Page 164 of Blood of Hercules
When we finally entered the symposium, I faltered.
My mind had been violated over comfy lounge chairs, a sleek bar top, roaring hearths, card games, and drinks.
Wood Corinthian colonnades, covered in gold foil at the top, were spaced out around the room.
Everyone was in business casual.
We were underdressed.
This is why he attacked me?This mundane-looking club.
I would have laughed, but it wasn’t funny.
Augustus walked in and greeted my mentors. Patro and Achilles laughed and smiled when they saw him (I assumed from how Achilles’s eyes crinkled that he was smiling).
Why is Augustus a nice guy to everyone but me?
When Patro saw me looking, he leaned forward and arched a mocking brow at me.
I stared back blankly.
When Augustus sat down, his suit jacket parted. His torso was covered in guns.He’s just pretending to be a professor. Remember, he’s in the Assembly of Death. He’s the oldest Chthonic heir. Don’t forget who he really is.
The reminder was chilling.
Poco climbed under the table and disappeared. Fangs flashed in the shadows at the three men’s feet.
Laughter boomed as they picked at a spread of cheeses, fish, and fruits.
Just Chthonics enjoying the disturbing ambiance of one another’s company.
Drex said something and followed the rest of the initiates to a table near Augustus. I went in the opposite direction.
Stumbling, I pushed past men speaking Latin with birds perched on their shoulders. Their eyes widened as they realized I was a girl, but none of them tried to stop me as I cut across the room.
An empty booth was hidden in the corner, covered in food.
Perfect.
Sinking into the leather, I scooted until I was completely swathed in shadows. Sinking as low as possible, I stared unseeing at the monotony that had spelled my demise. Nyx moved in her sleep, and I clung to her.
Augustus’s booth erupted yet again with rowdy laughter. I shifted so they were in my blind spot.
My cheeks flushed from the heated temperatures, my fingers and soul tingled as they slowly thawed.
You’re still alive. It’s okay. You’re going to survive this hellscape, get back to Charlie, and never see Augustus ever again.
Dark woods, rich leathers, and warm colors filled the room.
Whiskey and cigars filled my senses.
This is what Augustus called dangerous? He wouldn’t last a second in the trailer park.
In one corner, an average bartender served drinks to extraordinary men.
Across the room, a freshly polished grand piano gleamed in the firelight. A figure, hidden behind a colonnade, set up sheets of music, then started to play a mellow melody.
Men held their drinks up and bowed their heads to the pianist, then they clinked their glasses together and threw the contents back.
