CHARON

THE COURT OF THE UNDERWORLD

ALESSA THORN

Copyright © 2020 by Alessa Thorn

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and

retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Editing by F. Sutton

Cover by Fiona Jayde Media

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

About the Author

EREBUS

1

2

3

Prologue

Sing, O' Muse, of the seasons of the world and how all that was lost was found again.

Sing, of how gods and mythical creatures once roamed the lands of Greece, and of how Man

became powerful, and the gods were forced into hiding.

Sing, of when Greece's economy collapsed and the land was on fire with the turmoil man's

governance had wrought.

Sing, of how the gods returned to build a new world from the ashes.

Sing, O' Muse, of the new city of Styx, and the monsters that govern its underworld.

Sing to me a new song, of the Ferryman of the Dead and the Cursed Sorceress of Aeaea…

1

The Ionian Sea was stretched out in an expanse of indigo blue and bright sunshine. To fight off his

boredom, Charon checked his instruments and turned up his music. He had been flying over this

particular stretch of water for over a week now, on an endless triangular lap between Sicily, Corfu,

and Kephalonia, all in search of an island the gods didn't want to be found. Fucking Zeus and his

dumb ass curses.

Charon would have flat out refused to bother looking if it wasn't for who they were searching for;

Circe, the sorceress of fame and legend, and another of Hecate's powerful bloodline. So powerful

that she had to be locked up where she couldn't stir up a rebellion if she got bored. Just another fine

example of Zeus being an insecure prick.

After learning that Darius Drakos had Medea, Hecate's search for Circe had become her biggest

concern, and Charon had been recruited to help. Medusa and the rest of the Court were left to find

Darius and his collection of relics, with the exception of Perseus, who was too busy with an

upcoming exhibit to chase monsters. After he was almost blown up at Darius's villa, Medusa wanted

him out of it as much as possible, and Charon didn't blame her. Perseus was still the legal guardian of

Dany, and despite her prodigious talent, she was still only human.

The satellite phone chimed over his headset, snapping Charon back to attention as he reached out

to answer. "What?"

"Anything yet?" Thanatos asked, his voice sounding scratched out and far away.

"Only loads and loads of nothing. What about you guys?"

Thanatos and Hecate were doing their searching by boat, and his brother was no doubt enjoying

spending his days ogling Hecate in a bikini. Half his luck.

"Nothing yet. Maybe the research was wrong, and we fucked up," Thanatos answered.

"All the research and the legends point to this stretch of water, but maybe Zeus's glamor is more

powerful than Hecate thought. Even from his grave, the bastard is fucking with us," Charon replied.

"Have you tried using the amulet yet?" Charon tried to think of a decent lie, but Thanatos was too

quick. "What's the point of having it if you aren't going to even try using it?"

"I don't like using magic when I'm trying to fly a helicopter at the same time. It seems like a good

way to die," Charon said. "The magic could fry the instruments, and then I'd be totally fucked."

"Don't worry, I'd rescue you from the Underworld if you crash and burn."

Charon laughed grimly. "And that's supposed to comfort me?"

"Is he saying my magic isn't going to work? Because that's how it sounds right now," Hecate said

in the background.

"I would never dare insinuate such a thing. No matter how great her magic is, it still likes to

screw with technology in unexpected ways," argued Charon.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Thanatos asked. Charon heard the snigger in his voice and

hung up on him. Dick. Charon turned his music up again.

It was okay for Thanatos. After all, he was the titan of death, so it was a walk in the park for him

to come back into his body. Charon was determined not to need Hades to make him a new body any

time soon. He was only just getting used to the one he had, and it would take forever to get his tattoos

back in the right places. He was still getting the touch-up work done where Pithos's goons had staked

him to a car hood months ago. Charon rubbed at his shoulder; the phantom pain of metal being shoved

through him still bothering him whenever he thought about it. He wasn't keen on any unnecessary pain

that wasn't decorative.

With great reluctance, Charon finally gave in and pulled the talisman from his pocket. It looked

harmless enough; a shiny bronze disc hanging from a piece of leather. The small figures carved into it

didn't make sense to him, but apparently, they did to Hecate. One figure looked like a plant, another a

primitive cauldron, and a straight line.

"I better not live to regret this," he said with a sigh before he put the necklace over his head. As

soon as the bronze settled on his chest, magic pulsed like a bolt of static on his skin, hitting him

straight in the heart.

"Fuuuuccckk, I hate magic," Charon groaned, rubbing at the space to soften the sting and cursing

sorceresses and their trinkets. Then he looked up and saw the dark cloud in the distance that he was

certain hadn't been there a minute ago.

"There aren't meant to be any storms today," Charon muttered. He had been checking the weather

reports and warnings religiously every morning before takeoff. Charon tried to course-correct and go

around it, but the small cloud exploded, sweeping him into a wave of darkness. Charon fumbled with

one hand to call Thanatos back.

"What?"

"Are you seeing this fucking storm?" Charon shouted, struggling to keep flying straight.

"What storm? There's nothing on the radar. What are you talking about?" Thanatos replied, his

voice starting to break up. Charon didn't reply. All his concentration was focused on keeping himself

in the air as lightning and thunder crashed around him. His instruments started to malfunction, dials

whirred, and alarms screamed.

"I fucking hate magic!" he shouted as the strong air currents sucked him down with impossible

force. Charon screamed as something shot through the windshield, stopping just before it pierced his

face. Is that a fucking spear? He didn't have time to be sure as the helicopter hit trees and his world

went black.

Charon didn't know how long he had been out when he finally came back to consciousness. He

blinked the golden ichor from his eyes and stared at the spear tip, still an inch from his face.

Through the smashed windshield, he could make out green forest all around him, whipping about

as the storm raged on. With shaking hands, he gripped the shaft of the spear and pushed it backward

out of the glass to give him space to get around it. Fumbling with ichor smeared hands, he unclipped

the seat belt and opened the cabin door. Definitely, two broken ribs and a cut somewhere, fucking

just what I need.

Charon slid out onto the wet ground, disorientated and woozy. He looked at the trees around him

and the helicopter. Apart from the windshield and scratches from its landing, it looked suspiciously

undamaged from its crash landing in the small gully.

A roar shook the world over the thunder and wind. His ichor turned to ice as a prowling lioness

appeared on the small hill in front of him. Her howl shook the gully again, and Charon's knees

wobbled. He really didn't want to have to fight a lioness after a crash as well. The Fates really do

hate me.

A woman appeared through the mist, with braids and the chiton dress she was wearing drenched.

The look on her face rivaled the storm above them.

"Who are you?" she demanded angrily. Magic hissed in the air again, and another spear appeared

in her hand.

"Did you throw a spear at my helicopter?" he asked incredulously before he could check himself.

"Answer my question!" She hefted the spear, aiming it at his head.

The world around Charon spun as he tried to take a step toward her, his vision straining with

darkness.

"I've come to rescue you?" he slurred as he reached out to steady himself. He hit the ground in a

dead faint and then the lioness pounced.

2

Circe had been gleaning in the forest when the wards around Aeaea shuddered angrily. It had been

years since anyone had gotten close enough to disrupt them. Clouds boiled out of the wards, turning

into storm in moments. She dropped her basket and ran to a clearing to try to see what was coming.

Something dark pushed its way through the clouds, causing fear to shudder through her. She had seen

the flying machines in her scrying bowl, but the name of them escaped her tongue.

Had they been sent by Pandora? Circe doubted it. It had been years since Pandora had found her

and promised to come back for her. Circe should've known the bitch was lying. Besides, Pandora

knew it was safest to get to through the wards by boat, not air.

No, whoever this was had to be an enemy. Circe wasn't going to wait to find out. Summoning a

spear, she threw it as hard as she could, trying to bring it down. The ward's magic tangled around the

machine, pulling it down before something shivered over it like it had a ward of its own. Circe wiped

the rain from her eyes. What was that? Leania growled beside her, and Circe patted the lioness's wet

fur.

"Let's check it out to be sure," she said, and they headed to where the flying machine had crashed.

The first thing Circe saw was a man climbing awkwardly out of the machine. Gold was gushing

from a head wound, and anger overrode her fear. She was not in the mood to deal with an immortal.

"Who are you?" The god turned and looked at her with an unfamiliar face. He was built like a

warrior but looked unarmed. You know that doesn't make him less dangerous. She made another

spear appear in her hand. If he wanted a fight, she would give him one.

"Did you throw a spear at my helicopter?" he said. Helicopter. That was the name of it.

"Answer my question!" Circe couldn't allow herself to get distracted by new knowledge and a

new face. He swayed, and she began to question how much of a threat he was.

"I've come to rescue you," he said before Leania pounced on him like a mouse.

"Hey, stop that! Don't kill him!" Circe shouted and hurried down to stop her from chewing too

much off him. She shoved the lioness back and prodded the unconscious male with her toe. She knelt

and rested her fingers over his chest. When it moved, she stood up again and looked at the lioness.

"You scared him, so you get to carry him, Nia." The lioness growled, but Circe stood her ground.

"I don't care, but we can't leave him here. If he wakes up and is hostile, I promise you can eat him."

That seemed to cheer up the lioness who pawed the male over before taking his leather jacket in

between her teeth and began to drag him out of the gully like an oversized cub.

Circe looked up at the sky, still raging from the size of the disruption in the wards. She didn't

know what magic the male had, but it had been powerful enough to have him not only push through

Zeus's barrier, but to make sure he landed safely.

Up at the house, Circe changed into dry clothes and pressed water from her braids. Nia spat their

visitor out next to the fireplace, and after licking the ichor from his head, promptly lay down beside

him and started purring.

"Great, infect his wound," Circe muttered as she boiled hot water in a small cauldron and

dropped some healing herbs into it.

The titan said he had come to rescue her. Who was he? Her father Helios was a titan, and she had

known many of them while she had still lived in his court. She couldn't recall ever seeing the male by

her fire, and she would have because his face was so...different. Olympians and titans were obsessed

with beauty, and that definitely wasn't a word she would use to describe him. She would've

remembered the tattoos she glimpsed on his forearms and collar too. Dipping a cloth in the healing

mixture, Circe knelt by the titan and bit the inside of her cheek.

"You better be worth saving," Circe told him finally and started to clean his head wound. There

was a shallow gash in his black hair that stopped leaking ichor as soon as her mixture touched it. She

carefully checked for any other damage to his head, wiping off ichor, dirt, and grass as she went.

Ichor was seeping through the fabric of his dirty clothes, so after much internal debate, Circe

stripped his filthy jacket and shirt off. She paused in surprise and stared. His muscular body was

covered in tattoos. She had never seen anything like it. The more ichor she wiped off, the more tattoos

appeared bright, beautiful, and strange. She lifted the necklace hanging from around his neck and

familiar magic pulsed through her hand.

"Hecate..." she dropped it in surprise. "Who in all the worlds are you?" Her aunt didn't give

talismans away lightly. Unless he stole it.

Circe reluctantly went back to cleaning the various scrapes and grazes, most of them probably

made by the snoring beast beside her.

"Oh, that's different," she whispered when she discovered small silver bars through both of his

nipples.

"You keep playing with those, doll, and I'm going to start charging you for the privilege," the titan

murmured, opening his black eyes.

"Oh, good, you're awake so you can clean yourself up," Circe replied, dropping the wet cloth onto

his chest and taking a cautious step back from him.

"You don't need to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you," he said, slowly sitting up in a ripple of

tattooed muscle. Nia didn't move as he placed one hand on the sleeping lioness. "Cool."

"I'm not afraid of you," Circe said stubbornly. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"My name is Charon, and I've been sent to bust you out of this prison." He gave her a crooked,

charming smile. "You are Circe, right? Terrifying sorceress of Aeaea and beguiler of men and gods

alike?"

Circe snorted. "My reputation has proceeded me. Yours, however, I'm drawing a blank on. The

only Charon I've ever heard of is the ferryman of the Underworld."

"The one and only, at your service. I haven't been bound to the Underworld for over twenty

years," he replied.

"So, you are a liar. Good. It will make me feel less guilty when feeding you to Nia."

"I'm not lying. Look, you know your magic and your curses, check these out." The male held out

his hands to her. She took a step forward and took them in hers, studying the ancient magic branded

across his fingers.

"Fascinating," she said, curiosity getting the better of her as she turned his hands over. "Say I

believe you. Why would the dreaded ferryman come looking for me?"

"Hecate is a friend. We are all looking for you," he replied. He took one of his hands from hers

and lifted the talisman around his neck. "Surely, you would've noticed this while you were busy

fondling me."

Circe quickly dropped his other hand. "I was not fondling you. I was simply making sure your

wounds weren't filled with dirt when they closed over."

"You were playing with my piercing, not cleaning it, so that definitely counts as fondling," he

replied, his infuriating grin back.

"I've never seen piercing like those before, so I was curious. Believe me, if I wanted to fondle

you, you would certainly know it." Circe didn't like the mischievous light in his eyes, so she flicked

her braids over her shoulder and turned away. "I'm going to need some wine. Do you want some?"

"Sure, if you leave out the poison."

"I might think you're a liar, but I'm not an idiot, Charon," Circe replied, pouring two goblets of

wine and passing him one. "You have a helicopter and are strong enough to get through Zeus's wards.

I can't fly, so whether you are a liar or not, you're my best chance of getting off this island."

"I'm not lying to you," Charon said, handing her the talisman. He took a mouthful of wine, and she

laughed evilly.

"Fool, you'll be dead in seconds," Circe cried out dramatically as he paled. "Just kidding. Drink

your fucking wine."

"I guess I deserved that," Charon replied with a strained laugh. "Hecate gave me that trinket to

find you. I put it on, and the next thing I knew, the storm was bringing me down."

Circe turned her attention back to the talisman. There was no denying that it was Hecate's work.

The etchings in it were symbols representing Circe and keyed to her. "Ah-ha, I was wondering why

you didn't plunge to a fiery death. Hecate has protections built into this."

"Maybe she was worried you wouldn't welcome a stranger politely and might, you know, throw a

spear at them," Charon said. He smoothed back his wet hair before wiping the rest of the dirt off.

"Every guest I've ever had has been a disaster, so I thought I might kill you outright instead of

waiting to be screwed over by you," Circe replied, handing him back the talisman. "I believe Hecate

made it, but until I can talk to her myself, I'm not going to trust you."

"That's fair. Once the storm dies off, I can go get the sat phone and try to get hold of your auntie.

She's been worried about you." Charon rested his arms on his knees as he held his hands out to the

fire. "A phone is something that you can-"

"I know what a phone is," Circe said, folding her arms.

"How? You've been stuck here since forever."

"I'm a sorceress, so I've always been able to scry the rest of the world. It was one of Zeus's

backward blessings. I can see the outside world, just not be a part of it."

Charon clicked his tongue. "Backward blessing is just a nicer way of saying a curse. Zeus is such

an ass. I'm glad he's dead."

Circe sat down on a chair before she fell. "He's dead? Really? Who killed him? Was it Pandora

who did it?" she demanded.

"Get comfortable, I've got quite the story to tell you," Charon replied. Then he proceeded to catch

Circe up on the last twenty years of events.

By the time he finished telling her about Hecate and the scattered remnants of Pithos, it was full

dark outside. Circe passed him a plate of bread and fruit as they talked, too rattled to prepare a

proper meal. She was growing more nauseous with every revelation.

"And then you threw a spear at me," Charon finished with a laugh. The smile fell from his face as

he looked up at her. "Oh, hey, are you okay?" He reached for her and she flinched back from him.

"Don't touch me," she said, and he pulled his hand back quickly.

"I didn't mean anything by it," he replied softly.

