked a brow, crossed his arms, and waited expectantly for me to join them.
Scowling, I trudged after him, my dragon humming happily next to my ear. At least one of us was content with this development.
“Darling!” Aros yelled, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Welcome to Team Heroes!” I shrugged his arm off, raising a brow of my own.
I was no hero.
“Oh, come now. We were just discussing tactics.” He turned back to the group, his tone shifting. “Whatarethe tactics?”
