Page 185 of Blood of Hercules
In a stupor I got to my feet, wiped my eyes, and stumbled to the library.
“Dude, that was crazy. I can’t believe Professor Augustus carried you out like that.” Drex ran over to the entrance as I walked in. “Everyone is talking about it—did you see the way he was staring at you all night? He literally stood in the corner just watching, not touching anyone. It was creepy.”
I looked at him blankly, unable to speak.
He must have seen something in my expression, because he waved his hand dismissively. “But it’s not a big deal. Honestly, everyone was freaking out about the siren who died.”
My head snapped up. “What happened to him? Who d-did it?”
They already knew Oron was dead.
I received his parts in a box. Help.
The urge to confide burned the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t know enough about Sparta. The underworld seemed like a heinous place; they could blame me and send me away.
Drex furrowed his brow with confusion. “Him? No—everyone’s talking about that female siren who dropped dead after you were carried out.”
The numb feeling became a crushing avalanche.
“Everyone thinks she must have been poisoned.” Drex grimaced. “It was probably another siren, they have rivalries, or maybe a dark creature, or a Chthonic—they’ve been known to attack other Spartans. Maybe they were trying to poison an Olympian but got her.”
I staggered backward into a bookcase and collapsed to the floor.
Drex’s eyes widened, and he offered me a hand up.
I didn’t take it.
“Sorry,” he said in a rush. “I shouldn’t have said anything. But it’s not your fault—even if Augustus hadn’t taken you away, theyprobably would have snapped and killed her later. Chthonics don’t need reasons.”
I gasped for air as I got to my feet.
The only Chthonics in there were my mentors, Augustus, and Kharon. I couldn’t see them killing her.
When I finally regained the ability to speak, I whispered. “Why do you speak like that when you’re C-Chthonic?”
Drex recoiled. “No, I’m not.”
“I saw you... during the massacre,” I whispered.
He blanched. “What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything.”
Why is he lying?
Drex leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, “Don’t tell anybody, but my ability is endurance. My mind gets all euphoric, and I go into a trancelike state. I can run formiles... it’s crazy.” He grinned, clearly proud of what he could do.
Then who killed those three boys in the massacre?
I could have sworn his hand had been extended, eyes glowing red in the strange fog.
The hairs on my neck stood up as strange voices whispered.
“Do you hear that?” I pointed toward the sound.
“Hear what?” Drex asked.
The voices got louder. “There—that voice.” I pointed again.
Drex peered in the direction. “I don’t hear anything at all,” he said. “Nothing.”
