Page 37 of Bonds of Hercules
Patro didn’t seem to notice the commotion. He just kept staring at me, his eyes searching my face for answers—the scent of frost intensified—Poppae crouched, jaguar tail swishing back and forth with agitation.
It felt like I was back at Corfu.
Patro was mocking me again,hinderingme.
“What are you d-doing?” I asked, the sound barely audible. “You don’t even like me. Just leave me alone—let me make my own choices.”
Patro smiled, and the effect was so breathtaking that it was deeply disturbing. “Are you …sureabout that?” he asked softly.
He stepped closer into my personal space, our faces inches apart.
Goose bumps pebbled my arms.
“You choseusas your partners,Alex.” Patro’s voice deepened. “So let me and Achilles help you.”
“I don’t like that n-name,” I whispered.
Dark memories played.Alex, you stupid fucking bitch, I told you to stay outside where you belonged.
“Isn’t that too bad,” Patro said, ice wafting off him. “We can’t all get what we want … and when we do, wedon’talways like it.” Emerald eyes flashed. “Yet here we are—Alex.”
The temperature between us plummeted.
My heart raced.Why does it feel like we’re talking about something else?
“Step aside and let me interrogate Ceres,” Patro said coldly.
I lifted my chin. “No.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Alex,” he said warningly.
“No,” I repeated. “She’s suffering from m-memory loss, her mind is broken—just leave her alone,please. She needs to heal.”
“You think you would have learned by nownotto fight me.” He ran his tongue over his white teeth.
“Same,” I said.
A few feet away, Kharon shouted something derogatory at Achilles, and Augustus struggled to separate them.
Patro’s chest bumped against mine, the icy sensation spreading as he arched a dark brow mockingly.He’s such a dramatic bastard.I planted two hands on his shoulders and shoved him back with everything I had.
Patro chuckled, unmoving.
“Careful,mentee,” Patro whispered.
I dropped my hands and took a step back, fingertips frozen.
“Let Patro question Ceres!” Helen shouted.
Patro stepped out of my personal space, and I gasped. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath.
Everyone turned to Helen.What is she doing?
I backed further away from Patro.
“But—” Helen said slowly. “You can only ask her if she assisted Theros. Nothing else.”
Patro stared at Helen for a long moment.
