Page 179 of Blood of Hercules
Sirens and Spartans stared at me.
The room spun.
“Are you okay, kid?” Nyx asked. “Do you want me to bite him?”
The panic worsened.
“I need to get out of the booth,” I whispered.
Lena quickly made room, and her gentle hands guided me out.
I stood up shakily.
The problem was Oron also escorted me out of the booth. He held on to me from behind as he whispered platitudes into my hair.
Before I could do anything, Augustus grabbed Oron by the back of the neck and ripped him away.
“Howdareyou touch her?” Augustus snarled, then he chucked the siren across the room like he weighed nothing. “IF ANYONE IN SPARTA LAYS A SINGLE FINGER ON ALEXIS—THEY ANSWER TO ME!” he roared into the room.
I blinked up at my professor—the man who hated me—in horror.
What the heck is he doing?
He loosened his suit jacket button, flashing the weapons holstered across his chest.
Panic filled my lungs.
I staggered back.
Gasping, hands on my knees, I greedily sucked in air and whispered, “Sorry, sorry, sorry,” to Lena. Something was happening to me—I’d lost all control.
I was no longer flying.
I was plummeting.
What the freak does ambrosia do to a person? It felt like adrenaline but ten times worse.
Spartans and sirens turned toward the commotion.
Embarrassment burned my chest.
Before I could come up with some explanation (remember how to speak), Augustus stepped into my personal space.
Tension crackled in the air. “Alexis, you better leave the symposium, now,” he commanded. “Or else...” He trailed off dangerously.
The shame intensified.
Head low, I tripped toward the exit as I tried to leave.
Lena stepped in front of my path. “I don’t know what’s happening,”she said. “But if you need help, I’m here. You’re not alone. Don’t let anyone treat you less than you deserve, great one.”
She looked at me like she thought I was powerful. Only Charlie had ever looked at me like that.
Breathing deeply, I nodded.
Tried to gather courage from her.
The room spun faster.
