Gods, she was adorable. A smile played at my lips, and I forced it away.
The woman was furious with me. And as much as I hated to admit it, rightfully so.
“Our best bet is to escape when they move us,” I said, glancing up as Eleos took up pacing.
“The weasel’s right,” Eleos confirmed, rolling his shoulders. “None of us can carve through solid rock.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. That was the third time they’d called meWeasel. Was this how Aethra felt when I’d bestowed her nickname?
Eyes narrowing, Aethra glared at me. “You’re from Duath Nun. Do you have a plan to escape,your princeliness?”
“Weasel is leagues better thanthat.” I winced. “I’ve never participated before, so I’m not familiar with this dungeon’s layout, but—”
“Sh,” Eleos hissed, sage-green eyes flicking toward the door.
Footsteps echoed in the hall outside. One pair, walking softly. The door scraped open a moment later, allowing us a glimpse outside. One soul entered: a goddess made flesh, hair white as snow.
Cerys. Frowning at the Oracle, I watched the door close behind her. Why had she come alone?
Percy appeared at my side, smoothing his hair back and rubbing the dirt from his cheeks. Tilting my head, I studied him in disbelief.
Was he preening for her?
Seraphim planted herself between the Oracle and us. “What do you want?” She demanded.
Usually, the fiery redhead looked to be in complete control, but a red flush colored her cheeks, and the vein on her neck pulsed.
She wasfurious.
“To speak with you.” Cerys’ gaze turned to Aethra. “There is much you should know before you’re taken to the trials.”
“Oh, good,” Aethra said. “Are you going to give us a hint?”
Always ready with dry humor, even if she was terrified inside. She hardly realized how brave she was.
Turning my head away, I tried tostopadmiring her. Moments ago, she’d torn out my heart—and she had no reason to give it back.
“In a sense,” Cerys confirmed. “You are outsiders, so you would not understand the purpose of the Duat. Once it tested champions. Now, it punishes sinners while offering them a chance for redemption.”
“Um.” Percy’s brow wrinkled. “How likely is that chance?”
“Slim,” she said. “And should you fail, your mortal body will be torn to shreds. Your soul will belost.”
Phaedrus drew closer, slinking through the shadows. His cape swathed him in darkness, hiding whatever he hid beneath it. Keeping a close eye on him, I leaned off the wall and shifted closer to Aethra.
“Cerys,” I said. “You lied to Aeacus. Why?”
“Would you prefer I tell him he’d nearly captured Prince SetandElpis?” Cerys asked. “In here, the two of you are far from his reach, and he is wasting his time searching for a woman he will not find.”
“You gave him the wrong description?”
“No. I told him Elpis was ‘unmistakable in mien.’” Cerys raised her chin, side-eyeing Aethra. “Just because he didn’t think so, doesn’t make my words untrue.”
Telling half-truths to avoid revealing her secrets. How many times had Cerys done as much to me, in our youth?
“Glad to see you haven’t changed.” I studied her face, trying to decide if I could trust her. “But thanks to you, we’re facing certain death. Whose side are you on?”
“Did I not say, in the tower, that you would not understand yet?” She stepped closer, hushing her voice. “I would free you, if I could, Set. But you must do it yourself.”