"This is a lot to take in. I'm going to sleep. If you try to run and escape, Nia will eat you," she said

and hurried to her bedroom, locking the door behind her.

Circe sat on her bed and put her head in her hands. She wasn't about to cry in front of the titan, so

now she was alone, she could let her tears flow hot and angry. Hecate had been put under a spell

because of her, she almost died, and humans had Circe's wand. All because she was stupid enough to

trust Pandora.

Hecate was going to be furious when she learned the truth. Facing her wrath would be worth it to

get off the island. Maybe she would be lenient. From what Charon had said, Pandora had tricked

Hecate into meeting with her and had been betrayed as well.

Circe lay back on her bed. "Zeus has been dead for twenty years," she whispered into the

darkness. She would never have to hear his voice taunting her again, "You've always been the one

that's too hard to love, Circe. I can keep you here for as long as I need to prove that I'm the only

one that's ever going to want you."

The unloved one. That was Circe. Unloved and unwanted by her nymph mother, her powerful titan

father Helios, and every other creature she came across. All except Hecate. Hecate loved her enough

to send this strange titan to find her, and Circe had betrayed her by giving Pandora her wand.

Fucking Pandora, who had twenty years to fulfill her promise and return to rescue Circe and

never had. Being imprisoned in Tartarus is too good for her.

Now to get off the island, all Circe had to do was trust the handsome male in the other room.

However, trusting males was how she got into nearly every mess of her life.

3

Charon woke the next morning with a large, rough tongue running up his bare back. The urge to piss

his pants increased when he opened his eyes and saw a lioness's maw hovering over his head.

"Stop taste testing me," he said, his heartbeat in his throat. Nia's smiled widened, the tip of her

tail flicking menacingly against his thigh. "You know I won't hurt her. Not ever." The lioness stared

down at him for another long moment before huffing and prowling away. Charon slowly sat up and

stared around. His head was no longer pounding, and the scrapes he'd received the day before had

gone. There was no sign of his hostess, but a pitcher of water and some fruit had been left out for him.

"For the love of fuck, don't eat anything she gives you if you don't want to be poisoned or

transfigured," Hermes had warned him before Charon had left for his search. "And don't mention

anything about me. Hecate and I both agree it's better to break my presence to Circe once she gets

here." Charon had ignored the first part of the advice after meeting the sorceress. She was too smart

to want to turn him into a pig or any other creature. She wanted out, and Charon couldn't blame her.

How she wasn't crazier after being stuck on an island for centuries was beyond him. Charon pulled on

his dry t-shirt and boots before grabbing an apple and heading outside.

It was a perfect day of clear skies and bright sun, the gardens around Circe's house were lush and

smelling amazing. He couldn't remember the journey from the helicopter to the house, so he wandered

carefully around the gardens. He found a well and drew up a bucket of water. After checking for bugs

and worms, he washed his face and the remaining dirt and ichor from his hair. It was eerily quiet

except for the natural life around him. He shut his eyes and enjoyed it, even though he knew that his

own restless nature would make him crave noise and cars if he was forced to stay on Aeaea longer

than a few days.

Charon followed a path out of the gardens and down the gently sloping hill. He looked carefully

over one shoulder and spotted Nia in the long grass, stalking him.

Awesome, just what I need to make me relax. Circe had a bond with the lioness, so if Nia was

watching him and not eating him, it was because she had commanded her to. Charon didn't blame

Circe for having trust issues. She had a history with Pandora, that much was obvious, but he wasn't

about to push her about it. Hecate and the Court would do plenty of that as soon as he got her back. If

you can get the damn helicopter to start.

Charon tracked the broken trail of grass, paw prints, and drag marks that explained the scrapes he

had all over himself when he'd come to the previous evening. After twenty minutes of walking,

Charon found his helicopter in the glade and a sorceress glaring at it with her hands on her curved

hips.

Circe was nothing like he expected. In his mind, Charon had imagined a mini-Hecate with long

legs and black hair, but what he got was the complete opposite. He knew enough of Circe to know that

she was the daughter of a titan and a sea nymph.

Charon had never met her father Helios, but Hades always said that he was an arrogant prick.

Circe had her father's golden hair and amber-brown eyes that were sharp enough to leave him feeling

cut to pieces every time she fixed her gaze on him. She was dressed in a pale blue chiton that came to

her knees, showing off a distracting amount of golden-brown skin, and her hair was tied back in

braids and pinned up. She turned her glare from the helicopter to Charon, somehow making him feel

like he was trespassing.

"Good morning," Charon said, unsure if she was still upset from last night.

"Your helicopter doesn't seem to be damaged. Are you sure it will be able to get us out of here?"

she asked, skipping pleasantries. Well, okay then.

"Not damaged? What do you call that big ass spear in my windshield?" Charon said. He reached

up to pull it free with a screech of broken glass and tossed it down to Circe. She caught it easily in

one hand, twirled it once and buried it into the earth beside her. Charon tried not to appear impressed,

which was increasingly hard around the sorceress. Get her to trust you first, then get the hell off the

island.

Charon opened the door to the helicopter, cursing at the broken glass and the contents of his

cockpit that had been tossed about. After some searching, he found the satellite phone under the

passenger seat and turned it on, making it crackle alarmingly.

"That can't be good," he muttered, turning it off and on again. He dialed his brother's number and

waited, "Pick up, you fucking prick."

"Who are you calling a prick?" Erebus answered. "Where the hell are you?"

"Aeaea," Charon replied, relief flooding him. He sank back into the pilot's seat. "I need to talk to

Hecate."

"Holy shit. Yeah, hang on, let me find her. They were freaking out when you disappeared

yesterday," Erebus replied.

"Charon! Please tell me you're okay," Hecate said over the line.

"Yeah, Hec, I'm-" Charon managed to reply before Circe was leaping across him to grab the

phone from him. He relinquished it without a fuss.

"Aunt? Is that really you?" Circe asked, still slung across his lap.

"Circe, I'm so relieved to hear your voice, and that you haven't killed Charon," Hecate replied.

"Not yet, anyway." Circe looked up at him, a small smile on her face. It had been a while since he

had a beautiful woman lying on his lap, and Charon tried not to think about the soft curves pushing

into his thighs. She put him out of his misery by sliding out of the cabin, the phone still in hand, and

talking with Hecate.

Charon cleaned up the inside of the cabin, checking and rechecking to make sure nothing was

smashed, or his instruments compromised. The only real issue would be the gaping hole in the

windshield.

"I'll pass you back," Circe said, appearing again and handing him the phone.

Charon rested the phone between his neck and shoulder as he continued to tidy. "Hey, Hec, did

you talk her into not letting her lioness eat me?"

"Why would I do that?" Hecate said and laughed. "Thank you for finding her, Charon."

"I've heard the best thank you that anyone can give is a bottle of really nice scotch or a blow job.

Guess it'll have to be the former," he replied and heard Thanatos swear at him in the background.

"I'll ask your brothers what your favorite brand is. When do you think you'll get here?"

Charon blew out a breath. "I don't know. It all depends if I can figure out how to patch up the hole

in the windshield that your delightful niece made."

"If she broke it, she should fix it. Let us know if you have any other technical difficulties, and

we'll try to figure out a way to get to you. The talisman obviously works," Hecate said, poorly

disguising the smugness in her tone.

"It almost killed me, but yeah, it worked. I'll give you a call when we get back through the wards.

And Hec? You better make it two bottles of scotch," Charon replied before hanging up.

Circe had disappeared, so Charon finished cleaning and started to go through his usual pre-flight

checks. Thirty minutes later, he was satisfied that no major damage had been done, except for the

windshield. He didn't feel like antagonizing the sorceress more, but Hecate did tell him that Circe

could fix it.

Circe finally reappeared, with Nia carrying a bag of gear and a small cauldron in her mouth.

"What's all this?" Charon asked. Circe opened the passenger door and loaded her gear inside.

"Are we leaving? I'm ready," she said determinedly. She looked a bit nauseous, but Charon didn't

mention it.

"Would love to, sweet sorceress, but I don't know what to do about the big fucking hole in my

windshield," he pointed out. Circe made an impatient sound in the back of her throat and went through

the bag she had brought with her. She produced a small jar of white sand and went to stand in front of

the helicopter.

"Here, toss this in the air when I say," she instructed, throwing him the jar.

"Ah, okay? Why?" he asked, uncorking the lid. Circe's smirk said quite clearly that he was an

idiot and shouldn't argue with her.

"Are you ready? Make sure it goes high," she said and rubbed her hands together. "Now!"

Charon tossed the sand in a white wave, and Hecate's magic sizzled out of her. She held her hands

out to the sand frozen in the air, and a wave of power sent it over the shattered windshield. Charon

stumbled back as heat roared from her fingers and hit the sand. In seconds, she lowered her hands and

tilted her head to examine her work. The hole and all the small cracks in the windshield had been

patched.

"It looks ugly, but you use instruments more to fly than sight, don't you?" Circe asked.

"Yeah, um, thanks," Charon replied, still staring. She didn't look even a little strained from the

magic use. "You're kind of amazing. You know that, right?" his mouth said before he could stop it.

"Yes, I know," Circe replied with no ego whatsoever and then called out to Nia. She opened the

door to the cabin and the lioness leaped inside, pushing its way to the passenger seat in the back.

"Whoa, we are taking the lioness?" he asked.

"I'm not leaving her behind." Circe's autumn eyes narrowed, and Charon sighed, running a hand

through his hair.

"Is she toilet trained?" he asked.

"Are you?" Circe countered.

"Laugh all you want, sorceress, but if she pisses in the cabin, your magic better be good enough to

get rid of the smell," Charon said and gestured to the cabin. "Get in, and let's see if we can get this

bird off the ground."

Charon made sure she was buckled in correctly and that her headset was in place. He went into

his supplies and found a barf bag.

"Here you might need this," he said and started up the helicopter. He waited for a good ten

minutes, listening to the engines and doing another check over his instruments for damage. He sent a

text to Thanatos and tried hard not to think about the lioness curled up in the back of the helicopter.

Circe gripped the arms of her chair as they rose in the air but managed to keep her cool. He did a

slow circuit of the island, wanting to make sure everything was working properly. Circe was staring

at her home and prison beneath them, eyes full of unshed tears that Charon knew better than to

comment on. He touched the talisman hanging around his neck. You better work.

"Are you ready to face Zeus's wards? They are weaker but it still sucks to get through," Charon

asked and slipped on his aviators.

"Let's go," Circe said with a firm nod. He had to give it to her, Circe was holding it together

better than he thought she would. Charon didn't question her resolve. He just pointed the helicopter in

the direction of Styx. They didn't have long to wait before the wards started to press in on them. It

started as a prickling sensation along Charon's skin before the storm rolled in. The talisman around

his neck hummed against his chest, and Circe reached out to grip it.

"I can magnify its protection. You just keep focused on keeping us in the air," she said over the

headset.

"I trust you," Charon replied. Nervous sweat was trickling down his spine as the wind and

thunder battered them. Circe's magic rolled over him, and his mouth went dry as it spread out over the

helicopter.

"We are almost through!" Circe shouted, and Nia yowled.

Charon's hands ached from gripping the controls, but with one final crack of lightning, the storm

spat them out into clear blue skies.

"We did it!" Circe exclaimed and pressed herself to the window to look at the Ionian Sea beneath

them.

"Sit back and relax, sorceress, we'll be in Styx in no time," Charon replied, shaking out his hands.

Circe moved back from the windows and burst into tears. Charon fished around until he found a

packet of travel tissues and discreetly passed them to her without taking his eyes off the sky in front of

him.

"Thank you," she sniffed.

"Don't mention it. Here, you might want a pair of these to help with the glare," Charon said and

passed her his spare pair of wayfarers. She put them on, and he grinned at the cross between ancient

sorceress and cute boho chick. If anyone could make the look popular again, it's her.

Charon was beginning to relax when Nia made an awkward sound and promptly vomited all over

his seats.

"Fucking better be good scotch," he muttered.

* * *

Circe was trying and failing to keep in all the emotions that were bombarding her. She didn't want to

weep in front of the titan, although he didn't seem to mind. She was grateful that the glasses he'd given

her hid the worst of it.

Free, free, free. The words were rolling through her as she kept reminding herself that it was

really happening. She had dreamed of this moment so often that she always thought when the time

came, she would struggle to believe it. She believed it now because there was no way she could have

ever dreamed up the tattooed male titan and a lioness with air sickness.

"We are almost there. I'll land at Hecate and Thanatos's place. She's going to keep you to herself

for a few days," said Charon.

"It's going to be a relief to see her, it's been so long," Circe replied. She had stopped counting the

years, since it only hurt to keep marking them.

"Hecate had the full Court to contend with as soon as she woke up, so she wants to break you in a

little more gently than that. You're lucky that the most charming Court member got to you first to tell

you everything you've missed out."

"I don't know about charming, but I was lucky that you found me," Circe said, offering him a small

smile.

"Are you teasing me right now with that backward compliment? Everyone knows I'm the most

charming. Don't worry, I'll win you over, just give me time," he replied with his crooked smile.

"Lucky we are immortals and have so much of it."

Charon laughed at that and then pointed. "There's our spot. Let's hope your lioness is too

interested in being sick than eating Hec's dog."

"Nia would never do that!" Circe said and then was too busy hanging on to the seat as they

descended and landed. Hecate appeared through the trees, and Circe's heart burst with happiness.

"Wait until the blades stop before you go running out, beautiful," warned Charon and checked

outside. "Okay, now you can go and take that cat with you."

Circe flung open the door, ran across the grass and collided with Hecate. Her aunt held her tightly,

and Circe started crying again. Hecate had always been more like a mother to her than her own, and

seeing her again was more than Circe ever hoped for.

"You came for me," she whispered.

"I told you I would find a way. Now let me look at you," Hecate said, lifting up the sunglasses and

studying her face. "My beautiful girl. I've missed you. Oh, and who is this?"

"Nia," Circe said, patting the lioness as she came to stand beside them.

"I'm surprised my brother let it in his helicopter." A titan with silver hair had appeared in the

glade and was smiling at them.

"Didn't have a choice. You should know by now how unwise it is to fuck with a sorceress,"

Charon said, giving Circe a wink.

"You had me worried," Thanatos replied, hugging his brother and then quickly letting him go.

"Dear gods, what did you roll in?"

"It's not my fault. Nia gave me an involuntary bath this morning," Charon complained.

"She likes the taste of his ichor," Circe told Hecate, and her aunt laughed loudly.

"Circe, this is Thanatos. He's my…" Hecate seemed to struggle to find the right word.

"Partner, consort, love of your life, obsession?" Thanatos supplied helpfully.

"All of the above," Hecate replied, giving him a warm look that Circe had never seen on her aunt.

"It is a pleasure to meet you at last," Thanatos said, bowing to Circe. "I trust Charon has been

behaving himself during your time together." Circe opened her mouth, but the titan beat her.

"He's been a delight and a wonder. Now, he wants to go home. Is one of the cars here?" Charon

asked, hopefully.

"You're not taking the helicopter?" Thanatos replied.

"Nope. Circe's big feral cat spewed in it, so that's now her problem to clean up as a thank you for

saving her ass."

Circe folded her arms. "We'll see about that."

Charon clicked his tongue. "So much for gratitude."

"I'm surprised the lioness is still alive," Thanatos said with a shake of his head. "Keys are in the

Ferrari."

"Thanks, my work here is done." Charon threw a wave over his shoulder and headed towards the

house.

"Charon! Wait." Circe let go of Hecate and ran through the trees after him.

"What?" he asked, slowing his stride so she could catch up.

"I wanted to say I am grateful that you found me," she said and quickly kissed his cheek. "Thank

you, I won't forget it." She hurried back to Hecate, and her aunt put her arm around Circe's shoulders.

