Percy finished his first song, and Seraphim dipped me. I giggled when she dramatically pulled me to my feet.
“Do you know a waltz?” Seraphim asked Percy.
Scoffing, he ran his fingers along the lute’s strings. “What do you take me for, madam?”
Leaning forward, Percy began a quick-tempo tune—the kind nobles played in their courts. I’d never imagined myself dancing to one. Grasping Seraphim’s hand, I gave her my rapt attention.
“Alright, ready?” Seraphim said. “Follow my lead.”
Following the three-step pattern, I pretended I was a princess and she was the queen. Our hair flowed around us, and I imagined dresses to accompany, swirling across the floor.
In another life, perhaps my foolish daydreams could come true.
I noticed Eleos leaning on the doorway, watching us. A thin smile touched his lips, but despair shadowed his eyes.
Eleos had never worn that expression before.
A sob caught in my throat, and I forced it away.
Death awaited us, but I wanted so badly for us to live. To find happiness, together, when all this was over. Our strange little band.
But,gods. We wouldn’t.
We wouldn’t.
22
Aethra
Istared up at the fort’s towering walls, remembering our entry into Serifos’ dungeon. That had been our first mission as a team—and the day I’d met Seth.
Holding up a lantern, Percy peered at me through the slits of his eye-patterned mask. Matching robes shrouded me, neatly obscuring my features beneath the unsettling gray fabric. Rain pattered from the heavens, splashing on the stone road beneath our feet.
Eleos followed behind us—a stranger in golden armor covered by silver robes. Having the Oracle as an ally was useful indeed—I only hoped she did not overstep her bounds.
A daunting task was set before us: we needed to access the armory unnoticed while also delivering the Oracle’s message. Fail, and the Oracle’s treachery would come to light.
Looking up through the pouring rain, I drank in the fortress. It nearly looked like a castle itself—an impressive tower rose from the training yard, sealed in by ancient stone walls. My eyes traced the fogged windows, remembering Seth’s directions. The armoryshould be on the second floor, the barracks on the first. Avoid the third and fourth floors.
The chthonics would be drawing the men up there, away from us.
A Hades Knight departed the gates and approached us before we’d even reached them. Lightning flashed overhead, outlining his vulture helm in white.
“Your message had best be of use,” he snapped. “Or the commander will not be pleased with your lady.”
Percy sank into a deep bow. “It is of the utmost importance, your holiness. Commander Aeacus must hear her words with all haste.”
I bowed my head with him, praying no one would recognize the features behind our masks.
Breaking into Serifos’ dungeons had been dangerous.
This? This was suicide.
“Fine.” The Hades Knight nodded. “Come, then.”
Leading us back to the gates, he raised his lantern. A moment later, the heavy gates slowly cranked open, allowing us inside.
Pitch black surrounded us, save for the occasional torch. Rough dirt paths crunched beneath our feet, and I caught sight of the occasional training dummy or striking target. Eyes watched our backs—though I could not see the soldiers to whom they belonged.
