Page 227 of Blood of Hercules
My neck prickled under the weight of his glare.
He was furious.
Get in line, buddy.
I was 99 percent sure we were only running right now because Augustus was trying to kill off Fluffy Jr.
An hour ago, while we were meditating and envisioning leaping, Fluffy Jr. had barked, and Augustus had announced that I was “purposefully trying to disrupt the class with my idiotic, useless protector.”
Then he’d ordered us to run the circuit, and General Cleandro summoned my mentors.
The kicker: Augustus had let everyone else’s animals stay behind but made Fluffy Jr. run it with me as “his punishment.”
The joke was on Augustus—Fluffy Jr. seemed to be having the time of his life.
He ran ahead of us, body quivering with his head flung back as he tried to catch every single snowflake. He’d been doing it for hours and showed no signs of slowing down. His oversize paws and surprisingly powerful legs ate up the climb like it was nothing.
At least someone was having fun.
Breathing shallowly, gums aching from inhaling freezing air, eyelashes frozen over, I pushed my burning muscles forward.
“So,” Patro asked casually, like he wasn’t even exerting himself, “have you noticed anything off about Augustus lately? I’ve known him my entire life, and he’s usually a very calm guy, but he seems a little—different.”
I choked on saliva and spat it out.
The wind whipped it right back into my face, and it froze across my cheek.
The universe hates me.
“Have you?” Patro asked again, clearly not letting it go.
“He’s a dick,” I said, then tripped with excitement because I’d finally done it; I’dsworn aloud.
Fluffy Jr. barked loudly and jumped around as the cord in my chest strummed. He was happy for me.Adorable.
“It’s weird.” Patro shook his head slowly like he was leisurely thinking and not climbing up the side of a mountain in a blizzard, trying to survive. “Has he said anything to you?”
I shook my head.
Yeah, he threatened me, then smashed my brain to bits. He’s also held a mug to my lips, potentially called me evil in Latin, and promised to protect me.Pinned me against a wall.Stalked me with his eyes.
“Are you sure he hasn’t done anything... dramatic? Like given you anything?” Patro was staring at me like he wanted to ask something specific, but then Achilles shook his head, and he closed his mouth.
“No,” I said.The only thing he’s given me is PTSD.
A beat passed.
“He’s the s-son of Ares,” I continued, like it explained everything. He’d chosen to be heir of the lineage nicknamed theHouse of War; that was all I needed to know about his mental health.
My mentors looked unconvinced.
“On another topic,” Patro said, “you never told us—did you ever figure out what your power is?”
I stumbled again.
Achilles caught me. His calloused fingers lingered on my arm as he slowly released me, like he didn’t want to let go.
I tilted my head toward him questioningly, but he fisted his hands and glanced away.