"Let's get your things and get you settled in. My dog's name is Chara, and if Nia tries to eat her, I'll

skin her for a new rug," Hecate warned.

"You haven't changed a bit," Circe laughed and held her tighter.

4

Charon managed to make it back to his apartment before his exhaustion caught up with him. He

grabbed a beer from the fridge on his way to the shower, and it wasn't until he had soaped himself

over three times that he satisfactorily got the smell of lioness off him. What a fucking week.

Charon turned on his phone and let the messages from the last two days come through. There was

some from Medusa about info on Lander and a long list of random memes from Erebus. He marked

them all as read before turning his phone on do not disturb and collapsing in bed. He had barely slept

the night before, half in terror of the lioness determined to sleep beside him and half in worry about

the upset sorceress in the other room.

It doesn't matter, she's Hecate's problem now.

Circe was full of secrets. Maybe Hecate could get out of her how Pandora had ended up with her

wand. He rubbed at his cheek where she had kissed him. It was unexpected and made him get a hot

flush that he made sure no one witnessed. You need to get laid, she's beautiful, that's all there is to

it.

Charon looked at the new pile of books next to his bed and then decided he didn't have the

concentration to read, so he put a pillow over his head and willed himself to go to sleep.

Hours later, Charon woke in the dark and to the rattle of someone in his kitchen. He found a pair

of pajama pants and pulled them on before taking a dagger from his drawer. It never hurt to be

cautious, especially with Darius and his supply of relics.

"What the fuck are you doing in here?" Charon asked as Erebus dug around in his kitchen

cupboards.

"Oh, hello, little brother, I'm glad you finally woke up," he replied, and there was a knock at the

door. "That's for me." Erebus came back with a tray with two covered plates. "Here, I ordered you

some dinner from the chef. I didn't know when the last time you ate was."

"Are you fussing over me?" Charon asked, putting the dagger down on the kitchen bench. Erebus

saw it and snorted with laughter.

"Like you could take me with that," he said, uncovering the two plates of perfectly cooked steaks.

"Clear some of those books off the table, would you? I swear your shelves are going to collapse and

kill you one day."

"Yeah, yeah," Charon replied with a yawn. All his shelves were bolted in the walls anyway, but it

didn't stop his eldest brother for giving him a hard time about it. Every wall was lined with shelves

and filled with books. His addiction to stories had to be fed somehow now that he wasn't bound in the

Underworld. The shades used to tell him all the stories of their lives and deaths, and it was the only

thing he had missed once Hades had set them free. It had been books that calmed and grounded him in

the early days when he would struggle with his new body, forgetting to sleep and eat until he

collapsed. Fast cars, tattoos, clothes, and books. Those were the things that kept him sane and made

life worth living.

Erebus had struggled the most in his new body, and yet once he had settled in it, he made Charon

eat and look after himself whether he wanted to or not. Looking back at his brother fussing about the

kitchen told him that Erebus had been worried. Charon cleared the table of books, and Erebus put a

plate of food and a beer in front of him.

"Thanks, Mom," Charon said sweetly.

"Bite me," Erebus replied and sat down opposite him. "You went through Zeus's wards twice,

gods know what that does to a mortal body, and if you took Hermes's advice, you haven't eaten in two

days."

"Circe is okay, and I ate with her," Charon replied, taking a sip of his beer.

"Thanatos told me you got her and her lioness back. You had us all freaking out when you started

ranting about a storm that no one else could see and then disappeared entirely." Erebus ate, and

Charon updated him on his adventures on Aeaea.

"Is Circe as terrifying as Hermes makes her out to be?" asked Erebus.

"She has the potential to be, and has a huge amount of power, but she is actually kind of...sweet."

Erebus's black brows rose. "Sweet? The sorceress of Aeaea? You're kidding me, right?"

"Nope, she's a bit standoffish. I can't blame her after everything she's been through, not to mention

having a random stranger turn up, but yeah, she's nice," Charon replied, struggling to find the right

words to describe her.

"Okay, she's nice to you. Is she at least as beautiful as the legends claim?" Erebus asked. In his

mind's eye, Charon saw her in the storm, spear in hand, and glowing with anger and magic.

"So beautiful it almost hurts to look at her for too long," he said finally, shoving a forkful of steak

into his mouth.

"Huh, good to know that some of the stories were right," Erebus replied. "Selene and Hermes are

going to go and see her tomorrow. Hecate thinks it would be better if no one else is around when they

have it out."

"Do you know what he did to her?"

"Only the stories, and they are bullshit," said Erebus. "Maybe they want to keep it to themselves

instead of dragging out their dirty laundry in front of the rest of the Court."

"Or Hecate doesn't want anyone to get hurt when they blast each other into oblivion." Charon

leaned back in his chair. "Not our business either way. Any news on what was found at Lander's place

in Sicily?"

"His death is officially being ruled as an overdose of a bad batch of drugs. They are putting the

people at the party down as the same thing. The mayor is using it as an excuse to crack down on drugs

in Syracuse," Erebus replied. "There was nothing in any of the papers recovered about where they

might be holding Medea. It makes me sick thinking about Darius and his doctor having her. Immortal

bodies can take a beating, but psychologically, she's going to be messed up."

"Then she'll fit right in with the rest of us," Charon said, pushing his plate away. "I'm going to go

back to sleep and have tomorrow off. I had to make sure a lioness didn't decide to eat me last night,

and I'm beat."

"Good idea, I'll let Hades know," Erebus replied. He gathered up their dirty dishes and put them

back on the tray.

"Thanks for dinner and checking in. I'm fine, so you can relax now," Charon said.

"Yeah, you're fine only because Circe likes you and you would make an ugly pig," Erebus replied

as he headed out the door.

"Still hotter than you," Charon called back and went back to bed. He lay awake for a while,

fighting against his common sense and finally text Thanatos. How is she?

Charon was curious, even though he knew it was none of his business. Circe had been so upset the

night before, and he felt responsible for it, which didn't help either.

Thanatos text him back ten minutes later. Circe is fine. She's cooking dinner with Hecate, and

I'm wisely staying out of their way.

Charon didn't bother with a reply. He dropped his phone on the bedside table and put the pillow

back over his head.

* * *

Charon managed to make it to 11 a.m. the following day before his phone started to light up with

messages from Hermes. What are you doing right now? I need your help…. put the book down and

answer me.

Charon ignored it until Selene started calling him, and because he'd never been able to deny her

anything, he answered, "What's wrong, honey?"

"Do you always answer calls from Selene with your bedroom voice?" Hermes demanded.

"You wouldn't know what my bedroom voice sounded like. Why are you calling on her phone?"

Hermes huffed in disapproval. "Because you were ignoring all my messages. I figured you were

ignoring them because it was me, and I was right. Have to say, Charon, I'm a little hurt."

"It's my day off, so I don't have to answer your messages or anyone else's." Charon rearranged the

couch cushion behind him. "Does this call have a point, Hermes?"

"I wanted to invite you to come out for a drive on this lovely day," Hermes said.

"Sure you did, so what's the catch?"

"It will be a drive out to see Hecate and Circe," Hermes replied, making Charon laugh.

"Oh, no, I'm not getting involved in whatever the fuck is between you and the sorceress."

"Come on! Thanatos said she likes you, and maybe your being there will make her less inclined to

murder me."

" Like is probably too strong of a term. I'm sure you guys will be able to work it out. She's easy to

talk to," Charon replied. He didn't want to get in the firing line or make it look like he was taking

sides. He didn't know what Hermes had done to her, but he knew he would deserve whatever Circe

decided to do to him.

Might be a good way to check-in and make sure she's settling in okay. Charon mentally kicked

himself. Of course, Circe would be settling in fine. After all, Hecate was with her and they didn't

need his help for shit.

"Look, Hermes, Thanatos is already out there. He will keep everyone calm."

"Please come, Charon," Selene said, getting her phone back from Hermes. "He's driving me crazy,

and I would like to see for myself that you are in one piece. You really scared me when you

disappeared two days ago."

"You are guilt-tripping me. I don't like Hermes's influence on you," Charon said gruffly. "Fine!

When are you leaving?"

"We are just about to drive out. Hermes doesn't want to use doorways in case his magic upsets

Hecate's wards," Selene replied. Charon rubbed at his cheek, irritably.

"Okay, doll, I'll see you in an hour, but you owe me for this," he said and hung up. "So much for

my day off." Maybe a drive would be nice. He had finished off a tune-up on his Maserati Granturismo

and had been looking forward to a chance to open it up, and the coast road would be lovely.

Whatever excuse you need to tell yourself.

Twenty minutes later, Charon had showered and changed into his favorite ripped black jeans and

a black t-shirt. He wasn't going to give Hermes any fuel to tease him about dressing up because he

was nervous around Circe. The Maserati purred as he started it up and headed out into the streets of

Styx.

The ocean and sky were impossibly blue, and Charon had to admit that going for a drive was a

good idea. He loved to drive, the roar of a perfectly tuned engine was his favorite sound in the world,

and nothing calmed him down faster.

It had been a tense couple of weeks, culminating in some crazy few days, and being behind the

wheel worked its magic in smoothing out his frayed edges.

He turned down Hecate's driveway and was almost in view of the house when a silver BMW

came sailing through the air towards him. Charon swore and swerved as the sedan hit the road behind

him and rolled.

"What the fuck!" He pulled up in front of the house and could hear the shouting before he even

stepped out of the car. Charon hurried through the front door and found Selene hiding in the hallway.

"Are you okay?" he asked, checking her over.

"I'm fine, just staying out of the way," Selene replied, her blue eyes as big as dinner plates. "They

are out back."

"Thanks," he said and took off at a jog. Hecate was trying to get through to Circe from a place

behind the brick fireplace.

Circe was glowing with power and rage. She was terrifyingly beautiful, and Charon's mouth

kicked up into an involuntary grin. Gods, she's magnificent. Circe's magic whipped out, picked up

one of the sunbeds, and aimed for the other side of the yard where Hermes was.

"Stop throwing things at me and listen!" Hermes shouted as he dodged the bed. "I'm not going to

fight you. I only want a chance to apologize."

"I don't want your apologies, you piece of shit!" Circe shouted back.

Charon leaned against one of the fence posts and watched Hermes leap out of the way as a garden

hose tried to wrap itself around his throat.

"Hey, Hec, got any chips?" Charon called.

"Fresh out, unfortunately," Hecate replied, not taking her eyes off Hermes.

Circe's attention snapped to Charon and fear dumped down his spine. Man, she was pissed.

"How's it going, beautiful?"

"Now, you bother turning up!" Hermes snarled from behind a tree.

Charon walked slowly across the yard to where Circe was humming with rage and power. "You

know he's not worth expending this much energy," he said softly. Circe pushed her loose tumble of

long curls from her flushed face.

"He deserves it," she replied, glaring up at him.

"No argument from me, but trashing the place isn't going to help." Charon leaned forward and

whispered conspiratorially, "Want to run away with me instead?"

Circe looked up at him, face grim, and she nodded. "Please get me out of here. I can't handle

looking at him right now."

"Okay, let's go for a drive and cool off for a bit," Charon said and then smiled. "You can always

kill him later if you still feel like it."

Circe's mouth twitched, but she didn't smile back, only followed him across the grass. He looked

over his shoulder and gave a relieved looking Hecate a wave.

Charon opened the passenger door of the Maserati, and Circe slid into the front seat. He didn't

stop to consider that putting a pissed off sorceress into his favorite car might be a bad idea until it

was too late. His smile widened. What is life without a bit of risk?

5

Circe sat stiffly in the leather chair as the machine around her growled to life. Car, her mind

provided her. It's called a car. She winced when they drove past the silver one she had thrown at

Hermes. She looked sideways at Charon, expecting him to ask what happened, but he didn't.

"I know what you need," Charon said as they pulled out of the dirt road and onto a smooth black

one. The glass window beside her disappeared into the door, and warm, salty air washed over her.

Everything blurred around her, and suddenly they were moving fast.

Instead of being scared, Circe leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, letting the wind and

roar of the car drown out all the screaming voices in her head. Circe opened her eyes again and

noticed the small smile in the corner of Charon's mouth.

"It's good isn't it?" he said, noticing her watching him.

"Yes, but where are we going?" Circe asked.

"Nowhere in particular," replied Charon. "You just looked like you needed out, so out we went."

"Before I killed Hermes?"

Charon shrugged. "He's hard to kill. He was going to wait until you burned yourself out before he

tried talking to you. This way, he doesn't get the satisfaction."

Circe choked back a laugh. She was too shocked by his presence on Aeaea to realize how easy

Charon's company was, but when she saw him turn up at Hecate's, all she felt was a relief to see his

handsome, friendly face.

"You succeeded and we are out, so what do you think I need now?" she asked and was surprised

to see the flush on his neck.

"It could be one of two things," he replied with mock certainty. "Gelato or cocktails."

Circe frowned, trying to place the words. "I don't know what either of those things are."

"Then that makes the decision easy," Charon said with a sly smile. "We get both."

As they drove, more buildings came into view, and Charon explained they were in a place called

Loutraki. Circe had never seen so many people walking together, the beach packed with screaming

children and watchful parents.

"If it gets too much, just say so, okay?" Charon said as they pulled into an empty spot. Circe got

out of the car and joined Charon on a pathway. Circe noticed eyes turning their way, staring at the car

and at Charon.

"Why is everyone looking at you?" she whispered. She couldn't blame them. He was strangely

beautiful with all his tattoos and kind black eyes.

"They aren't looking at me, beautiful," he whispered back with a husky laugh that skittered over

her skin. "This way. I know a place that has great deserts and cocktails."

Charon was careful not to touch her as they walked side by side, Circe looking everywhere,

overwhelmed by the noise, smells and the sun. Her heart was racing nervously as they strolled slowly

down an esplanade of stone, but she didn't want to stop. This raucous life was what Zeus had denied

her, and she wanted to see and taste and do everything.

"Over here," Charon said, waving her over to a place crowded with red tables and chairs. "I love

this restaurant. Take a seat and I'll be right back." He pulled out a chair for her and waited until she

was settled before he headed inside. An older woman greeted him with a happy call and a kiss on

both of his cheeks. They talked easily and casually together, Charon's natural friendliness in full

force.

I wonder how long it will take me to be that comfortable with people? Circe thought. She

quickly looked away when she saw him coming back outside.

"Erika makes the best sorbet and gelato you'll ever taste," Charon said as he sat down opposite

her. He tossed his sunglasses on the table and studied her with his quick black eyes. "You want to talk

about it yet?"

"About what?" she asked, picking at her fingernails.

"You threw a car at Hermes, Circe. That doesn't strike me as something you would do without

provocation." Circe contemplated telling him, the ache in her chest a sure sign that she needed to talk

about it, even though she would kick herself over it later.

"You can talk to me. I promise I won't tell the others. Hell, I might even get in on beating the shit

out of Hermes if he deserves it that badly," said Charon. "I can hold his arms and you can hit him."

Circe laughed. "That actually does sound like fun."

The woman Charon had kissed came out of the restaurant with a tray. "You shouldn't be fighting

with anyone, sweet boy," Erika chided.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he said, as she placed two green drinks on the table and a blue bowl

filled with colorful mounds.

"Don't let him corrupt you," Erika said, winking at Circe. "He's handsome as a devil and twice as

much trouble."

"Hey, don't tell my date that or she won't come out with me again," Charon complained. The

woman chuckled and wagged her finger at him as she walked away.

"She doesn't mean it," he added quickly.

"I'm sure she does. Okay, what is this?" Circe asked, focusing on the colorful mounds in front of

her.

