Page 96 of Flame and Fury

“Please. You need to hurry.” She hangs up and holds my phone out for me. I shove it in my back pocket. Every second creeps by as though Kronos himself is messing with time.

I shake my head, panic making my thoughts chaotic and rapid. “Start walking. We'll get back outside if nothing else.”

I put one foot in front of the other while the cold press of fear shreds my insides apart.

CHAPTER47

WREN

Ibroke my toe once when I stubbed it on the corner of a table. I thought that hurt, but I was wrong. Being speared through the stomach by the horn of a massive beast of mythology is like breaking a million toes, all over my body. Except it's having your guts torn apart instead of breaking a bone.

I'm not a fan. This is the worst pain I've ever experienced. I'd really like to go back to the safe house and watch TV and eat some popcorn.

The Olympus Games transporter holding me. I should know his name. He's been propelling my body across the continent for weeks now, and I never bothered to find out.

“What's your name?” The question comes out a lot more slurred than I intend.

His nostrils flare as he glares down at me. He’s not a fan. Got it.

“Is it Todd?” A vein in the man’s forehead throbs. “Jeremy.” I close my eyes, hissing while my insides knit themselves back together. I shouldn't be fucking around. I don't even know where he's taken me.

“Bartholomew.” Oof, that was a mouthful, and I’m not sure it was understandable, but the man jerks against me. I crack an eyelid and see his jaw flexing. Laughter bubbles up, along with some blood that fills my mouth. “No? Really?”

Fuck, I've lost a lot of blood. I'm not thinking straight. I should be getting my shit together. I need to figure out where I'm at and how to get back to the others. Are they okay? What about Atlas? The last sound I heard before I was transported out of the tunnels was a scream that broke my heart into pieces. It was so...ravaged.

“What are you doing with her?” a voice barks. I close my eyes again as recognition sets in. No.

I force my eyes back open and look at where Bart has taken us. My blood is dripping all over shiny black floors, making a smooth puddle that nearly blends in with the tile.

I'm back at Nathaniel's house. I'm stuck in a nightmare where I keep repeating the same scenario over and over again. That has to be what's happening. I've read books like this. I have to get all the components of the day right, and then I'll finally be free from this repetitive bullshit. Hopefully, then I'll never have to see Nathaniel's face ever again.

“She's injured, sir,” Bart squeezes me, and I groan at the pain the movement causes.Dick.

“Put her down. The bitch has been lying to us all along. She'll be just fine.”

We're in Nathaniel's all black entryway. He's standing in front of the doors that lead to freedom. His arms are crossed, and his puffy hair is disheveled. I wonder if someone's been having a bad day. Bart unceremoniously drops me on the ground. I bite my lip to hold back a scream. More blood fills my mouth, and I cough, sending a spray of red droplets hurtling through the air and dripping onto the ground.

Nathaniel makes a disgusted sound. He waves Bart away, and the ass disappears in a blink. Nathaniel's polished black dress shoes tap on the ground as he approaches. My face is reflected back at me through his shoes. Nathaniel lifts a foot, notches it under my chin, and tips my head back so I'm forced to look at him. Props to him for his excellent balance. If I wasn't trying to hold in my guts, I'd definitely swipe out his other foot so he could enjoy the bloody floor with me. His shiny shoe is back on the ground before I work up the strength to lash out.

“Such a tricky little girl.” Nathaniel's voice drips with condescension.

I stare straight into his beady eyes. That same flash that tells me he’s not a normal human flickers briefly before disappearing.

“All this time a Fury was right under my nose, and I didn't sniff you out.”

I guess the question of whether the clerics saw the footage of the fight with the minotaur is answered. Nathaniel knows. I'm sure the rest of the gods do as well.

“Did you enjoy laughing at me? Thinking you were getting one up on me?”

“I'm sure this is hard for you to accept.” I'm forced to pause as another fit of coughing takes over. Blood splatters Nathaniel's shoes and he hops back like it's the acid of a Hydra. “But I never gave you any thought at all.”

Nathaniel telegraphs his hit, but I can't move fast enough to get out of the path of his foot. It cracks against my cheek with enough force to spin me on the floor. I throw out a hand to catch myself before my face smacks into the tile.

“I should have known. You're just like every other Fury. Self-righteous and superior. You think you're so much better than everyone. You’ll soon learn that you bleed and die just like every other Fury who's fallen at my feet.”

“I don't think I'm better than anyone. Except for you.” It feels good to get that dig in, but I'm panting, frustrated that I'm not healing faster. I know it's stupid. I literally had my insides ripped apart by a magical bull-man, but you can't help your feelings.

A slow smile creeps over Nathaniel's face. “We'll see how you feel about that in a few minutes.”

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