Page 140 of Bonds of Hercules
Struggling for air, I turned my head—a fresh-cut rose stared back at me.
Gently, I traced my fingers over the thorns.
He’s visiting you at night. You know it’s not the grim reaper. It’s your—
I shook my head, refusing to think about it.
At this point, my life couldn’t get any worse.
Knock. Knock.
“We have to go to the initiation massacre in a few minutes,” Drex yelled from the hall. “Everyone ate breakfast and is waiting for you in the atrium.”
Never mind, it’s worse.
“Shut the fuck up and end yourself,” Nyx hissed at Drex from somewhere in the covers. “I’m sleeping.”
She was not a morning person.
A horrible thought struck me. “Were Patro and Achilles at the table?” I asked with growing trepidation.
“Yes,” Drex called back.
“Were they … chained to their chairs?”
“Uh—no. Wait, why would they be? Alexis—whatare you doing in your free time?”
“Nothing.”
He made a sound of disbelief.
Ignoring Drex’s judgmental energy, I busied myself putting the new rose in the vase where I’d started collecting them.
Fluffy Jr. wagged his tail and ran in circles as I hurried around getting ready. His excitement for life was endearing, and also highly annoying.
“Simmer.” I pointed at him. “We’re all going to die.”
Fluffy Jr. jumped and kicked his back legs up with enthusiasm.
I tried.
After I finished getting dressed in the outfit Helen had left out for me, I wrapped Nyx around my neck.
“Careful,” she hissed. “The diamonds are cold.”
I moved to the mirror. “What are you talking about? There are no—”
My jaw dropped.
A necklace of glittering blue diamonds hung around my throat like a choker.
Oh.
My.
God.
“Kharon?” I whispered with dawning horror as I fingered the gems, entranced by how much they sparkled. Sighing heavily, I searched for the clasp. “I can’t wear these.”