"It's food you put in your mouth. It's cold," Charon said and passed her a spoon. He waited,

watching as she had her first taste. Her mouth exploded with flavor: strawberries, passionfruit, and

sugar.

"Gods, this is amazing," she said, and his face broke into a smile.

"Okay, have another spoonful and then have a mouthful of this," he said, pointing to the glass.

Circe did as she was instructed, and the drink filled her mouth with lemon and lime and something

that burned of alcohol.

"I agree with Erika. Knowing both of these things exist is now going to get me into trouble," Circe

said, making a happy sound as she had more to drink.

"I told you, cocktails and gelato, they are always the solution to a shitty day," Charon replied,

digging his own spoon in. "You don't have to talk about Hermes if you don't want to. I just want you to

know that being the ferryman to the dead has made me an exceptionally good listener."

"But you are also Hermes's friend," Circe said, toying with her spoon.

Charon nodded. "True, but I'm your friend too. Or at least, I'd like to be. If you want."

"Why?" Circe couldn't stop the question from coming out. She didn't have friends, even before she

was cursed. The ones she had tried to make after the curse had all betrayed her in the end. Unloved

one, Zeus's voice echoed through her head. She drank more of her cocktail to drown him out.

"Because I like you. You're fierce. You've been punished for it, and it still hasn't broken you. I

admire that quality in my friends. Also, I really think you need one. Hell, we all need a friend

sometimes," Charon answered, and had a mouthful of his drink.

"I'll tell you if you tell me one secret. That way, the friendship will be balanced."

"Mutual blackmail material? I can live with that," Charon said and tapping his spoon thoughtfully

against his lips. "Here's something I haven't told anyone…sometimes I really miss the Underworld."

Circe's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really? Why? It always sounded so miserable."

"Some parts of it are. Mostly, I miss that feeling of not being other. We look human, but we aren't.

These bodies are good for a lot of things, but sometimes, it feels like another prison. In the

Underworld, shit was simple. I miss that feeling of knowing my exact place in the universe." Charon

cleared his throat. "But then I remember gelato and cocktails and books, and it convinces me that

staying around is a good idea."

"You have books?" she asked eagerly.

"Lots of them, you can borrow some of them if you like."

"Thank you," Circe said with a smile.

Charon quickly looked away and scooped up some more gelato. "Okay, you know my secret, so

out with it."

"Have you ever been in love?" Circe asked. Charon was silent for a long time, and Circe was

surprised how seriously he took the question.

"Only with myself and you know, sometimes that's the hardest relationship you'll ever have,"

Charon replied finally. "You will always be shit at loving someone else if you can't love yourself. I

haven't gotten there with anyone else yet. Why do you ask?"

"Because the first curse I ever had was to be cursed in love. First, it was Glaucus and then

Odysseus. Gods, it's embarrassing. You want to know why I hate Hermes so much? He fucked me

over when I had already been robbed of everything," Circe said, trying to hold together the ragged

wound inside of her that still ached.

"We are definitely going to need more cocktails." Charon waved at Erika, who brought out

another two drinks. "I take it back. You really don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Circe."

"No, it might be good?" Circe had a mouthful of her cocktail and tried to steady her emotions. "I'm

going to tell you the short version because the long one might actually kill me."

"I'm happy with any one you're comfortable with."

Circe ran her hands through her hair and let out a tight breath. "You know the story of Odysseus

and how he struggled to get home after the Trojan War. The gods were still playing their games with

him, keeping him from getting there for their own entertainment, and Zeus, who has always hated me,

decided to get Poseidon in on the fun and send Odysseus and his full crew of soldiers to Aeaea to

cause problems for me."

"Zeus was always such an asshole, but from what I've been told, you got yours back and turned the

crew into pigs," said Charon.

Circe laughed bitterly. "Do you know what a group of soldiers around one lone woman is called,

ferryman? A fucking rape of men. I turned them into pigs to stop it happening, and I won't apologize

for it. I'm a titaness, I would've survived it, but I wasn't about to lie back and let it happen to me."

"Odysseus needed his crew back, so Hermes decided to give his great-grandson some help by

giving him an antidote to my magic and some advice, which was to make Circe fall in love with you.

Make her believe it so fully that she will give you back your crew and all the secrets of getting you

home. Make her believe that you will take her with you, free her from her island. Hermes would deal

with Zeus if he got bitter about it, not to worry," she said, her tone turning to a snarl. Charon said

nothing, his black eyes filled with softness and sorrow that she couldn't handle looking at.

"So, that's what clever Odysseus did. You have no idea what being utterly alone can do to a

person. It makes you overwhelmed at physical contact, makes you feel things so deeply that they break

you apart. Odysseus was smart and handsome, and oh, so very charming. He knew exactly what to say

and do because Hermes had told him every vulnerability I had. I fell in love with Odysseus so deeply

that when he finally betrayed me and left me standing on a beach as he sailed away, I actually thought

I was going to go mad. He wasn't just my lover; he was my hope to escape Aeaea. He didn't care

about that, he was only doing what Hermes had told him. There was no way Zeus would let me go so

easily. He made that very clear with every visit he made," Circe said, her heart aching with anger.

She downed the rest of her cocktail, suddenly wanting to be numb and drunk.

"Zeus used to visit you? Why?" Charon asked, his gentle tone turning to a growl.

"Every seven years, he would arrive and make me an offer. If I fucked him for seven days and

seven nights, he would let me go." Circe pulled a disgusted face. "I would rather stay on the island,

and I told him as much. I thought that maybe he had finally given up when he stayed away for twenty

years, but he was dead all that time. All those years, and still, Pandora never came for me."

"So, it was Pandora who found you and stole your wand?" Charon didn't miss a thing.

Circe shook her head. "You already got one painful story out of me, titan. I'm in no mood to give

you another."

"Fair enough."

"That's it? You're not going to defend Hermes when he's your friend?" Circe demanded. She had

expected more of a reaction than… understanding.

"Hermes is my friend, but I'm not going to defend him. I can tell you honestly at that time, Hermes

didn't do much without Zeus's approval, or that wasn't his command. He was still trying to be his son.

Hermes isn't that god anymore, and he can talk to you and earn your forgiveness himself," replied

Charon, flicking a coin idly over one of his fingers.

"I also don't think you're cursed in love. Believe me, I've heard stories like yours many times

before. One thing I've learned is that most of the time, the person you tried to love didn't deserve it or

didn't know how to receive it. Whether it was bullshit to him or not, you loved Odysseus truly. He

didn't deserve your heart or your help. The curse lies with him, not you. From what I've seen, you are

amazing, and the great hero Odysseus can go fuck himself."

Circe laughed and then put her hand over her mouth to smother it. Of all the responses she

imagined him having, she didn't think he would take her side. No one, especially a male, had ever

taken her side. "You might be right. Has anyone told you that you are a good listener and deceptively

wise?"

"Well, I read a lot, and that helps with the wisdom part," Charon replied, and shot her a grin.

"Also, I have two eyes in my head and can see for myself that you've been treated poorly without

provocation. You deserve to do whatever you like now that you are free of assholes and shitty gods."

"Like eat gelato and drink cocktails forever," Circe said, smiling back.

"I'd support you in that endeavor. There are definitely worse ways to live." Charon toyed with the

coin in his fingers thoughtfully. "You know, there are lots of fun things you still haven't experienced.

What you need is a guide."

"Are you offering?" Circe asked, an unfamiliar feeling sparking inside of her.

Charon smiled. "I'll be around, sure, but you are going to need someone way cooler than me to

bring you back into the world."

6

Early the next morning, Charon found Ariadne and Asterion eating croissants and drinking coffee in

the Temple's gardens. They were splitting their time between the apartment in the Labyrinth and the

lavish rooms at the Temple because Ariadne was just as much of a control freak as Asterion and

wanted to keep an eye on her murderous pack of girls.

"He lives after all!" Ariadne exclaimed, getting up and hugging Charon. "I'm happy to see you."

"Remind me to never go hunting invisible islands again," he replied, kissing her on the top of her

head.

"At least you found Circe, though it might not be a good thing if you believe Hermes's griping,"

said Asterion. He held out a white paper bag. "You hungry? These are good."

"Thanks," Charon replied, selecting a pastry and sitting down at their table. "Hermes deserved

having a BMW thrown at him. Lucky it wasn't one of mine."

"I heard that you came in all gallant and shit and whisked the sorceress away. What's up with

that?" Ariadne asked, waggling her eyebrows at him.

"It was either take her out to cool down or watch her put Hermes's immortality to the test. I'm sure

she will hear him out in a day or so. I've actually come to ask you a favor, Ariadne." Charon munched

his croissant, and Ariadne poured him a coffee.

"What kind of favor? The murdering kind?" There was a gleam in her eyes that boded all kinds of

trouble.

"Better not be," Asterion grumbled.

"No, no killing. I want you to take Circe out and show her Styx," said Charon.

"Why me? She likes you."

"Because I have shit to do, and she needs a female friend that's not Hecate. Selene is out because

she's with Hermes. Medusa and Persephone are too busy. Besides, you are the youngest and funniest,

and Circe needs someone with that kind of energy. She's really cool, and I know that she won't

intimidate you," Charon explained.

"You really like her, don't you?" asked Asterion.

"Yeah, she's good company. It's not babysitting, Ariadne. I honestly think you will be quick

friends." Charon didn't like the appraising way Asterion was looking at him. What the fuck is he

smelling on me? He had showered twice since dropping Circe off the previous evening, and he hadn't

touched her once. Even when he had really wanted to.

"You never ask anyone for anything, so I'll do it," said Ariadne. She leaned back in her chair. "I've

always had mad respect for Circe in the stories. It will be good to meet a real live legend." Both

Charon and Asterion pointed to themselves, but Ariadne only laughed.

"You're lucky you are so beautiful," Asterion growled, pulling her into him for a hard kiss.

"And that's my cue to leave," Charon said, getting up and brushing stray pastry from his shirt.

"What are you up to for the rest of the day? You know, in case Circe needs to calm down and look

at something pretty," Ariadne asked, batting her long lashes at him.

"I'm going to check in with Medusa and see what I've missed on the search for Darius. You are

plenty pretty to distract anyone. Take Circe out, help her get whatever she needs."

"You aren't going to take her shopping? But it's like...your thing," said Ariadne.

"Circe doesn't need my help or fashion advice. She could wear a beige potato sack and still look

amazing. I'll see you both later," Charon replied, and made his escape before they could ask him any

more questions.

Charon didn't want to talk about Circe. He had spent a restless night going over and over what she

had told him. He wanted to give Hermes a smacking himself.

Charon had been careful to be calm and collected when she had told him her story. Inside, he

wanted to go down to the Underworld, kick the shit out Odysseus's shade and piss on Zeus's

decapitated head.

She doesn't need you to be a white knight. He had always been more of a brass knuckles thug

than white knight material anyway.

Charon had gone to sleep with her apple blossom and juniper scent in his nose and had dreamed

of the late sunshine in her hair and her smile when she ate gelato. If she had been any other woman, he

would've kissed her goodnight and asked her out again. But she was a sorceress, and it hadn't been a

date and the thought of kissing her full lips almost paralyzed him.

"You're too old to be crushing on a girl so far out of your league," Charon told his reflection in the

rearview mirror. He had to focus on what mattered, and that was finding Darius and getting all the

relics of power out of his hands.

Over the past few months, Medusa had slowly begun to relinquish some of her Serpentine

commitments to capable managers, freeing her up to focus on hunting down Pithos and Darius. The

rooms she had allocated to the search were looking like a crazy person's collage of photos, maps,

sketches, printed bank records, and red string.

"What did I miss?" Charon asked from the doorway. Medusa jumped in fright and made sure her

glasses were in place.

"Sneak up on me, why don't you!" she gasped.

"I come bearing gifts," Charon said and passed her a latte that he had picked up from her favorite

coffee shop.

"You're lucky you're so cute." Medusa took the coffee and looked him over. "I thought you would

be more banged up, but it looks like Circe took it easier on you than Hermes."

"I'm nicer than he is," Charon said with his usual shrug. He looked over the new information.

"Was this from Lander's?"

"Yes, the guy had a serious obsession with the sorceress. Gods, I'm glad you found her before

Lander did," Medusa said, joining him. "We've managed to dig up some auctioneer's records from

about seven years ago, where they claimed to have the bow of Apollo. He didn't use his name, but we

definitely know that Darius was in Paris for it."

"Any luck on finding stuff about his creepy doctor?" asked Charon. She was the one that Charon

was worrying the most about. From what Hermes had said about her comments at the party twenty

years ago and the fact she had Medea to experiment on, made him wonder what horrible shit she was

cooking in her laboratory.

"Nothing much. We found forty-eight different Doctor Elizabeth Kayne's worldwide, and we are

having to run them down individually. We are better off hunting Darius. He might be legally dead, but

the flashy bastard has his weaknesses. Lola is on this pretty much full time now."

Charon clicked his tongue irritably. "I don't like it when it's quiet like this."

"The noose is tightening. We'll find them," said Medusa. "And what do you mean quiet? With the

arrival of Hecate and now Circe, we are hip-deep in magic, and chaos can't be far behind. I don't

suppose she mentioned how Lander got her wand to begin with?"

Charon shook his head. "No, though she's mentioned Pandora and betrayal a few times. I didn't

want to push it. I'm sure Hecate will get it out of her when she's ready to talk about it. She's probably

so overwhelmed being back in the real world that she needs some time to process it all."

"Hmmm, maybe. Pandora was a sneaky bitch, and if she wasn't such a jerk, I'd almost respect her.

If Circe takes too long, I could always get you to go down to the Underworld and speak with the

psychopath."

"Circe's call, really. Her story, her wand. Don't push her and scare her off."

Medusa raised a perfect red brow. "Does the fierce ferryman have a crush?"

"Ha. You know me, Susa. That's not my style," he said, panic building in him.

" Sure. Where is she now?"

"I set her up on a play date with Ariadne," Charon replied. Medusa's smiled vanished. "What?

They will get along fine."

"Ariadne is going to freak her out! Did you not think about what kind of mischief our beloved

psycho and a sorceress can get up to out there on their own?" she demanded.

"Oh, come on, Susa. They are only hanging out, going shopping, and shit. What possible trouble

could they get into?"

Medusa laughed mirthlessly. "When it all goes to shit, you're the one that's going to be called to

clean it up, Charon."

Hours later, Charon was running errands and putting his dry cleaning back into his apartment when his

front burst open with a bang. He ducked, pulled the knife from his ankle sheathe, and let it fly before

he could think. Ariadne pulled Circe out of the way as the blade hit the wall beside her head.

"Too fucking slow!" Ariadne shouted triumphantly.

"For god's sake! I could've killed you. Don't you know how to knock?" Charon replied.

"I didn't think you were going to be home," said Ariadne, tucking her lock picks in the back of her

jeans.

"I'm sorry, Circe," Charon apologized, pulling the knife from the wall.

"It's fine, I agree with Ariadne, you are too slow," she teased. Half of her hair was back in battle

braids, and she looked fucking adorable in a navy blue jumpsuit and gold sandals that laced up to her

knees.

Look away before you lose an eye.

"Okay, what are you two up to that included breaking into my apartment? You know, you could

have just knocked," Charon said, turning towards Ariadne.

"It was Circe's idea, not mine," Ariadne replied innocently.

"I only wanted to come and borrow a book. She was the one that suggested breaking in and

snooping," Circe corrected. "I didn't argue too hard, since you did crash onto my island after all. It

seemed fair."

"Also, I've never been in your apartment, and it's kind of offensive seeing how we are meant to be

best friends," Ariadne said, looking about. "Right, Circe, go and pick your book while I raid Charon's

fridge."

