by Linsey Hall
He turned and retreated into the building, moving slowly.
I shared a glance with Maximus, catching the worry in his eyes.
We followed Atlas into the building. My eyes took a second to adjust to the darkness, and I realized we were standing in a small foyer. Atlas was still retreating down the hall, and it only took a moment for us to catch up. The whole place smelled dusty, and I doubted he came here often.
“Come, we must talk immediately.” The words sounded like they’d cost him half his energy.
We followed him into an old kitchen that looked like it’d been modified only slightly from its original form a few hundred years ago. Atlas went to a worn old dining room table in front of a nearly dead hearth. Maximus knelt by the hearth and stoked the fire. As the warmth billowed out, Atlas sighed.
Though he looked to be in his sixties, the illness that had wasted him made him look far older. What the hell was he doing up here alone if he was so sick?
I sat next to Atlas, and Maximus joined us.
Atlas stared at us. “Why are you here?”
“I’m Rowan, an Amazon and a DragonGod.” Wow, it sounded kinda cool when I said it out loud. I explained about the Amazons and the Stryx. My heart twisted as I thought of the Amazons, wasting away. They did so much good in the world, and now they could just…die. I finished with, “And I think you’re sick for the same reason. I want to help.”
He nodded slowly. “You’re right, it’s all connected.”
“Why are you all the way out here, alone, if you’re so sick?” Maximus asked the question that had been burning in my mind.
Atlas shrugged. “Because of what the Stryx are doing. That hole they’re blowing into the earth is their attempt to break into Tartarus and release the titans.”
My stomach dropped. “What?”
“You heard me. They’re trying to release the monsters within. I don’t know why, but I felt it as soon as they blew the first crater into the ground there.”
That really could end the world. The titans were monstrously powerful. If the Stryx got ahold of them, we were all screwed. Starting with that village near the entrance to Tartarus. They’d destroy that first. The memory of the boy and his dog flashed in my mind.
“How can you feel that they are trying to get into Tartarus?” Maximus asked.
“The layer of stone that covers Tartarus acts as the gate to their prison. It keeps them trapped by the weight and strength of the stone, but also by the magic imbued within the stone. Every bit of rock that is blown away weakens the gate.” He shook his head, as if remembering terrible things. “I was cursed to hold up the heavens instead of joining my brethren in Tartarus. Long ago, I escaped that fate. Zeus and the other gods weren’t pleased. If I wasn’t holding up the heavens, they wanted me thrown in Tartarus. The same with Prometheus, who also escaped his torture. It was too late for the gods to reopen Tartarus and put us in, but they cast a spell that ensured that if the gate to Tartarus was ever opened again, I would be sucked in. As the gate to Tartarus is broken, it pulls on me, weakening me and making me sick.”
“And the Amazons, too?” I asked, my heart thundering.
“We’re connected, so what happens to me, could happen to them. And I also believe that the gods placed the same spell on them, though I don’t know it for sure.”
Jeez, that sucked. The Greek gods really were a piece of work, and I was one of them. Sort of. Trapped in the middle between the Amazons and the gods. This new life of mine wasn’t as simple as I’d expected, but then, life rarely was.
“Don’t they realize you do important work, keeping the magic that’s in space from interfering with the satellites?” Maximus asked. “They aren’t just modern conveniences. Militaries rely on those satellites, and if they all go down at once, at least one of those militaries will interpret it as an act of war. A seer has prophesied that World War III could start if the satellites fail.”
“Their vendettas are more important to them than human wars. Even human wars that would cost millions of lives.” He looked at me. “And I believe they are counting on you to stop this. That is why you are the Dragon God. And this is your hero’s challenge.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “How much longer can you hold the satellites up?”
“I’m weakening. It’s taking everything I’ve got to protect the satellites from the magic in space. But they’re starting to malfunction. When they go out entirely, the world’s militaries will go on high alert. War will follow soon after. You have a few days, at most.”
