Page 107 of Bonds of Hercules
I reached my hands down and touched the animals who sat at my feet.
Kharon made a strangled sound as he realized my intention—he grasped for me.
“Domus.”
Black-painted nails swiped like claws, centimeters from my face.
CRACK.
I collapsed onto a pile of sparkly dresses, groaning—smoke billowed—I was back inside Helen’s empty room. I’d done the impossible again; I’d leapt a short distance mid-panic.
Apparently, I had no innate sense of self-preservation.Yay?
Tripping over pillows and boxes of makeup, I threw myself against the door, shutting it as I turned the locks.
Heaving, I leaned against it and slumped with relief.
My gasps echoed in the quiet.
I was alone.
Safe.
No one was going to bother me.
Finally.
I just needed some time to—
“Alexis.” Kharon’s voice echoed through the door, vibrating with menace.
I shrieked.
How did he move so fast?
I backed away into the room. A string of pearls on top of abejeweled purple gun wrapped around my ankle and I fell to the ground.
“You could have gotten hurt leaping,” Augustus said in the hall.
“What did I say would happen if you injured yourself?” Kharon asked coldly. “I believe I was very … explicit.”
Something about tormenting me for all of eternity?
Too late.
There was a dull popping sound like Kharon was cracking his knuckles.
“Wait, are you threatening me?” I asked, half outraged, half disturbed (mentally).
“No,” Augustus said too quickly.
Kharon chuckled, cadence severe and mocking. “Obviously—Alexis.”
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
“Go away,” I said as I crawled on hands and knees across the floor, desperate to put more space between us.
“We’re trying to apologize.” Augustus sounded remorseful and sincere.
