Page 59 of Bonds of Hercules
Augustus watched us both with a heated gaze.
When Kharonfinallystepped away, I gasped for air like I’d been running.
“This is a little overkill.” I was now a walking arsenal.
Pale features tensed, and for a second, Kharon reminded me of the grim reaper. The one I had nightmares about; the one that watched me sleep.
“I’lldecide what’s necessary for your protection,” Kharon said. “You’re the newbie and a woman. We’ve been soldiers for years.”
“That’s sexist,” I said.
“Exactly.” Kharon smirked and arched his brow, not even bothering to deny it.
I sputtered with outrage. He was such a walking red flag it wasn’t even funny.
I shook my head. “You’re horrible.”
A sinful grin split his face. “Carissima—when have Ieversaid that I was a good man?”
Flushing with a heat that I refused to identify, I turned and walked away from him.
I moved around Agatha, who was in a full front split touching her face to her thigh, and stopped beside Drex.
“How do you feel about a suicide pact?” I asked casually. “Also, on a completely unrelated note, do you want a gun? I have extra.”
Kharon said something muffled behind me (most likely derogatory), and Nyx hissed something in response (most likely sexual).
I fantasized about throwing her at him.
Drex chuckled, then his expression became deadly serious. “I’m in.”
“Thank God.”
Drex shuddered. “I amnotfeeling good about today. It’s very—”
Crack.
A woman leapt into the atrium and Drex stopped talking as glittering red mist spread out and filled the room. It felt like a blanket of terror.
Arthritis (Artemis) was back.
“I’m here because Hades is indisposed,” Artemis said coldly. “He and Ares are still tracking an abnormal Titan sighting in Australia.”
“Agatha and Drex—there’s been a sighting in the mountains of Canada.” Artemis pulled a small piece of paper from her toga pocket and handed it to Agatha. “Here are your coordinates.”
Artemis turned to face the rest of us.
Fear was sour on my tongue.
“Augustus, you and your partner are going to South America—we’ve tracked one into the Amazon.” She handed another set of coordinates to Augustus.
Kharon’s face went blank as she approached.
Artemis didn’t glance at him, but her mist thickened and surrounded him, pulsing, like it was attacking. The scarlet avoided Augustus completely.
Kharon’s expression was blank as he was engulfed.
She’s tormenting him.
