Phaedrus’ voice echoed in my head. “Focus on the chariot with white horses—I can trip it up, leaving its riders defenseless.”
Glancing over the arena, I searched for the one he spoke of. It raced opposite me, careening around the eastern edge toward the other men.
“Seth.” Eleos’ voice was eerily calm. “Let us handle that.Bring the ladies this way. I have a plan.”
“You do?” Percy shouted.
“On it,” I thought back, gaze settlingon the chariot approaching me.
Two powerful warhorses, covered in armor, pounded toward me. The chariot raked up dirt behind them as they pressed closer to the wall. A second chariot raced alongside them, covering the midfield.
A half-wall blocked off the center of the arena, and I glimpsed a black pit on the other side. Anyone who tried to escape that way would plummet to who-knows-where.
A sliver of safety appeared between the two chariots racing toward me: a mere pace separated their horses. Sprinting toward the center of the arena, I threw myself to the ground just as the chariots reached me. One screamed past, pulling up dirt and tossing it across me.
The second flew past on my other side, and I caught sight of the soldiers riding it. One spun around and hefted a javelin. Leaping to my feet, I raised my sword, managing to deflect the oncoming spear at the last moment.
Clashing steel rang in my ears. The next moment, the chariot was out of range.
How was I supposed to get Aethra to safety in this hellscape?
The drivers yanked the reins, turning their steeds around. Whirling on my heel, I raced for the western gate. Seraphim stepped out, grabbed my arm, and hauled me through the gap as the chariots tore past again.
“If we don’t commandeer one of those things,” Seraphim shouted, “We’re fucked!”
“Phaedrus said the same thing.” I looked past her, eyes landing on Aethra.
Seas. She looked horrible. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair, and nasty bruises—someone had hurt her after we’d been separated.
“I need to get everyone together,” Aethra stammered.
“You and Eleos are in sync,” I said, studying the dark bruises on her shoulders. “But maybe you should stay here.”
“No.” She struggled to form the words. “The Oracle—she needs me to do something.”
Such in-eloquence was unlike her. The worst came to mind, and my hand tightened around my blade.
Dust fell from above, and the walls groaned. The spiked ceilingbegan to descend.
“I was wondering when that would happen,” Seraphim said. “We need to go.” She darted into the arena.
“Come on.” Aethra grabbed my hand and dragged me outside. “Stay close.”
Was the princess trying to protectme?
The three chariots had shifted their focus to the southern gate. Red vines burst from the ground, tangling themselves in one of the chariot’s wheels, but the spikes severed them, and the chariot pulled loose. With a crack of the whip, it continued its advance on Phaedrus’ and Eleos’ position.
At the last moment, the driver whipped his head around violently and yanked the reins, turning the chariot at a sharp angle. It crashed into its ally, throwing them both off course.
Eleos must have done something to the driver. He wavered, pressing a hand to his nose as blood seeped out.
The man had controlled a bloodyhydrayesterday. He had to be at his limits.
Aethra ran ahead of me, seemingly unconcerned with the danger awaiting us. My gaze darted between her and the chariots as they pulled away from one another and circled around. There had to be a way to protect her.
Shit. I couldn’t shield her—they’d just run us both over.
“What about her?” Percy shouted in my head.
