Page 47 of The Shadow Gods

Outside, the sounds of the city filled my ears. Cars honked, people yelled to each other, and tourists chattered as they wandered by.

I took it all in. For a moment, I could forget what we were doing and why we were rushing through the most beautiful parts of the continent at breakneck speed.

“There's a tourist information spot.” Paris pointed at a storefront that could have doubled as an American mini-mart. “Bathrooms and maps.”

“Anyone else need to go?” I asked, then blushed. “I mean, anyone else want to...” I trailed off, not sure how to make it sound better.

Pollux lifted two fingers in the air. “I'll go with you.” He glanced at the others. “Is it safe for us to break up?”

“No,” Achilles answered. “Probably not. Which is why you all have thirty minutes instead of forty-five. I don't want to be caught off-guard.”

“I'm going to look for food,” Orestes said. “Come with me, and we can discuss the trip more. If you want to bypass another stop, except for gas, we'll need a plan.”

Achilles nodded. “I'm with him.”

Hector and Paris glanced at each other and then down the street. “We can wander ahead,” Hector said. “Make sure it's safe, and then Pollux and Leo can join us.” Hector lifted his eyebrows. “What do you say, little brother?”

Paris smiled widely. “Yeah. Sounds good.” He glanced down the street. “We'll head that way a few blocks and then double back to meet Pollux and Leo. Meet back here in half an hour?”

Squinting, I made out the shape of a fresco, or monument, built into a wall about a block away. There was plenty to see here. “Sure.”

“Thirty minutes.” Achilles gazed at each one of us, holding our stare before moving onto the next person. “That's it. Ass in seats.”

I saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

He grabbed my hand and tugged me against him. “I'm serious. Stay close to Pollux, and keep your eyes open. Don't let anything happen to you.”

His mouth was tight, no hint of a smile. With each mile we got closer to Corfu, he seemed to get sterner. And harsher.

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his chin. “I will be. You be safe, too. You're important to me.”

Dropping his forehead to mine, he sighed. “You're killing me, Leo.” With a hard press to my mouth, he stepped away and repeated, “Thirty minutes.”

Pollux took my hand, dragging me toward the restrooms. Hector and Paris waved, and Achilles and Orestes strode away from us.

“They'll be fine,” Pollux told me when I hesitated for a second, but he was right.

It took no time at all for me to pee and wash my hands. I beat Pollux and studied the maps displaying gorgeous palazzos and museums.

Palazzo d'Accursio.I read the title and shivered, even though I knewaccursiodidn't meanaccursed.It was a family name. The palace of the Accursios. Still, I couldn't help the chill that zipped up my spine.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah!”Flinging the brochure, I spun toward Pollux. “Oh my god. I didn't hear you.” I put my hands on my hips and sucked in a breath.

Picking up the brochure, he frowned. “Sorry.” He placed it back on the display. “Are you sure you're okay?”

I nodded, more embarrassed than frightened. “Yeah. Sorry.”

Taking my hand, he threaded his fingers through mine. “Don't be. Do you want to walk?”

Pollux had a way of focusing his gaze on me that made the rest of the world disappear. He drew his dark brows together, waiting.

“Yes.” I squeezed his hand. The chill hadn't disappeared, but I was just being silly. “I'd love that.”

His face lightened. Stepping back, he smiled. “It's a date.”

My face heated. “We've never had one of those.” I'd sort of gone about all of this backward, and I liked that Pollux and I were doing things a bit more traditionally. If a date while running from gods and preparing to battle them could be called traditional.

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