Page 91 of Hades’ Revenge

“It’s not that bad,” Atticus said. “I’m…” He squeezed his eyes shut as sweat trickled down his face. “I’m dizzy.”

“Let’s get him to the car,” Zeus said. “We need to get to a discreet location and figure this out.”

Atticus didn’t protest when Sebastian rolled him onto his side.

“Oh,” I whispered when I saw the blood seeping through the back of his shirt.

Sebastian shook his head at me, silently warning me to stay quiet as he took inventory of the injuries. “We need to stay calm.”

“I’ll bring the car to you.” Zeus fished for the keys in his pocket. “We have to decide if we’re going to the hospital.”

“No,” Atticus’ weak voice murmured into the still, dark night. “We have to get off this street before they come back. They’re going to realize they didn’t hit the target.”

“You’re the target?” I whispered to Sebastian.

Despite the humidity in the air, a chill swept over me when I realized someone had just tried to kill him.

“I need to get help,” Sebastian said as he raised Atticus’ shirt to expose the source of the bleeding. “If I take him to the hospital, the police will be contacted and we’ll have to answer a lot of questions. The cops will waste time. They can’t help us with this.”

“What do you want to do?” I asked.

“It looks like he was grazed, but there’s too much blood for me to be sure.”

“My house is around the corner,” I said. “Let’s take him there, and my dad can help us.”

When I reached into my pocket to get my phone, Sebastian touched my arm. “You can’t call your father.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t know who sent the shooter.”

“You think my dad did this?” He wouldn’t. Would he? I couldn’t be sure. I had learned an awful lot these past few days about the man who raised me. None of it was good.

Zeus pulled the car up to the curb, got out, and hustled over to us. In all the chaos, I hadn’t realized he had gone to get the car.

“What did you decide?” he asked.

“We’re taking him to my house,” I said. “My dad will know what to do.”

“Leo?” Zeus glanced at Sebastian. “I didn’t see that coming.”

“Neither did I.” Sebastian motioned over Atticus. “He needs a doctor. Our options are limited.”

“Do you think my father would try to kill you?” I asked.

“Absolutely.” When he answered with such certainty, it hurt my heart. “But I don’t believe he would have had it done with you standing right next to me.”

“Then it’s settled,” I said. “You two get Atticus to the car, and I’ll call my father and tell him we’re coming.”

“I’m not sure I like this bossy side.” Sebastian stood as Zeus helped a barely conscious Atticus into a seated position.

“Would you rather your friend bleed to death?” I held up my phone as I ran over to the car and opened the door.

“She has a point.” Zeus hooked his arms under Atticus’ arms. “Help me get him into the car. You two can fight over who is in charge later.”

In the short time it took to get to my house, Atticus had lost consciousness. Sebastian stayed strong, talking to his friend the whole time, telling him everything was going to be okay. I didn’t know if Sebastian thought that was true, but I believed him. I hoped Atticus did too.

My father greeted us at the car and helped get Atticus into the house and up to the guest bedroom where our family friend, and doctor, waited. I wanted to follow, but my mother attacked me with a long and much needed hug as soon as I walked in the door.