“This is why he can talk to you in your dreams.” Cerberus spoke matter-of-factly.
“You know how I feel about fate. I’m not with you because of a stupid red cord, and I refuse to let it dictate how I feel about Icarus. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She added the last bit weakly.
“But you did.”
“I didn’t—” Didn’t what? Mean to like this new man? Know how to tell Cerberus?
He frowned and dropped the emotional wall. The feeling of hurt flowed fast, hitting her hard. “You didn’t believe me, is what you didn’t do. You felt me when I said the words. When I promised I was okay with you loving other people in addition to me. The last few days have been a mess. Barely enough of a chance to think, but there’s always time for me to listen to you. You made a conscious decision to keep me out of that part of your head. You didn’t trust me with the information, despite everything that’s transpired between us.”
His words dug deeper than any of Lorelei’s stupid fucking torture scenes. Lexi didn’t have an argument, but one forced its way past her lips anyway. “I didn’t want to break anything between the three of us—you, me, and Actaeon—if Icarus doesn’t mean anything.”
“Can you open yourself up to me completely and say with no hesitation this is only lust?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what it is.”
“You would have preferred to wait until it became full-blown love, and then dumped the news on me? You only had to tell me. All I ask from you when it comes to our relationship is that you not keep secrets from me.”
She didn’t care for the accusation. “I’ve spent my entire life hiding. Being lied to. As a pawn in a game I never wanted to play. I love you and I trust you and I know when you’re telling the truth, but those habits that kept me alive are hard to break. I didn’t do this to hurt you.”
Cerberus’ frown deepened, and then he let the wall down. Understanding flowed between them. There was hurt, but she couldn’t force him to turn off his reactions any more than he could her.
“This is new to me.” Lexi didn’t want either of them to walk away from this conversation hurt. “To all of us. I’m trying to learn, but there are going to be some bumps. I’ve learned from this.”
Cerberus knelt in front of her and rested a finger under her chin. “If something happens with Icarus, I’m okay with it. You feel me when I say that. The sincerity is there. If you’re not okay with the situation, don’t pursue it. I love you either way.”
She let his sincerity and assurance seep into her.
He rose to kiss her on the forehead. “I’m fumbling too. We’ll figure things out as they come up.”
She managed a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“Actaeon is going to be more annoyed that it’s Icarus, than because there’s a third suitor.”
The statement tugged at irritation. Actaeon hadn’t earned the right. After bringing Cassandra back here, he was barely a friend. He certainly wasn’t more, regardless of what fate said.
“But he doesn’t have the right to judge you for you who you love any more than anyone does,” Cerberus said.
“You don’t care for Actaeon.”
“He’s growing on me. And I don’t resent you for your feelings.”
She recognized the difference. Did she respect Actaeon’s opinion above Icarus’? Not right now.
But she felt stronger when Actaeon was around. The world wasn’t such an intimidating place.
If she was using Actaeon as a crutch, instead of learning to cope on her own, that was an entirely different problem, and not one she liked having.
An eardrum-shattering boom roared through the room, and the building shook from the concussion. A familiar aura coated Lexi’s tongue, carried on the dust kicked up by the explosion.
The sick feeling in her stomach soured with dread.
Cerberus looked at her, eyes wide with terror that matched her own. “Hades is here.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Actaeon was fuming over Icarus’ words. A martyr? The thought was ridiculous.
One moment the space on the other side of the plate glass window was empty, and the next Apollo appeared on the street, looking like a bad movie effect.
He entered the shop and fixed a glare on Actaeon. “I asked you to stay away,” Apollo said.
Actaeon had. Cassandra came after him.
After I sought her out twice. And then I brought her here, instead of turning her away.
He didn’t know why he thought it was a good idea. It made more sense at the time. “I’m sorry.”
“You... what?” Apollo sounded as surprised as he looked.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Cassandra’s sweet greeting floated through the room, as she and Icarus emerged from the basement.
