Page 235 of Bonds of Hercules
“Don’t … know.” I slumped weakly. It was the truth.
There was a long moment of quiet.
“Liar.” Metal clattered against stone as he stood up. “She’syoursister—it had to be you …” He leaned across the table. “Tell me where you stashed THAT MONSTER!”
“I … don’t … know.”
My head snapped to the side as Zeus slapped me.
Guards flooded the space, brandishing sparking batons.
Time warped in a blur of pain.
A vial was dangled in front of my face.
Metal creaked.
“I … don’t … know … Medusa,” someone whispered repeatedly; it might have been me.
More blows fell.
Zeus stood composed in front of me. “I need to know. Is he telling the truth?”
Is who telling the truth?
Patro’s face blurred in and out of focus.
“Remember, if you lie to me,” Zeus said quietly, “Achilles will be sent to the Underworld.”
Patro leaned toward me, his mouth moving. “Do you know where Medusa is?”
Who is he talking to?
“Kharon—answer me!” Patro yelled.
“No.”
Patro searched my face, and his shoulders slumped with relief.“He’s telling the truth.”
Zeus was silent.
Patro asked more questions and someone answered; it might have been me.
Glass pressed against my lips.
Smooth liquid poured down my throat.
A switch flipped—the pain turned off; I felt nothing.
I was sitting chained to a chair with warm blood dripping down my face. My eyes were almost fully swollen shut, and I could only see out of small cracks.
Patro and Zeus were arguing.
“Someone has to know where thefuckMedusa is.” Zeus gritted his teeth. “The safety of Sparta is at stake.”
“I already told you … We’re not involved,” Patro said calmly. “Maybe you should interrogate the Olympians.”
Zeus pointed at me. “Get him out of here … Now.”
