Page 90 of Flame and Fury

Now that mask is back in place. He's not just my Atlas any longer. He's preparing to go back out into the world.

“We'll be ready.”

CHAPTER45

WREN

“Here's what we know,” Ares is saying as we wait for Hermes to show.

Why he decided to meet with us again is anyone’s guess. Ares told me he missed my face, but I personally think he gets bored if he’s not in the middle of the action.

We're back at the stinky garage where Atlas first took me to meet Kat. Kat was hesitant to let one of the gods come this close to the tunnels the Underground calls home, but we're all learning how to trust.

“Poseidon is in charge of this challenge, and he's set the minotaur free. The clerics have blocked off portions of the subway in New York, but the majority of the challenge is going to take place in unused and defunct tunnels and subway stations under the city.”

What is with these people and tunnels? It doesn't escape my notice that the Underground has been bunkered down in the tunnels underneath Chicago. Now, the gods have let a beast loose in the bowels of Manhattan. Gods, I hope it doesn't escape.

“Ironically, the challengers are looking for the four women from the last challenge. They had to bring them in, and now they are being used as bait. We have no sense of how long it will take for one of them to find the women. The minotaur will be guarding the tunnels and the women hidden somewhere down there. He’ll also be in possession of the soulstone amulet.

“The remaining champions in the game, Greer, Preston, Jasper, and Jade, will all be dropped into different starting points. You four will be going in through the old City Hall entrance. It's blocked off, but that's what bolt cutters and kicking are for.”

“Sounds like a solid plan.” I shake my head.

“You're all armed.” Ares shrugs, sounding nonplussed.

I have a whip, which doesn't seem like much of a weapon, but I know how to use it, and it's come in handy more than once. Atlas has a broadsword, Nico has a set of knives, and Lark has a staff. It’s just like when Billy had us pick out our weapons back at the training compound. A gun would probably be better to have on hand, but there's a high probability that I will shoot myself in the foot with a gun.

Estella is staying back at the safe house. She doesn’t know how to fight and informed us that we’d end up having to save her if she came with us. I’d tried to convince Nico and Lark to stay back as well, but that was like arguing with a brick wall. I didn’t even bring it up with Atlas.

“Where is that fool?” Ares sighs, scanning the dank garage like Hermes is hiding behind a pillar.

“Who are we waiting on?” Hermes pops up behind Ares. If looks could kill, and I'm not totally certain Ares doesn't have that ability, Hermes would be dead. “I had to pick up a friend.” Hermes steps to the side and reveals Drake.

“Drake.” Lark gasps. Atlas and Nico both smile broadly.

Drake looks pretty damn good, especially considering the last time we saw him on TV, he’d been shot saving Jade.

Ares inclines his head at Drake and then glares at Hermes. “Just get them where they need to go.”

Atlas sizing up Drake, a pleased but concerned look on his face. “Do you feel up to a little excursion?”

Drake grins. “Like you even have to ask.”

Ares turns back to me, treating me like I'm the leader. I guess I am. Maybe that shouldn't surprise me, but it does. “Be careful. The minotaur is vicious, and if the other gods or the clerics find out you're in the tunnels with the remaining champions, they will hunt you down.”

“No pressure then.”

Ares slaps my arm. "Stick together. Atlas will call when you've got the amulet. Don't die."

With those inspiring words, Hermes drops his hand on my shoulder, and the others quickly grab hold of either me or Hermes.

It's the middle of the night. We land in an overgrown park in New York, almost in complete darkness. Any streetlights in this neighborhood burned out a long time ago. That or they were knocked down and scrapped for their iron.

“Good luck, kids. Don't let the minotaur get you with his horns.” Hermes laughs as he disappears.

“Are we sure we want to keep him awake? He's kind of an asshole?” I frown at the spot where the god just disappeared from moments before.

“He is useful.” Nico defends the god.

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