I didn’t tell him about the call from Ana that had confirmed it. “So why are you up here? You should be down where you can get help with staying strong and fighting your illness.”
“The only way to help me is to close the gate to Tartarus. I can’t do that myself, because if I get anywhere near it, it will suck me in. I built this place ages ago and imbued it with magic that would prevent that. But the pull is strong. I lost my strength far faster than I expected. I’ve been sending messages to the Amazons and Prometheus, but I don’t think they are getting through.”
“So you’ve been trapped here, wasting away,” I said.
“And quickly.” He frowned. “I thought this fortress was a good idea. In a way, it was. But it hasn’t gone as I planned.”
“Things rarely do.” I studied him. “So if we close the gate to Tartarus, you and the Amazons will get better?”
“I believe so.”
Oh, thank fates. “Can you feel if the Stryx have already broken all the way through to Tartarus?” I swallowed hard, chills racing down my arms. This was the million-dollar question. “Have they released any of the titans?”
He shook his head. “I cannot tell. Perhaps they have.”
“Do you know what they intend to do with them?” Maximus asked.
“No.” Atlas’s voice turned grave. “But it cannot be good. You need to stop them before they release them. If they haven’t already.”
“There’s a barrier around their operation,” I said. “Some kind of force field that only I can penetrate.”
“If they’ll allow you to cross, then I believe they must need you,” Atlas said.
“But why would they need me?”
“You’re powerful, Rowan. Your magic is powerful.” Atlas shrugged. “Maybe they want that. It could help them get the titans out, perhaps.”
“So they want my magic.” My mind started to whir, spinning as I considered that. “They’ve got something that drags me to them if I get close to the barrier. I can’t fight it.”
Atlas frowned. “It could be that the barrier itself contains the magic to compel you to enter and stay within. There is an ancient Greek spell that can do that.”
I shared a glance with Maximus. “Makes sense. They couldn’t compel me to come to them before.”
He nodded. “You need to stay far away from that barrier.”
But I couldn’t. Not if I was the only one who could get through it. Somehow, I was key to this.
Atlas leaned toward me. “You were fated for this task, Rowan. You must find a way to get past the barrier and stop them. It is your duty as a DragonGod. Your magic is the key to all of this.”
I nodded. “Okay. I can do this.”
And I really thought I could. Because now, I had an idea.
We’d learned pretty much all we could from Atlas, so it was time to return to the Protectorate. He escorted us out to the courtyard, stopping at the exit of his building. “I’m sorry, but you can’t transport directly from here. Protective measure.”
I tried not to wince. “So we have to rappel down?”
“I’m afraid so.” He pointed behind him. “But if you go to the other side of the compound, there’s a rope for that. Once I know you’ve made it, I’ll pull it back up.”
“Do you have the strength?”
“I will, if you close the gate to Tartarus. And if you don’t… Well, it won’t matter who finds me.”
I nodded. “We’ll do it. Stay safe.”
“The same to you.” He inclined his head, then disappeared back into the house.
I felt terrible leaving him. “Wait! Atlas.”
He turned.
“Can we send someone to you to help you manage around here?” I didn’t know who, but I was sure the Protectorate would have some contacts for someone who could help.
He smiled slightly. “I will be fine. Best you hurry with the Stryx, though.”
I nodded, and Maximus and I left.
“That was helpful,” Maximus said as we climbed the stairs to the top of the wall at the back of the fortress. “But I think I expected more.”
“So did I. But there was one thing he said, and I think it’s the key to all of this. Something we didn’t realize.”
“What’s that?”
“The Stryx want my magic, and it’s the only way to get through the barrier. I’m going to give it to them. Only, they’re not going to like what they get.”
14
Getting down the side of the pillar of rock was easier than climbing up, thank fates. As soon as we landed on the bottom, Maximus pulled a transport charm from his pocket.
“This is the last of them,” he said.
“Like, the last, the last?” Damn. They were really hard to come by. But we’d been burning through his stash like they were kindling.
