Chapter 23

23

Nemea

I ’m ready to storm the fucking castle after the story Typhon told, but they force me to see reason. So we venture no farther than the sidewalk outside the Pandemonium casino resort. We stand staring at the brilliantly lit architecture, an odd mix of Grecian and Gothic styles, framed by the largest fountain I’ve ever set eyes on. Hundreds of water sprays dance in an almost hypnotic display lit with a rainbow of lights. Despite how beautiful the water show is, my gut roils with hate for the creature inside who so carelessly fucked with the lives of the people I love.

The low hedge that separates the sidewalk from the resort property is lined with other onlookers, and my Rachel disguise is back in place. We had to grab a pair of sunglasses from a convenience store to hide Typhon’s glowing purple eyes, which he hasn’t managed to figure out how to change himself.

“The eye color is the one thing most shifters can’t control,” Campe explains, even as her own shifting shade cycles through several colors.

“What’s up with yours, anyway? All the dragons I’ve met are just one color, and their eyes match their scales.”

“I’m technically a Prismatic,” she says. “But I only ever have one power at a time. It can be a bit of a crapshoot unless I focus. You help me focus.” She laces her fingers into mine and raises my hand to her lips. Her eyes are green this time, a color that suits her, regardless of what it means.

Her kiss distracts me from some of my ire, but I scowl back at the resort anyway.

“Why are we even bothering with the Titans if he’s the one who causes all the damage? Fate too, for that matter.”

“Fighting Chaos is like holding back the tide,” Alcides says. “The same goes for Fate. The best we can do is learn to play their games and try not to get caught in the crossfire.”

“Even if you all worked together? Even if I helped?”

I’m met with a series of stony looks, and it’s Erebus who finally signs, “He created my brothers and me. He can destroy us with a thought. He is Chaos.”

“What’s to stop him from doing that?”

“His pact with the gods to ensure Tartarus remains secure enough to hold those sentenced to rot there,” Typhon mutters. “We’re toys to him and don’t have much choice but to do as he wishes. If he knew Erebus and I were AWOL, he might take issue, but I’m sure Vesh has been careful not to let him in on that complication. Or on how close you are to us.”

“He’ll have inferred as much since Vesh refused to use you as a bargaining chip,” Alcides says. “But bargaining is the only way to control what he does. A show of force would backfire, likely with devastating consequences.”

“Vesh isn’t exactly bargaining with him tomorrow,” I quip. “How is he so sure his scheme is going to work?”

“Not here,” Campe says, gripping me by the elbow and reaching for the others. “Let’s head back and I can tell you.”

The men place their hands on me just as I make the mental shift back into my sanctuary. It’s as if the world folds in on itself, then opens again in another place.

We’re beside the big bed again, so I sit, leaning back on my hands and giving Campe an expectant look.

“We’re tricking him into giving us the … key … to his vault,” she says. “I’ll have to impersonate his mate to get it. And…” She winces as she meets my gaze.

“And what?” I sit up straighter. “Are you going to have to fuck the bastard?”

She and Alcides have shed their conjured clothes, and are in the process of finding their prior outfits and dressing again. Mine are torn to shreds, so I don’t have any choice but to wear what she gave me.

“No. Maybe.” She huffs a breath. “I’ll do what’s necessary. It’s his essence that opens the vault. Not a physical key.”

“You shouldn’t have to do this.” I’m indignant, filled with ice-cold rage at the very idea of her having to sacrifice her own body for this stupid plan.

“I’m a dragon, Nemea. It isn’t a hardship to make a man come. I’ll be in Sybil’s form when I do, so it’s unlikely we’ll fuck. You had a taste of that shape last night, if you recall. I’ll have other options.”

My final tangle with her before Cerberus reclaimed me is a vivid fever dream of a memory. And tangle is an understatement.

Between all the tails she manifested and my octopus tattoo having powered up to the point of near-autonomy, I don’t think we left any of our holes unfilled. She’d kept her own face, but the rest of her had transformed almost completely.

