Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
It was a precise hit, designed to take her down without killing her. A little farther back on her skull and we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. The thought rattles me. I knew there was the potential for losses, but Nerissa always stays close to me. She’s fearsome when cornered, but after what she’s already survived, she doesn’t crave being on the front lines the way Antigone does. She never should have been part of a fight at all, let alone against someone as capable as Atalanta.
“Thank you for the report,” I say softly. “Now, go have your head checked out and get some rest.”
She rolls her eyes and then winces. “I don’t need a doctor to tell me I have a concussion. I’ll take it easy—at least as much as I’m able with everything going on.”
“Nerissa.” I hold her gaze until she drops it. “Go see one of our doctors.”
She wilts. “Fine. I’m going now.”
I watch her walk to the end of the hall, measuring her steps and apparent balance. She seems steady enough on her feet, but Nerissa has always been good at hiding her pain. I turn and motion to Amytis. “Go with her. Make sure she gets there safely.”
“Will do.” She’s gone in seconds, marching after Nerissa and around the corner.
Such a precise strike. It speaks volumes that Atalanta could pull it off at all, let alone with my dagger in her shoulder. She truly is impressive. But then, Hecate has always had good taste.
My phone rings as I make my way back toward the room we’ve set up as the base of operations. “Report.”
“We have Artemis.” Antigone sounds slightly out of breath. “Or the other team does. She should be arriving at the university shortly.”
I slow. “If the other team has Artemis, where are you?”
“In pursuit of Apollo and Cassandra.” Something crashes in the distance. “They’re nearly to the bridge.”
Acquiring both Apollo and Cassandra would be a coup. Cassandra represents everything wrong with this city; her parents attempted to kill one of the Thirteen and were murdered as a result. When she tried to tell people what really happened, they shunned her. And Apollo is a nepo baby of scheming parents. He might not be a monster in the same flavor as his predecessor, but he’s aligned with Zeus—both current and former—and has done nothing to curtail the abuse of power. The ruthless part of me that’s kept me alive through the worst years of my life demands Antigone catch them and bring them to me.
Nerissa’s face blossoms in my mind, the bruise marring her pretty features. If Antigone tries to follow Apollo too close to the bridge, if Hades’s people take advantage of her proximity, if she’s hurt… Something in my chest pangs, sending disruptive vibrations through my hard-won numbness. I can’t lose her. “Leave them.”
“What?”
I don’t tell her the true reason I’m calling her off. She’s at my side because I’m the strongest, most ruthless bitch she’s ever met. If she perceives even a hint of weakness, her faith in me—in my orders—will falter. Even if that weakness is spawned from caring for her. I clear my throat and think quickly. “I have a plan. We need to buy some time while the lower city team locates the machinery to bring down the barrier. Let them think they’re safe. For now.”
“But—”
“Leave it, Antigone.”
For a moment, I think—I fear—she won’t obey. But she curses and the distant sounds of pursuit fade. I don’t allow myself to breathe a sigh of relief—not when she’d hear it. “See to the remaining legacy families and then return here. We have a party to plan.”
“A party.”
I force a smile because I know she’ll hear it in my voice. “Yes. Right on Juniper Bridge where the lower city has the best view of the events.” With so many of our targets hiding behind the barrier, we only have two options: bring the barrier down or draw them out. The former will happen one way or another, but every day that stretches without my team finding the machinery to make it happen is a day where the citizens of Olympus grow more impatient. We need to feed the beast.
Antigone sighs. “You always have your plans upon plans, don’t you?”
“Always, darling. See you soon.” I hang up and let my smile fade. I make my way back to the room in silence and shut the door softly behind me.
Only then do I let my shoulders drop and lean my head against the thin wood. I knew this wouldn’t be easy once I realized exactly who held the Hermes title. No matter how I hated her for going back on our shared beliefs, for moving on without me, I will always love Hecate.
She’s making it increasingly difficult to keep her safe. She’s always had an honorable streak a mile wide, though she’d argue whenever I bothered to point it out. Hecate is so certain that ruthlessness counters honor. Maybe she’s right. It certainly feels like I’ve lost part of myself somewhere along the way.