Kostas stumbled onto the shore, then reached down and hefted a rock, hurling it at the blonde siren. It struck her shoulder, and she shrieked. Galene tried to take the opportunity to run past, but the siren was faster, dashing into her path and striking.
Galene ducked and backed away, looking desperately to Kostas and Braxtus. “Don’t let her drink that!”
“What?” Kostas asked, running in her direction.
“The goblet!”
Kostas slowed, following Galene’s pointed gaze. A clear goblet was clutched in the brunette’s fingers. She offered it to Iyana, tantalizing her with it. A pearly blue liquid swirled inside.
“It will turn her into one of them!”
Iyana reached for it.
Braxtus sprinted around the blonde, who was still focused on Galene. “Iyana, stop!” he yelled. “Iyana!”
But Kostas knew he wouldn’t make it in time. Iyana accepted the glass, delight and curiosity alive on her youthful face. She raised it to her lips.
Something dark sliced through the night.
The goblet shattered.
Iyana let out a surprised squeak, stumbling back as glass and droplets of the liquid scattered everywhere, and a black javelin struck the ground only a few feet away.
The brunette turned, eyes and aura full of fire. Demitri tore in her direction, drawing his staff from his back, pulling it apart into two swords. He charged, glowing with confidence and resolve as he leapt into the air and kicked her in the chest.
She fell, snarling and swiping at him.
“Go!” he yelled at the others. “I can handle this! Get out of here!”
The blonde siren turned from Galene and Kostas, sprinting up the beach to help her sister. Ahead, Braxtus reached Iyana, who stood in a stupor.
“Come on!” Kostas urged Galene toward the plateau. She hesitated, watching Iyana, who wouldn’t move. Braxtus swept an arm behind Iyana’s knees and lifted her.
“They’re coming, now let’s go!”
She nodded and ran beside him, followed closely by Braxtus and Iyana, leaving the son of the War God to take care of the mess behind them.
17
BRAXTUS
Rocks dug into Braxtus’s bare feet as he ran up the side of the plateau, carrying Iyana. White-blonde hair spilled over his arm, her head lolling against his chest as she stared at the sky, face blank. He swallowed, the fear of losing her to the sirens still lingering.
He allowed himself a glance back at Demitri.
He moved like a dark whirlwind—the sirens didn’t stand a chance. Fierce joy lit Demitri’s face as he fought.
Braxtus focused on the climb again, feeling a strange wave of jealousy. There weren’t many people he envied when it came to combat, but with the abilities Demitri had inherited from his father, he was in a league of his own.
Iyana groaned and shook her head as though to clear it. Her crystal eyes focused on him. “Braxtus?”
His heart skipped a beat, her warmth pressing against him. “It’s me.”
“What’s going on?”
“We ran into trouble.” They reached the top of the plateau, and he cautiously set her on her feet. “But we’re all safe now, thanks to Kostas. And Demitri,” he admitted.
A lost expression settled on Iyana’s face. Galene squeezed her hand, then turned for her armor and weapons.
Braxtus joined Galene and Kostas, strapping on his armor and sword with quick fingers, keeping an eye on Iyana. She followed suit slowly, almost like she was still in a trance. Her face grew more and more pale, and Braxtus could tell she was starting to piece things together.
They laced up their sandals and made their way down the other side of the plateau, where they first landed.
Starlight reflected on the water, illuminating the heads of the sea horses waiting for them close to shore, whinnying anxiously. Braxtus gritted his teeth and waded in the cool water.
Iyana stayed on the shore. “Where’s Demitri?”
“He’s coming,” was Galene’s only hurried reply.
Braxtus motioned for her to join them, then steeled himself, mounting his sea horse again. Iyana stepped into the water and straddled her own.
They waited a few tense moments, listening to the lapping water.
A figure appeared, leaping down the rocks, staff on his back and javelin in hand. He mounted the sea horse waiting for him, holding his javelin underwater to clean it off.
Iyana spoke. “They were sirens, weren’t they?”
