Chapter 6
Narida’s path led us out into a thick patch of jungle, where it was dark and damp, and it was only through some small glimpses of blue that I knew which direction the ocean was. “We can’t keep doing this,” I said breathlessly, fighting to stay close to Cronus. “If they can track us this easy, then there is nowhere we can run or hide. Eventually they’re going to get to us.”
He made a rumbling, pissed-off sound, his massive back heaving as he cut down some more bushes that were blocking our path. I ducked my head, narrowly missing a branch that had snapped off near me.
“I needed the weapon,” Cronus said between swings of his weapon, “to have something strong enough to penetrate the skin of a god.”
“Uh huh,” I said.#WhereWasHeGoingWithThis
“Once I regain my full powers, they won’t be able to touch me. That’s why they are trying so hard right now. I just need to hold them off until my powers return, then I can kill Zeus and end this nightmare. Stop complaining that I’m going too fast for you while I try to keep us alive.”
Going too fast? I’d fucking show him too fast, the arrogant asshole…
My angry thoughts were cut off when the trees to the right of us basically exploded in our faces. With a shriek, I dove to the side, only to be yanked back by the bond between us. Apparently I’d gone too far from the god in question.
Pulling myself up, I pressed close to his back, peering around to see a golden woman standing there. “Athena,” Cronus said. “What are you doing here? This was never your fight.”
I racked my brain for the small pockets of Greek Mythology I knew. Athena … she was definitely associated with war, I remembered that, and maybe … wisdom ... or painting.Fuck. She was associated with something, and the most important one was war.
“Zeus called in all of us,” she said, her voice somehow melodic but also filled with powerful undertones. She had long waves of blond hair, big blue eyes, and wore gold and bronze armor that made her arms and legs look strong and muscled.#ProbablyYoga
“Accept your fate, Cronus. Return to the prison world and we will spare the human.”
Yeah, right. The human who could apparently release Cronus and now knew all about the existence of gods in the current world. Yep, for sure, they would totally let me live.
Cronus crossed his huge arms. “You will leave my human alone. I’ll decide when she dies, no one else.”
That was almost cute.#CoupleGoals
Athena reached over her shoulder and pulled free a large sword, pointing it right at me.The weak link.It was glowing softly, just like she was, in the same gold and bronze of her armor. “You leave me no choice, Uncle.”
Uncle.I think they were getting their family tree confused here.
I shook my head at Cronus. “Maybe don’t defend me anymore,” I said, trying not to punch him in the kidneys. He was still the only one keeping me alive at this point, but I think he’d only made her madder.
Cronus tucked me behind him, needing more room to swing his weapon. I took a step back, and another, and another, until I could feel that painful tug on our bond. This was as far as I could go, and considering I was pressed against trees that were probably filled with spiders, hopefully it was far enough.
Athena struck instantly, her blade moving so fast I couldn’t even track it. I thought for sure that Cronus was about to die, because who could stop a stroke that powerful? But he—almost lazily—lifted his gigantic weapon and met her blow, before countering with a swing of his own.
Athena actually looked impressed. “Usually it takes weeks to recover energy after being in the prison realm. You’re surprisingly strong.”
That was scary considering Cronus said he still felt weak. How freaking strong was he at full power? I’m sure if I asked him, he’d tell me.
#EgoIsStrong
Cronus didn’t bother to converse; he just swung his weapon in some fancy configuration and Athena was straight back to fighting him. The noise was almost deafening as their blades crashed together, over and over, in a display of power and skill that would have been quite fascinating to watch if my life wasn’t on the line.
Another figure burst into the clearing and Athena shot him an exasperated stare, which gave Cronus the opening he’d been searching for. He sliced across her arm; she cried out in pain and backed up. Blood coated Cronus’ blade and he grinned.
“Apollo,” Athena snarled, “what are you doing here? You were supposed to wait for my call.”
Apollo could be the twin of Athena. I knew that without even having a clue what the Greek mythology said. He was the dude version of her, right down to the gold and bronze blade.
“Sister, darling, you were losing.”
Athena’s cheeks were mottled with red as she faced off with her brother. “How dare you! I’m the goddess of warfare, wisdom, and the arts. Which includes the art of fighting. You dare to insult me,halfbrother? I should gut you right here.”
Hmm, not twins. I was close at least, and I’d figured that shit out with very little help from anyone other than myself … and possibly Google … when I’d been searching for information on Cronus. For wise gods, these two were immature as fuck.