"You did say I could, right?" Circe looked up at him with her big honey brown eyes and long

lashes, and Charon could only nod dumbly.

"Yeah, pick any of them that you like," he managed to say, his voice cracking. She smiled and then

turned towards the nearest shelf.

"Do you have anything other than craft beer?" Ariadne asked, with her head in his fridge. This

was exactly why he never invited people into his apartment.

"There should be some ciders in the back," Charon said, joining her in the kitchen. "You were

meant to be showing her the city."

"I did. She wanted to come here. I think she's curious about you," Ariadne whispered. "I really

like her. She's funny when she stops being so guarded."

"I know," he said, stopping himself from smiling. He opened the ciders, and Ariadne swigged hers

from the bottle. Charon found a nice glass and poured Circe's out for her.

"Aww, special treatment," Ariadne sniggered.

"Shut up, I want her to feel welcome."

"The dagger thrown at her head ruined that."

Ariadne sat on the bar stools and grinned. "I'm going to get her laid tonight."

Charon choked on his cider. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Come on, man, think about it. She's been stuck on that island alone forever. I'm going to take her

to the club tonight and let nature take its course. She's so hot that she'll only have to glance at a guy or

girl she likes the look of, and it will be a done deal."

"I wanted you to hang out with her, not pimp her out," Charon hissed.

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "You're not her big brother, Charon. She can pick up if she wants to. I'd

never force the issue, but she told me herself that she wants to get laid. I'm only helping her out. You

should come too, blow off some steam. You seem really tense."

"Ariadne is right, you should come," Circe said, joining them and sipping her cider.

"Charon is a really good dancer," Ariadne added, and he almost threw the knife at her again.

"Is that so?" Circe gave him an appraising look that made him sweat.

"He really is! Persephone always bails him up whenever she can. I know! You can come to be

Circe's wingman! I'm sure you know heaps of available hot guys."

"Absolutely not," Charon growled, folding his arms. "I'm not going to have anything to do with

this."

Ariadne's eyes narrowed. "What's the deal? You've never been one to turn down a party."

"I have…plans," he said, doing his best not to look at Circe. He would probably murder any man

who looked at her with bad intentions in his eyes.

"That's a shame. Maybe, some other time?" Circe asked, and he could've sworn that she sounded a

little hopeful.

"Sure. Yes." Charon looked at the books in her hands. "Good choices."

"You don't mind if I take more than one?"

"Of course not! Take as many as you like. As you can tell, I won't run out of things to read," he

said, relieved that the conversation topic had changed.

"We should go. I need to find beauty here a party dress. Something salacious and sparkly, I think,"

Ariadne interrupted, making Circe laugh. Charon wished that the floor would swallow him whole.

"Have fun," he said, waving awkwardly at Circe.

"Why are you acting so weird?" Ariadne whispered on her way past.

"I'm not. You are."

"I'm onto you," she said threateningly.

"Whatever. Just make sure you don't let her out of your sight. And…and don't let her go home with

someone… rubbish."

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "See? Weird. Why do you care?"

"She doesn't need her heart broken again," he replied, and that made Ariadne really laugh.

"It's about her vagina, not her heart. I'll see you later. Enjoy your…plans." Ariadne hurried after

Circe, looping her arm easily around hers. Circe looked over her shoulder and smiled at him before

she disappeared into the elevator. Charon let out a long groan and slammed his door shut.

7

Circe spent the rest of the day with Ariadne, finally ending up at the Temple. She was surprised

when Ariadne told her about her past and that of the girls living in the building. Ariadne was a

joyous, warm person, and Circe had trouble reconciling that with the image she painted of a

bloodthirsty assassin and said as much.

"You better believe it. I have a few scars to prove it," a man replied. He was big and handsome,

and Ariadne lit up as soon as she saw him.

"This is Asterion," she said, standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek loudly, "and he is crazy about

me."

"He is. Nice to meet you, at last, Circe," Asterion added and shook her hand. There was a low

hum of power coming off him.

"Charon said that you were a Minotaur, but he didn't mention that you could shift into a man,"

Circe said. Asterion had been cursed and suffered because of Zeus, so she had no doubt they would

be friends.

"Charon always leaves out all the important details. If you ever want decent gossip, you go to

Erebus," Asterion advised. "I have to get going and do some work before the Labyrinth opens tonight.

I'll see you lovely ladies later." He kissed Ariadne so tenderly Circe slipped away to give them

privacy. She remembered what it was like to be that in love, to have every kiss make you burn with

happiness.

Talking about her disastrous relationship with Odysseus to Charon the day before had eased some

of the embarrassment she had felt over being tricked by him, but it had also reminded her of the

moments it had felt good before it had fallen apart.

Circe had lain in bed, going over what Charon had said and her afternoon with him. Despite being

enraged by Hermes, she'd ended up having a nice time with the titan. Probably too much of a nice

time. As the afternoon had worn on, Circe wondered more than once what he would be like as a lover

and had to crush the thought every time it surfaced. She wasn't convinced she wasn't cursed when it

came to love. She meant to hold to her vow to never risk it again.

Despite that, Circe had woken in the night, sweating and yearning for a man's touch for the first

time in centuries. Take Ariadne's advice, find a man tonight, and get it out of your system.

Circe wandered off through the Temple and followed the sound of voices. She found a training

room with girls of all ages attacking each other with weapons.

"You need to adjust your grip on that. Otherwise, you will keep dropping it," Circe said to one

with a spear in her hand.

"What do you mean?" she asked, so Circe helped her, and spent the next hour showing the other

girls the best way to use a spear. In return, they had shown Circe how to use her new phone and spent

time passing the phone around, taking photos, and giggling.

"You are good with them," said Ariadne when she finally appeared again.

"Women are smarter than men, so they are easier to teach," Circe replied with a small shrug.

"True. Come on, let's get you ready to dance the night away," Ariadne said.

Hours later, Ariadne was leading Circe through a crowd of people to a bar. She greeted the barman as

she ducked over to the serving side.

"What do you prefer? Sweet or tangy?" Ariadne asked.

"Sweet," Circe replied. She watched as Ariadne mixed ingredients together and poured out two

yellow drinks.

"Here, I call this one 'The Apple of Discord,'" Ariadne said, placing the glass in front of her.

Circe sipped. It was apples and cinnamon and fire that danced happily in her mouth.

"I like it. Are you a witch in training like Selene?" she asked, making Ariadne laugh.

"No, I prefer to think of myself as a potion master," she replied, a teasing light in her stormy eyes.

"After a few of these, all your social uneasiness will melt away, I promise."

"Then I will drink them quickly."

Ariadne lifted her glass to her. "Bottoms up."

Five drinks later, Circe was on the dance floor, losing herself in the music and trying not to think

about Charon. She didn't like feeling disappointed that he hadn't come out with them. You shouldn't

even care.

Ariadne had been right, there were plenty of handsome men in the city to entertain her. She didn't

need to worry about the one who wasn't there or interested.

"Where are you from? I haven't seen you around," one man shouted to her over the thumping

drums.

"Worlds away," she said, letting him draw her close to dance with her. He was tall with dark

curly hair and tattoos running up his arms. They weren't as nice as Charon's, but he would do to get

the mild fixation cured. She laughed as he spun her around and drew her close again. He smiled and

kissed her, and something moved into her mouth.

"What was that?" Circe asked as she swallowed.

"Something to blow your mind, sexy," he replied. Circe laughed again as the room began to spin,

the lights above her blurring like rainbows and starlight. She was dimly aware that her magic was

pulsing with the music, making the lights shine brighter. She was flying, and for the first time in

centuries, she felt absolutely nothing but bliss.

* * *

For the third time that evening, Charon contemplated heading out to the Labyrinth and had talked

himself out of it. He had dressed and undressed in three different outfits and had been about to leave

the apartment each time before storming back to his bedroom and taking his clothes off.

Going out was a bad idea. He knew he wouldn't be able to watch men drape themselves over

Circe. He was better off keeping his ass firmly planted on his couch. His phone buzzed, and he was

surprised to see it was Asterion.

"Hey, what's up?" Charon answered.

"The sorceress," said Asterion, and Charon's stomach dropped.

"What? Is she okay?"

"Oh, she's okay, but everyone else in the club isn't. I need you to get your ass over here now and

get her down," Asterion shouted over the thumping bass.

"What do you mean, get her down?" Charon demanded as he dragged on a pair of jeans and

grabbed his keys.

"She's in the air, and so is half the club."

"Fuck! I'll be right there."

Ten minutes later, Charon jumped out of his Ferrari and tossed the keys to the club's valet. "Keep

it here, I'll be right out."

"Glad you're here, sir. Shit's getting weird in there," he said, opening the door for Charon.

Inside, the music was still pumping, and Asterion and Ariadne were waiting for him.

"Where is she?" Charon demanded, searching the crowd.

"Wrong way," Asterion said over the music and pointed up.

Charon's mouth fell open as he spotted the fuchsia pink and gold woman floating high above them

like a sexy angel. Magic glittered like stars around her as she danced weightlessly to the music. Every

few seconds, magic would touch people in the crowd, and they would drift up off the ground and

twirl in the air.

"No matter what I say, she won't come down," said Ariadne.

"What the fuck did you give her?" Charon demanded angrily.

"Only a few cocktails, you know how we feel about drugs in the club," she replied testily.

"Just get her down and get her the fuck out of here before this turns dangerous," Asterion said.

Charon pushed his way through the dancers to where Circe was floating horizontally above him,

flashing her sexy pink panties for everyone to see.

"Sorceress, come down!" he shouted and was ignored. "Circe!"

She twisted mid-air at the sound of her name and he waved up at her. Her smile was lightning, and

he felt it hit him in places he didn't know existed.

Charon didn't want to startle her, so he smiled back, coaxing at her with a finger. Come get me,

baby.

Circe was dazzlingly beautiful as she began floating down towards him. Dancers moved out of the

way as he held his arms out to her. Her warm, luscious body slid down his as she glided into his

embrace, her arms going around his neck.

"Gorgeous girl, what were you doing up there?" he asked, holding onto her a little longer than

what he should have.

"You came," she said dreamily, running her hands through the hair at the back of his neck. Charon

was aware of the people staring, so he dipped her slowly and sexily, before gently setting her down

on the floor.

"Bow," he said and as she did, he started applauding her. The crowd caught on, thinking it had

been a performance and broke out in loud clapping and cheers.

"Nice save," Asterion said, as he joined them. "Now get the hell out of my club."

Circe leaned back into Charon. "My head is spinning, Charon. You should spin with me."

"What did you take, doll," he asked her, pushing the hair out of her face. Her pupils were so

blown out, her eyes were almost fully black.

"The cute man said it was something to blow my mind," she answered.

" Which man?" Charon growled. He was going to fucking murder the prick. Circe pointed to

where a guy with tats was watching them. Charon had taken two steps towards him when Asterion's

heavy hands came down on his shoulders.

"I'll deal with him, you get Circe out of here," he said. Charon had the satisfaction of seeing the

man turn to get away and find Ariadne behind him, the tip of her knife under his chin.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's go," Charon said to Circe. She was swaying unsteadily, so he lifted

her up in his arms, the crowds parting as he carried her off the dance floor.

Circe put her hands on his cheeks. "How dare you be so handsome. I hate you so much for it. If

you were ugly, it would be easier to not like you."

"It won't bother you tomorrow, don't worry about it," said Charon.

Circe curled into him. "It's been bothering me since you crashed on my island."

Outside, the valet opened the passenger door, and Charon placed Circe down and clicked her seat

belt on.

"Here, she is going to need this," one of the bouncers said, passing Charon a bottle of water.

"Thanks, guys," he replied and got in. "Drink this, Circe."

Charon drove out into the night streets, still tempted to go back into the club and kick the shit out

the guy who thought it was okay to roofie her.

Circe groaned with happiness as she drank the water, the sound making Charon shiver.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked through gritted teeth, once all the water was gone.

"Yes, everything has stopped spinning, so it must be wearing off. Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you home, we are almost there," Charon said.

"No, take me back. I was meant to get a man tonight," Circe replied, struggling in her seat.

"You threw too much magic around for people not to have noticed. It's better that you leave it be

for tonight. You can get laid another time. It's not like there is a man alive that would say no to you,"

Charon said, changing gears and trying not to look at her lovely, full breasts in the plunging pink

neckline.

Circe turned in her seat to look at him, her eyes going back to normal as the ichor in her veins

healed the drugs in her system.

"Does that include you?" she asked, making Charon swerve in surprise.

"Me? I mean, I would never assume you would be interested or that I'm even your type," he

struggled to answer. Oh gods, how drunk is she to ask me this?

"What if I am interested? I'd rather have sex with someone that I like rather than a stranger. I like

you, and I'm attracted to you so..."

Charon swallowed hard, his traitorous body already tightening with excitement. "Are you asking

what I think you're asking?"

Circe made a sound of exasperation. "Do you want to have sex with me or not? Because if you

aren't interested, you can turn this damn car around and take me back to find someone who is."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a fuck, Charon. It's a yes or no question I'm asking, so if you don't want to, say so."

"Circe, it's not that I don't want to-"

"Then there is no issue, is there?" she said. Her hand slid slowly up his thigh, and Charon

slammed on the breaks, pulling over in a parking lot before he crashed.

"Whoa, girl, stop," he said, grabbing her hand before she found out just how hard he already was.

"What's wrong?" Circe asked. "You don't want to?"

"I do want to, but I don't want you to regret it in the morning," Charon said quickly. "You were off

your face less than twenty minutes ago, and I'm not going to have sex with someone who is high, no

matter how badly I am tempted to."

"Charon, look at me. I've barely got a buzz left. You know how quickly human alcohol and drugs

wear off for our kind," Circe replied and took his face in her hands. "Now, if you don't get in the back

seat, I'll make you."

Charon's self-control vanished as he stroked the soft skin of her throat, his thumb running along

her jaw. "I won't be another guy who just takes what he wants. So, if you want to do this, you call the

shots. You're in control."

"Just the way I like it," she whispered against his lips and snapped her fingers. Charon was

suddenly sitting in the middle of the back seat, the seat belts on either side of him wrapping around

his wrists and tying him down.

"Holy shit," he gasped. Circe got out of the car and opened the back door. Charon watched wide-

eyed as she stepped out of her pink underwear and dropped them on the seat beside him. Fuck me,

this can't really be happening.

"Last chance to back out, titan," Circe purred.

"No way in all the hells," Charon replied, his heart pounding as she climbed in and straddled him.

Charon tried not to strain his hands in his bonds as she unbuttoned his shirt.

"I love these," Circe said, tracing her nails down his tattoos.

"I knew you were fondling me the day I met you," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Circe gave him a sly smile. "Mmm...Maybe a little." She bent down and sucked on his nipple, her

tongue toying with his piercing and making him swear as a shot of hot, wet pleasure went straight to

his dick. "Ah, you like that."

"Yes," he groaned as she did it again, her fingers toying with the other one. Charon was so hard it

hurt as she worked her way across his chest. His hands clenched into fists as she pushed the straps of

her dress off, exposing her gorgeous breasts, her nipples hard as she explored him. She ran a hand

down over his dick, making him grow even harder.

"You're torturing me with these restraints, sorceress," he said, his hands and mouth aching to taste

and explore every part of her. He wanted to tear the seatbelts out and pounce on her. Circe's hands

gripped his hair aggressively, making his head tilt back and expose his neck to her.

"You said I could do whatever I want, and you tied up, and helpless beneath me is what I want,"

Circe replied, and scraped her teeth down his throat. Her nails trailed slowly down his stomach and

unbuttoned his jeans.