“How are you doing?” Apollo turned his attention to Cassandra.
She wore a pleasant smile, as though she hadn't alternated between pleading for her life and letting Hades use her as a vessel to threaten them. “I’m fine.”
She paused next to Actaeon and kissed him on the cheek. “I meant everything I said on the beach. I hope to see you again.”
Her lack of distress or any strong emotion was disconcerting. Wait. Did that mean she’d seen him survive? Good, because he wasn’t looking to martyr himself.
“We should go.” Apollo offered his arm, and Cassandra looped her hand around his elbow.
They strolled out the front door.
The air crackled across Actaeon's skin, and the potent scent of ozone filled his nostrils.
“Watch out,” he shouted at the same time Icarus did.
They both raced toward the door.
Actaeon felt like the world around him was moving in slow motion.
Apollo shoved Cassandra away from him and jumped in the other direction.
Icarus and Actaeon burst through the front door.
A spike of white flame struck the middle of the road, sending debris flying everywhere and shaking the buildings.
The aftershock shattered all nearby windows, including those in the shop.
Actaeon’s ears were ringing, as the world returned to its normal speed.
Hades stood in the fresh crater. A two-headed dog, almost as tall as Hades, was next to him. Orthus was Cerberus’ brother. That explained who Actaeon saw on the ferry.
“Stay inside,” Cerberus said from behind Actaeon.
Actaeon suspected Lexi wouldn’t listen, but this was a no-hesitation situation. He couldn’t check on her and attack Hades. His bow appeared in his hands, and he fired at Hades as quickly as he was capable. These wouldn’t be killing blows, but they’d do damage. Death could come after.
Apollo followed-suit. His bow was similar to Actaeon’s but golden, and he was a couple meters farther back. His opposing angle to Actaeon meant Hades couldn’t see them at the same time.
Good advantage.
“Stop.” Hades sounded annoyed. He grunted as arrows hit him from both sides.
Good. Their shots were having an impact.
“I said stop.” Hades flung white spears of flame toward Actaeon, who dodged.
The attack tore new gaps in the street, scattering more rubble.
There were people in this town. They shouldn’t get hurt. Actaeon didn’t know how to stop or relocate this, though.
He exchanged glances with Apollo. Actaeon might not like his uncle, but as with Heracles, they’d trained together when Actaeon was younger. Actaeon knew how to hunt with Apollo, and this was the ultimate prey.
Actaeon twitched his fingers against his bow’s grip.
Apollo gave the briefest nod.
Actaeon fired three small arrows in rapid succession, holding Hades’ attention.
Apollo summoned a more powerful arrow and send the flaming head into Hades’ back.
Hades stumbled and whirled.
Actaeon ditched his bow for his dagger and sprinted toward Hades, focusing on a more intimate and up-close attack. He didn’t
notice Orthus charging him until he was within slicing distance. It was too late to change his path.
Cerberus leaped between them, snarling and snapping his jaws, and knocked Orthus aside, clearing the way for Actaeon.
Actaeon drove his blade into Hades’ side.
Hades backhanded him. The impact jarred Actaeon’s thoughts and propelled him back. Hades’ follow-up fireball to the chest threw him several feet away.
Realization spread through Actaeon. Cassandra’s attack at the cafe wasn’t Apollo’s magic. It was from Hades, made to look like Apollo.
And where was she? He dared a glance around while he sprung to his feet. She stood at the edge of the mayhem, staring blankly at the fight.
Fucking disturbing.
Actaeon’s chest burned, and he struggled to draw in air. None of that mattered. Trusting Apollo to draw Hades’ attention, he darted forward and took another swing. This one connected with flesh, meeting resistance as he sliced.
Hades faltered and forced Actaeon back with another fireball.
Actaeon gasped through the agony, trying to breathe but not getting much oxygen for his effort. He could survive without the stuff, but not stay mobile.
