“Stop talking,” Nyx snapped rudely. “You need to conserve your energy—concentrate, kid.”
I breathed heavily (asphyxiated) andconcentratedon not committing amicide.
My lungs rattled.
Vorex yelled something, but I couldn’t hear him over my suicidal thoughts.
The path narrowed. On the left was a jagged cliff—one wrong step and I’d be dead.Hopefully.
I hugged the side of the mountain, since the blind spot on my left made it hard to judge depth.
One foot in front of the other. Coming down will be easier. Just get to the top. Don’t stop.
I tried to think positive thoughts.
How do I summon a Titan so he kills me? Immediately.
I failed.
The space between me and the last initiate was widening, and I gritted my teeth, moved my legs faster, desperate to not lose the group.
Nyx felt like she weighed a million pounds.
Near the top of the biggest freaking mountain on earth, the boysfinallystopped running. They were keeled over, hands on their knees in a circle.
When I approached, a handful looked over and watched me, their eyes filled with hatred.
“I didn’t know a Spartan woman could be so pathetic-looking,” said a tall initiate with red hair. “Aren’t they all supposed to be stunningly strong and beautiful? No wonder you weren’t wanted.”
He hadbigJessica and Tim-Tom energy.
Two other boys in the group shuffled closer to him and laughed. “Good one, Titus,” one of them said.
Ears ringing from exhaustion, I stared at them incredulously.
Drex rolled his eyes and didn’t join them.
“How is it possible that you look weaker than a human?” Titus said louder as he glared at me. “Aren’t you embarrassed?”
Ignore him. He’s not worth your time.
He spat at my feet, then lunged forward and yanked on my ponytail.
I stumbled away from his disgusting touch.
“How is it possible that your brain issmallerthan your tiny balls?” I shouted aggressively and shook my fist at him.
In my head.
In reality, I said nothing, because I didn’t like interacting with people. Also, I couldn’t breathe. So there was that.
My legs gave out.
Knees banging against cold rocks, shaking palms digging into pebbles, I lowered my head and dry-heaved. Mucus dribbled attractively out of my mouth.
Ah, womanhood.
Titus sneered, “Of course you’d be a useless bitch who couldn’t even swallow.” His cronies snickered.