"Holy fucking gods," Charon gasped as she pulled his dick free and gave it a hard stroke. If she

kept doing that, he was likely to come in her hand like an amateur.

"There are no gods here, only us," Circe whispered in his ear as she moved over him, moving the

head of his dick across her wet entrance.

Charon struggled against his restraints as she guided him slowly inside of her. She was so tight

and hot that he saw stars as he went deeper.

Circe whimpered as he filled her, her teeth biting hard into his shoulder. He moved his hips,

slowly rocking her as she adjusted to the size of him.

"I'd forgotten how good this feels," she admitted breathlessly as she began to thrust against him.

Charon couldn't respond as she gripped his shoulders tightly and found a maddening rhythm.

"Does it feel good for you too?" she asked him, and Charon could've wept at the uncertainty in her

voice.

"Being inside of you is like if Elysium was a sensation," he replied honestly. Circe smiled

wickedly, and he had to fight not to come as she thrust harder against him. It took every ounce of his

self-control not to tear out the seatbelts holding him as she tossed her golden head back and started

riding him with abandon.

"Show me," Charon begged, his breathing ragged. She lifted the hem of her skirt so he could

watch her moving over him. "That is the hottest damn thing I've ever seen. Why do you have to be so

perfect?"

"Fuck, Charon," Circe whimpered as she began to shake. She bit into him and muffled her screams

against his skin as she came hard on top of him. She kept moving against him, and his own orgasm

surged through him until they were both sweating and fighting for breath.

"If you untie me, I'll do that all again, but make it twice as good," he said, meaning every word.

He had to get his hands and mouth on her to kiss her until she-

Bang! Charon nearly leaped out of his skin as a huge lioness landed on the hood.

"It's okay, it's only Nia come to find me," Circe laughed softly against him. "Thanks, Charon, I

really needed that."

Before Charon could object, Circe climbed off him and opened the door. Nia jumped off the car,

and they both disappeared back into the forest, leaving Charon bound and breathless with his dick out.

"What the fuck just happened?" he said, staring dumbly into the night.

8

"How was the big night out?" Hecate asked the next morning. Circe sat down at the bench and laid

her head onto the cold marble top. She groaned at how nice it felt. "That good, huh?"

"Someone looks like she needs breakfast," said Thanatos with a soft chuckle.

"I will give you whatever you ask for if you feed me," Circe mumbled against the marble.

"Drink some of this, it will help," Hecate said and placed an herbaceous smelling concoction

down beside her.

"What is it?" Circe asked, lifting her head and sniffing it.

"Doesn't matter, just drink it."

Circe took a steadying breath and then downed it quickly. "Oh, give me some water quick," she

complained, almost throwing it back up again as Thanatos hurried to fill her a glass. She snatched it

from him and drank it all down.

"How much did you drink to actually have a hangover this morning?" Hecate asked as she patted

Chara, the Doberman never far from her side.

"It wasn't the alcohol. Some man gave me something when he kissed me," Circe complained. And

I had really good sex with Charon. She groaned again and put her forehead down on the marble to

hide her burning face.

"Asterion rang me this morning and told me things got a little wild last night. Never mix drugs and

magic," Thanatos said, his serious tone giving way to amusement. "Lucky Charon convinced you to

get out of there when you did. Medusa is shedding a skin this morning trying to deal with all the

conspiracy theorists on social media who are analyzing all the footage people got of you."

"I'm never letting you go out with Ariadne again," grumbled Hecate.

Circe only sat up when Thanatos placed a plate of fried eggs down in front of her.

"How did you get home? I didn't hear Charon drop you off," Thanatos asked.

"I put a cloaking spell on the car, so we didn't wake you up," she lied and ate a mouthful of eggs.

She had woken that morning smelling like Charon's aftershave and sex. Her bare feet were dirty,

her pink dress ripped, and leaves were still in her hair from her run through the forest. Even after a

thorough scrubbing, she still could smell the ghost of him on her skin.

Circe couldn't bear to think about how she had left Charon. What must he think of me? She had

been shameless as she had thrown herself at him and used him for her own needs. Knowing he agreed

to it didn't make her feel any less embarrassed about it. It had been reckless. And the best sex of your

life, a traitorous voice added.

Hecate poured out the coffee, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I didn't feel any cloaking magic."

"Isn't that the point? You haven't been my teacher in a long time, Auntie. Maybe I've learned a few

tricks," Circe said with a smile, accepting the cup of coffee.

"Hmm, you'll have to show me after we get back," Hecate replied, in a doubtful tone.

"Where are we going?" asked Circe.

"To Medusa's. We want to show you what we've been working on," Thanatos replied.

"Medusa, who probably wants to kill me for last night?"

Thanatos laughed. "Don't worry, she's more bark than bite."

Circe seriously doubted Thanatos's assessment of Medusa when she came face to face with the

gorgon. Medusa was smiling, but it didn't quite reach her emerald eyes.

"Delighted to meet you in the flesh instead of the thousands of videos I've had to get taken down

this morning," Medusa said in greeting.

"Would it help if I said I was sorry? Because I didn't want to be drugged by a stranger," replied

Circe.

"Oh, I'm not blaming you. I'm blaming Ariadne entirely for last night's debacle," Medusa said,

folding her arms.

"Lighten up, Susa, we've all fucked up in front of the humans at some point," Charon's voice

called from inside a nearby room. Circe couldn't see him, but hearing him made her stomach flip in a

not unpleasant way. She didn't know he was going to be at Medusa's tower and hadn't quite figured

out what to say to him.

"Charon, please don't encourage her to act out," snapped Medusa. Charon only laughed huskily in

reply as if to say she hardly needed his help. Circe flinched. Maybe you should leave.

"Come now, Medusa, it was a one-off incident. Let us in already. You wanted us to come,

remember?" said Hecate. Circe could see her aunt's patience running thin even if Medusa couldn't.

"Fine, come in. I need to know how Lander got your wand anyway," Medusa said as they

followed her. Circe tried to stop walking, but Thanatos was right behind her and guided her into the

room, blocking the way out.

Charon was sitting at the far side of a large table, typing on his phone with one hand, the other

twisting a coin between his fingers. He looked ridiculously good in a white button-up shirt and black

tie, his sleeves pushed up to show off his tattooed forearms and his boots up on the chair beside him.

He didn't look up as Circe was directed to a wall covered in pictures.

"Anyone look familiar?" Medusa asked her. Circe swallowed, her throat tight, the room too small.

She tried to focus and began scanning the pictures. She pointed to a picture of a handsome man, who

had a cocktail in one hand.

"This man. I know him," she said. In the corner of her eye, Charon shifted in his chair and came to

stand behind her. She didn't turn, but she could feel his restless energy pulsing against hers. She

thought it might have been an effect of the drugs the previous night, this crazy desire when he got too

close, but if he breathed on her wrong, she wasn't going to responsible for her actions. She hadn't

been able to stop thinking about him half-naked under her and...

"That's Darius. Did he come with Pandora to visit you?" he asked, and the name was like a bucket

of cold water.

Circe nodded, her mouth dry. "Yes, they arrived on a sailboat. I'm sorry, I think I need some

air…" Her heart was pounding, and the room swayed. Charon's warm hand slid under her arm to

steady her, and she had the overwhelming urge to lean back into him.

"Are you okay?" Hecate asked, her violet eyes scanning her face.

"I'm fine, Hecate, my breakfast is sitting a bit wrong," Circe said.

"How about some tea?" Medusa suggested. "Charon, show Circe where the kitchen is. I'll have

mine black with two sugars."

"Sure thing, Susa," he said, letting Circe go. She followed Charon back out of the room and to a

small kitchen where he took down white porcelain cups from a cupboard.

"How about something with ginger to settle that stomach of yours?" he asked her. He still wasn't

looking at her.

"Thank you. I'm…I don't want to tell them about the wand," Circe admitted in a rush.

"Better that you do it now before Hades tries to get in your face about it," Charon said. He put tea

bags into the cups.

Circe let out a tight breath. "Look, about last night-"

"You don't need to say it, Circe. We are both consenting adults," Charon interrupted her. His eyes

finally met hers as he held out a steaming mug to her. "Like you said last night, I was only a fuck. It

didn't mean anything, so relax."

"Yes, you're right. Thank you…for the tea," she said. Now she was the one unable to hold his

gaze. He was right, so why did she feel like she had just been kicked?

Charon picked up the other mug and waited for her to go back and join the others. Circe hesitated,

then realized he was there to make sure she didn't make a run for it. She was going to have no choice

but to tell them everything.

"Whatever happened with Pandora, we are going to understand. She's fucked us all in various

ways. There's nothing to be ashamed about," he said, tone softening.

"I was stupid," she groaned.

"No one is perfect. Go on, I promise you can leave straight after." Charon herded her slowly back

to the room and pulled out a chair for her beside Hecate. Medusa accepted her cup of tea from him

with a wink, and he took up a position next to Thanatos at the back wall. They whispered softly

together, and Circe sunk lower into her chair.

"Out with it, Circe. I love you, but I need to know," said Hecate, tapping her nails on the desk.

Circe sipped her tea and smiled a little despite herself. Charon was right, ginger was exactly what

she needed to settle her nerves.

"Pandora and Darius turned up on a sailboat. From what Charon has said, I suppose it must have

been about twenty-one or twenty-two years ago. The seasons blend together on Aeaea, keeping track

of time in years is something I stopped doing in the early days," she began, cradling the warm cup to

her chest. "Darius was charm itself, and even though I never knew Pandora, she was the first immortal

I had seen in centuries apart from Zeus. I was voracious for news on the outside world, scrying can

only give you so much, and I wanted to know everything."

"How long did they stay with you?" asked Thanatos.

"A few months. Darius especially was fascinated with Aeaea and all of the different plant life

there," said Circe.

Medusa grunted, "I bet he was. Did he take some away with him?"

"Yes, I helped him collect samples of…everything."

"Did you teach him magic?" Hecate demanded.

"No! Of course not. I wanted them as friends, but I wasn't stupid enough to tell him what all the

plants could be used for."

"That's something, at least," said Medusa.

"Why? Is it important?"

"We'll get to that."

Circe bit back her impatience. She didn't like the feeling of being on trial because she had been

lonely. "Pandora was warm and friendly, and it was good to have female company again. She and

Darius were lovers, I think, even if he tried to seduce me more than once." Charon's expression

shifted, something dark and angry moving behind his eyes before smoothing out so quickly Circe

thought she imagined it.

"I would never have betrayed Pandora in that way. As I said, we were friends. At least, I

foolishly thought we were. She told me about her plan to take down Zeus. She wanted revenge for

what he had done to her and knew that I would want to help. I wanted off the island, and with Zeus

dead, Pandora assured me that whatever magic he had wrought would die with him, including the

wards shielding Aeaea. She needed my power, but with me bound to the island, she asked for the next

best thing."

"Your wand. Fucking bit-" Hecate hissed, her power flaring. Thanatos placed his hands on her

shoulders, and she settled once more.

"Let her finish," Thanatos said gently, "then, we can abuse Pandora."

Circe licked her lips. "She asked for the wand and I didn't even hesitate. It was a good idea. She

could wield the magic that had been channeled into it over the centuries, and I hardly needed it to

practice my art anymore. I had outgrown it, so what use did I have for it when Pandora could have it

to kill Zeus? She promised she would come back for me as soon as the deed was done," Circe said,

fresh shame flooding her. "I believed her because I wanted to so badly. I should have realized that

Zeus was dead earlier because he never came for his usual visit to taunt me."

"His what?" Hecate hissed, and Medusa shushed her.

"I didn't think Pandora would use it against anyone but Zeus," Circe said, unable to look at

Hecate. "I'm so sorry, Hecate. It was my fault that you were cursed. I was so stupid-" Her aunt's warm

hand rested on her face, tilting it up, so she had to look into her burning eyes.

"Don't you ever say that again. What your wand has been used for is not on you. It's on Pandora

and the rest of her piece of shit cult. Do you hear me?" Hecate whispered, deadly soft.

"Yes, Hecate," Circe said, fighting against the tears in her eyes. "I'll do anything to help stop them.

This is my mess, and I intend to help clean it up."

"Good, because we need someone who can stand up against the relics they are wielding. It's not

just your wand out there, sweetheart," said Charon, arms folded and glaring at the photos on the walls

around them. "The plants Darius collected are going to be a problem, Susa."

"It complicates things, but if there were some miracle plants, they would have been announced to

the world," said Medusa, rubbing at her temple.

"Unless Doctor Kayne decided not to publish anything. We should be focused more on her. She

might have written something on the plants that we don't know about," Charon argued.

"It doesn't matter if Circe didn't tell them their magical properties. Medea might have," said

Thanatos.

"She wouldn't have known unless…Circe?" Hecate's hands tightened on her face.

"I told her some when she came to visit me," Circe said, face flushing as she pulled out of

Hecate's grasp. "Why would Medea tell them?"

"They have her prisoner," Hecate admitted.

"And you didn't bother to tell me?" Circe wheeled on Charon. "What else did you leave out?"

"Nothing! I didn't tell you about Medea because I didn't want to upset you more. I thought Hecate

would tell you, Medea is your niece after all," Charon argued back.

"Double fuck," Medusa groaned.

"I know you have bad blood between you two, and I didn't want to tell you until you had settled,"

Hecate said to Circe, her tone unyielding. "I wanted you to agree to help us find her, despite that."

Medea was one more person that Circe had trusted and helped only to be lied to. "I'll help you get

her back, even if it's so I can strangle her myself," Circe snapped.

"Good, then we are all on the same side," Medusa said cheerily. "Now, let's get to work."

9

Charon paced up and down his apartment, unable to relax and his brain was on fire. After the

meeting at Serpentine, he had gone straight to the gym and had worked out until every muscle had

failed. It still hadn't helped the restless feeling in his bones. Medusa was determined to focus on

Darius, but Charon still couldn't get the doctor out of his head. Better that he fixated on that

psychopath than Circe.

Circe, who made his whole body burn as soon as she was in the same room as him. He had been

determined to play it cool to show her that the previous night hadn't affected him.

He could be aloof and casual about the whole thing. He had always been aloof and casual about

who he had sex with. He was usually the one that set down those kinds of rules, not the other way

around. He was never going to get her apple blossom and juniper scent out of his nose.

That morning, his car still smelled like her when he had gone to check the damage he had done to

it. The rear seat belts and side panels would have to be replaced where Charon had torn them out to

free himself, and the hood was bowed and scratched up, thanks to the lioness who decided to jump on

it.

The guys at his usual body shop had taken one look at Charon's expression and had quickly gotten

in the rear seat to check the damage.

"You missing something?" one of the mechanics, Sandro, had asked and held out a pair of pink

panties on the end of his screwdriver. Charon snatched them and stuffed them into his pocket.

"My lips are sealed. Come back in a few days," Sandro replied with a laugh.

The panties had burned a hole in Charon's pocket for the whole day. He couldn't exactly pass them

back to Circe in front of everyone.

"No. Enough. Focus on the doctor," Charon said aloud, grabbing his laptop, and setting himself up

on the couch. He didn't have Lola's skill, but he knew how to use search engines and if there really

were so many Doctor Elizabeth Kayne's then it wouldn't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes looking

through the public material.

Hours later, Charon was taking notes in a journal about a new research grant when there was a

polite tap on his glass door. Hecate opened the door and waved a bag at him.

"Hungry?" she asked, coming in from the rooftop garden.

"Sure, what are you doing here?"

"Thanatos and I decided we needed a night by ourselves, and Circe needed some space too, so

we are staying at the apartment. We thought you might need some food," Hecate replied as she placed

the bag on the kitchen counter.

"Thanks. Yeah, I've been a bit distracted tonight looking into the doctor," Charon said, getting up.

