“Fuck!” Rydon scrubbed his hands up and down his face, before turning to scowl at Terena. “We need to get you out of here. Now. Go with Gabe. I’ve got to get out there and stall him. I promised Daris I’d find a way for him to get inside before the others do but it looks like it’s too—fuck!”
Lerek flinched at Rydon’s outburst, backing away several steps.
“Take Ren—hey!”
Lerek turned frightened eyes on Rydon as the man snapped his fingers in Lerek’s face.
“What?”
“Take her out through the dungeons. You know the way?”
Lerek nodded. “Aye.”
“Good,” Rydon grumbled turning his attention to Gabriol. “Where’s Cassandra?”
Gabriol glanced around the remnants of the once magnificent ballroom and scowled. “She was here, with Migela. But I’ve not seen her since I’ve been with the prince.”
Rydon groaned. “I’ll find them. Take Ren and the prince and go. Don’t worry about getting word back to us, we’ll find you.”
“Sonah—”
“It’ll have to wait, Ren!” Rydon shouted as Terena started for the doors. He grabbed her by the elbow and spun her back. “We will find you. I’ll keep her safe. I promise you.”
Shouts outside the doors sounded and Lerek’s head swiveled to the doors.
“What was that?”
“Fuck.” Rydon smothered a shout as he cursed. “They’re here. Go. Get her out of here now.”
Gabriol grabbed hold of Terena’s arm and hustled her away as Lerek stood rooted to the spot. More shouts sounded behind them and when Lerek turned his gaze back to the dais he stilled.
He hadn’t noticed him before. Lerek took a tentative step closer and his chin shook as he took in his father’s lifeless body.
At a shout from Gabriol, Lerek shook himself out of his stupor and gave his father one last look.
“Goodbye, father.”
Turning, Lerek ran after the others.
Something was happening.
The ground beneath them shook and he exchanged a look with Melanos. The god was frowning as if he knew what was coming but before Daris could ask, Hermes shoved his way between them, a manic grin transforming his features.
“Take the city!”
His roar triggered answering shouts from his men and they rushed forward, the thunder of hooves deafening. Daris and Melanos were a moment behind, heads low over their mounts as they careened toward the gates.
Hermes held out a hand as they neared, and the gates burst into thousands of pieces.
The next half hour was a blur of blood and madness. Daris fought beside Melanos and the Liodari, his movements precise, his kills swift. The power he felt now was unlike the immortality granted to him by Athena. No, this was something else.
This was Melanos.
The God of Heroes fought beside them, infusing them with added strength and courage as he’d done back in Ravos.
“To the palace! Push on to the palace!”
Daris gutted the man he fought, looking around when he heard Soros’s shout. The captain and a score of men ran through the streets, shouting and yelling with swords raised.
