“Seriously?” I asked incredulously.
“You remained true to yourself and didn’t try to harm me—even though it meant you’d lose your life. That is strength, human—a strength the immortal will never truly obtain. You’ve passed this portion of the trial. Good luck reaching the finish line.”
“I... uh... Thank you,” I murmured as I turned away. “Medusa? What if I had tried to fight you?”
“You’d be dead and your soul would have remained trapped in a statue for the rest of time. Now go. The next champion approaches.”
I thanked her again, eyes still shut because I wasn’t an idiot, and made my way back the way I came.
I reached the clearing and opened my eyes. I reached into my top, intending to pull the map out once more, when I was hit from behind. I flew forward and smacked into the ground. The force used was so strong that I bounced off the ground and rolled, smashing my head against a statue.
By some miracle, I managed to remain conscious. I scrambled unsteadily to my feet. Before I reached my full height, I was lifted up by my throat. I clawed at the hand, panicked, as my blurred vision struggled to clear. The hand body-slammed me to the ground as the owner’s angry voice pushed its way past the haze that the impact had created in my mind.
“I told you I was going to kill you, little mortal. Did you doubt me?” Hercules asked as he lifted me up once more and threw me into yet another statue. I bit my tongue on impact, blood gushing from my mouth as I tried to lift myself. My arms and legs wouldn’t obey. I fell flat on my stomach, the snake head still firmly in hand, despite the beating I was taking, by some miracle. Hercules came for me again, kicking me in the ribs. I felt a bone snap and I cried out in pain.
“I am a god!” he roared.
I took a deep breath as I felt heat build in my core. The feeling reminded me of Jiro for some reason, and I embraced it. My head grew clearer as I pulled my dagger from its sheath. I climbed to my feet and stuck the snake head into the dagger’s sheath—praying it stayed—and waited for Hercules to come at me.
He didn’t disappoint. The giant oaf charged me, roaring like a beast, and I raised my dagger. The impact never came. Instead, two hands hooked under my arms from behind and suddenly I was airborne.
“Don’t struggle or I’m going to drop you,” Pitt, my savior, commanded.
I froze. Jiro had told me the cherub would have my back—I just prayed he was right. He flew us up and out of the cave and landed on the opposite side. The finish line was in the distance—a bright, glowing halo of light.
“You’re on your own now, hot stuff,” he said as he stepped back and jumped into the air. He flew toward the finish line and I ran towards it from below. He was only twenty yards out when a sword flew through the air.
I tried to scream a warning but it was too late. The sword was buried to the hilt in his back in the blink of an eye.
“Where do you think you’re going? I’m not done with you,” Hercules hissed as I noticed the camera orbs that normally followed us were suspiciously missing. Of course—Zeus wouldn’t want anyone to see his golden boy attacking a mortal instead of trying to win.
I continued to run but Hercules gained on me before I could reach the safety of the golden circle. I was a few feet away when he grabbed me by the hair and yanked me back.
I lashed back with my dagger, stabbing him in the thigh as I fell. The dagger slipped but I managed to maintain my grip.
The demigod threw his head back and laughed. “What do you think that little dagger is going to do to me?” he taunted as he pulled me and dangled me by the throat once more.
“A lot,” I gasped as I shoved the dagger into the tendon in his shoulder.
He laughed again. “I’m a god. I don’t even feel it.”
My vision darkened as I let out a deranged smile.
“Only half,” I barely managed to rasp before I shifted the dagger into its true form.
The blade of the scythe sliced Hercules’ arm off as it shifted.
He let out a scream of pain as I fell to the ground, his dismembered arm still attached to my throat. I ripped the severed appendage from my body as I jumped to my feet and grabbed my scythe.
I ran toward the finish line, only stopping when the stadium appeared around me. I pulled the snake head from my garter and held it in the air—and then I passed out.
46
Jiro
My entire thousand-year existence felt like a blink compared to the time I waited for the result of the trial. I spent it almost entirely knelt in front of The Hallowed Gate with my hand pressed against the cold and solid light. Then I heard it, the howl of a thousand hellhounds tearing through the Underworld with their three-headed leader. She’d won. My heart beat so quickly that I didn’t notice the figure coming up behind me until a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I spun. Standing before me was a petite woman. She had a round face, rosy cheeks, and tear-filled eyes. Her visage was familiar but faint in the recess of my memory. I hadn’t seen her for almost a thousand years. “Mother,” I said, scrambling to my feet, but my voice was drowned out by vicious dogs.
My mother tried to speak, but the sound I’d so longed to hear didn’t reach me. The Underworld began to shake. She put her hand to my cheek and gestured to the portal. I would have to find her later. For now, I needed to see Yessi before she left forever. I nodded and leapt through the gate.
