Page 82 of Blood of Hercules
I moved away from him. My roster of friends was full. Yes, Nyx took up every spot. She had a big (deranged) personality.
Titus said something derogatory about women belonging on their backs.
“Stand up!” Vorex ordered too soon, and I joined in the chorus of groans.
He gestured to the dark-blue water behind us. “That is the River Styx—do you all see the boat with the man standing on it?”
A tall wide-shouldered figure was upright in a thin boat. Covered head to toe in the black cloak that signified he was part creature, with a long pole in his hand, he looked more shadow than man.
“That is Kharon, the heir to the House of Artemis and the deadliest Chthonic assassin on earth,” Vorex said with a grimace. “If you stop swimming... if he catches you... youwilldie. The fact that he’s agreed to be the ferryman of the circuit this year isnotgood news for your chances of survival.”
Kharon’s boat turned in the water toward us.
A hair-raising growl echoed, and everyone looked around warily.Where is that sound coming from?
Vorex frowned. “They call Kharonthe Hunter for a reason. You don’t want to be caught by him. He’s more creature than man.”
An initiate shivered with fear (it was me).
But apparently, we didn’t look properly terrified, because Vorex continued, “He’s the only Spartan who doesn’t have an animal protector. Do you want to know why? Because all the monstrous creatures areafraidof him. He’s one of them... but worse.”
Kharon stared at us across the River Styx and smiled.
Is he looking at me?
I discreetly moved to the side, so I hid behind Christos.
Vorex grimaced as he continued, “Rumor is, he has a dungeon in his villa at Lake Como where he tortures anyone who angers him.”
Kharon is definitely still looking at me.
I blanched and crouched lower.
Please don’t take me to your dungeon.
“All right.” Vorex shrugged. His ferret crawled onto his shoulderand stood up tall. “Everyone, get in the water and swim to the academy.”
He pointed to the very endof the rippling water, where the carved side of the mountain was barely visible.
The distance wasfar.
Nyx slithered down my side onto the ground. “I’ll swim beside you, kid.”
I slumped with relief at the release of her crushing weight and sat down, but didn’t have time to enjoy it.
Christos once again offered me his bloody cut palm.
Sighing, I took it.
Scrapes burned on my hand as they reopened.
“What are you waiting for? Go—go—go!” Vorex shouted. “Swim like your lives depend on it.”
The ten of us ran forward into the river. Icy water jolted my exhausted system into panic mode. It was like face-planting onto concrete.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest.
With all my strength, I threw my arms forward and kicked as I fought to get away from the flailing bodies.
