Opening my eyes, I suddenly saw Katrina in her place.
“Hades, why didn’t you save me?” she whispered.
Shocked at the realness of the vision, I let go of the woman, scrambling away from her. Breathing heavily, I watched as the blood began to pour from her wound again.
Katrina. This was for Katrina. The woman was going to die anyway.
Gulping down some air and courage, I grabbed a bottle out of the cupboard and conjured my own blade, drawing it across her neck, ending her life much quicker. I collected as much of the blood as possible, feeling hope once more as I watched the silver potion swirl with the blood.
“What have you done?” Horror dripped through Poseidon’s voice, his form appearing in the doorway.
“I found out what was going on.” Gesturing to Mnemosyne, I stood, putting the lid on the bottle. “She gave them all a memory potion. There’s no more, though. And if there is, well. She was the only one who knew where it was. No one will be able to use it now.”
“Not that,” he replied harshly “You’re holding a jar of that woman’s blood!”
“She killed herself. I was just speeding up the process, so she wouldn’t suffer.”
“You murdered her in cold blood! Why?” His gaze seemed to zero in on the blood, his lips pursing into a thin, angry line. “The memory potion. You wanted it for Katrina. Didn’t you?”
“What else was I supposed to do?” I asked angrily. “I saw an opportunity and I took it. I’m not getting any help from you and Zeus. This could bring her back!”
“You murdered a mortal!” he yelled, the ground trembling slightly.
“She had already slit her wrist!” I shouted back.
“You could have saved her,” he insisted. “You could have seared the wound shut with your fire and saved her. She’s dead at your hand, Hades.” Disappointment covered his face.
“What have you become?” he asked quietly. “The Hades I knew never would have done something like this.”
“Oh, shut up with the perfect boy act. We’ve all killed mortals before and you know it.” Frowning, I pushed the guilt at having let the girl die to the side. If this potion brought Katrina back, it would be worth it, no matter the cost.
“Yes. But this is different, and you know it.” Shaking his head, he turned to leave, looking over his shoulder at me. “Just go, Hades.”
“What are you going to do? Run off and tell Zeus what a horrible person I am? I don’t care! Don’t you get it? I will do whatever it takes to bring her back.” Glaring at him, I clutched the bottle tightly, trying not to shake with anger.
“I’m not going to tell Zeus about this,” he said simply. “Killing a mortal now is against our laws. We need all of them. If he finds out you killed one, you’ll be facing more than just banishment.”
“What are you going to do then?” Practically daring him to say something, I stared him down, fire burning hot in my veins.
“I’m going to tell him you left as soon as Ares and you split up. I killed Mnemosyne after she attacked this girl.”
“I’m not a deserter,” I said defensively.
“Oh, but you are. The entire army saw that during The Undoing. It won’t be a surprise to them that you got your powers and left. I don’t even think it will be to Zeus.”
“There were extenuating circumstances,” I replied through gritted teeth. “Why does no one seem to get that?”
“Hades—just go. Leave and don’t ever come back. We don’t want your help if this is what it’s going to result in.” Turning his back on me, he slowly walked away, disappearing into the shadows and leaving me with the feeling of having just been stabbed.
“Hades!”
Jerked from reliving the memory, I turned to look at Cristos, his face set in an expression of determination. He was so much like his father, I suddenly realized, determined to do exactly what he thought needed to be done.
And also like me, trying to save the woman he loved. Would he turn on me, too, if he found out what I’d done?
“What?” I asked, pushing my last battle to the back of my mind.
“What’s our plan? How do you want to approach this?”
“I was just going to go in guns blazing,” I confessed, the fire whip seeming to crackle in excitement as I spoke. “There’s only the one way in. It’s kind of straight forward, isn’t it?”
“We’re going to need a plan, trust me,” Arsenio said grimly.
“How many are there?” Cristos asked the guard, listening intently as his question was answered.
