Page 67 of Scion of Chaos

“Are you telling me you don’t already know exactly what will happen if you don’t?”

“I only know the path that maintains order. Youthinklife is messy, that Chaos reigns in all arenas. What you don’t realize is that my power finds the path through the mess that allows life to persist. If not for me, atoms would not find enough cohesion to form molecules, and molecules would be unable to form chemical bonds to create organisms. It may not look like order to the untrained eye, but it is. The Titans were meant to escape. I have a plan for them. You won’t beat them yet because that isn’t part of the plan.”

“Fuck that,” Erika snarls from behind me. She remains seated, but shoots me a glare and tilts her head to the other chair as if to say,“Quit antagonizing them and sit the fuck down.”

Fate redirects their attention to her. “What makes you think you have any influence over the outcome? What will be will be, Ms. Rosencrans.”

“Fine. I honestly don’t give a flying fuck what happens to the Titans. All I want is that key. I need it to make Iapetus release the curse he placed on my team. Hopefullythatwon’t disturb your precious balance.”

Fate studies us both for a long moment, and while they do, the light around us shifts eerily. A disconcerting chill travels down my spine when I glance through the window behind them. The grassy tree-lined field is alive with luminescent filaments rising into the air, twisting and weaving together in all directions. It forms a living tapestry displaying a familiar scene of the gates to Olympus.

Erika’s intake of breath makes me look at her, and the shock on her face is palpable. When I look back, I realize what she’s reacting to. Woven into the scene on the tapestry is her own body lying broken in the mud, a wild-eyed red dragon breathing flames at everything in sight. The Titans easily subdue him, and he soon falls when a single lightning bolt from Crius hits him in the chest.

Something is off with the scene, though I can’t put my finger on it. But it smells like a lie, either way. “Don’t believe what you see, Erika. This is just one of many possibilities. If anyone can influence Fate, it’s Chaos. When we go to retrieve the other half, we can appeal to him to ensure what you see there doesn’t happen.” To Fate, I add, “We will take our chances.”

“You should not put so much faith in the creature who made you, Tartarus. But if this is what you want, I only request one thing in return: If you win, I want access to the prison.”

“Impossible. Not even Chaos is allowed inside.”

“This is my price.”

“Why would you even want that? There’s nothing there but the worst creatures that ever existed.”

Fate tuts softly. “Not even you believe that. Your own guards are a testament to your lack of faith in the ability of the gods to deliver justice. All I want is free access so I don’t have to break down your doors the next time I need to create balance among the Bloodline. But if it helps, your prison won’t be the only place I look.”

“Say yes,” Erika says. “Please just say yes.”

I’m clenching my teeth so hard my jaw spasms. But I’ve already experienced the alternative, and I’m not so foolish to believe Fate can’t do it again if they desire.

“Fine. Now give us the key.”

Without a word, Fate holds out their hand to me and an object materializes within the delicate grip of their fingers. It’s a semicircular piece of gold about as wide as my fist, with raised nodules and holes that form part of a pattern.

I take it and slip it into the inner pocket of my coat. Then I turn and reach for Erika’s outstretched hand, drawing my power in to teleport the second we touch.

When we land in the middle of her camp a moment later, I retrieve the half of the key and hand it to her.

“I have business to see to in the prison,” I say. “I will return in a day and we can get the other half.”

She gives me a knowing smirk. “Good luck. If what Fate said is true, you’ve got your hands full with her.”

32

Nemea

Ilose consciousness briefly at the peak of my orgasm, but come to just as Asterius slips out of me. Typhon’s still cradling me with his many snake heads, my body limply draped over several scaled necks. I’m face-down and turn my head to see if I imagined the others. They’re all there, gaping at me in shock.

For the briefest moment, I think I’ve gone too far, and my belly twists. I can only imagine how depraved this must appear. I’ve just been fucked stupid by a creature who is half bull with a cock the size of my arm. And even though the tremors of my orgasm are still making me quiver, I want more.

“Well, don’t just stand there, Ty, let us get a good look at the mess you two made of our girl,” Pan says, taking a step closer. His eyes are bright with interest and he’s smiling, so I guess this is a good sign.

When I study the others, their shock is fading into a deeper interest—except for the big, bearded man who I still haven’t been properly introduced to.

Alcides frowns and averts his gaze when I look at him. His cheeks redden and he strides away without a word, disappearing up the wide staircase into the light above.

“What’s his deal?” I try to say, and only manage a mushy, slurred inquiring noise.

Pan looks after him. “Ignore that bastard. He’s just mad he didn’t get to you first.”

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