His ebony armor turned to dust beneath their deadly touch. Only the bloody stump of an arm and severed head remained when the cobras reared back.
The remaining knights fell to their knees in a wave of black and red. Only the senior knight remained standing, eyes flicking between his men and me.
Gritting his teeth, he lowered his blade and kneeled.
Taking a breath, I changed my tone. Calm. Commanding.
“The western district is aflame,” I said. “Aid the men already there and rescue any survivors.” When they didn’t rise, I sharpened my tone. “Go.”
Aethra pressed herself against my back as the Hades Knightsrose, heeding my command. She flinched as they passed us.
I released my spell, and the serpents faded into smoke and shadows. Pain surged through my limbs.
My life would be the price for this power. I’d need to be careful.
But my chthonic side might not allow caution in the days ahead.
“Can Athena fly?” I gasped, wincing under the pain.
“She took a hit. I don’t think she could carry two.”
“Then we’ll walk.” Taking her hand, I pulled her after me. “Do you have anything of Eleos’ on you?”
Reaching for her neck, Aethra pulled off a necklace set with a blue gem. I grabbed it from her and dangled it before Whisper’s nose.
“Find El, boy,” I encouraged.
Whisper’s muzzle traced every inch of the necklace. Tail perking up, he flew toward the east, the rest of us in tow.
The fire abated as we ran. Sticking to the edge of a central channel, I glanced at the horse trotting behind us.
A horse I thought I knew well, considering I’d stolen her for Aethra. Apparently not.
“What the fuck happened to your horse?” I asked.
“I’ll explain later,” Aethra panted.
Fair enough. It didn’t matter now.
Running had never hurt this much before. My legs screamed in protest, and I swore my skin was being flayed from my bones.
“Seth!” Aethra called. “Are you alright?”
“Fine,” I lied. Skidding to a stop, I stared at the square ahead.
A horde was running in terror toward us. Pulling Aethra behind me, I backed out of their way, letting the stampede fly past.
Their faces were twisted in terror, eyes pale and bulging. And the way they ran . . . senseless, unthinking. None looked in our direction.
“Seas,” Aethra breathed. “What happened?”
“Stay close,” I ordered, heading toward the source of their fear.
The road ahead was empty, save for two souls. Cerys, her white gown torn and bloody, limped toward me, leaning heavilyon Percy’s arm.
“Set!” Cerys called, beaming.
“One Oracle,” Percy announced. “Safe and sound.”
