Page 50 of Crown of Olympus
“She hates being touched,” the goddess whispered. “If there’s a barrier, like clothing, it’s okay. But skin-on-skin triggers her powers… they’re sometimes stronger than she is. And the consequences are tragic.”
It all made sense now. Her reaction in the forest. That extreme burst of panic. I felt ill knowing I had caused her to feel that way. Unintentionally, but no less inexcusably.
“I don’t believe anything is stronger than she is,” I replied just loud enough for Aphrodite to hear. Her eyes widened in response to my candour and Nyssa glanced dazedly up at me as if she’d heard.
“I sent him away,” Nyssa sobbed, her voice breaking with grief.
I think my heart actually shattered as her face fell. Gone was the unbreakable girl of seven I’d first met. The hydra venom had stripped her bare, ripping away every mask and facade.
I needed to get her away. Before the wolves descended.
I take offence to that.
Ignoring the beast in my mind, I looked around wildly, searching for an escape. Just as I resigned myself to using sheer brute force, a flicker of movement at the rear of the room caught my eye.
Aros stood by the Parthenon’s gateway, waving at me, gesturing for me to hurry up. Its centre swirled and pulsed, darkness eclipsing the other side from view. He had opened the portal to the Underworld.
Brains as well as brawn, then.
His manticore had cleverly positioned itself between those vultures of gods and the archway. A formidable barrier.
I levelled an intense look at Aphrodite, tilting my head subtly in Aros’s direction. Her gaze flickered and understanding washed over her features. She nodded once, barely perceptible, and began moving slowly, preparing to run the moment we needed her to.
Lykos—
Yes.
He growled his answer before I could even ask, reading my intent before my mind could shape the words.
Lykos let out a roar so thunderous the foundation trembled beneath my feet. He pounced over my head, landing hard at the feet of Ares and my mother, a growl still rumbling in his chest. All eyes snapped to the commotion. Gods cowered, fearful of the gigantic wolf who was one snap away from taking their heads.
Aphrodite pulled Nyssa upright, supporting her as she hobbled over to Aros. The dragon clung to her long braid, swaying side to side as they hurried. Together, Aros and Aphrodite shoved Nyssa through the gateway, sealing it behind her.
So far, her absence remained unnoticed.
Thank you, Lykos.
I stared at the empty archway, my chest squeezing uncomfortably. I could only hope she was safe.
My last view of her was the darkness swallowing her whole.
I drew a long breath and shoved my worry aside, knowing Charon would be there. He’d undo the damage the hydra had caused. He would pick up her broken pieces.
And I could drown my turmoil in another bottle of wine.
CHAPTER 15
Nyssa
Charon leaptto his feet the moment I came tumbling through the living room doors, the book on his lap dropping to the floor with a dull thud. His eyes widened in abject horror. It would have been almost comical, if I weren’t moments away from collapsing again.
“Nyssa, what?—”
“Hydra venom,” I choked out, clutching my leg as though the pressure might slow the wildfire racing through my veins. I grimaced at the effort it took not to scream. My blood had turned to flame, devouring everything in its path.
Everything burned.
I was a living pyre.
