Page 231 of Bonds of Hercules
It was smarter than the others—it hadlearned.
Instead, it flung its head to the side, caustic spit shooting from the crack of its beak.
Kharon jumped—the crowd screamed as he narrowly avoided the danger.
Hell and Hound climbed off the second Typhon and crouched low, positioning themselves at the last creature’s back. Kharon tensed in front of it.
All three of them were waiting, cornering the giant beast.
Kharon slowly reached back for another arrow.
The Typhon spit again as it exploded forward, and Kharon jumped straight upward to meet it. With a mighty heave, he slammed the arrow down through the top of the beast’s skull.
Agonizing pain boiled across my chest, and I saw stars.
Someone gasped nearby.
But I could barely see through a haze of pain and squinted lashes.Thud.The beast collapsed to the sand, and Kharon rolled away. His hounds jumped up on the carcass, green blood splattering as they finished it for good.
Everything blurred.
The crowd gasped. I couldn’t see why.
I squinted at the sand, focusing through the throbbing agony.
Kharon staggered up to his feet, clutching the side of his pink chest—his toga had burned away, revealing boiling, blistering skin—the saliva dripping from his chest.
Fuck, he needs to get medical attention.
My uninjured chest throbbed in tandem.
Weneeded medical attention.
The crowd quieted, waiting to see if he’d fall.
Kharon raised his silver bow with his good arm—and pointed it at Artemis.
He took a bow.
Cheers erupted as those who had remained to watch the fight applauded and stomped, loving the theatrics of it all.
I leaned forward and tried not to pass out.
Run and get help, you fucker. Hurry.
Casually, like his skin wasn’t melting to the bone, Kharon took his time sauntering out of the arena.
I was going to kill him.
Skin boiling, I staggered to my feet. I needed to make sure he got help.
Movement flashed in my peripheral vision, and I tried not to vomit as I clutched my chest.
Drex and Charlie were motioning frantically as they bent over … Alexis?
My wife was slumped back in her seat, clutching at her chest, face pale, mouth open wide as she struggled to breathe.
No.