“How many guards are left?” I interrupted.
“I’m not sure,” the man replied, hesitating slightly.
Pausing, I glared at him, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
“The Titan offered to save anyone who joined her,” he said, gulping. “Some of the guards took her up on that.”
“Cowards,” I spat, moving along the path again, faster this time. “Okay, plan time.
“Water Boy—Arsenio. You take the high ground beside the guard house. You should be able to pick a few off with that bow and arrow of yours. You—” Pointing at the guard, I spoke clearly, making sure he understood what I was asking. “Gather the other guards in front of the gates. Form a wall and whatever you do, do not let those Titans break it. Cristos.”
Looking over my shoulder, I could see that he was focusing on something, his own plan forming in his mind. “Remember our deal,” I told him decisively. “Do what you have to, but I will have your promise to me fulfilled.”
Nodding, he grinned, an excitement seeming to buzz through him. “I’ll remember, don’t worry.”
We traveled the rest of the path in silence, splitting up as soon as we could see the battle raging before us. It seemed the guards were already doing a good job at keeping the horde out, but they were fading quickly. As we neared the group, I found myself staring at what could only be Avalon. Looking over at Cristos, I saw him staring at her as well, an expression of relief and horror on his face. For a split second, it seemed like he wasn’t going to be able to go after her, his eyes quickly glancing over at me. Nodding, I motioned for him to move forward.
“Go get her.”
Chapter Thirteen
Cristos
I couldn’t tell if the frantic pounding of my heart was because of the adrenaline from an oncoming fight, or the sight of my Avalon. Every inch of me burned to go to her, but at the same time caution stopped me. It looked like Avalon, yes, but she wasn’t the same. Even from this distance, something was different about the way she moved and the way she held herself. It was a subtle difference, one that those not familiar with her wouldn’t have even picked up on, but it stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
She was as beautiful as ever, her long, dark hair fanning around her face as she grabbed a guard, raising him off the ground with ease. Mighty white wings pounded through the air, the same wings that had sprouted when Avalon saved me from falling to my death, carrying both of them high off the ground. The guard screamed as she swung him around, her fingers turning into snakes that bit him repeatedly. She was terrifying, and still I couldn’t help but stare at her in awe.
There was still so much of my Avalon. The curve of her face, the swell of her breast, the dainty waist. Her eyes were exactly as I remembered, so strong and cool, her hands those that had spent countless hours helping people. It didn’t seem a far stretch to imagine that she would suddenly stop fighting and look terrified at what she’d done, or that she would see me and run into my arms.
At the same time, the Titan had changed her. All of her edges seemed harder, her body more ridged, as if she were tightly wound. She walked through the space as if she had a mission from the gods, her shoulders squared and head held high at all times. Every inch of her looked like a dangerous killing machine, her actions on the field proving her appearance was only the slightest of the indicators of her prowess. There was a darkness to her gaze that had never been there before as well, as if s
he were staring at everything like it was her next meal.
Glancing back at Hades, I swallowed hard. It was one thing to say I would fight Titan Avalon and another to actually be faced with the necessity of doing it. Right now, it didn’t look like she had any plans to just talk.
“Go get her,” Hades said, nodding in encouragement. “We’ll work with the rest. If anything happens, we’ll regather by the guard lookout.”
Turning toward the fight, the ghosts of whatever memories he’d been reliving a moment before vanished from his face, a cold smile replacing them. Snapping the fire whip in his hands, he let out a mighty shout and charged into the edge of the battle, immediately drawing a small horde of Titans.
Steadying myself, I looked back toward the middle of the battle, calculating my best way to get to her. Anticipation and worry mounted in me the longer I stood there. If I could kill the Titan now without injuring Avalon . . .
But I would have to injure her. I would have to kill half of her to save her. It was all I could do to pray to the gods that I would be strong enough to do it when the time came.
