“What the fuck is on the side of your head?” Patro asked Augustus.
Poco hissed and grabbed his creation protectively (knotted wad of hair).
“Poco isnoneof your concern.” Kharon’s voice was icy. “Stay away from him.”
Patro scoffed at them. “What are you two going to do to me?Pleaseshare.”
Kharon raised his gun.
Achilles yanked Patro back behind him, smoke billowing around his face.
The scent of violence filled the hall.
“P-please,” I said.
Kharon lowered his gun with a heavy sigh, and Augustus rubbed his face.
Patro stiffened as he focused on the space behind me.
“Wait—is that thebitchthat was working with Theros?” Patro pushed past Achilles. “Why the fuck is that scum not in the dungeon? Why is she standing behind Alexis …Whatis going on here?”
Ceres whimpered and curled in on herself. “I didn’t help him,” she whispered. “I know it—even if I can’t remember everything.”
I straightened to my full height, shielding her with my body.
Nyx smacked her lips together as she snored around my waist.Helpful.
“I’ve freed Ceres,” I explained.
Patro looked over at Kharon and Augustus with incredulity. “And you two areokaywith this?” Achilles glowered beside him.
Hot rage scorched my chest.
“It …doesn’tmatter what they think,” I whispered. “She’s innocent.”And suffering from trauma-induced memory loss.
Patro laughed cruelly. “Well, if you’resosure, then let me touch her and see if she’s telling the truth.”
Ceres flinched back.
“Good idea,” Augustus said.
“No w-way,” I said. “She’s traumatized.”
Patro moved toward me and Ceres with predatory slowness.
I stepped forward, blocking his path.
The temperature between us plummeted, ice wafting off him as he halted before me.
We were almost eye level, and in the moonlight, his handsome features looked like they were carved from marble.
“Careful, Alex,” he whispered. “You’re playing adangerousgame.” He flicked my nose before I could react, angry eyes glinting.
“Don’t c-call me that,” I said as Augustus shouted, “Get away from her!”
Kharon lunged for Patro. “Don’t youeverfucking touch her again.”
Achilles moved in front of Kharon, stopping him. They stood chest to chest, bristling, snarling at each other like animals—Augustus shoved himself between them and tried to force them apart.
