Page 218 of Blood of Hercules
My head lolled back, and I stared up into the glacial blue eyes of a murderer. Fur was draped over my shoulders. Kharon was carrying me across his chest, and Augustus had his hand on my forehead.
They were both glaring down at me.
What did I do now?
A muzzle flashed, and Patro said something.When did my mentors get here?
There was a loud gurgling sound.
Water.
They’re going to make me swim it again. No. No. No.
I struggled to get away from the icy River Styx, but Satan flexed and held me tight. I couldn’t even move an inch. He was merciless.
He lowered me down into a tub.
Hot water surrounded me.
I sighed at the heat, and Nyx let out a low hiss of contentment as she slithered away.
Abruptly, prickling exploded across every one of my nerves.
I was boiling alive.
Screaming, I tried to get away from the pain, but Kharon and Augustus held me down. Their expressions were strange.
Patro kept saying something behind them, but I couldn’t hear him over my agonized shrieks. A muzzle flashed in my peripheral vision as Achilles dragged his hands roughly through his hair.
Tears streaked warmly down my frozen cheeks, and I pleaded at them nonsensically.
They didn’t release me.
Monsters without empathy.
Darkness pulled me under, and blessedly I finally died.
I awoke with a start. I’d just passed out.Another disappointment.
Warm bubbly water sloshed around me as I moved. I was lying fully clothed in a grand marble tub.
The dark bathroom was unfamiliar. Moonlight streaked through a closed window, and a light prickling sensation tingled along my limbs, but for the most part, I felt nothing.
I was fully numb.
The physical pain had passed.
Whispers echoed, and I rubbed at my hair-tie-covered wrists as phantom pains shot up my forearms.
The door creaked open slowly, and I slid lower into the water.
Black eyes met mine. Augustus was holding a steaming mug and a bottle of medicine.
He startled when he realized I was awake watching him.
“You need to drink this,” he said softly, his eyes narrowed with concern. “And take this nutrient pill so you can regain strength. It’s imperative that you?—”
“Leave,” I interrupted him with a raspy croak, the harsh sound unnaturally loud in the quiet.