Suddenly, three of the creatures in front of me dropped to the ground, each of them sporting an arrow in the eye. Glancing up at him, I saw Arsenio watching me, arrow trained on the closest standing rival. He was clearing the path for me, ever a good friend and battle partner. Nodding once, I ran forward, picking up a sword from one of the fallen guards as I ran into the chaos. I didn’t make it more than a few feet before I was completely encircled by the battle.
“Adrastia,” a voice growled beside me.
Turning, I saw Bane, an Ipotane I’d had the unfortunate pleasure of fighting with before. I’d managed to capture the half horse man then, but he’d escaped after being handed over to the guards on Olympus for transport to Tartarus. Needless to say, I had not been very happy when I found out.
Shaking his black mane in anticipation, Bane’s lips curled over his teeth, creating the most menacing expression I’d ever seen on a horse face. The muscles of his neck flowed seamlessly into his chest and over his shoulders, his hands gripping a sword in each fist. The only thing I could think to be grateful for in this situation was that he only had two legs instead of four, so I wouldn’t have to dodge an extra set of hooves.
“Black Beauty!” Grinning, I held my arms out as if I was greeting an old friend. Arsenio had given him the nickname during our last fight and I’d kept it, knowing he abhorred being compared to a regular horse, let alone one that was so clearly better looking than him, according to my brother in arms.
Snorting, Bane’s eyes narrowed, the detestation in his gaze. “You are still a child, Adrastia, with much to learn. I will enjoy being your teacher for a small time.”
Shouting, he brought both blades up, leaping into the air. Turning as he came down, the hard metal flashed in the firelight as it arched toward me.
Ducking out of the way, I jabbed at him with my own sword, the edge striking the ground as the Ipotane dodged at the last second.
As Bane advanced toward me again, I heard a slight whistling in the air and turned, moving out of the way just in time. The arrow seemed to fly by me in slow motion, barely missing my nose. With a strong thump, it landed in Bane’s throat, clearing the path forward for me again.
Looking up at Arsenio in shock, I saw him shrug slightly, pulling another arrow out and aiming it into the group ahead.
“Cutting it kind of close,” I muttered, stepping over the gurgling Bane and onto the next opponent.
It was almost like I’d never stopped fighting in mass combat. I would spar with one opponent, only to turn and have a completely new one. Blood covered the ground, but no one was actually dying; it appeared the attack was not one meant to kill all of the gods defending Tartarus, but to put them out of commission for a short time.
A blade cut over my back and I hissed, turning to fight whoever it was that had managed to sneak up on me. Instead, I turned face to face with Titan Avalon.
She was even more magnificent up close. Clothed in furs, she looked like a regal queen, jewels on rings around her fingers and on the necklace partially hidden beneath her shirt. Everyone gave her a wide berth, her wings dragging on the ground behind her as she stared down the satyr who had attacked me.
“I specifically instructed you not to harm him,” she said calmly to him, eyes flashing dangerously.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, I got carried away.” The being trembled as she reached for his neck, his feet barely touching the floor as she tightened her grip. A few her fingers morphed into snakes, causing him to whimper in fear.
The battle raged on around us, but it seemed we were in our own cocoon, a strange silence pressing down around me as I watched.
“We will talk about what happened. Later. If you don’t die, that is,” she said an offhand manner, releasing him. “Go now.”
The sounds of battle seemed to pop back into existence then and I realized I’d been in a mild state of shock at seeing her so close again and hearing her wonderfully perfect voice.
It had changed, too, though. It no longer sounded sweet and innocent. Instead, it was cold and calculating. Impersonal.
The Titan’s eyes turned to me then and she smiled, a heartbreakingly familiar expression I had been seeing every night in my dreams. “Cristos.” Her voice seemed to purr when she said my name, her wings ruffling unexpectedly, as if it pleasured her simply to say it. Peering around, she suddenly seemed annoyed by all the fighting. Sighing, she looked in the direction of the Underworld outside of Tartarus.