I shake off the arousal of that memory and concede. “Fine, yeah, I can imagine you’ll be able to distract him well enough. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Pan will be in the same boat distracting Sybil,” she says. “Whether or not he has to fuck her, I don’t know. She has always been keener on doing the fucking, from what I have heard of her, and satyrs are a particular preference she has.”

“Who the hell is Sybil?” I ask, skin prickling and my voice taking on a shrill tone. I mentally broadcast the question to Pan while waiting for Campe to respond. But rather than answer, she turns toward the rotunda of doors, where one opens and Pan strides through, looking contrite.

“It’s the only way for us to separate them,” he finally says when he reaches me.

“Can’t you just knock her out or something? I get why sex is necessary for Chaos. But her?” My stomach is in knots at the very idea of another woman touching him, or any of them, for that matter. Campe’s the exception, but so far, she’s shown zero interest in fooling around with any of the men, aside from the occasional teasing.

He swallows and shares a look with Campe, then the others.

“She’s not human,” I say, finally putting the pieces together.

“She’s a demigoddess, and my niece, technically,” Campe says. “My sister’s offspring from Gaia and Dionysus when they were rebelling against Fate. She is also immortal. And has prophetic sight, like the Sphinx. She’s lusted over Pan for ages, so giving her an opportunity to fulfill that craving seemed like the best way to lure her out of our way while I take care of Chaos.”

“You’re okay with this?” I ask Pan.

He shrugs. “I don’t exactly have a choice if we want that key.”

My teeth grind together—the key Vesh refused to use me as leverage to get Chaos to relinquish. Instead, he thought it would be just fine to ask two of his guards to give their bodies up to the cause instead.

Traces of the Nevada desert heat linger on my skin as we land back in the cooler air of the Amazon compound. Even though I’m standing in midday Greek sun, there’s a pleasant breeze that’s a stark contrast from the urban oven we visited earlier. Despite the whirlwind of Vegas still spinning in my head, I’m struck by the peacefulness here, the way the sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground of the training field.

The empty training field.

I glance at my wrist where my watch should be, but I remember I left it behind in my locker. “What time is it?” I ask, squinting at the sun like it’s going to give me a straight answer.

“It’s just before noon,” Campe says, her voice low and even. Her horns glint in the light as she moves, clad again in her leathers while I’m still in the night club-style attire she dressed me in for our jaunt down the Strip.

I shake my head in disbelief. “Feels like we’ve been gone for days. And by the way, I’m starving. I missed breakfast.”

Campe chuckles, a sound that seems to rumble from deep within her chest. “Time in your sanctuary doesn’t follow our rules. It bends to your will.” She eyes my clothing and gives a slight shake of her head, then exhales a lungful of shimmering smoke. It does what’s necessary, and I’m soon dressed in an outfit almost identical to the one I wore before we left.

The lunch rush is underway, and I’m still juggling my conflict over Vesh’s plan, along with the time shifts, when we merge with a stream of women heading toward the mess hall. The chatter and clatter of dishes is a comforting background noise as we step inside, though my anger doesn’t quite subside.

I spot Mel across the room and excuse myself from Alcides and Campe to go over to her. “Hey,” I start, wincing as I notice her limp. “I’m sorry about bailing on you earlier.”

She waves me off with a hand callused by years of combat. “It happens,” she says, though her eyes are hard. “Used to it. I heal fast.”

Still, I can tell she’s impressed—maybe even proud that I could best her—but there’s that wary look she gives me that makes me wonder if I’ve crossed some invisible line.

Lunch passes in a blur of thoughts about the sacrifices people are being forced to make for my sake—Campe’s and Pan’s especially—and what they’re risking just to keep me out of Chaos’s clutches. But when afternoon training rolls around, I push those worries aside and focus on what’s in front of me.

I dive wholeheartedly back into training after lunch, hoping to redeem myself for getting distracted earlier.

“Again!” Mel calls out, and I lunge at her with renewed energy. She meets my attack with a glint of fresh challenge in her eyes, like she’s ready to kick off my training wheels. She’s been unrelenting for the past hour, forcing me to focus on form and finesse and not just rely on brute force to beat her.

