Page 39 of Flame and Fury

This is dangerous territory. Do I lie and tell him it’s delicious even though I haven’t had a single bite to eat? Or do I tell him that this food grosses me out? Hmm…both are solid options.

I paste on a smile that would make Kat proud. “I’m just overwhelmed by the lavish cuisine.” I tiptoe down the slim line between politeness, but not outright lying.

Nathaniel taps his ringed pinkie against his glass. My brows pull together as I spot that same triangle symbol floating in the stone. What is it? Nathaniel studies my face, making my skin crawl. I look away, pretending to want a drink in order to do something with my hands. I pick up the goblet of wine and hold it over my plate.

“You are a conundrum, Miss Torres.” Nathaniel is still pinging his ring against his glass.

I hum noncommittally because I don’t really want to continue this conversation. What happened to the stuffy businessman? Why can’t he keep Nathaniel occupied?

“You seem to be quite a crowd favorite.” Nathaniel taps a fork on the side of my plate. I look at him, his action surprising me.

“Oh yes, that’s better.” He smiles slightly once I give him my full attention again. There’s something so off-putting about the man.

His eyes are so dark they appear black. I can’t even see a hint of his pupil. His short hair has been brushed back in an attempt to tame out the curls, leaving it in his signature poof. Unlike the rest of the clerics, Nathaniel never wears the red robes that identify their vocation. Only the best suits for the High Priest. Tonight, he’s wearing a perfectly fitted black suit with a black shirt and a blood red tie. Nathaniel always wears his ties with the fattest knot. It makes me want to tighten the cloth until his face turns purple.

“A champion of the people.” Nathaniel smiles again, but it’s full of sharp teeth and ice. With the way my Fury has been simmering under my skin lately, I feel the chill keenly.

“And all this time, you were in my city. I didn’t know we had such a capable and resourceful young woman living here. How did you fly under the radar for all these years?”

The wait staff swoop in to collect our bowls of soup and I’m saved from answering. Another plate of fish and tiny shavings of vegetables replaces the soup.

“I’m boring, I guess. Just work for me.” I pick up a fork. It’s probably the wrong one. Oh well, all I need it for is to move the food around on my plate.

Nathaniel doesn't speak to me for the remainder of the courses. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel his eyes on me often while I pretend to eat. It’s the longest and most painful meal I’ve ever had. And that includes eating Hydra-poisoned food.

CHAPTER22

WREN

After dinner, we’re all escorted back to the ballroom where a string quartet is playing sleepy music in the corner. The partygoers mill around and network while I stay out of their way.

I slip out of the ballroom with the intention of finding a bathroom when one of the staff walks past with their head down. I stop them before they can barrel past me.

“Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?” My question trails off when the woman lifts her head.

“Lark? Holy shit.” My words are a hissed whisper. Lark somehow looks even smaller than she had the last time I saw her. There are shadows under her eyes, and the faint hint of a yellowing bruise on her jaw. I reach out to touch her face, but she takes a step back.

“Are you okay?” I look back toward the ballroom, but we’re far enough down the hall that no one can see us. That doesn’t mean that someone won’t come out and find us, but for now, we’re alone.

Lark’s eyes twitch as she looks at my face, her mouth parting and then snapping shut.

“What can I do? Can we get you out of here?”

Lark shakes her head. “We’re stuck here.”

Even her voice sounds abused. Gods, has someone been making her scream?

“What are they doing to you?”

“I need to go before someone finds me talking to you.” Lark hurries away but stops and turns back to me. Her eyes search the hallway, but we’re still alone. “Wren, there’s something wrong with Nathaniel Rogers.”

She’s not telling me anything I don’t already know. The man is a creep. The worse example of humanity. Although I’m starting to wonder if there’s more to it than that.

“Be careful.” With that, Lark skitters away. I stare at her until she turns the corner and is out of sight.

By the time I find the bathroom and get back to the ballroom, my head is a twisted mess. Why is Lark one of Nathaniel’s servants? She trained her whole life for the Olympus Games. After she fails one challenge, she’s forced into servitude. For how long? Forever? What a bunch of bullshit.

The volume has ramped up in the ballroom when I step back inside. The excited titters of voices buzz like an irritating gnat. With a quick scan of the room, I understand what has everyone so excited. The gods have arrived.

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