“This isn’t how you greet an old friend.” Hades’ voice was strained. “I’m here for Cassandra and Alexandra, not to fight.”
“Which is why you made your entrance on a pillar of fire.” Actaeon used the pause to assess the situation, knowing every other combatant did the same.
Cerberus had Orthus pinned, all three heads snarling as he struggled to keep his brother from jumping back into the main fray.
Hades smiled and looked past Actaeon. “It was simple showmanship. Alexandra, my dear, I was wrong about you. We need to talk.”
Actaeon wouldn't risk following Hades gaze. He circled, keeping Hades in his sight, so he could see Lexi.
She stood in front of the shop, staring down Hades. “You can talk,” she said. “I’m not listening.”
How could Actaeon not love that defiance? Icarus was an idiot sometimes.
“What if I say I’m sorry for trying to kill you?” Though Hades spoke to her, he’d turned his attention back to the fight.
Apollo twitched, Hades fired, and Apollo leaped back while he shot another arrow.
Their attacks connected with their targets at the same time. Actaeon used the opportunity to duck, roll, and come up behind Hades.
Hades caught him with a backhand before he could strike.
Actaeon was prepared for the blow and sliced. He didn’t make the contact he wanted, but Hades’ hiss of pain told him he’d done something.
Actaeon recovered in a blink. His body screamed in protest with each step. This was worse than the last fight with Hades. It wasn’t just an energy drain; Actaeon was taking severe physical damage as well. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up.
And why the fuck was Lexi still on the street, watching everything?
FAKING HIS OWN DEATH when he plunged into the ocean, to escape his father’s labyrinth and oppression, was the first time Icarus felt true terror. There had only been a handful of moments since.
Watching Lexi distract Hades, seeing how badly injured Actaeon was, and wondering if Cerberus was the kind of guy who would kill his brother if it came down to it had Icarus’ hands shaking.
He needed this to work, but he wasn’t confident it would. He’d taken an old sword that hung at the back of his shop. It was a souvenir piece of junk from the city’s centennial celebration a few decades ago. It wasn’t even sharp enough to slice soft butter.
Icarus was infusing it with a combination of magic and electricity. The prison wasn’t ready for Hades, or he’d use that. This might buy them time.
It might not, but he didn’t see any other options. His friends and everyone in this neighborhood would be slaughtered if something didn’t change in the next few minutes.
Hades’ words to Lexi disturbed Icarus. It was a drastic shift from the mantra of, I’m going to kill you.
Icarus didn’t want to let her step onto the street, but she refused to stop. And he had to admit she was an effective distraction.
But if Hades threw one of those fireballs in her direction, would she survive?
She’d told Icarus she had to. Otherwise, who would make him invisible when the time came?
He needed to focus on his work. Ignore the taste of ash and ozone in the air. Push aside his concern for everyone else, and complete his task.
Icarus closed his eyes and did something no hero did unless they were desperate or losing their mind—and he was both.
He prayed. “Athena, I don’t know if you’re listening, but please, lend me your strength.”
Nothing changed.
Then his body tingled with the rush of foreign power, flowing through him and mingling with his own. He collected everything he could grasp, blended it with the electricity in the air, and passed his hand along the blade of the sword.
One single-use, magically imbued weapon, coming up.
He gripped the hilt so tight his knuckles ached. He’d trained in the basics of sword fighting, but he wasn’t a fighter. Was he better off giving the sword to Actaeon, or using it himself?
This blade wasn’t meant to endure. One thrust, and it would be spent.
Actaeon and Apollo were keeping Hades occupied. The openings they created for each other were apparent, but Icarus didn’t know they were coming until they were there. If he got in the wrong person’s way, they were all fucked.
His one advantage was Hades either didn’t know Icarus was there or didn’t care.
Icarus braced himself and strode forward. He paused in the shop window.
