Chapter 20 – Cerberus
CERBERUS
Andros stands in the shadows of the forest, the rain drenching his dark hair. The undead gargoyle radiates pain and sadness. I know him to be a warrior, to be my father’s most loyal soldier, but I also know that if he’d come here to kill me, I’d know it.
He had been watching me from the shadows for a different reason.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
His gaze meets mine. “If Hades ever learned of this, he’d torture me for eternity.”
I hold his gaze. “I will never speak of it. Even when we meet again in the future as enemies.”
He gives a sharp nod. “Your word has always meant something. I’ll take it.”
We continue to stare at each other.
He takes a deep breath. “Your father has narrowed down that you’re here. He won’t face you on his own, because he knows what you’re capable of. He also knows that most of his powers don’t work on his own flesh and blood.”
A chill moves down my spine. “What’s he planning?”
Andros closes his eyes. “He knows your weakness for innocents. He knows that you won’t allow anyone to be hurt in your place.”
“Andros…”
His pale blue eyes flash open. “He plans to unleash unspeakable things on this town. He fully intends on everyone within it dying.”
My breath catches.
“Come here,” he says.
I follow him out to the woods. We reach the edge of a clearing, and there I see it. Hundreds of his undead staring blankly, waiting for my father’s command.
My heart races. “I won’t just go back.”
“But you can leave. You can protect the people of this town.”
I face Andros. “How will he know I’m gone?”
“Make your trail obvious,” he says. “At least for a little while.”
I nod. That makes sense. “When is he planning the attack?”
“If you haven’t been caught the next evening after the celebration and the Furies’ storm, he’ll unleash them three days after. When he can slip from the Underworld unnoticed.”
My stomach turns. “But he’ll leave everyone alone if I’m gone?”
He raises a brow. “Even the gods can’t go around attacking whole towns of humans without reason.”
“Then I’ll be gone before then.”
I turn and start to leave.
His voice makes me stop. “I’m glad you escaped.”
Pausing, I look back at him. “You can escape too. I’m not even there to stop you.”
He shakes his head. “It isn’t possible.”
“Orpheus was almost successful bringing back his lost love.”
“And look how that turned out,” he says.
“All he needed to do was not look back. That’s all you need. Don’t you have one living person who can bring your soul back? Anyone who loves you that much?”
He stiffens. “No.”
“Not even Hecate?”
His face goes blank. “She’s just a witch. A prisoner. I don’t care for her.”
My heart aches. “Of course. But just think about it, because I think she feels the same way about you.”
His expression is troubled as I walk away. Andros, just like most of the good souls that serve my father, is tragic. After all he’s been through, he deserves love. As does Hecate.
I just hope one day they’re brave enough to stand against my father.