“Let’s go.”
“Did you hear that noise?”
Rydon caught up with Ren as she descended into the main hall, the others following close behind. Except for Croak. That boy sauntered down the stairs like the wastrels he’d seen in the courts of Decu, his homeland. Those useless twits thought everything started when they arrived, so there was no reason to rush.
“What?”
Rydon matched Terena’s determined stride. “The inhuman bellow that sounded earlier?”
“Aye, we heard it,” Cassandra said, puffing along behind them. “Do you know what it was?”
“No, I?—”
“We didn’t find the amulet,” Ren interrupted. “We’re leaving for Lethe to get Sonah.”
“Fantastic,” Rydon said as he smacked his fist into his left hand. “Gabriol is still upstairs. I’ll go get him and meet you outside.”
“No. Wait.” Turning, Terena snapped her fingers a few times as she called out Croak’s name. “Croak, go get Gabriol. And where is Orry? If he’s still upstairs with Migela, bring them with you.”
“Right.” Croak pivoted and went up the steps just as leisurely as he’d come down them.
“Faster than that, Croak!”
Croak waved his hand over his shoulder without bothering to turn around.
“Where are you going?”
Rydon, Cassandra and Terena stopped dead in their tracks when Hermes and his cadre stormed in. Terena dropped her head back and let out a loud groan.
Spreading her arms she turned to Hermes.
“Lethe.”
“Not yet.”
“What? Why? I’m going to get Sonah.”
Hermes moved aside and Rydon’s eyes caught sight of Daris. The commander’s bloodshot gaze was fixed at a point over their heads, his face ashen.
Rydon swiveled his head between Daris and Terena. Terena did not look at the commander, either.
Something felt off.
“Send her eudaemon,” Hermes said as he turned to walk away.
Terena scoffed and stalked after him. His men flanked him, moving closer to Terena as she stopped in front of the god.
Tipping her head back, she glared at Hermes.
“Well, that’s convenient, because he’s going as well.”
“Daris,” Hermes said with a flick of his fingers. Daris moved to his side, his face impassive.
What the fuck was going on with him?
“Go to Lethe with Rydon and bring my niece.”
Daris nodded and turned without a glance at Terena.
