Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(55)

Patro dropped his hands.

“Leave me alone.”

“I can’t,” Patro whispered, like he was sorry.

I stepped back and bounced against Achilles’s unmoving chest.

Turning in a rush, I struggled to breathe.

Achilles raised his hands, as if dealing with a skittish animal, and moved to stand beside Patro.

“Our initial offer still stands,” Achilles signed, the end of his cigarette burning, smoke curling around his face.

A sharp pain stabbed behind my eyes. Is Augustus using his power right now?

“Do you accept?” Patro asked.

I looked between them with confusion. “What are you t-talking about?”

“We’ll help you.” Patro stepped closer, his icy scent contrasting with Achilles’s heat. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “Use your powers to … you know … break the marriage bond with your husbands.”

I stepped back, banging against the door.

“No way,” I blurted.

Why on earth would I want to do that?

You’re supposed to be getting revenge.

Not like that.

Patro sighed. “You’ll just almost kill them—just use your power and bring them to the brink.”

I shook my head.

“Kronos.” Patro raked his hands through his short curls, messing up their perfect placement. “Why are you always so difficult?”

Angry words gathered on the tip of my tongue, but they wouldn’t come out.

“Then we’ll do it for you,” Patro said. “Since you’re too afraid to do it yourself.”

“Leave m-me alone.”

Patro studied my face like he was searching for something.

Light flashed at my feet. I glanced down. The flames in Hell’s eyes were bright red, instead of their usual teal flame. What the heck?

Patro grabbed my arm gently. “This will just be a pinch,” he said. “It will all be okay, I promise.”

“What—”

Patro jabbed a needle with an Olympian vial into my skin, and the tube filled with scarlet. In a flash, he removed it, pocketing my blood. “You’re welcome. You’ll thank us.” He nodded like he was trying to convince himself.

Panic paralyzed me.

Poco hissed and swiped—Patro dodged his claw and backed away from me with Achilles at his side. Something that looked like regret glimmered in his eyes.

“I’ll make you pay for this.”

Patro smiled sadly. “All you have to do is give us a signal. We’re on your side.”

Hell growled, the sound filled with warning.

“I’m just trying to protect you,” Patro added. “By the way, Ceres is playing you. I can tell when someone is lying. You don’t know the danger you’re in and I can see she—”

“Don’t,” I signed, cutting him off. “Stay away from her.”

Everything was spiraling out of control.

Patro frowned. “I’m only trying to help you.”

Hell stalked toward him, bones flickering, serrated teeth bared.

“Drop dead,” I signed jerkily.

Achilles yanked a hurt-looking Patro behind him protectively.

Hell crouched low between us.

“You’re both cowards,” I signed.

Achilles held my gaze, unflinching, as they turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Gasping, I staggered into the silent room and climbed into bed.

Poco chirped mournfully.

He wrapped his little fluffy arms around my neck, and I hugged him back, my tears dripping into his fur.

Hell jumped up, resting a bony skull on my lap. “You … sad?”

I nodded.

Hell growled. “Me … kill.”

I shook my head no.

Nyx woke up around my neck with a yawn. “What did I miss?” she asked.

“Hell wants to murder people,” I whispered.

Poco chittered and curled up next to me, and Hell repositioned so he was resting on the bed at my feet.

Nyx huffed. “How does he feel about his own personal demise? Is he terrified of me?”

I picked up a sparkly pillow and crushed it against my face.

“Alexis, ask him for me,” Nyx hissed. “Ask him now.”

I silently screamed.





20


THE ELDEST HEIR




AUGUSTUS: THAT SAME NIGHT

The night was dark and sinister outside our bedroom window.

Emotions choked me as my skull pounded.

So much fucking rage.

Every second that Alexis refused to talk to me, the madness grew.

Seething inside my chest, the urge to slaughter, destroy, maim was mounting. There was nothing that could put out the fire, and it was becoming harder to pretend that I was a reasonable man.

Kharon stalked inside the room.

His pupils were blown, eyes full of fury, because he wasn’t going to be able to watch Alexis sleep tonight.

We both pretended he didn’t have a problem.

“You ready?” Kharon asked as he stared at my hands. “The plan’s still on?”

I dropped the gasping Olympian doctor to the floor.

The purple owl of the House of Athena was embroidered on his white coat; dark hair was a tangled mess around his withered face; green eyes darted around wildly.