Page 147 of Bonds of Hercules
Achilles and Patro turned to me.
“Alexis,” Patro said, overenunciating to make it clear that he was saying my name properly. “You’re welcome to stay withus… during the competition.”
The guards grumbled, but Achilles shot them a glare and they fell silent.
Patro held out his hand for me to take. “Stay in our room—let’s talk things through. Everything’s been very—” he trailed off like he was searching for the right word “—hostile.”
His vivid green eyes were full of heavy emotions.
“Please,” he whispered.
The raw sincerity in his voice made my chest hurt, because he wasn’t one for heartfelt apologies.
He looked so lost, so pleading.
I didn’t know what to make of this version of Patro. A part of me wanted to help him, to take his hand and make everything better between us. He’d been the one who stepped up and helped me calm down so I didn’t kill Theros. For a small period of time, he’d been my friend.
Achilles shifted on his feet.
They left you to die.
I wanted to make things right with Patro, but not like this.
Patro saw something in my face—his hand dropped to his side, knuckles fisting.
“Thank y-you,” I said as I glanced between Kharon and Augustus, who were both glaring at Patro. “But I’m … okay staying with them.”
Patro’s face twisted. “Typical,” he sneered.
Augustus stepped forward. “Watch… how you speak to my wife.”
“Whatever … I didn’tactuallycare.” Patro tried to scoff dismissively, but his eyes were full of anguish. “I was just offering to be nice, since you’reourmentee.”
Achilles glanced over at Patro with concern, then he shot me a glare.How dare you hurt himwas written all over his face, and even the muzzle couldn’t hide it.
I held his gaze.
“Let’s go,” Patro said to Achilles. “This hallreeksof betrayal.” He stalked inside the room, then slammed the door shut behind the two of them, before the guards could do it.
He knows how to make an exit.
Electric riot sticks sparked in the guards’ hands as they directed us, and I recognized one of the guards wearing a laurel wreath as Vorex from the House of Poseidon. He’d been Alessander’s mentor in the crucible. His gray eyes and the pink ferret on his shoulder were unmistakable.
Vorex dipped his head to me in acknowledgment. “Please wait inside your room,” he said calmly. “We’ll retrieve you soon for the opening ceremony.”
Kharon stood taller, his skeletal tattoos stark in the dim light. “Don’ttell my wife what to do.”
Vorex gulped. “Of course, sir … we’re just following orders.” The riot stick shook in his hand.
I’d remembered him being fierce and intimidating during the crucible.
Augustus studied the men cowering before us like he was making a decision. “Fine,” he said coldly, his expression combative as he escorted me and Kharon inside.
The iron door slammed shut behind us with a loud bang, chains clicking as they slid into hooks.
The small windowless stone chamber had a sinister scarlet cast in the torchlight. A wooden door led to a sparse bathroom, and that was the only other space.
Nyx tightened around my neck.
