Page 110 of Crown of Olympus
“Someone is playing dirty, Nyss,” Charon warned. “You’ve been sabotaged more times than I can count, and I wouldn’t put it past any one of them to take you down in front of a crowd.”
His usual joviality was long gone.He was frightened.
I took a deep breath and unsheathed Nightbreaker. Shadows flared to life along her blade.
“I’ll be fine. Iamthe weapon, remember?”
I nodded firmly, extricating myself from both towering blonde males, and met Ares in the centre. His next words were directed towards the council.
“Champions,” he called. “You have fought and bled for the chance to demonstrate your worthiness, hoping the crown selects you or the god you represent. Some of you have failed.”
His lips curled as he eyed the fallen champions intently.
“Ihave decided to be merciful.”
Dragonshit.
A shift rippled through them as dread wound through me.
“One competitor remains unmatched. Untested.”
The arena held its breath.
“But that’s not fair, is it? And thus, it falls to me to remedy the situation.”
Ares spread his arms out dramatically.
“Who among you can best her? You, Thallo?”
The god lifted his chin defiantly.
“Or maybe you, Athena?”
The goddess’ wide eyes lingered on my face as she straightened.
“Perhaps even you, Aphrodite?”
My friend held a dainty hand over her mouth in horror.
“Nyssa, our lone champion, shall faceeveryfallen competitor, should they desire a second chance.”
“No!” Caelus roared.
“That’s not fair!” Charon yelled.
Velira shrieked, her cry piercing enough to make those near her clutch their ears. Aros’ face flushed a deep red, flames igniting in his irises.
They were the only ones to protest aloud, however. Diana looked as though she’d already won, grinning maniacally at me. Thallo straightened with quiet determination. Tychon beat his fist over his chest with a shout of triumph.
But it was Leander who sent an icy shiver down my spine. His newly healed hands tightened around his shining trident — healed by Apollo’s gift at Poseidon’s uproarious demand. The skin was a soft, baby-pink, though he would forever wear the scars across his wrists where Caelus’ sword had sliced through them.
It wasn’t his hands that disturbed me, though. It was his eyes. They promised violence. They promised agony and despair.
He was the one I’d have to watch out for.
“So tell me,” Ares crooned, voice rich with amusement. “Who among you has the strength to fight? To win? Because that’s what it will take. Defeat Nyssa and take your place among the remaining champions, or surrender — and the crown could be hers for the taking.”
Unsurprisingly, Leander and Diana stepped forward first. Tychon, Thallo, and Athena followed.
