Page 85 of Bonds of Hercules
Augustus straightened to his full height, the sharp planes of his face ruthless and unforgiving. “You disgust me, brother.”
Crack.
Achilles leapt away, eyes haunted with regret.
He deserved far worse.
14
THE ELDEST HEIR
AUGUSTUS
Adrenaline burned me alive.
How dare Achilles show his face after he abandoned her.
The House of Ares, the House of War, had no place for cowards.
Stomping forward through the pouring rain, I navigated the side streets of Rome.
I needed to get her medical care.You should have given her to Achilles to take to safety.
My grip tightened around her limp form. Over my dead body would I entrust him or Patro with her care. Never again.
A strange agony coursed down my spine, and a sharp ache throbbed in my right knee, but I easily ignored the pain.
Weakness wasn’t allowed. Greatness or nothing—there was no in-between.
The clouds hung low and ominous as I marched through puddles, scanning the ruined city for threats. Cold rain dripped off my nose, and Poco was huddled on my back, chewing on my wet hair.
The humans had dispersed.
Chains tugged at my waist holster, but I refused to slow as I stalked forward, fuming, dragging the three bound Titans behind me, their skulls cracking satisfyingly against the cobbled street. They shrieked behind the gags I’d made from my shirt.
When did Titans sprout fucking wings?
The rain splattered against the ruined cobbled street with an angry hiss as two hellhounds stalked ahead of me, glitching in and out of focus, leading the way to the safe house.
Kharon was heavy against my left side, his grip painful as he clung to my arm. His state was rapidly deteriorating. Half-unconscious, he mumbled nonsensically, a mangled ridge where his ear used to be.
He’d done the unthinkable.
Determination flared hotter in my chest. I would save them both or die trying.
Poco dropped my hair and chittered at Alexis with concern, shivering with matted fur, as he reached down and patted her pale cheek with his tiny black hand, but she didn’t wake.
He mewled sadly.
I agree.
Fluffy Jr. limped to my right—the size of a pony—and nudged Alexis’s feet with his head. She was covered in so much blood that the downpour couldn’t wash it away.
I picked up the pace, dragging Kharon with me.
Minutes later, the hellhounds finally stopped in front of the safe house’s tall decorative wall.
I pushed on the corner of a dark-colored brick, unlatching the secret door. Shoving forward, I checked over my shoulder to make sure we weren’t being followed.
