I instantly regretted not speaking the insult aloud.
Once again, Drex sat in front of me. This time, he was cross-legged in the grass on the edge of the river. He was drenched in sweat and nodded at me tiredly.
Without him, I’d have careened off the side of the mountain into the ravine.
You’re going to have to tutor him.
“Do you really think you’re going to survive this?” Titus asked as he walked over and leered above me. Leo and Alessander stood beside him.
“What’s that white shit on your lips?” Titus asked, and I wiped shakily at my dried spit and sweat.
Titus laughed exaggeratedly. “Is it cum?” His cronies chortled.
Drex rolled his eyes.
Bending my knees, I leaned forward and put my head between my legs.Tell himno one will ever love him.
Titus laughed louder.
Nyx hissed in my ear, “Are yousureI can’t bite hi?—”
I poked her.
The moment passed, and once again I regretted not insulting Titus. For some reason, Patro was the only person I could insult.
“Rude,” she groaned, but her tongue flickered across my cheek. “You’re worth so much more than them,” she hissed. “Ignore them—a Nemean lion doesn’t listen to the ramblings of sheep.”
Her words were inspiring.
Too bad Charlie had once said I had the countenance of a platypus and the energy of a deranged squirrel. It was early on in our sign language studies, though, so I wasn’t sure he’d meant it. I’d been too scared to ask for clarification.
“Holy fuck. Guys,look.” Alessander’s voice quivered with fear, and all three of my abusers finally went silent.
Thank God for small mercies.
I looked up.
My heart stopped.
Kharon stood a few feet away, his long boat floating along the edge of the riverbank. Ice-blue eyes glared at me.
Never mind.
Close enough to reach out and touch, his black tattered cloak rippled around him like a shadow.
My vision distorted. His pole resembled a scythe.
Titus, Leo, and Alessander backed slowly away from the river’s edge.
I was too tired to move.
The breeze blew Kharon’s hood to the side, revealing razor-sharp cheekbones and an even sharper scowl.
Long seconds passed as he glared at me.
“What is he doing?” Leo whispered.
He’s reminding me of his threat.
