“And that’s ever so helpful in a fight!”
“Atalanta!” Kato calls, not moving an inch. “Zeus and Athena sent us. We’re meant to bring a treasure to the Ipotane Alpha.”
I roll my eyes. “Fantastic. Just tell her we’re here to steal her treasure.”
“It might not be hers.”
“She might be guarding it,” I argue.
I feel him shrug behind me. “Or she could say she was expecting us.”
“Expecting to kill us,” I mutter.
Kato inhales sharply, moving enough for me to lean over and see what he sees. Atalanta has stepped out onto a ledge. Framed against the gallery of caves above, she’s magnificent. Wild and dark. Silky hair falls to her knees, spilling over her arms, hands, and lowered bow. Diaphanous skirts cover her long, shapely legs only to mid-thigh, and gleaming, golden upper-body armor illuminates the smooth, pale skin of her neck and face. Dark brows wing across her forehead, arching delicately. Her full mouth looks like it’s been stained by kalaberries, offering an exotic splash of color against her flawless, almost translucent complexion. She’s as cold and perfect as the ice crystals adorning the cavern.
Thick-lashed, elongated eyes send a shock through me. They mirror mine, glinting with the pure light-green of magic and the north.
She moves forward, her long hair swaying. “The Gods sent you to me that I might be free?”
Free? From what?“Yes!”
Kato gives me a warning squeeze, and I stick an elbow in his ribs.
Atalanta cocks her head in a perfectly savage way, reminding me of a wolf let loose in a field of sheep. “Please Artemis, and you may depart from this.”
Artemis is the Goddess? Heed the Goddess’s needs.
What does that mean?
“We don’t have an offering,” Kato whispers in my ear.
“I know!” I grate back.
Atalanta steps so close to the edge of her perch that the tips of her boots kiss empty air. “We’ll take the warrior to serve as courtier.”
My insides plummet.Is that why the Gods sent Kato in here?
“You can’t have him.” I search frantically for an alternate offering. “You can have a magic cloak.”
Atalanta laughs.
“Fine. Two magic cloaks.”
Kato grunts. I don’t think he wants to give his up.
“I’m not just handing you over!” I snap.
“Your worry can end, for we will not keep your friend.”
I look sharply at the other female. “Then what do you want from him? And for how long?”
She wets her berry-colored lips. Her hands curl at her sides. “Mistress and I, we’ve decided to try…”
Her words trail off, an intense, heated look coming over her face. I know that look. I look at Griffin that way all the time.
Scowling, I wiggle enough to turn around and face Kato. “She looks like a wild animal in heat. I have a good idea of what they have planned for you.”
“Me too.”