This time, instead of meeting her strike head-on, I let my instincts take over. My power flickers within me like a match striking in the dark—and then I’m gone.

I reappear behind her, catching her by surprise and tapping her shoulder lightly. Her eyes widen in shock as she spins around, lips curving into a grudging smile.

“Didn’t see that coming,” she admits.

I can’t help but grin back at her. It feels good to keep her on her toes for once, even if it is just training. But it’s more than that; it’s proof that maybe I can handle whatever comes next—not just for myself, but for all those who are putting their necks on the line for me.

Campe and Alcides give her a breather and drill me hard until dusk when the dinner bell rings. I’m sweat-soaked and exhausted, but the practice honing my focus left me with far more power today than I had yesterday. But then I remind myself that I’m fully bonded with all the guards now, and my well feels exponentially deeper than it did when all this started.

Is this my limit? That’s a question I’ll have to explore. I’ve never felt more powerful, but I also have yet to fight someone who’s actually trying to kill me.

When Mel calls a halt for dinner, I return my weapon to the armory and meet the others back outside where yet another migration to the mess hall for the evening meal is underway.

I trail behind Alcides, feeling the ache in my muscles with every step toward sustenance. Despite them pushing me hard all afternoon, I feel oddly wired, if not actually energized. As we near the entrance, he slows down and glances back at me, a mix of anticipation and nerves flickering in his eyes.

“I’ll be eating with Ele again at Hipployta’s table. Would you join us tonight?” he asks, gesturing toward where Ele is waiting.

I’m about to say yes when I remember Campe. Turning to her, I ask, “Will you come too?”

Campe shakes her head, a stern resolve etching her features. “Vesh needs me back for tomorrow’s preparations.” Her fa?ade cracks when she meets my gaze and she takes a step closer. The stream of women part around us and she pulls me off the path.

“What is it?”

“I won’t be able to return here again. I might find time to meet you in your sanctuary, but the next time we meet will likely be our confrontation with the Titans. Keep Alcides with you. He’ll bring you when it’s time.”

Something akin to panic clutches my insides. I’ve had such brief stretches with each of the guards; it’s not enough. A selfish urge overtakes me to go to Vesh and tell him to set them all free once and for all, or to argue with Campe so that she sees reason. She is technically free.

“It’s only temporary,” she says, a worried frown marring her brow when she sees the displeasure on my face.

“You shouldn’t have to do this,” I say, sounding like a broken record even to my own ears.

Her expression softens and she lifts a hand to cup my cheek. “It’s my choice, Nemea. It’s so you can have the freedom you seek. To me that’s worth everything.”

She leans close and presses a soft kiss to my brow, then tilts my chin up to capture my lips. Anger and sadness tighten my throat, and just as I move to embrace her tighter, she pulls away and disappears.

I remain staring at the empty air where she stood, trying to get my emotions under control. After a moment it hits me that the earth remained still through all of that, even though my power is a roiling mess inside me. My well is deep enough now to keep it from spilling over.

A gentle touch on my upper arm pulls me back to the present, and the next thing I know, I’m enveloped in Alcides strong embrace. I heave a sigh.

“This sucks,” I mutter into the fur of his cloak.

He makes a gruff sound, stroking my head.

“There is nothing we won’t do for you, Nemea.”

“When do I get to do something for you? ” I ask, peering up into his face.

“Your existence is all we need.”

Staring up into his eyes, I can sense that he understands that will never be enough for me. The more powerful I get, the more I need to fix what’s broken.

He urges me back onto the path. We head up the steps to the dining hall porch, where we find Ele waiting patiently, looking on with concern. She doesn’t say anything when we reach her; she just gives me a tight hug and a warm smile, then grips my hand in hers to lead me inside.

The hall is bustling with the sounds of cutlery and conversation. We weave through the crowd until we reach the queen’s table—a place I’ve only ever admired from afar. Ele nudges me gently as we approach. “Don’t worry,” she whispers with a wink. “Mom doesn’t bite.”