All hell broke loose on Olympus. Hellhounds flooded the halls, latching onto gods and goddesses indiscriminately and dragging them through flaming portals. I raced through the chaos in search of Yessi as the clouds that made up Olympus turned black, dousing the golden trimmings in darkness. Lightning crackled through the hall, striking a hellhound just a few feet away. It dropped, its leg twitching as the power fought to escape its muscular body. Zeus hurled lightning, one bolt after another, as gods screamed for their lives. Sharpened fangs tore into immortal flesh as they were savagely ripped into the Underworld.
What the fuck have we done?
Fear ran through me as Zeus brought down four hellhounds at once. His gaze moved to me, rage brimming from his eyes, golden blood dripping from the puncture wounds on his arms.
“Look out!” I shouted as Cerberus—king of the hellhounds—emerged behind him. He spun but the mountain-sized monster bit into him with three sets of fangs. Zeus spit blood. I gaped, unsure who to help and who to attack as Cerberus opened a gate and dragged the mighty Zeus to Hell.
This was fucked up. I had to confront my father, and I was worried that Yessi was somewhere caught up in this mess. I ran down the hall where I caught a glimpse of Manny. I pivoted toward him. Too late. Three hellhounds bit into his legs. He slid back through the red-hot flames, his hand outstretched for me to save him. He was gone. A prisoner of the Underworld just as I had been.
I sprinted up the golden stairway to Zeus’ throne room. My heart threatened to burst from my chest when I saw Thea draw a portal on a nearby ledge. Yessi was slung over her shoulder, her battle suit ripped almost to shreds.
“Yessi!” I called, but they were too far away to hear me amongst the carnage.
Thea put Yessi down and hugged her. Flames burst from my hands, shooting me towards Yesenia and Thea.
“Yesenia!” I screamed. She stopped and turned her face toward me, her gaze meeting mine.
I saw her chest heave as she balled her fist and turned away.
“No, Yessi! Wait!” But she stepped through.
Fear, anger, and sadness ripped through my body as I landed beside Thea.
“I… I can fix this,” I said, but I could hardly breathe and my vision blurred.
“Draw me a gate to the Underworld,” Thea commanded.
I panted, doubled over with fresh tears stinging my eyes. “What? Why?”
“Because I’d like to go quietly. This is Hades’ realm now.”
I dropped my head, sobs overtaking me. Yesenia was gone and I would never see her again. And worse, she hated me. Thea took my hand and drew
a gate with it.
She sighed. “I hope you’re happy. You got everything you wanted.” And she was gone.
No. It couldn’t end this way. I turned back to Zeus’ throne room, still a thousand stairs left to climb, but I didn’t feel the burden of a single one.
By the time I reached the top, the world felt like it had been sucked dry of joy and replaced with fear and isolation. I stormed into the throne room to find Hades in full demon form. His skin was flaked ash and burning embers, his pointed teeth jutting from his mouth. He was ten feet of muscle and flesh with a pristine white grin and a pack of hellhounds resting at his feet.
He held out his clawed hands. “Welcome home, my son. You have made me proud and shall suffer no more. No longer will we live in the shadows beneath the Earth, no longer will we wait for permission to leave our dark prison. Now this world belongs to me and you will rule by my side.”
47
Yesenia
I slumped against the door jamb that led into Andy’s apartment as I mustered what little strength I had left to knock. My thoughts spun as I struggled to remain upright. The Trials were supposed to be the worst thing I experienced in Olympus, but the sight of hellhounds cutting down the gods was horrendous. I’d rather face the dangers of Polyphemus and Medusa again than watch them fall to Hades. What have I done?
The door swung open just in time for me to collapse into Andres’ arms. The heartache I had been trying to stifle broke free as I sobbed in his arms. He lifted me up, cradling my battered body as he set me down on the couch.
“Yessi, baby, what happened?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.
Where did I even begin? Jiro kissed Lyrica. Pitt was dead. Olympus was in shambles. Thea was in danger. And Manny? I had no idea what had become of him after the hounds grabbed ahold of him.
I wiped my tears and shook my head. “I can’t talk about it right now. Where is Celi?”
“She’s sleeping in Manny’s room. She kind of commandeered it when he left town.” The knot in my throat grew at his words. In all the chaos, I had forgotten that Andres didn’t know his brother had been a champion in the trials. I swallowed around the lump as I stood on shaky legs and slowly made my way to my ex’s room.
Another wave of misery hit me as I opened the door and saw the soccer jersey hanging on the wall. The decor hadn’t changed since we’d broken up. It was like the room was stuck in time, a much more pleasant time than the current one. A photo of us at the Puerto Rican festival last summer sat framed on his bedside table. Our arms were wrapped around each other as we stood in front of a giant ferris wheel. His cheek rested on the top of my head as we grinned at the stranger who snapped the picture for us. We were so happy. I had ruined everything by pushing him away--by falling for a god who was no good for me.