Kostas, Demitri, and Galene exchanged glances, looking surprised that she hadn’t figured it out earlier. Braxtus scowled at them as Iyana flushed. She was in a trance like the rest of us, and didn’t wake until after the ordeal. Of course she wouldn’t have known.
“They tried to turn you into one of them.” Demitri fixed her with an icy stare.
Her eyes widened. “What? I’ve never heard of that before!”
“Me neither,” Braxtus put in.
“They don’t breed.” Galene shivered. “They all started as humans or gods. Usually, they just kill and eat who they can, but occasionally they’ll grow their numbers.”
“Why would they target me?”
Kostas scratched his neck. “I don’t know, but you were so entranced. I couldn’t snap you out of it like I did with the others.”
Iyana’s cheeks flamed gold, and she ducked her head. “I’m sorry if I made it harder to get out of there.”
“It’s not your fault,” Braxtus said flatly.
Demitri glanced over at him with an unreadable expression.
Kostas shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“He’s right. We’re safe now.” Galene guided her sea horse away, urging all of their mounts to start moving again.
Demitri nudged his sea horse closer to Iyana’s. Braxtus just caught his quiet words. “I’m glad I’m here to protect you.”
A spike of anger went through Braxtus as Demitri surged ahead. Iyana lowered her gaze, and he thought he saw her wipe her eyes. Looking over at Demitri’s impassive expression, he seethed.
“We should dive,” Galene called back to the others. “The marker said ‘Sink beneath the horizon to the realm below.’”
Braxtus’s anger was switched with choking dread.
“You’re right,” Kostas agreed. “If we’re heading out now—”
“Um…” Braxtus’s voice went hoarse, and he cleared his throat. “Now? Apollo hasn’t even brought the sun up yet; it will be pitch-black under the water.”
Galene gave him a sympathetic glance. “I feel like we should follow the riddle exactly.”
“Can’t we just dive when we get closer to the next part of the riddle?”
Galene looked over at Kostas, who frowned. “We’re going to have to dive eventually, you know that.”
Braxtus lit his fingers on fire and put them out again. “Of course I know that. But we will spend less time underwater if we dive later.”
Demitri smirked. “Let the kid keep his candles lit a while longer.”
Braxtus ground his teeth, urging his mount to round on Demitri, but Galene said sharply, “All right, let’s just go. They said to ‘hold the course,’ so it shouldn’t make much difference whether we’re at the surface or not.”
“‘Hold the course through surviving the insatiable thirst,’” Kostas reminded them. “I haven’t figured out what that means yet.”
Galene nodded and took off. Braxtus forced himself to follow, the water around him turning to steam from the heat of his legs.
The sun rose steadily as they traveled. The others winced and splashed their burnt faces as it climbed into the sky, and he felt a twinge of guilt. He couldn’t burn. His father’s domain wouldn’t harm him, but it was no wonder the others were eager to dive.
No one spoke, their faces lined with exhaustion from the extra-early start to their day. Iyana stayed at the back of the group, her blue eyes swimming with the insecurities he’d often seen. Demitri rode up front near Galene an
d Kostas, giving her space. Braxtus kept shooting glances at her, then finally slowed down to ride beside her.
“Hi.”
She looked at him sideways. The shutters closed behind her eyes, as though trying to hide her distress. “Hi, Braxtus.”
He studied her for a moment. “If you’re thinking you’re weak, you’re not.”
She stiffened, then a wry smile quirked her mouth. “You’re insufferable. You always act like you know what I’m thinking.”
“Am I wrong?”
“No.” She fidgeted, glancing at the others. “Why didn’t I have enough willpower to snap out of it?”
“You don’t know if it has anything to do with willpower or weakness,” he pointed out. “They could have tried harder with you because they found you particularly pretty, or good at dancing. Both of those seem to be required qualities of a siren.”
“But part of me still feels bewitched…”
“So the mysticism spoke to your soul,” he teased. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
She allowed a smile, and her shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you.”