"Do you want a beer?"

"No, I'm okay. The doctor bothers me, too, especially now that I know that Darius took plant

samples. What a nightmare." Hecate sat down in an armchair.

"It complicates things but maybe not by much. There haven't been any miracle cures or plants

reported, so if they've kept the information to themselves, it means it's going to be easy to contain,"

said Charon, taking out his noodles and grabbing some chopsticks.

"Let's hope so. Circe is upset about Medea, so I decided to make myself scarce until she can work

through it." Hecate sighed. "It's good to have her back, even if she's pissed off. Thank you for coming

to her rescue last night."

"Thanks is not necessary, Hec. She was high. Otherwise, she wouldn't have needed help at all.

She's not a liability, no matter how many videos were taken," Charon said, quickly eating a mouthful

of noodles. Just relax. If Circe told her about what else happened, you would be dead, not getting

dinner.

"Circe will do as Circe wishes. She always has. I'm going to get her teaching Selene about

potions while I help Persephone with her shades abilities," Hecate replied.

"She's talking to Selene, even with her being Hermes's lover?"

Hecate laughed. "As long as Hermes isn't there, or he's not mentioned, they have been fine.

Apparently, the girls at the Temple taught Circe how to use all her apps. She and Selene have been

texting."

"That's great. You should give me her number just in case I'm needed for another rescue mission,"

Charon said, as neutral as possible.

"I suppose that's a good idea. Let me check with her and she can message you if she wants you to

have it." Hecate took out her phone and started typing in a message. "While we are on the topic, I

noticed the way she looked at you today."

Charon didn't have to fake his confusion. "Like she wanted to throw another spear at me?"

"Not exactly, Charon. Do I need to warn you to watch your step?" Hecate asked, eyebrows lifting.

Charon laughed loudly. "Oh, Hecate, you can't be serious. You don't need to play overprotective

Mama Bear. Apart from you, I'm probably the most familiar person to Circe, which is why she's

comfortable with me. It's nothing you need to be worried about."

Hecate's brows lowered, but she didn't look entirely convinced. "Good, be her friend, because

she needs them."

"Thank you for the noodles. I do appreciate that side of your Mama Bear nature," Charon said,

and grinned when she flipped him off with a particularly arcane gesture. "You better get back to

Thanatos, or he'll think I'm making a move on you too, because I'm so irresistible."

"You're full of shit, ferryman. Let me know if you find something on the doctor," Hecate said,

making for the door. "And no dick pics to Circe."

"I'm saving them all for you, beautiful, don't worry," Charon said, blowing her a kiss as she shut

the door on him.

When Hecate was out of sight, Charon downed the rest of his beer, willing his heart rate to go

back to normal. Pissing off Hecate was the last thing he wanted to do. Good thing Circe only wanted

a one-off shag. Otherwise, you'd be dead or worse.

Charon focused back on his noodles and the articles he had been reading before Hecate

interrupted him. There was a newspaper article on a Dr. Kristos Andino out of Thessaloniki, who had

opened a new research building. It was the most advanced in all of Greece and had its grand opening

two years beforehand. The extensive search that Charon had done flagged it, not for the article itself

but a photo credit. A woman was talking to Dr. Andino, her figure half-hidden by a potted tree, the

paragraph underneath them reading, 'Dr. Andino and mentor, Dr. E. Kayne.'

That's a slim lead, Charon chewed his lip as he stared at the dark-haired woman. She was older,

going by the grey in her hair, but the plant obscured too much of her face for him to pick an age.

Charon took a coin from his pocket, letting it flip over his knuckles as he thought. He saved the

picture and started to click on the links to Dr. Andino's research facility.

Their website was a typical, sleek concept with all silver and white features and glossy photos of

the AI and robotics programs to distract people from the fact it had minimal information on what it

was exactly that they did there. It still wasn't much, and Charon would have dismissed it altogether if

it wasn't for the gnawing in his guts that something was off. He pulled out his phone.

"Son of a bitch," Charon muttered when he realized Hermes had managed to steal his phone at

some point without him noticing. He had changed his contact picture to one of him in a sexy pose and

his name to 'My Bi-Fantasy.'

" Yes?" Hermes answered after four rings.

"I don't suppose there's a way I can convince you not to fuck with my phone all the time?" Charon

asked.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, ferryman. Is this the reason you are calling me?"

"I've been looking into the doctor and I might have found her. Seeing how you are the only one

that's ever seen her in person, I wanted you to check it out in case I'm looking into the wrong person,"

said Charon.

"And Lola can't help?"

"Lola is busy tracking Darius. I don't want to go to her and waste her time without something

concrete," Charon explained. The air beside him shivered with magic, and Hermes appeared.

"Show me," he said, sitting on the couch beside him and helping himself to Charon's noodles.

"I found this other doctor. The picture said this woman was his mentor," Charon explained and

went back to the original article. Hermes's frown deepened the more of the article he read.

"Nothing on what they are doing in that new state of the art facility?"

"Nope."

"Suspicious."

"My thoughts exactly. That's the woman," Charon said and zoomed in on the picture. Hermes

leaned in, his hawk eyes focusing on every inch of the woman.

"It could be her, but I can't be a hundred percent with that much shadow. Maybe Lola or one of the

other tech nerds can clean the image up and get a better picture. She definitely has the same build and

hair color, though she has a lot more grey in it," he replied finally. "We should probably look into this

other doctor too. There's something about him that I don't like."

Charon took his noodles back. "Glad it's not just me." His phone buzzed, and he saw an unknown

number with a simple. Hey.

"Ohhh, who's messaging you this late at night?" Hermes teased.

"None of your business," Charon said, putting the phone in his pocket.

"So? That doesn't mean I don't want to know. Circe has been messaging Selene. It makes me

nervous."

Charon laughed. "Why? You think Circe will convince her to dump you? Because that could work

in my favor."

"If you couldn't convince Selene to date you before I came along, then you'll have no chance now

that I've rocked her world." Hermes tugged at his hair and admitted, "I did some dick things over the

years. I'd prefer Selene knowing this version of me, not the son of Zeus."

"But you're still a dick," Charon pointed out.

"So are you. You know what I'm talking about. Circe only knows the Olympian asshole."

"If you and Hecate can learn to get along, I'm sure Circe will come around too. She's cool,

Hermes, you need to give her some time," said Charon.

"Maybe you could put a good word in for me? You could use some of that charm you keep

claiming you have," Hermes replied, making Charon laugh.

"No way. It was fun watching her kick your ass. Now, get out of here and I'll talk to Lola. Maybe

she can get one of the girls to look into Doctor Andino and his mysterious mentor."

"Fine! But I'm taking the rest of these," Hermes said and was gone with Charon's noodles before

he could object.

Charon's phone vibrated in his pocket again, and he pulled it out and checked the message. It's

Circe.

Hey, thanks for your number. Charon messaged back, feeling like a total newbie, and unsure of

the sorceress.

"Nope, focus, Charon, get this stuff to Lola and get yourself together. Your life is too busy to

worry about pretty sorceresses," he chastised himself and went back to researching.

10

It had been two days since Circe learned that Medea not only lived but was now Darius's prisoner.

Medea had lied to her on her one and only visit Aeaea, and even though Hecate claimed Medea was

acting under a curse of Hera's, Circe didn't know if she could trust her niece ever again. That wasn't

to say Circe was willing to leave her in Darius's hands.

Telling Hecate and the others about how Circe had given her wand to Pandora and Darius had

lifted a pressure off her chest, but she acquired another one in the shape of Charon. He had messaged

her back, but then there had been nothing but silence for days. She started and deleted at least ten

messages, giving up on all of them. She was the sorceress of Aeaea. She didn't chase males that

weren't interested.

Had she offended him? It was possible. He had been kind to her, and she had used him and

pretended it meant nothing. It was supposed to mean nothing. Now she wasn't so sure.

To distract herself from thoughts of Medea and Charon, Circe had set up a workroom at the back

of the property. Hecate had a good herb and vegetable garden growing, but Circe liked to use what the

forest around them provided. She had cleaned out an old stone woodshed that Thanatos never used

and had slowly begun to transform it into her space.

They had bought tables and shelves, and Circe had unpacked the dried plants and seeds she had

taken from Aeaea, as well as her golden scrying bowl and her cauldron. She hadn't tried to scry since

she had left. A part of her worried that now that she wasn't on the island, she might have lost the

abilities. Nia's big head bumped into her hip, making Circe turn to pat the lioness.

"I know, I know, I'm being ridiculous. Have you been enjoying hunting in the new forest?" she

asked her, and the lioness purred. Circe turned back to the golden bowl on the bench. It was the only

thing she had taken from Helios's palace the day she had been banished. It was a beautiful piece with

a deep base and vines, plants, and animals embossed into the sides. She had swiped the piece out of

spite, and then it had become her favorite dish for scrying. She took a jug of water she had collected

from a nearby stream and filled the golden bowl halfway. There was comfort in the routine, and her

magic swirled inside of her before wrapping around the bowl.

Steam built on the surface of the water, and Circe leaned forward over it. She didn't have any

clear thought on what she was looking for, merely testing her abilities. She certainly didn't expect to

see Charon in the water. He was in a gym with Erebus and was sweating as he did push-ups.

Heat flushed Circe's face, as she watched mesmerized as his powerful body moved. After a few

minutes, his head lifted, and he looked around before playing around on his phone. Circe jumped as

her phone buzzed on the bench beside her.

Are you spying on me, little sorceress?

"How does he even know that?" Circe complained out loud.

She texted back: No idea what you are talking about. Why would I spy on you anyway? She

didn't have long to wait before he was grinning at his screen. It made her flush with happiness that she

could make him grin like that.

Why indeed. I hope you enjoy the show, came the quick reply. Then he very slowly took his shirt

off. Circe couldn't look away as he toweled himself down and then went back to his push-ups. Her

mouth watered the longer she watched his muscles flex and sweat.

Circe knew how good his hard body felt under her hands, between her thighs, and how his skin

tasted on her tongue as he moved inside of her. A soft groan of frustration escaped her. Enough days

had passed that she regretted not kissing him, not exploring his lips and learning the feel of them

against her too hot body. Now he would probably never let her find out, all because she had foolishly

lied and told him he meant nothing to her.

"Wow, when do I get to learn that trick?" a woman's voice said behind Circe, and she yelped, her

palm coming down on the surface of the water, dissolving the image of Charon instantly. "Easy, I

didn't mean to frighten you. I'm Persephone."

Circe searched her memory for all the names that had been thrown at her in last week. "Hades's

wife?"

"Ha! He wishes. Hecate told me to come out back and say hi," Persephone said, with a big smile.

"I want to learn how to spy on hot guys too."

"I wasn't spying, I was just checking in on him. I didn't know he would be half-naked," Circe

struggled lamely, her face burning.

"So, it's a bonus. I'm not judging. I'd go to the gym and watch the triplets work out while eating

cake if I could get away with it." Persephone laughed mischievously, and Circe relaxed.

"Charon hasn't been talking to me, so I wanted to make sure he was okay. I didn't expect him...like

that," she admitted.

"He'll get back to you. He's been a busy boy. He might have found a lead on one of Darius's

cronies, and they have been running it down. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Charon is probably

the easiest going of all of them, so it would take a lot to offend him." Persephone chatted on, asking

questions about the plants around the workshop and advice on how to grow seedlings from the

cuttings that Circe had taken to Aeaea.

Circe smiled when her phone buzzed again. Giving up so quickly?

Why? What else have you taken off?

"I told you he would get back to you," Persephone said, with a sly smile. "What's going on there?

Come on, you can tell me. I won't tell Hecate."

"Nothing, we are friends. He rescued me; I like him. That's all there is to it." Circe had learned

the hard way not to spill her secrets to strangers, no matter how likable they were.

"If you say so. Now, show me how to spy on people already," Persephone insisted.

Selene and Hecate interrupted them an hour later when they were splattered with water and

laughing.

"What are you two doing?" Hecate asked.

"Persephone keeps exploding the scrying water," Circe said as she stepped away to avoid getting

drenched again.

"It's not my fault! You aren't explaining how to do it properly," argued Persephone.

"Look at all these amazing plants!" Selene said, hurrying to inspect the tiny pots where the

seedlings were. She had a notebook and an excited look on her face. Despite their shaky start, Circe

liked Selene and her love of plants and their properties.

"I'll swap you one student, for another. Come along, Persephone, scrying clearly isn't working for

you," Hecate said, trying not to smile at the half-soaked goddess.

"These are the plants that you brought from Aeaea, aren't they?" Selene asked, smelling a bunch of

dried blossoms.

"Yes, I hesitated about taking them, but now that I know Darius is making poisons, I'm glad I did

so that we can create antidotes," Circe said. She tried to forget who Selene was in love with and

focused on the sorceress in training. Circe could see the leashed power inside of her, and with a little

luck and a lot of work, Selene might be able to use it with precision and intent. As if she heard

Circe's thoughts, Selene smiled nervously.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, even when...Hermes...you know," she said in a rush.

"You are my blood, which means you belong to Hecate as much as Hermes. It's going to take me a

while to see him as anything but Zeus's lackey," Circe replied. She wasn't ready to forgive the god for

putting Odysseus in her path, even if she knew that Odysseus could have been decent and not listened

to Hermes and Zeus. They hadn't spelled him or forced him, simply put the idea in his head.

"I understand. I won't try to convince you that he's changed. It's up to you to move past it, like it

was up to Hecate," Selene said with a small shrug of her shoulders.

"Would you like to see a plant that I didn't show Darius?" Circe asked. She opened a small

wooden box and held it out to Selene. Inside was dried black roots and stems, as well as whole white

blossoms.

"Is this what I think it is?" Selene lifted the box to her nose and smelled.

"Moly. It grew from the blood of a giant my father slew. If Darius and his doctor really are using

my herbs and plants to do terrible things, then this might be the only thing that can undo that damage."

"Unless they tortured the information about it out of Medea," said Selene. "It won't be a secret

weapon anymore."

"Medea didn't know about it either. I liked her, but I didn't trust Jason. Too ambitious. I never

showed her."

Selene's smiled widened. "Excellent, I'm sure everyone will be happy to hear it at dinner tonight."

"Dinner? What do you mean?" asked Circe.

Selene rolled her eyes playfully. "You are finally being summoned to the house of Hades for an

audience with the Dark Lord."

11

After the gym, Charon had gone out to Hades's villa and into the garage. He always did regular

services on Hades's cars as well as his own that he kept on the property. Working on cars was one of

the things that always calmed him down when he was agitated.

After days of waiting for Lola's team to find something he could act on, Charon was beyond

frustrated. It didn't help that he couldn't stop thinking about Circe. He had felt her presence in the gym

rush over him so quickly that he had looked up, expecting to see her right in front of him. He hated the

flash of disappointment he'd felt when he realized she wasn't there. Not in person anyway. The thought

of her scrying him made him more confused than ever.

Why didn't she just message him? He wanted to give her space, give him space, to see if it was

enough to give him clarity. To be able to dismiss what had happened between them as easily as she

had.

Maybe you should go and pick up another woman to get Circe out of your system.

The thought had occurred to him more than once, but each time he had gone to follow it through,

he backed out. He didn't want anyone else, not even for a few hours. He was beginning to understand

why she had a reputation for enchanting all the males who crossed her path.

Charon had retreated to the garage in the hope that oil and grease would distract him enough until

he could go and beat the shit out of Darius or his goons. He was changing an oil filter when Circe's

presence moved over him again. He closed his eyes, tried to breathe his way through it, to ignore his

mind playing tricks on him.

