Page 100 of The Mortal Trials

His dark brows kiss. He studies my hand in his, then glances up to catch my waiting stare. “Whatever happens, I’m glad for the time spent with you.”

I gently push his chest, watching his shoulder bend back then rebound. “Careful. That sounds a lot like ‘goodbye’.”

He guffaws.

August is one of the most earnest people I know, and I’m grateful for the time spent with him, too. I just can’t tell him that without crying or letting doubt cloud the ambition I’ve built.

I hold my arms open, hoping for a hug.

When he wraps strong arms around my back and gathers me to him, I bask in the feeling and take a long while to enjoy it before pulling away.

“When you get back, maybe you can play me the heartrending song Aphrodite mentioned last night.”

For a heartbeat, August’s hands stiffen on my back. “What?”

I laugh. “Do you know which song she was talking about? Or are all of them sorrowful now?”

He’s quiet for a second. “I think I know the one.”

Close to midday, we start our hike to the temple. With each step, staircase, and landing we reach, I tell myself that I can survive this individual portion. I will find Koda and I will help and protect him. We’ll make it through today. All of us.

As we reach the hilltop, Hermes flies overhead, carrying a brass horn. The sound carries for miles.

A small, shimmering portal no larger than a bedroom door appears before us, and Koda steps through it using the spear as a cane. His blood red robes are thick, but not thick enough to stop his shivering, especially in the winds swirling around the hilltop. His cheeks are flushed and his breathing is labored. A coughing fit seizes him as we duck into the temple.

“I don’t want to get you sick,” he worries.

“We’ll be fine.” I hope my words can soothe him and give him the hope he needs to endure this next trial. “We just need to get through this so you can go home and rest.”

“The portal wouldn’t work for Niall and Elias,” he laments.

I give him my arm. “That’s okay. They’ll be here soon.”

With our help, Koda shuffles toward the center of the space where the steps to the portal wait. It’s already glowing. Hermes doesn’t return to the temple. Ares doesn’t even show up.

It seems we can enter the trial whenever we’d like.

Ulani and Vailea arrive, both in the same light, leather armor they wore yesterday; his is bronze and hers is stark white. Vailea holds her long, thin sword and Ulani grips his trident.

Another coughing fit seizes Koda.

I silently look from them to our ill friend, pleading, and they nod, understanding and wordlessly agreeing to help if they can, as soon as they’re able.

Tae strides across the room, cutting through other contestants, championed and not, to reach us.

The Norseman prowls into the temple behind Tae, tossing aside the fabric panel stained with Akira’s blood. He’s in head-to-toe gray and silver, but he’s not wearing Freyja’s cape. Did she think it would slow him down today?

“Did anyone ever learn where our Norse friend got his sword?” I ask my allies.

Elias jogs up with Niall and snarls, “It was mine. I’m not sure when or how he got his hands on it, though.”

I have a sneaking suspicion. “Did you hide it in your oikos?”

He nods. “Under my bed.”

We all groan. That’s the first place a thief would look.

“What? It wouldn’t fit in the chest. The blade was too long.”