“I’m always here to talk some sense into you.”
“I just wish I was more help than hindrance.” She frowned. “I wish my ability was stronger.” Even as she spoke of it, a breeze ruffled through her long hair. She always wore it loose, she’d once told him, because she loved how it felt when the wind caught it.
“Your ability is amazing.” He tipped his face into her wind.
“I can make a strong headwind at most. Not a storm. I don’t have the accuracy to even guide my throwing spikes, which is why I chose them as weapons to begin with.” She grimaced. “I’m probably the weakest of Zeus’s children. Even the Gryphiekin has more of Zeus’s power than me.”
“The Gryphiekin?” The name rang a bell. “King of the Gryphons, right?”
“Yes.” She cocked her head. “Do you know much about him?”
“Just a little. There are cards in the Deck of Fates with different attributes of the Gryphiekin. They’re some of the best cards to get in Beast Maker.”
“You still play that?” She grinned at him, and he grinned back. The game used a Deck of Fates to create creatures that battled each other. Of course, he had only ever played with a mock Deck of Fates, creating miniature beasts. If you used a real Deck of Fates to play, the beasts were life-size and the consequences of losing much more extreme.
“Kostas and I are best friends, remember? We’ve played every game out there, but Beast Maker is one of his favorites. Of course”—he shrugged—“it was more fun with you. Then I could actually win on occasion.”
“Only on occasion.” Her eyes sparkled in amusement. “But yes, the Gryphiekin is in the Deck of Fates. Galene’s creature for the Immortality Trial had his hide, remember?”
“That’s right.” He recalled the golden feathers, the lion’s hair. “How does it have more of Zeus’s power than you? It’s just a beast. You’re his daughter.”
“Zeus created him. When he did, he put a piece of his power inside the creature. Apparently, that power is manifested as perpetual storms that follow him.”
Braxtus let out a low whistle. “Has Zeus ever shown you the creature?”
“No,” Iyana sighed. “He hasn’t been seen for a long time. I’ve just always hated that I don’t even measure up to a bird.”
Braxtus considered this, rubbing his beard. “The Olympians must have seen potential in your abilities. You were about to take your Immortality Trial three years early, like Galene.”
“Or merely assumed it, since I’m the daughter of Zeus.” She eyed him. “If you haven’t noticed, the Olympians don’t pay too much attention to us as individuals. You can conjure fire, Demitri is a natural fighter. Both of you would do better than me in the arena three years early.”
She’s right. Another indicator of their unjust system. He let out a breath. “Well, you don’t need the Immortality Trials or a powerful ability to prove you’re a hero. Being a hero is about fighting for something bigger than yourself, despite the obstacles, despite the fear.” He caught her gaze again. “You did that for Galene. You do that every day.”
A smile bloomed on her face. “And is that why you’re still here? To become a hero?”
He paused. Why was he here, in the middle of the sea, risking exile? He searched himself for an honest answer. “Maybe. I want to protect Olympus from Poinê and Chrysander. I want to help Galene get home. But more than that I just … I have a hard time letting those I care about face danger alone.” He held her gaze for a long moment. Was the gold on her cheeks the sun or a soft blush?
She cleared her throat. “Thanks for always being such a good friend.”
His heart panged. “Don’t do that, Iyana.”
“Do what?”
“Act like we’re just friends. Like that’s all we’ve ever been.”
She opened her mouth, the color rising more intensely to her cheeks. She closed it again, and the gentle breeze whipped into a stronger current. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
A sea horse suddenly swung around in front of Braxtus, cutting him off, and he veered. Demitri, riding it, raised his eyebrows at Braxtus, a touch of contempt in his sharp features. Iyana looked away as Demitri took his place beside her.
All right, then. Conversation over.
Braxtus felt his own face burning as he heeled his mount to swim up to Kostas.
Kostas kept his eyes on the horizon. “Did you know attraction is an emotion?”
Braxtus stared at his best friend.
