Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(130)

The music shut off.

People grumbled and shouted.

The floor stopped vibrating as the jumping stopped.

Fumbling, I pressed buttons on my calculator, until I got to the saved recording logs. I pressed Enter on the last one, heart in my throat, sweat streaking with fear.

My recorded voice filled the room. “Vyco.”

The room fell silent.

I stood up, stepping onto the speakers so everyone could see me.

Zeus’s voice boomed over the speakers. “What … about him?”

“He was working for you.”

“So … what?”

There was a commotion in the corner of the room as Zeus shoved his way forward, everyone looking around with confusion.

I was ready.

Pushing my right hand onto my reopened wound until my fingers were coated in blood, I held my hand out, and the glowing staff formed.

Nyx hissed as she wrapped herself around it, her invisible body blocked the light, creating a strange dichotomy of color across it.

I held the sharp end forward and guarded the speaker.

People gasped.

Whispers of “Radius Asclepii” spread through the room like wildfire.

Sparta stood transfixed.

My voice played over it, the conversation from our interrogation booming as I accused Vyco of lying.

Zeus laughed over the speaker. “Is that what this is all about—is that the secret you know?”

Gasps echoed around the room and people stepped away from Zeus as they sized him up. He stopped trying to push through the crowd, and instead he raised his hand toward me threateningly, as if he was preparing to smite me, but quickly dropped his arm like he’d forgotten he didn’t have his scepter.

“She’s lying!” Zeus shouted instead. “This is all a ploy.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Athena yelled.

“This was the interrogation I just had with Zeus.” I swung my rod as guards tried to approach from the side. “I recorded him!” They came to a halt, eyes wide as they stared, transfixed by the glowing staff.

Whispers grew.

On the speaker, Zeus laughed after I accused him of planning the Titan attack.

My voice shrieked over the speaker, full of pain. “You sent the Titans to attack the federation meeting—not Medusa … You framed her—you planned it so Vyco could KILL ME!”

Slowly, I pulled down the top of my toga, revealing the scar across my chest.

People gasped.

I made eye contact with Augustus. Blood dripped down his cheeks, and his mouth was tight with rage. Next to him, Kharon looked murderous.

My voice grew in strength over the speaker as I laid out Zeus’s sick plan.

“HOW DARE YOU!” Hades bellowed from the far side of the room as my voice echoed, too loud in the quiet packed space. He and Persephone were staring at my exposed scar with horror.

The Chthonic leaders were all on their feet around them.

Inky fog was rolling through the room and people were whimpering.

“Shut up!” Poseidon called back. “I want to hear his answer.”

Zeus looked around like he was trying to find a way out, but he wasn’t sure what to do.

My crackling speaker voice filled the room as I goaded him. “Tell me I’m wrong—I fucking dare you. You spineless, weak, pathetic, powerless coward.”

Zeus’s voice echoed. “You’re correct. But is that it … is that your big secret? Is that all you knew? All this time I’ve been worried, and that was all.”

His crackling laughter filled the silent room.

Persephone let out a war cry.

Dionysus and Apollo were shouting something.

More gasps sounded and people whispered as they pushed back, leaving a circle of space around Zeus.

The guards backed away from me, turning to their leader with distrust.

“You almost started another war!” Athena shouted, her face pale with betrayal. “The dishonor.”

Ares raised a sword.

My voice cracked over the speaker as I accused Zeus of ruining my life, and across the room, gray eyes narrowed as they met mine—they promised death.

Years ago, I’d seen the same expression on two people’s faces as I’d stood in front of Charlie protectively.

Zeus’s voice was loud and clear. “Grow up. This is Sparta—no one cares about little girls.”

All hell broke loose.

Hades roared, dense fog filling the room alongside Artemis’s glittering mist.

“Yessss,” Nyx hissed with excitement. “Kill the lion!”

Pure terror gripped the symposium as every inch of the room filled with Chthonic power.

Spartans and creatures fell to their knees, pulling at their hair.

Only the Chthonics and Olympian House leaders remained standing, gritting their teeth as they withstood the onslaught.

Augustus and Kharon were shoving people aside as they stalked toward Zeus.

Screams crescendoed.

Fate stood up on a chair, waving a smoking pipe. “The federation has been betrayed—by Zeus!” she announced as the recording clicked off. She winked at me.

I spotted a familiar muzzle. Patro stood next to Achilles in the corner of the room, whispering something in his ear. His hands waved with urgency.

Shit. I knew exactly what he was saying. I need to stop them.