Chapter 5 Prisoners of War #2
“There’s no concrete evidence against Ceres and she s-swears she wasn’t involved,” I said. “I’m v-vouching for her. She’s innocent.”
Augustus slashed his hand through the air. “I was finding evidence by interrogating her … That’s the entire Kronos damned point! It’s not safe for you and Helen to be around her.”
I held myself still.
“I agree with Alexis.” Helen raised both her hands in a placating gesture at the men. “No evidence has been found, and you both already interrogated her … You didn’t find anything, right?”
Kharon covered his mouth like he was stopping himself from saying something he’d regret. He’d been doing that a lot lately.
Long, tense seconds stretched.
Augustus bared his teeth. “Then why … is there blood on your face?” His eyes narrowed as he stared at me.
I touched my cheek, heart racing with fear that I’d been caught.
Ceres whimpered behind me.
Think, Alexis.
Shaking my head, I yanked up the sleeve of my nightgown.
Augustus and Kharon stilled as I revealed the deep marks I’d itched into myself in my sleep.
“Nightmares,” I blurted.
Augustus closed his eyes and tensed like he was struggling to regain control.
“Why are you having nightmares?” Kharon asked accusingly.
I arched my brow at him.
He had the decency to blush.
Augustus cleared his throat. “Where … would Ceres even stay?”
“Next to me,” Helen answered immediately, just as we’d hastily planned. “She can stay in the room that’s connected to mine. There’s plenty of space.”
“That’s not safe,” Augustus said through gritted teeth, veins protruding from his forehead.
Poco climbed up to the top of his head and carefully separated three strands of his hair.
Wait, can the raccoon braid?
Helen tipped her chin back and leveled her brother with a glare, emerald eyes on fire. In the shadowy night, she looked like a mini Aphrodite.
“You can have your soldiers watch her,” Helen snapped. “You know, the ones that pretend to be servants … but follow me around.”
Augustus didn’t bother to deny it.
Well, that explained why they stalked around the villa looking like they’d rather snap a neck than do housework (relatable).
Kharon took a deep, steadying breath.
“The girls can look after themselves,” he said through gritted teeth. “We should … let them decide what to do.”
All of us gaped at him.
Wow, he really is trying.
A blush stained the top of Kharon’s cheeks as he looked over at Augustus.
Long minutes stretched.
We all waited as Augustus worked his jaw back and forth.
“Don’t make me regret this,” he finally said, raking his hands through his hair in agitation. “Alexis, your training begins at eight o’clock sharp. Be ready.”
Wait—our plan actually worked?
This was completely unexpected.
Helen ran over to Augustus and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much for being so understanding—I promise you won’t regret it.”
Augustus hugged her back tightly. “You better stay safe,” he whispered, looking over his shoulder at me. “You both better. Don’t make me regret this.”
Poco joined the hug.
Then he chittered and proudly held up a section of Augustus’s hair so everyone could see his work.
Never mind, he can’t braid.
It was a giant knot.
Augustus shook his head with exasperation as he felt the rat’s nest on the top of his head.
“What’s going on here?” Patro’s cruel voice echoed from around the corner.
My blood froze.
We were so close.
Helen pulled away from Augustus.
Achilles stalked behind Patro with another smoking cigarette hanging from his muzzle.
“Nothing.” Kharon glared at them, his eyes sharpening. “Leave—you’re not welcome.”
Poco hissed.
Patro didn’t react to him, instead he focused on me. “Alexis, why do you have blood on your face?”
Achilles’s gaze snapped to me.
I opened my mouth to speak, and once again, no words came out.
“She’s fine,” Augustus said sharply.
“Bullshit, what the fuck is going on here?” Patro looked at Kharon and Augustus with distrust. “Why are you two cornering her? Alexis—do you need our help? Are they hurting you?”
Kharon unholstered a gun. “I would never hurt my wife.”
Patro’s expression turned cruel. “But … you already have?”
Kharon clicked off the safety.
“Stop it!” Augustus bit out.
“What the fuck is on the side of your head?” Patro asked Augustus.
Poco hissed and grabbed his creation protectively (knotted wad of hair).
“Poco is none of your concern.” Kharon’s voice was icy. “Stay away from him.”
Patro scoffed at them. “What are you two going to do to me? Please share.”
Kharon raised his gun.
Achilles yanked Patro back behind him, smoke billowing around his face.
The scent of violence filled the hall.
“P-please,” I said.
Kharon lowered his gun with a heavy sigh, and Augustus rubbed his face.
Patro stiffened as he focused on the space behind me.
“Wait—is that the bitch that was working with Theros?” Patro pushed past Achilles. “Why the fuck is that scum not in the dungeon? Why is she standing behind Alexis … What is going on here?”