“Hang on.” Stepping forward, she grabbed me, catching me off guard. I hadn’t expected to be so close to her, to touch her and hold her against me. Using my momentary lapse in thinking, she leapt into the air, wings beating around us as she carried me away from the fight.
Partially in shock, I wrapped my arms around her, not knowing exactly what was happening or where we were going. It was clear she didn’t want to fight me, though. Arsenio and Hades wouldn’t be happy that I’d let her carry me off, but there wasn’t much I could do about it now.
At the same time, my heart was soaring. Avalon was in my arms again, alive and safe, moving away from those who would harm her. I felt as if I could burst from happiness and relief, every single cell in my body acutely aware that my soul mate was with me again.
But it wasn’t Avalon. As soon as I remembered that, it felt as if I were falling through the air, a cold wave overtaking me and robbing me of my breath.
We flew in silence for a few minutes, her arms holding me as tightly as mine were here. When we finally began to descend, I felt as if I had a clear enough head to deal with her without being caught off guard again. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I pushed away, taking in the forest around us. Pine trees reached high overhead, the stony ceiling high overhead.
Looking back at my captor, my heart fluttered in my chest. My zou moi was watching me carefully, waiting for me to make the first move.
Clearing my throat, I attempted to still my racing heart. “Where’s Avalon?” I asked gruffly, trying not to be pulled in by her appearance. It’s not Avalon, I thought, over and over again.
“She’s still here. Just sleeping, like I was for so long. Why?” She looked so curious, as if she didn’t quite know what to think of me yet. Her head tilted to the side, like a bird’s does when studying something, her giant wings folded behind her with ease. She seemed very much like a hunter to me in that moment.
“Is she okay?” I asked carefully, not exactly sure how much the Titan would let me get away with. This impromptu meeting was obviously so we could talk, but my internal alarm bells were going off. What did she want? Why pull me away from the fight to do this?
“I look fine, don’t I? Avalon and I are the same person, Cristos. There isn’t one of us without the other.” She said it as if it were common knowledge, like I was stupid for not already knowing.
“I thought Zeus’s lightning bolt had killed her,” I said, feignin
g uncertainty. “You took over her body, but I thought she was gone.”
“Of course not,” she said gently, smiling at me. “You can’t kill just one of us, Cristos. It’s all or nothing with Avalon and I; we can’t survive without each other. Why do you think I saved her so many times?”
Her grin grew as she stepped closer to me, moving easily over the ground and closing the distance between us. “She was always so close to death, so easily killed. It’s a miracle I was even able to keep her alive. First there was the grenade.” Holding a finger up, she shook her head, frustration crossing her features. “I’d thought I would have more control than that and be able to escape, but Avalon was still in control. Then we almost froze to death. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to be so cold and know that warmth is literally right there? Thank the gods someone else came to our aid and told her how to channel me.” She frowned then, annoyance flickering across her features. “That wasn’t the best feeling, having my very essence used in that way. It was too forced, too out of character. If she would have just trusted me, she would have been so much more powerful.”
Pausing, she stared off in the distance, as if she were remembering something. When she looked back at me again, she smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a move so incredibly like Avalon that I felt robbed of my breath again, my heart nearly stopping at the sight.
“Of course, there was also the time we were plummeting to our death,” she continued. “Really, if it weren’t for me, Avalon would have died a long time ago. She had basic control, but not enough to actually do anything. I couldn’t ever get out unless she was scared. It wasn’t until Zeus practically killed her with that lightning bolt, that I was able to fully take over. She was slipping away, letting go of control, and I grabbed it and held on as tightly as possible. It was incredible, coming to the surface like that.” Grinning, she placed her hands on her hips as she stared at me. “We’re safer this way, with me in charge all the time. Avalon agrees with me, naturally. It’s a scary world we live in. I wouldn’t want to be without some form of protection, either.”
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