“Yeah. I’ll try to get some more, but it’s a good thing we’ve got this almost figured out.”
“I think we do. Now, let’s get back to the Protectorate.”
Maximus threw the charm to the ground, and the familiar cloud of silvery smoke exploded upward. I stepped in, letting the ether suck me toward Scotland.
When I stepped out onto the main lawn in front of the castle, I shivered. It was colder up here, the moon already risen and the castle windows gleaming with a warm light. It seemed quieter than normal, probably because most of the staff were at the Stryx’s operation, trying to break in or figure out what was going on.
I pressed my finger to my comms charm to ignite the magic. “Bree? Ana? I’m back, and I have a plan.”
In unison, their voices crackled out of the charm.
“We’re here, too,” Bree said.
“Meet us in the entry hall,” Ana added.
Maximus and I hurried across the lawn and up the castle stairs, stepping into the warmth of the main entry hall. The Cats of Catastrophe, three feline residents of the castle and Ana’s familiars, raced up the stairs in a line, clearly on the hunt.
Ana and Bree appeared at the stairs leading up from the kitchen, each holding a cup of juice.
“We just got back from recon,” Bree said. “The rubble pile from the Stryx’s explosions is nearly to the village.”
I swallowed hard, remembering the boy and his dog. “Is Jude here? And Hedy?”
“They’re downstairs, too, finishing up.”
“We’ll join you.” My stomach grumbled at the idea. “It’s as good a place as any.”
They nodded, and we followed them down the stairs into the warmth of Hans’s domain. He was bustling around the stove, his white chef’s hat perched jauntily on his head. The fire roared, illuminating Jude and Hedy, who were finishing off bowls of stew.
Jude looked up, her face haggard and her eyes tired. “Rowan. I’m glad you’re safe.”
Hedy smiled, too, and honestly, she didn’t look any better than Jude. Her lavender hair was tangled, and matching purple shadows hung under her eyes.
Maximus and I had been chasing answers, but they hadn’t been relaxing here, that was for sure.
“Any luck?” Jude asked. “Your sisters say you have a plan.”
I sat across from her. “I do.”
“Good.” Her gaze turned dark. “Because we’re running out of time.”
“Eat!” Hans smacked a big bowl of stew down in front of me, along with a cup of juice. “You can have a juice box for the road, once you’ve finished that.”
I almost laughed at the sheer normalcy of his comment in the face of all that was happening. There were a lot of things I could tell everyone about our journey, but that wasn’t what I wanted to focus on.
I leaned forward. “This bomb you made, Hedy. How does it work, exactly? How big is it?”
“It’s about the size of a softball,” she said. “But it’s currently hooked up to a magical battery the size of a vacuum cleaner. Once it’s removed from the battery, it has about ten seconds until it will detonate. Once it does, it will disrupt the magical signature that creates the barrier and destroy it. Hopefully.”
“Ten seconds, huh?”
“Don’t think you can run it in there,” Jude said. “Even if you could run fast enough and far enough—or drive, in that buggy of yours—you’d be too close to the Stryx. They could capture you. Especially since their magic calls to you now.”
I nodded, agreeing with her that me running the bomb in was a crap plan. “Atlas thinks that the magic that compels me to go to the Stryx is part of the barrier.”
“It’s a compelling argument,” Maximus said. “Since they didn’t have that ability before, it’s likely part of the barrier. There’s also an ancient Greek spell that could help them create a barrier like that.”
Jude pursed her lips. Then she nodded. “I like this logic.”
“So if we can get rid of the barrier, they can’t call you to them,” Bree said.
I nodded. “I think so. Maybe.”
Jude leaned forward. “Did you learn anything else? Like why the hell they’re blowing big holes into the earth?”
I nodded, knowing she wasn’t going to like this bit. “They’re trying to release the titans.”
“Those murderous monsters?” Jude sat back, her face white. “It sounds like they’re raising an army.”
