Page 105 of Bonds of Hercules
The Spartan Lifestyle Page came up, the bane of all our existences. But instead of the usual images of Achilles and Patro, the page was covered in pictures and videos ofourAlexis.
“The Hero We’ve Been Waiting For” spread across the top of the page in big bold letters.
Augustus clicked.
Image after image of Alexis in the fight popped up. There were also drawings of her. Paintings.Sexualpaintings of her falling from the sky with wings. Thankfully, they were fully bullshit and looked nothing like her—but it was the principle of it.
We weren’t the only ones obsessed.
Everyone wanted her.
They can’t have her.
“We have to earn her trust,” I said. “Wehaveto do somethingto show her how we feel. She won’t accept jewelry, clothes, or money. We have to come up with—”
“I’m already ahead of you.” Augustus stood up and rummaged through a dresser drawer until he pulled out a sleek black box.
He opened it and I grinned. “That’s genius.”
Augustus smiled back, the first time in weeks that he’d made the expression. “We’re going to get her back.” His eyes dimmed. “We have to …”
Or we won’t survivewas left unsaid.
Either Alexis broke the silent treatment and spoke to us, or we perished.
It was just a matter of time.
Muted rays streamed in through the windows as doves cooed outside, heavy clouds hanging over the choppy waters of Lake Como.
Morning had arrived.
It was time to train.
Augustus sighed heavily and rubbed at the stubble on his jaw. The circles around his eyes were darker than they’d ever been. He was as ruined as I was.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“Where?”
“To get our wife.”
I cracked my knuckles. It was about time.
18
THE PRICE OF POWER
ALEXIS
Ilimped into the villa and headed toward Helen’s room.
Hell and Hound prowled in front of me, and Fluffy Jr. walked at my side with Poco on his neck.
I was exhausted and drenched to the bone, because for the last sixteen hours, Augustus had led all of us on a punishing run through the rain (he was a homicidal maniac).
When night had fallen, and we’dfinallystopped, I slipped out while everyone headed to the training center to shower.
Only Achilles had noticed me walk away. In fact, he’d been staring at me a lot lately.