We take our seats, and I can’t help but feel out of place amidst these legendary women who have faced down gods and monsters. My gaze falls on Hippolyta, whose piercing eyes meet mine as if she’s weighing my very soul, but she only nods in acknowledgment and returns to a conversation with one of her sisters.

I’m too hungry to let myself obsess over what she thinks of me, so I focus on stuffing my face with the delicious food.

“I’ve been watching you train these past two days,” Hippolyta says after a while, breaking through the chatter about the day that floats around us while we eat.

My cheeks warm under her scrutiny. “I’ve never been the most athletic,” I admit. “Art has always been my focus.”

Hippolyta nods thoughtfully, then gestures to my shoulder. “Did you design your tattoo?”

“Yes,” I reply, feeling a flicker of pride. “It took a lot more time to ink than it did to draw, though.”

As if sensing that it’s the subject of the conversation, my tattoo comes to life; a tentacle reaches out to pluck a morsel from Ele’s plate and delicately places it in her mouth. Laughter erupts around the table as surprise lights up Ele’s face.

“Nice party trick,” Mel says, appearing from the kitchen with a couple six-packs of their local brew. Her sister Pen is behind her with frosty mugs that the pair of them begin to fill. The other diners have mostly filtered out to enjoy the free time they’re allowed in the evenings. Aside from a pair of women tasked with clean-up, our group is the only one remaining.

As we drink and talk, Hippolyta and her sisters share stories that weave together their past and present—battles fought, wisdom gained, sisterhood strengthened. They speak of love lost and won, of struggles that have shaped them into the formidable warriors they are today.

By the time Alcides and I rise to say goodnight, my heart feels heavy, yet buoyant—a contradiction born from the sense of belonging that has taken root within me since arriving here. I’m starting to wonder if the freedom I sought was an illusion. If what really matters is community like this, maybe being tied down isn’t all that bad after all when you’re with people who matter to you—and who you know will have your back no matter what.

The sunset is half a red orb on the horizon as we stroll down the garden paths to the edge of the compound where Alcides’ cottage is tucked away. We’re both silent, my mind a tangle of thoughts and worries triggered by the things I learned today.

At the sight of the bed, my exhaustion catches up to me. I flop down with a groan, draping a forearm over my eyes. At the slight tug on my feet, I look down to find Alcides unlacing my boots.

“You don’t have to do that.”

He smirks. “No, but you look like you’d sleep in them if I don’t.”

I sigh at the ceiling, half to let out tension and half enjoying the feel of his hands on my feet. Once he gets my boots and socks off, he sits, holding my feet on his lap as he begins massaging one with his big hands.

“Tell me what worries you, Nemea. I can sense some of it, but I can’t read your mind unless you let me in.”

“I’m just thinking about how they all care so much about each other here. They take care of each other.” I bite back the rest because I’m still not sure I can articulate it well enough to make sense. My worry that I’m not equipped to take care of them . And I should be.

Because it is my fault that all this happened. The Titans escaped because of something I did. So like it or not, I’m responsible. I’ve put them in an impossible position in their attempt to fix the fallout from my fuckup.

Alcides’ warm hands on my feet seem to massage some resolve into me. The more he rubs, the clearer the answer becomes, but the more it makes me want to burst into tears.

I tamp it down and sit up, then straddle his lap. I’ve seen Campe disappear her conjured clothing, so I give it a shot, closing my eyes and mentally exuding a measure of magic through my pores.

Alcides’ approving murmur and the sensation of his big hands sliding over my bare hips tells me it worked. “You’re getting stronger,” he says.

“Thanks to all of you.” I bracket his jaw with both hands and stare into his eyes. “I would not be who I am without you. I know it’s only been a handful of days, but I feel like a lifetime has passed. You’re in my blood, in my bones, and in my heart. Whatever happens, I will always have you inside me.”

He frowns, but before he can speak, I kiss him, tenderly at first, then harder when he responds. His tongue sweeps between my lips and he lets out a deep groan, embracing me as if it hasn’t been only a matter of hours since we last made love.

