Page 77 of Radiant Sin

Ariadne won’t meet anyone’s eyes, but Icarus lifts his chin. “Ask our father.He’sthe one making plans.”

“Oh, I intend to,” Aphrodite says acidly. She turns for the door, but Adonis is there. He moves quicker than I expect, catching her arm. She tries to shake him off. “Let go.”

“We’re getting out of here.”

She blinks. “Excuse me?”

Adonis shoots me a look and then focuses on her. “It’s not safe, Eris. You can call for Minos’s head later if you want, but right now my priority is getting you to safety.”

Her gaze goes flinty, and for a moment, I think she might argue, but she finally nods. “Let’s go.” They hurry out of the room.

As much as I’m not keen on the group splitting further, Adonis was trained by Athena. He might not have stayed with her special forces, but he’s more than capable of keeping Aphrodite safe. Just as well. If something happens to Zeus’s sister, I can’t guarantee what he’ll do. His father wouldn’t let a little familial murder get in the way of his ambitions, but Perseus—Zeus—is a different kind of man. Harsher, yes, but he cares very deeply for his siblings.

He might raze the city to the ground to get to the person responsible for harming his family.

I turn to find Charon ushering Eurydice to her feet. “You’re safe enough.”

“Safe enough is notsafe.” He starts guiding her to the door. “Besides, Hades and Persephone need a report on what’s happened here, even if we don’t know the final outcome. Good luck.” Then they’re gone.

There’s only Dionysus and Hermes left. I eye them. “Where did Artemis and Hephaestus go?”

She tugs the string on the couch again, freeing another few inches. I clench my fists. If she won’t tell us, we’re at a severe disadvantage, but we can’t afford to wait much longer. Finally, she looks up, though she isn’t looking at me. “The Minotaur offered to show Artemis the duck pond. Hephaestus went with Theseus to the garage,” she says to Cassandra.

“Thank you,” Cassandra whispers.

No one moves, which means no one else will help us prevent what’s about to happen. Maybe I’m being foolish. It’s entirely possible Minos intends to wait and not strike in this specific moment.

But I can’t be sure.

I rush out of the room, Cassandra on my heels. Where to go? The locations are too far flung to reach them both in a timely manner. I have to pick. I drag my hand through my hair. “This is fucked.”

“We split up.”

I turn to look at her. Her eyes are too wide, but she’s got a determined set to her chin. “It’s the only way to warn them both. You take Hephaestus and I’ll take Artemis.”

She’s right, and I know she’s right. But even now, there are no guarantees that we’ll get there in time. If I send Cassandra to warn one and she gets there too late, the Minotaur might decide she’s a loose end in need of tying up. I can’t forget how large and menacing he looked next to her that night by the duck pond. He could claim it an accident. Hadn’t I thought as much then?

“No.”

She grabs my arm. “Apollo, it’s the only way.”

“No,” I repeat harshly.

“If one of them becomes a member of the Thirteen—”

“I don’t care!” I stop short and lower my voice. “I do not give afuck, Cassandra. I will not risk you.” Not for Olympus. Not for anything. “I love you, and I will let this city burn before I intentionally put you in harm’s way. We go for Artemis first. Together.” She’s the closest and while she’s fierce and capable, against the Minotaur, I can’t guarantee that she’ll prevail.

Cassandra’s jaw drops. “Apollo—” She shakes her head. “Right. Artemis. Okay.”

We hurry out the back door and down the path toward the duck pond. I’ve stopped checking my pace, but Cassandra keeps up well enough as we sprint past the maze. It’s only as we round the corner that I realize we have nothing resembling a weapon. Sheer numbers will have to do.

The path opens up and we get a view of the pond. Artemis is leaning over the water, looking at something the Minotaur points at. She doesn’t see his big hand coming for her back. Once he gets those strong fingers around her throat… “Artemis,run!”

Too far. We’re too damn far away.

The Minotaur surges forward, reaching for the back of her neck, but thank the gods Artemis is already moving. His fingers barely brush her long hair as she ducks. He’s fast, though. The same speed that served him in the Ares competition serves him now.

She barely has time to take a step back when he strikes, plowing one of those massive fists into her stomach. Artemis crumples.

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