Page 42 of Scion of Chaos

His power swells within me like a rising tide. It’s a familiar feeling, and a trick we’ve used hundreds, if not thousands of times, but it still catches me by surprise. Just when I feel like I might burst, the sensation breaks. I blink and look to my right where a replica of my body stands, eyes glinting with Pan’s wicked glee. He takes it one step further and transforms my features and clothing to show his own face and body.

Then he closes his eyes and concentrates and splits again. The new copy of him drops to all fours, becoming the three-headed Cerberus who lets out three gruff barks. Once again Pan replicates, and it’s Chrysaor’s turn to appear, but in his semi-human shape, with his tusked underbite, mohawk, and resplendent dove-gray wings. Then Alcides takes shape from the next copy, and finally Campe.

“This is only part of my squad,” I say. “There are three others.”

Erika’s entire team stares, wide-eyed. The little girl bounces in her mother’s arms. “Mama, he’s like anamoeba!”

Her mother chuckles. “Yes, sweetie, he is, isn’t he?” She gives me an apologetic look. “She just started learning about microorganisms and asexual reproduction. Still, we had four court dragons who were no match for the Titans last night. I hope you’re packing more power.”

Pan takes a step forward. “You seem like a well-informed woman…” He trails off when a petite dark-haired woman nudges Erika’s elbow and then whispers in her ear. Erika’s eyebrows rise and she looks at Pan more closely. When the woman points at Alcides, Erika’s mouth drops open.

Erika clears her throat. “You’ll have to forgive me. My skepticism got the better of me and I wasn’t putting together all the pieces. You guys are a veritable who’s who from Greek lore, aren’t you? You’re Pan, right? You were there when the Titans were sent to Tartarus the first time.”

“At your service,” Pan says with a tilt of his head. “I was instrumental in putting them away, yes.”

“Braggart,”Cerberus taunts. Pan shushes him with a gesture.

Erika steps down the line. “And you’re Cerberus.” She hangs back until the slavering mutt sits and wags his tail. Despite being dwarfed by the enormous guard dog who is a head taller than a normal human man, Erika steps closer and lets her daughter reach up to pat each of his three heads.

“Good doggie,” Gabby says, bouncing slightly in her mother’s arms.

“Chrysaor, I presume?” Erika says, turning to my next guard. “Brother of Pegasus, born from the blood of Medusa.”

Chrysaor nods.

“Your mother got a raw deal, by the way.”

Chrysaor snorts. “Don’t I know it. Her murderer saw justice eventually, but not before some other poor fool lost a parent.”

Erika presses her lips tight. “I know what it means to lose a parent. I lost both of mine too soon.” She reaches out and squeezes his shoulder, and I’m almost positive I see a glint of moisture in Chrysaor’s eyes.

She moves along and pauses before Alcides, studying his massive frame and bearded face for a moment before her gaze drops to the lion hide draped over his shoulders.

“Herakles?”

“I prefer Alcides. It is the name my mother gave me,” he says.

“This is your home, isn’t it? The temple, I mean.”

Alcides’ jaw spasms before he bites out, “Olympus was my father’s home. Tartarus is home to me now.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and Erika studies him for a moment longer before saying, “Daddy issues—I got it,” in a quiet voice and patting him on the arm, then taking a couple more steps to face Campe.

She studies Campe for a few seconds, then tilts her head and smiles. “You’re a dragon,” she says. “How did you wind up with this motley crew? I’ve never heard of any dragons who guard Tartarus.”

“Not surprising. My kind probably don’t speak of me.”

“What’s your name?”

“Campe.”

Erika’s eyebrows lift. “Oh, Ihaveheard of you, but I don’t think I ever put it together that you were a higher races dragon. Where do you fit in the lineage?”

Campe clenches her jaw and darts a look at me.

“Tell her the truth. We want her to trust us,”I advise.

“I’m not convinced the truth will help with that,”she retorts. But after a slight mental push she huffs.“Have it your way, boss.”

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