Kostas brushed a speck of dust from his tunic. “Most assume it’s a physical reaction, but there’s an emotional side to it as well. An appreciation of someone. Desire, intrigue, longing. It’s all in there, swirling around. I can feel it all. I see it as a rose gold.”
“What’s your point?”
“Well, I’d ask what your conversation with Iyana was about just now”—he grinned—“but from all the emotions that just assaulted me, I think I can take a pretty good guess.”
Braxtus raised a fist to slug him in the arm, but, as Kostas probably intended, his curiosity was piqued. “How is she feeling?”
“Confused. Stressed.”
He pressed his knuckles to his forehead. “You think I should back off?”
Kostas paused. “Look, I don’t want to be the reason for a heartbreak, but … I think you have a chance.” Braxtus’s heart leapt, and Kostas gave a wicked smile. “What’s your strategy?”
“Kostas, it’s not—”
“Everything is a game,” Kostas insisted. “Everything.”
“All right, then, what do you—”
Braxtus’s sea horse suddenly whinnied, pumping its fins and rearing its head. The other sea horses reacted similarly, and Braxtus grabbed his mount’s mane as Galene called out to them.
“Something is wrong!”
Now what? He eyed the waves as he patted the sea horse’s slippery neck, guiding it closer to the others. “Do you know what it is?”
“No,” Galene held her hands out on either side of her, balancing on her sea horse’s back with her eyes closed. “But we’re moving fast. The tide is powerful.”
Only then did Braxtus notice the subtle change—rather than the lap of rising and falling waters, it rushed past his legs, towing him and his sea horse with it. “Can’t you slow us down?”
“I can try…”
“We should pull back to decide what to do,” Demitri said.
Galene turned her mount, the rest following, pounding the water with their powerful fins. They gave a few more whinnies of alarm, eyes wide and rolling. With water in every direction, Braxtus couldn’t tell for sure, but it didn’t feel like they were making any progress.
“Look!” Iyana pointed behind them, and Braxtus squinted to see what Iyana’s sharp eyes had caught.
His stomach lurched. In the near distance, the sea was a white, shifting, turning mass of rushing wat
er—a force of nature that dwarfed them. Even as he stared, he and the others drifted around it. Toward it.
The vortex was pulling them in.
18
GALENE
Surviving the insatiable thirst.
The answer to the riddle struck her like a bolt of lightning as they sped toward the maelstrom. “Charybdis.”
“What?” Sudden terror drained the color from Braxtus’s face. “Did you say Charybdis? The sea monster?”
Beneath her she could feel the terrifying, godlike strength of the waters ripping past them in a fury unlike anything she had experienced before. The lines of the riddle seemed so obvious now. Too late. “It has to be! There’s no other reason for a whirlpool this size so far from land.”
Charybdis had been a sea-nymph who flooded land to grow Poseidon’s terrain. Zeus, angry that she encroached so far inland, turned her into a monster and bound her to the bottom of the sea. She was cursed with eternal thirst, and her frenzied drinking swept the currents into a mighty whirlpool, stronger than any natural force. Entire ships had been swallowed in her greed.
Charybdis had an equal—a sister in the sea. The image of the six heads of Scylla flooded through Galene’s memory. She’d fought Scylla in her Immortality Trial and had lost, dreadfully. Now she was supposed to face that monster’s counterpart?
Cold fear clutched Galene’s heart.
This time, no one will save us.
The sea horses swam in a frenzy, whinnying and tossing their glossy manes.
“We can breathe underwater!” Demitri struggled to control his mount. “Let’s just dive now. We’ll be fine if we can break straight through this storm!”
Galene shook her head, panic rising. “From here, these currents will pull us directly down into Charybdis’s jaws! This is why we needed to go underwater—to pass between the strongest currents at the surface and the monster beneath.”
“How did you not sense this earlier?” Demitri demanded.
“I did! I mistook the pull of the water for an island!” She pushed loose strands of hair back from her face, trying to see to the other end of the whirlpool. Too far.
The Immortal Game Page 12