I manage to get his shirt off before he spins us, pinning me to the bed with his hips against mine while he sucks each of my nipples until I’m panting with need. He stands then, kicking off his boots and slipping out of his pants. Night has fallen, and we haven’t lit any lights, but I can still see him clearly, his physique accented by darker shadows.

Does Erebus watch in moments like these? Is he here now? I am careful not to reach for him but the moment the thought crosses my mind, the quality of the darkness changes.

Alcides cocks his head, turning it slightly as if listening for a sound that isn’t there. Only silent shadows surround us, but they’re so dark now in places they almost have weight. I reach for one and touch velvet blackness that slides beneath my hand like an affectionate cat.

“You know you shouldn’t be here,” Alcides admonishes.

“Who will know but you if I remain a shadow?” Erebus whispers into my mind. Alcides’ smirk tells me I wasn’t the only recipient of the message.

The shadows shift almost imperceptibly, coiling and sliding over Alcides’ shoulders and down his arms. Alcides seems to relax, and when the shadows propel him toward me, he comes.

He climbs between my legs again, sitting back on his heels and looking down at me with a hungry gaze. His cock juts up from his hips, hard and stiff as a mast.

I bend my knees and spread myself open, cup my breasts and pinch my nipples.

“Ready her for us,” he says to the darkness.

The shadows grow heavier, sliding over my skin, coiling down my arms and across my torso. I arch when they graze my breasts, growing rougher just as they coast across my nipples and back again. I find my arms lifted above my head and my wrists pressed together while more shadows slide down my belly, stroking through my core.

But I’m not the only one the shadows touch. It’s tricky to see, the movement is so subtle, but there’s a hint of magic where Erebus makes contact with the world around him, and if I focus, I can just see where he touches me, and where he touches Alcides.

Alcides’ mouth falls open when the shadows trail down his chest the same way they did mine, then curl around the base of his cock.

At the same time, the sensation teasing down my middle reaches the apex of my thighs and slows, splitting as it coaxes its way down either side of my clitoris, sliding through my wetness and back up. The shadows spread me open and something more substantial pushes inside me. I gasp and arch, only to be met with more teasing over my breasts.

My gaze fixes on Alcides, who is enduring similar sensual torture. His arms are behind his back, dark tendrils clutching his elbows, restraining him while thicker ones grasp his cock, stroking him until he groans.

I’m mesmerized by the way his body tenses with his need, the nearly invisible stimuli arousing him more and more. His gaze tracks over me, clearly as enthralled watching my undoing as I am watching his. Even with Erebus slowly fucking me with a tendril of shadow, I ache for Alcides to fill me.

As if sensing our breaking point, Erebus releases us. Alcides and I spring together like magnets of opposing polarities. I’m up and on him and his mouth is on mine, his arms around me, hauling me up even as I wrap my legs around his waist.

I sink down on his cock with a cry of such exquisite pleasure to finally have him inside me. Erebus all but fades back into the darkness while we fuck, but remnants of him remain, coasting over my skin like a gentle breeze, leaving the lightest of kisses along my throat and down my spine.

It only lets me forget my decision for a moment before it returns to my mind, but it heightens my desperation to hold onto Alcides a little longer, to draw out this pleasure. But all too soon we’re reaching the end together, our shared orgasms gripping us both.

Alcides lays me down on the bed before slipping out of me and curling his big body around me. He nuzzles my neck, his goatee tickling. After a moment of silence while we catch our breath, he says, “You need to go. I can feel it in our bond. Something is pulling you away.”

I close my eyes tightly, careful to choose my words and hoping he’ll believe me, especially if what I say is not a lie.

“I owe Typhon more of my time after today. He shared more than I deserved to hear.”

Alcides makes a disconcerted noise. “He shared no more than he wished. You have more than earned our trust. If anything, we owe you for your simple existence.”

“You give me too much credit.”

“I give you all that I am, Nemea. My whole heart is yours, and I will be here when you return.”

I turn in his arms and kiss him, long and slow, as if it’s farewell.

And it just might be.