Ceres whimpered and curled in on herself. “I didn’t help him,” she whispered. “I know it—even if I can’t remember everything.”
I straightened to my full height, shielding her with my body.
Nyx smacked her lips together as she snored around my waist. Helpful.
“I’ve freed Ceres,” I explained.
Patro looked over at Kharon and Augustus with incredulity. “And you two are okay with this?” Achilles glowered beside him.
Hot rage scorched my chest.
“It … doesn’t matter what they think,” I whispered. “She’s innocent.” And suffering from trauma-induced memory loss.
Patro laughed cruelly. “Well, if you’re so sure, then let me touch her and see if she’s telling the truth.”
Ceres flinched back.
“Good idea,” Augustus said.
“No w-way,” I said. “She’s traumatized.”
Patro moved toward me and Ceres with predatory slowness.
I stepped forward, blocking his path.
The temperature between us plummeted, ice wafting off him as he halted before me.
We were almost eye level, and in the moonlight, his handsome features looked like they were carved from marble.
“Careful, Alex,” he whispered. “You’re playing a dangerous game.” He flicked my nose before I could react, angry eyes glinting.
“Don’t c-call me that,” I said as Augustus shouted, “Get away from her!”
Kharon lunged for Patro. “Don’t you ever fucking touch her again.”
Achilles moved in front of Kharon, stopping him. They stood chest to chest, bristling, snarling at each other like animals—Augustus shoved himself between them and tried to force them apart.
Patro didn’t seem to notice the commotion. He just kept staring at me, his eyes searching my face for answers—the scent of frost intensified—Poppae crouched, jaguar tail swishing back and forth with agitation.
It felt like I was back at Corfu.
Patro was mocking me again, hindering me.
“What are you d-doing?” I asked, the sound barely audible. “You don’t even like me. Just leave me alone—let me make my own choices.”
Patro smiled, and the effect was so breathtaking that it was deeply disturbing. “Are you … sure about that?” he asked softly.
He stepped closer into my personal space, our faces inches apart.
Goose bumps pebbled my arms.
“You chose us as your partners, Alex.” Patro’s voice deepened. “So let me and Achilles help you.”
“I don’t like that n-name,” I whispered.
Dark memories played. Alex, you stupid fucking bitch, I told you to stay outside where you belonged.
“Isn’t that too bad,” Patro said, ice wafting off him. “We can’t all get what we want … and when we do, we don’t always like it.” Emerald eyes flashed. “Yet here we are—Alex.”
The temperature between us plummeted.
My heart raced. Why does it feel like we’re talking about something else?
“Step aside and let me interrogate Ceres,” Patro said coldly.
I lifted my chin. “No.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Alex,” he said warningly.
“No,” I repeated. “She’s suffering from m-memory loss, her mind is broken—just leave her alone, please. She needs to heal.”
“You think you would have learned by now not to fight me.” He ran his tongue over his white teeth.
“Same,” I said.
A few feet away, Kharon shouted something derogatory at Achilles, and Augustus struggled to separate them.
Patro’s chest bumped against mine, the icy sensation spreading as he arched a dark brow mockingly. He’s such a dramatic bastard. I planted two hands on his shoulders and shoved him back with everything I had.
Patro chuckled, unmoving.
“Careful, mentee,” Patro whispered.
I dropped my hands and took a step back, fingertips frozen.
“Let Patro question Ceres!” Helen shouted.
Patro stepped out of my personal space, and I gasped. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath.
Everyone turned to Helen. What is she doing?
I backed further away from Patro.
“But—” Helen said slowly. “You can only ask her if she assisted Theros. Nothing else.”
Patro stared at Helen for a long moment.
“Fine,” Patro said.
“Only that q-question,” I said. “Please. Promise?”
Patro tipped his head back, muttering a prayer to Kronos. When his eyes met mine, they were blazing.
“I promise, Alex.”
Eye twitching at the nickname, I stepped aside.
Patro rolled his eyes as Ceres cowered, but he asked, “May I touch you?”
Ceres nodded quickly.
With surprising gentleness, Patro bent down to her level, placing his hand on her dirty shoulder.
The whites of his eyes filled with crimson. “Have you assisted Theros in any way?”
Ceres opened and shut her mouth, lips trembling, as she wheezed like she couldn’t breathe.
Tears streamed down her dirt-streaked face.
Patro frowned. “Answer the question.”
“No,” Ceres croaked, the sound unnaturally scratchy; her vocal cords were ruined.
She turned her face away like she was trying to crawl into the marble wall and disappear.
For a long moment, Patro said nothing as he towered over her emaciated form—he dropped her arm and stepped away.
“She’s not lying,” he said reluctantly.
Helen and I sighed with relief.