I averted my gaze from the image to my sister’s back as I perched on the edge of the bed. I reached out and shook my sister’s sleeping form. “Celi, I’m home.”
She didn’t so much as stir. A smile graced my face. Typical Araceli. That girl really didn’t like to wake up. I nudged her again… and again. When I still didn’t receive a response, I gripped her shoulder and rolled her onto her back, her arm sliding away from Rogue who’d been snuggled against her.
My heart felt like it stopped in my chest. No.
Her lips were tinged blue as she stared unseeing at the ceiling. No. A scream wrenched itself from my throat as I climbed up to kneel on the bed. I started compressions, pausing only to breathe into her, as I prayed for her to inhale on her own. She can’t be gone. This can’t be for nothing.
Andres threw the door open, the handle smashing through the thin drywall. “What happened?” His voice was panicked but I didn’t reply. I was too busy counting compressions.
He reached out and grabbed her wrist as I continued my ministrations. “Yessi… she’s gone.”
“No!” I screamed, hysteria evident in my voice as I tried to get her heart to beat once more.
He reached out, restraining me against his chest. “Babe, stop. She’s gone. I’m so, so sorry.”
I half shouted, half sobbed as he held me. Thrashing against his hold, I broke free and jumped off the bed, my previous exhaustion and injuries forgotten as adrenaline coursed through my veins.
I threw my head back, staring to the skies as I yelled, “Hades! Hades! You promised. I won! Give her back!”
My voice cracked with emotion, my throat raw as I screamed the god’s name over and over.
Fire flared in front of my face, embers crackling as the flame transformed into a piece of parchment. I lost the ability to draw breath as my eyes scanned the page, its content destroying my already incomplete soul.
“I promised you’d get your soul back. Your sister was never part of the deal. Her death is your fault. You should have negotiated better. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to make a deal with the devil? Enjoy your second chance at life, my little champion.”
The parchment exploded into a shower of sparks as I hit my knees. I’d been a fool. The competition had been nothing compared to this. Dealing with the gods of Olympus? That was the real trial.
I sniffled as I wiped my tears and stood. There was no way I was going to accept this—just like I refused to accept the loss of my soul.
My gaze shifted from Araceli to the lifeless hellhound. Andres shook his head.
“Keep her safe until I find her, Rogue,” I whispered as I ripped the hell dagger from its sheath. I was going to get my sister back—no matter what.
Browse Books By Brittni Chenelle
The Fae & The Fallen
My first kiss nearly killed me—literally.
When 80% of the population is gifted with touch magic, it’s best to keep your hands—and your lips—to yourself. Especially if you’re an ungifted serf like I am.
The problem is, the most dangerous guy at Gifted Fae Academy is the one I want to touch more than anything, even as I draw the attention of the school’s most gorgeous Apprentice Fae.
When my entry exam leads to the revelation that I may not be as Ungifted as I previously believed… well… surviving until graduation might prove harder than I thought—particularly when a certain fatal touch may be worth the risk.
Browse Books By Charlee Garden
Alpha’s Ultimatum
Sometimes, Love just isn't enough to hold you back.
When a tragic incident forced Liliana back to her hometown, she wasn't sure what to expect. She'd left home at eighteen and never looked back.
Now it's three years later and the reason she left isn't letting her go again. Sam knows he messed up--and bad--but he is determined to win Lily back. However, his secret poses a threat to their rekindling romance.
When dark forces outside of his control take an interest in Liliana, Sam must find a way to protect her. The question is: How can he keep her safe from a world she doesn't believe exists?
Acknowledgments
Brittni Chenelle’s Acknowledgements
To Charlee : Thank you for being such a wonderful weirdo and friend. Every writing day with you is inspired and every day of being your friend is happy. I’ve never taken so much joy from writing as when we wrote this story together. Your talent and creativity are only matched by your kindness. (PS just read your acknowledgements and I take it all back, you bitch ass ho.)
To the members of the YA Fantasy Readers Facebook group: You guys are the best ARC readers in the world. We love you.
Copy Editor: Amber Richberger
Book Cover Designer: Christian Bentulan
Thank you to my amazing Patrons for keeping wind in my sails:
Kellie Rivera
Pink Conklin
Shelly Wilson
Jeanette George
Michelle Curtis
Christopher J Canary
Become a Patron to unlock exclusive content, prizes, and perks!
Charlee Garden’s Acknowledgements
To our readers: You got a little piece of my
soul with this one. I hope you love Yessi and Jiro as much as Brittni and I do.
To my husband: Thank you for reading my werewolf books even though I know you were way more excited for this one. You’re the MVP.
To Brittni: Briddni bby. Let’s do it again sometime, yeah? Just kidding. You have no choice. You’re stuck with me, bitch.
To our editor, cover designer, and honestly anyone who helped Olympus into fruition: Thank you for being rock stars!
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