Page 64 of Harbinger

The dragon slumped despondently. “I saw Erytheisss perish as I fell.”His voice quavered.“Even though we had gone into hiding at your behessst, we were aware many of the alliesss we once trusssted had sssided with that evil God of Darknessss during the war. I…didn’t know who to trussst.”

Remorse tightened Victor’s chest at his words.

Atropos gently lifted Ladon into her hand. “I’m sorry about Erytheis, child.” She stroked his head gently, sorrow darkening her eyes. “It is my fault you lost your mother.”

Ladon clutched her thumb and shook his head.

“I do not blame you, Goddessss,”he mumbled forlornly.“You were only acting for the good of everyone.”

“We need to locate the Garden of the West, Ladon. Can you help us?”

The dragon stared at the Moira, confused.

Atropos leaned her face close to him, her expression hardening and her pupils flaring gold. “We have to find your mothers Hesperia and Arethusa and the Sacred Tree they guard. It is the only way to save Ivmir.”

Ladon tensed. “Ivmir?”

“Elios had Alecto poison Ivmir with Tenebra’s Rot.He’s dying as we speak. His only chance of survival may lie in a Golden Apple,”Atropos explained.

“We’ve been looking for our sisters, but to no avail,”Tisiphone said.“Do you know where they are?”

“I—”

Ladon stopped, his head and tail drooping. He froze a second later.

Cassius had stepped out of his and Morgan’s bedroom. His shoulders sagged as he quietly closed the door behind him.

He ran his fingers through his hair before looking over at them.

“Hey.”

Pain squeezed Victor’s heart at his drained expression. He wished he could wipe away the shadows under Cassius’s eyes. That he could tell him everything was going to be okay.

Victor clenched his jaw. Not only had he failed his best friend, he’d failed his brother too. He knew deep down inside that he couldn’t have stopped Alecto and Megaera even if he had sacrificed his life to save Morgan. Nevertheless, he felt responsible for what had happened to the demigod in Ivory Peaks.

He’d promised his brother he would protect him, come what may.

He hadn’t unburdened himself of the guilt he still carried, but that was the last thing Cassius needed to hear right now.

Theo’s sorrow echoed across their soul bond. Victor met his lover’s beautiful gaze. Theo’s fingers tightened around his where he clasped his hand.

“I’m here,” he whispered.

Victor knew he’d read his mind. He took a shuddering breath and fought back the tears choking his breath, forever grateful for the man beside him.

“A—Awakener?!” Ladon squeaked.

The dragon bolted from the table and shot across the room. He scaled Cassius’s leg in the blink of an eye, startling him.

“Awakener!” Ladon cried. “I—I thought you dead!”

He shuddered where he clung to Cassius’s chest.

Cassius’s pupils widened. He gazed incredulously at Tisiphone. “Is this—?!”

The Fury bobbed her head. “Eden and Loki found him.”She frowned.“Or rather, their weapons did.”

The Goddess told him about the plan they’d come up with in his absence and Eden, Loki, and Kes’s trip to Philadelphia. Cassius looked positively dazed at that. He patted the dragon awkwardly and came over to sit beside Atropos.

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