Page 3 of Bonds of Hercules
“You’re so troubled with ugly emotions, daughter … Please don’t let them guide you,” Persephone said slowly, carefully choosing her words. “You can live here safely—your time fighting can be over.”
Her curls rose higher, defying gravity.
“The federation cannotforce you to participate in the Assembly of Death,” she said, as Hydra let out another roar of orange flame. “They can’t take you from this land.”
Dragon fire illuminated the love in her eyes.
“Live in safety—bebetterthan those who hurt you.”
All I’d ever wanted was a quiet, simple life for Charlie and me. Food, bed, and a roof above our heads. The freedom to spend my days learning and studying.
What she offered was heaven.
But after twenty agonizing years in this world, I’d finally accepted the truth. I wasn’t made for a life of ease—I was destined to make those who hurt me suffer.
Sparta would learn.
I would wield my powers, or I’d die trying.Most likely the latter.
Penance and revenge were separated by a razor-sharp edge, and I was already inching across it.
Persephone’s voice echoed with power. “If you walk this path, Alexis, it will not be easy. The cost to your soul will be great—but Ibelievein you. You can pay it. You just won’t emerge the same. Remember … our world is not a kind one.”
I pulled the hood of my new cloak over my spiked ruby crown. “Neither was mine.”
I’d already lost everything: my freedom, morality, andhumanity.
Suffocating on existential dread, I turned away from Persephone and Charlie, hurrying down the hill before I lost my courage. Fluffy Jr. ran beside me, a blur of misshapen fur.
At the edge of the lawn, Hades was waiting for me. Cerberus sat beside him and all three heads turned to me, tongues flopping, tails wagging with excitement.
Fluffy Jr. jumped on him and they rolled together in the grass, both about the same size.
Hades shook his head at their antics.
Inky fog wrapped around his pale skin and long black toga in insidious coils; new voices from his power joined the chorus.
“She doesn’t understand what it’s like,” Hades said softly, breaking the silence. “Her power isn’t …restlesslike ours. We were born for battle.”
He reached for me—I stumbled away. He’d never hurt me, but lessons from years of abuse were hard to unlearn. When someone moved quickly toward you, you ducked.Always.
Hades dropped his hand, dark eyes lighting with fury—fog thickened around us and the world plunged into coldness—screams intensified.
He breathed out and his shrieking fog retreated.
Water lapped against rocks as the island sounds returned.
Hades’s lips thinned. “Remember what I’ve taught you these past months—survival in Sparta is all about power and fear. You must learn to embrace and harness your more … complicated feelings. No one fears the sane.”
I nodded, but my head felt like it belonged on someone else’s shoulders.
“There are only two paths forward in life for Spartans like us,” Hades continued softly. “Either we run from what we really are, or we hone it and become … legends.”
His black eyes burned with intensity.
“Weare the ones who shape Sparta,” he said. “Your power is poison—you will excel in the Gladiator Competition.”
I wanted to cry.