Apollo flicked a gaze over him. “I know she’s a first and only child for you. But a lot of us have been talking, Hades, and we think your obsession with your daughter is unhealthy.”
Hades rolled his eyes and glanced at Apollo long enough to shoot a spear of flame at him.
Actaeon rolled away from the shop, loosing arrows and holding Hades attention.
Lexi brushed Icarus’ hand. He looked down, but he couldn’t see himself.
It worked. Neat trick.
He forced hesitation aside and charged at Hades, sword extended and pointed at the god’s back.
Orthus slammed into Icarus, knocking his breath away. The sword clattered to the ground, and Orthus used one head to toss it away.
How was Icarus seen? He must have cast a reflection somewhere. Fuck.
Orthus growled and snapped his jaws at Icarus. Icarus had strength, and these weren’t advanced fighting techniques, but he couldn’t do any more than hold both Orthus’ heads at bay.
Cerberus growled when he plowed into Orthus. Cerberus clamped down on both of Orthus’ necks before his brother could react, and tore.
Orthus died with a gargling whimper. Blood ran along the street, filling nearby pits.
Icarus gasped and struggled to his feet.
Lexi strode past. Her aura glowed more brightly than the sun, weaving pink and purple around her in flowing snakes of energy.
She picked up the sword, and it vanished when she dropped her arm to her side.
“You want to talk? Let’s talk.” She strode into the center of the chaos.
Calling Hades’ bluff was a bold move, and terror on her behalf clenched around Icarus’ lungs.
Everyone stopped. It was as if someone had hit Pause on the scene. The eerie quiet made Icarus want to clean his ears, to make sure they still worked.
Hades smirked. “Lorelei told me what she saw in the horrific confines of your past.”
“A handful of unfortunate moments in time. Hardly the types of thing that scar a person.” Lexi’s voice shook.
“You’re scared. That’s reasonable.” Hades reached for her. “I swear to you, on your mother’s grave, I want to talk. Explore our options. Nothing more.”
Creepy. Oh shit. Lorelei heard the same thing Icarus did, during the memory with Conner and
Aphrodite. She’d heard what the goddess said to Lexi’s dad. Hades knew Lexi was—
Lexi lunged and drove her sword arm up, aiming for Hades throat.
He moved to the side, but she was close enough that, when the blade appeared, several inches of it were buried in his neck.
“This was your last chance.” His threat carried on the wind, rather than being spoken. “Next time, I’ll kill you.”
Hades and Cassandra vanished.
Everyone fell to the ground, on their knees or collapsed, breathing heavily.
Actaeon, Cerberus, and Apollo had to be in pain. That was Hades at nearly full strength. Whatever happened to him in Las Vegas—whatever Heracles and Actaeon did—didn’t have the impact they thought.
Hades was injured more severely this time, but with the scores he’d killed recently, he might only need a few hours to recover.
They had to find a place he wouldn't look for them, and Icarus needed to build the prison.
Please, Creation, don’t let him come looking for us before I’m done.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lexi’s legs gave out, and she fell on her ass in the middle of the street. She couldn’t stop shaking.
Cerberus’ grief, along with the growing acceptance of what he’d done spilled through her, clenching like a fist around her heart.
She couldn’t see past the onslaught of emotion clogging her thoughts. A hand on her shoulder dragged her from inside her head.
Apollo was crouched in front of her. “You’re a credit to the post-Enlightenment generation. What do you need from me?”
Lexi couldn’t find her voice.
“A place to hide,” Icarus said. He and Actaeon had reached her as well.
She couldn’t focus on the conversation. Too much pressed in on her. Actaeon offered her a hand and helped her stand. She gave him a grateful smile and joined Cerberus. Haze was settling into her thoughts, muffling the overload. Part of her mind screamed there was still danger, but her emotions couldn’t keep up. It was like watching a movie through a blurry filter.
Innovation's Muse (Truth's Harem) Page 19