I nodded. “Well, I’ve got a plan to break down their barrier and stop them.” I leaned in and shared my idea.
From the looks on everyone’s faces, they liked it.
“We need to move,” Jude said. “Rowan, if you’ll get what you need to break down the barrier, I’ll rally the troops. We attack as soon as we’re ready.”
We split up, and I hurried to my room. It was as cluttered as usual, and the Menacing Menagerie was lounging on my couch, each fast asleep.
“Guys! Wake up. We’re going to war.”
The three of them popped up, immediately awake. Excitement gleamed in Eloise’s eyes, and Poppy adjusted her flower, as if she wanted to look good for the fight.
Now? Romeo asked.
“In ten minutes. I just need to grab something.” I went to the big chest that sat in the corner of the living room and knelt by it, then sucked in a deep breath.
I hated looking in this chest. It contained a reminder of what I’d lost.
But that didn’t matter. Losing this magic and then gaining more from the gods had taught me one thing—I wasn’t my magic. I was so much more than that. I was perseverance and toughness and the ability to pick myself up when I was down.
That’s what really mattered. Not some magic trapped in a dumb rock. I’d use this to my advantage. I wouldn’t let the Rebel Gods get the best of me.
I opened the chest and lifted out the rock that contained my magic. It pricked against my fingertips, feeling both familiar and foreign. In a way, it felt good. It was my magic.
But then, I knew it was tainted. I could feel it.
The Rebel Gods’ darkness was in there.
Fortunately, I didn’t think that would matter. This rock contained my magic, and that was all we really needed for this plan to work.
It was time for war.
Wind whipped my hair back as the buggy raced up the mountainside in central Greece. It was still nighttime, but the moon was full and bright, providing more than enough light for the battle ahead.
Ana drove the buggy, while Bree stood with me on the front platform. Maximus, Cade, and Lachlan took the back platform, ready to fight. The Menacing Menagerie rode in the back seat, ready to jump out when th
e battle started. Members of the Protectorate were ascending the mountainside all around, headed for the crater at the top. When I broke down the barrier, they’d flood in and take out the Stryx’s demon army.
That was the plan, at least.
“We’re getting close!” Bree shouted. “You ready?”
I shifted the magic-filled rock in my hand. It was a little smaller than a basketball, and we’d attached a massive slingshot to the front platform of the buggy. It was suspended between two rods that stuck up from the railings. Then, we’d taped the small bomb to the side of the rock. The bomb was still plugged into the battery, which was basically just a huge glowing rock filled with sparkling magic that powered the explosive force Hedy had packed into the bomb. We’d strapped the battery into the passenger seat, but when we yanked the cord and shot the thing past the barrier…
Boom.
The buggy bounced over a massive rock, and I grabbed the railing, holding on tightly as Ana got us on the right course. We crested the ridge, and I caught sight of Ali and Haris about a hundred yards away, crouched on the edge of the ridge, waiting. Caro was with them, her bright platinum hair covered by a dark hat. If I squinted, I could see dozens more, including members of the Order who’d joined up for the final battle.
“I sure hope this works,” I muttered to Bree.
“It’s a good plan. It will work.”
“Only a hundred yards away now,” Ana shouted.
Gravel kicked up from behind the wheels as the buggy plowed down the mountainside toward the barrier. I could feel it prickle against my skin. Worse, I felt the call of the Stryx. It tugged at me, wanting to yank me toward them.
My hand went to the chain wrapped around my waist. It was connected to the front platform of the buggy. I had about thirty yards of slack if I needed it, but the chain was just a little safety precaution in case the call of the Stryx became too strong and I ran toward them like a crazy person.
I shook my head, trying to drive off the feel of being bound to them.
“Twenty yards!” Ana shouted.
I could see the barrier now, just slightly. It was barely darker than the air around it, a hazy gray. When we were only five yards away, Ana pulled the wheel hard to the right, and the buggy turned, driving alongside the barrier.