Circe has no reason to scry you out. He was imagining it. It was hope making him stupid. If he

concentrated, he could smell her juniper and apple blossom scent over the grease.

"Are all of these yours?" Her voice said above him. Charon looked around him and spotted a pair

of brown ankles. Charon schooled his face and slid out on the car creeper. Circe looked down at him

and smiled. "Hello, ferryman."

"Sorceress. What are you doing here?" he asked, mentally congratulating himself for being able to

form a coherent sentence. She was in tight black jeans and a red top that showed off her full, sexy

curves. Her hair was in a single braid and hanging over one shoulder. How anyone could dress so

casually and be so jaw-dropping was beyond him. Gods, she was perfect.

"Hades asked me over for dinner. He said you were out here being anti-social," Circe said, her

eyes scanning his no doubt grease-stained face. "What are you doing down there?"

"Want to see?" he asked, pointing at the spare creeper. Circe nodded and lay down on it, and he

slowly pulled her underneath the car with him. He didn't know what to say, so he started pointing out

parts in the engine, telling her how they worked.

"It's like a big puzzle," she said, making him smile.

"Yeah, exactly like a puzzle. Once you know how it all fits together, it makes it easy to figure out

how to fix it," Charon said, and she held tools while he replaced the oil filter. After the initial shock

of seeing her, Charon relaxed easily in her presence, just like he always did. It was like he could

breathe for the first time in days.

"Hades says this is what you do when you're stressed," she said.

"Sometimes. Cars relax me," he replied, wondering what the hell else Hades decided to tell her.

"Are you stressed out now?" Circe asked. She was so close that he could see the gold flecks in

her eyes, and he could've leaned in and kissed her. Don't do it.

"Yeah, a little bit," he admitted and focused back on the engine above him without really seeing it.

"Charon? I lied the other night," Circe admitted, her hands twisting the small spanner in her hands.

"What about, doll? You were pretty out of it," he said, as he pretended to check parts above him.

"You've been a good friend to me, and I don't see you just as a fuck. I'm sorry if I made you feel

like you don't mean more than that to me because you do," Circe continued softly as if she was aware

of all the supernatural hearing around them.

"It's not like it was such a terrible experience that it deserves an apology," he said cheekily, trying

to make her smile.

Her golden brows rose. "You don't regret it?"

Charon turned his head to look at her. "I've done a lot of stupid shit that I've regretted over the

years, but letting you objectify me for a quick twenty minutes isn't one of them."

Circe's returning smirk made heat shoot through him, and desire crackled in the air between them.

"Twenty minutes was enough to get the job done."

"If you had let me use both hands, believe me, I would've taken my time to do it really well," he

said, his mouth moving quicker than his brain. Circe's smile widened, and she slid out from

underneath the car and brushed herself off.

"I suppose we'll find out next time, won't we?" she said with a laugh.

Charon smacked his head on the engine bay. "What do you mean next time?"

* * *

Circe was still smiling when she went back inside Hades's villa to find where Hecate and Selene had

gone. Persephone was pouring pink drinks in the kitchen, and she gave Circe a knowing look but

didn't say anything.

"Did you tell Charon to get cleaned up? I'm starving, and Hades always cooks the best lamb,"

Selene said.

"Yes, he won't be long," lied Circe. She had taken one look at his long legs hanging out from

underneath the car and had forgotten her purpose for going out there.

Gods, he smelled good, even dirty and covered with grease. It had been a long time since she had

wanted to bury her face in the crook of a man's neck just to breathe him in.

"You're looking a bit flushed. Here this will cool you down," Persephone said, passing her a glass

of a cold pink drink with a mint leaf on the top.

"What is this?" she asked.

"It's a cocktail, but I haven't figured out a name for it yet," Persephone said.

"I call it 'the panty dropper.'" Hermes came to stand beside Selene, carefully making sure Selene

was between him and Circe.

"What are you doing here?" she said, trying not to crack the glass in her hand.

"I live here," Hermes replied.

"Problem?" Hades asked as he came inside.

"No," Hermes and Circe said at the same time. Circe had a large mouthful of her cocktail to take

the edge off.

"Good. I'd appreciate it if you two kept it civil until you talk it out properly. If you break anything

in my house, I'll toss you both in the ocean. Understand?" Hades said.

"Don't worry, Uncle, I wouldn't dream of causing a scene," Hermes replied as he followed Hades

back outside.

Charon's laugh echoed through the house. "Since when?" Circe took another sip of her drink to

hide her smile as he came in with Erebus. He had showered and changed in record time.

"It's so nice to see you settling in, Circe," Erebus said, boldly kissing her hand in greeting. "The

modern world looks like it suits you."

"Feel free to turn him into a pig whenever you feel like it," Charon whispered on his way past her,

as he grabbed a beer and went to join Hermes and Hades. He really did have an amazing ass. Maybe

that twenty minutes had been too hasty.

"You wouldn't turn me into a pig, would you? I'm the nice one," Erebus asked her, stepping in her

line of sight.

"Since when?" Selene snorted.

"Cool it, titan, or I'll tell Circe to send you feet nightmares," said Hecate, and he flushed.

"Very funny, Hecate. Why do you act like you don't love me?" Erebus demanded, wrapping his

arms around her and kissing her cheeks as she squirmed.

"Help! I'm being attacked!" Hecate called, and Thanatos was suddenly beside her with an

expression on his face so terrifying Circe choked on the ice in her mouth.

"She's only playing, bro, calm your tits," Erebus said, kissing Hecate again before releasing her.

Hecate shot a wink at Thanatos. "My hero."

"I'm going to have to kick his ass if he keeps manhandling you," he replied.

"Because being manhandled by you three is such a terrible experience," Persephone laughed

bawdily as she hugged Thanatos to her. "Oh, no, don't wrap your big arms around me, handsome

titans. This is so terrible. I'm in such peril of a sexy overload."

"I'll tell Hades you said so," Thanatos said, with a grin. Circe shook her head at their antics.

"You'll get used to the way they carry on, Circe," Selene whispered to her and refilled her glass.

They moved outside to where a large table had been piled with food, and Erebus had turned the

music on. Circe couldn't remember the last time she had been to such a gathering. The feasts in

Helios's halls had always been such tense, formal affairs, especially if Olympians were in attendance,

and her father was always eager to lord it over them. Hades was undeniably the most powerful of all

of them but was the one that had prepared food for everyone and was relaxed in their company. They

are friends, Circe realized, and a smile crept over her lips.

"What is that you're drinking?" Charon asked as he came to stand beside her.

"Panty droppers," she replied, and he almost spat out his beer. "What? That's what Hermes called

them."

"I bet he did." Charon turned so the others couldn't see his face, and he gave her a look that heated

her from her lips to her lady parts. He bit his bottom lip, and she sucked in a breath. "Let me know if

they live up to their name. I like watching your panties drop," he whispered.

"Okay, everyone, sit down and shut up already," Hades called over them before she could reply.

Charon took a seat beside Circe at the table, because the Fates wanted to torture her with his

heady presence. Her excitement died a little when she saw Hermes take the seat opposite her. Food

was passed around, and Circe let their banter flow around her.

"We are glad that you could join us tonight, Circe," Hades said from his place at the end of the

table. "Hermes, say what you need to."

"What?" Circe tensed angrily and Charon's warm hand slid over her thigh, holding her in place.

His touch wiped every other thought out for a second until she looked up and saw Hermes staring at

her. Fuck, this is an ambush.

"Sorry to resort to such games, Circe, but I didn't want you throwing any more cars at me before I

had the chance to say this," Hermes said, all traces of the mocking trickster gone from his expression.

"I apologize completely and utterly for my part in hurting you. Zeus demanded my interference to keep

his bet going with Hera and Poseidon over Odysseus's fate."

"You can't blame Zeus for your actions. He didn't control your mouth or your will," hissed Circe.

Charon's fingers stroked slow circles on her leg, trying to calm and reassure her.

"You're right. He didn't. I did as he asked me because I wanted to win his favor. I was young and

stupid, but clearly, all the damage I did over the years didn't do shit because Zeus never gave a damn

about me. He fucking cursed me and left me to die the same as you," Hermes replied. "I'm not stupid

enough to ask your forgiveness, but believe it or not, I am sorry, Circe."

Circe took a steadying breath and focused on Charon's presence beside her, the hand on her a

gentle reminder that she wasn't alone. Her heart was still a little too tender for her to forgive Hermes

entirely, but maybe in time, she wouldn't want to kill him whenever she saw him.

"Good to know your stupidity has some limits, after all, Hermes," she said and smiled at him to

take the sting out of her words. Erebus roared with laughter, and Hermes threw a bread roll at him.

The tenseness around them melted and conversation picked up again. Hades's silver eyes caught

Circe's, and he silently lifted his glass to her.

"A good thing Persephone plied you with alcohol before you got out here," Hecate said on the

other side of her. "Well done, niece."

"If you can learn to tolerate Hermes's bullshit, I suppose I can too," Circe replied. She moved her

hand subtly under the table and placed it over Charon's, their fingers stroking and tangling. Charon

only moved his hand when his phone rang, the screen flashing up with a photo of a beautiful woman.

"Lola Baby, give me some good news," he answered. Sharp, unexpected jealousy spiked through

Circe as Charon got up from the table, laughing at whatever the woman on the phone said.

"Lola is Dany Serpho's girlfriend," Persephone said, mistaking Circe's expression for confusion.

"She's the one that works for Medusa as a hacker, amongst other things."

"Oh? You think she might have found something on Darius?" Circe said, fighting to make herself

seem neutral.

"Even better," Charon replied, his face flushed with excitement. "My lead was right. Andino is

working with Kayne."

"Want to go and rattle his cage?" Hermes asked, his golden eyes glowing with the promise of

mayhem.

"Two steps ahead of you. Lola is already sending me through a map of the building," Charon

replied. The triplets and Hermes looked at Hades for his approval. The Lord of the Underworld's

smile was cold enough to send a chill through Circe.

"Okay, you four can go and check it out, but be discreet. Try not to cause too much damage this

time."

12

Charon hurried back out to the garage, eager to pack his hunting knives and grab his bullet proof

vest from the back of the Mercedes. After being staked to his Aston Martin, he had begun to be more

cautious of protecting the body he was in.

"Are you sure it's a good idea? Running off like this so soon?" Circe asked as she came into the

garage. He hadn't noticed her following him.

"It will be fine. It's only a building with a bunch of scientists, not an army," Charon replied as he

pulled on his steel toe boots and laced them.

"If this doctor really is working for Darius, then Darius is bound to have people watching over

him too."

"Are you worried about us? Because you know this isn't the first time we've done something like

this," Charon said, her furrowed brow confusing him almost as much as the way she had held his hand

where no one could see. He walked over to her and slung his knife belt over one shoulder. "We will

be back before dawn, you'll see. Stay for a while, take advantage of the peace and quiet, and Hades's

excellent wine cellar."

"I'm going to need it. I would hate for the first male I've liked in centuries to die." Circe reached

up and kissed him. It was a too quick, soft press of warm lips and heat. "Be careful," she whispered.

Then she was gone, moving back towards the main villa before he could say anything or kiss her

back.

"You wasted an opportunity there," Thanatos said from the other side of the garage. He must've

come silently through the other door and witnessed everything.

"You didn't see that," Charon growled, mentally kicking himself for standing there like a dumb ass

instead of grabbing her and kissing her the way he had thought about for days.

"See what?" Thanatos asked with an infuriatingly innocent look.

"Are you two ready? We need to go back to the apartment and pick up some things," Erebus said

as he and Hermes joined them. "What's up with you? You're looking peaked."

"I'm fine, let's go," Charon said, and they vanished into the night.

* * *

The research building was lit up with spotlights and was glowing in the rainy night. After picking up

Erebus's gear and looking at the information Lola sent through, they had gone straight to Thessaloniki.

As Circe predicted, there were discreet surveillance vans parked around the neighboring streets as

well as security guards patrolling the grounds.

"Is it me or does there seem to be an overkill of security?" Erebus asked, passing a scope to

Charon.

"To stop people getting in or stop things getting out, I wonder," said Hermes. "I don't like that

there are no records on what goes on in that building. Thoughts of approach?"

"We are better off with you dropping us inside the building, instead of us wearing ourselves out

by working through the guards and setting off every alarm in the place," Thanatos replied, scythes

already in hand. "We need to be as quick as possible."

"Let's start at Kristos Andino's office. Maybe we can find out what we need there. Hades did say

we were to be discreet after all," Hermes said. All four of them looked at each other with identical

grins. Discreet wasn't in their vocabulary.

Using the floor plan that Lola gave them as a guide, Hermes dropped them into the foyer of the top

floor. There were empty desks around them, but the lights were still on.

"Let's see what's behind door number one!" Erebus said and kicked in the door of the closest

locked room. Behind it was a small group of observation desks looking down into a large cell.

"What the fuck is that?" Erebus murmured, trying to make out the thing moving on the floor.

Charon's stomach churned as the thing sat up and he realized it was a man. Well, it had been a man at

some point.

"What did they do to him?" Thanatos whispered.

"Looks like they are trying to replace parts of him with animatronics," Hermes replied as they

looked over the raw wounds where flesh met metal. Hermes took some photos on his phone.

"Come on, we need to find fucking Frankenstein," said Charon, the horror inside of him turning to

anger. They walked from the room, Hermes swiping up folders and iPads from the desks as he went.

"It makes me wonder what else they have in here," Erebus muttered. "Fuck, these guys are really

starting to get under my skin."

Charon burst into the main office and found a pale, tired-looking man sitting behind a massive

desk.

"Dr. Kristos Andino?" Hermes asked politely.

"How the hell did you get in here?" Andino demanded angrily.

"Your security isn't up to the task of keeping the likes of us out," Erebus said, his shadows leaking

out of him and morphing into snarling wolves.

"Fucking monsters," Andino hissed and spat on his luxury carpet. "You aren't the only ones with

tricks." Two panels slid open and Andino ran down one as four hulking beasts leaped out of the other

one. They were massive dogs, and like the man in the cell had been enhanced, their teeth and legs

gleaming silver.

"You two go after the doctor, Erebus and I will deal with this," Charon said, pulling out his

daggers as the dogs attacked, and the world became a snarling frenzy of shadows and teeth. One

jumped onto Charon's back, its metal teeth latching onto his shoulder, chewing through the Kevlar

straps like it was jerky and mauling into his skin. Charon twisted violently, throwing the beast off

balance long enough for him to drive a blade up under its jaw. Shadow wolves were ripping the

throat out of another dog as Erebus kicked one off him and shot it in the head.

"I am going to fucking kill that doctor," he hissed, both of his arms bleeding ichor everywhere.

"We better follow them. I don't think this is the worst of it," Charon panted. He took the laptop off

the desk on his way past and shoved it into his satchel bag. With raised weapons, they hurried down

the other hallway.

"Thanatos has been busy," Erebus said in front of him as the stepped around decapitated half

animal, half mechanical hybrids. There was blood and ichor splattered everywhere, and Charon gave

up trying not to step in anything gross. Shouts grew louder, and the hall opened into a large room. In

the center, Thanatos had Andino pinned to a metal desk scattered with papers. All around them were

cells of people in various states of experimentation.

"What the fuck are you doing to these people?" Thanatos demanded with the tip of his scythe

dangerously close to Andino's eye.

"What's it look like? Making them better to kill you!" he snarled and hit something under the desk.

There was a high-pitched beep and a cell door opened. A huge man shuffled out of the shadows. His

arms, legs, and part of his chest had been replaced with metal, and worst of all, two metal horns were

protruding from his head.

"Asterion is going to be so angry about this," Hermes said, shoving the last of the contents of the

desk in his bag. He fished around in his pockets as the minotaur roared with a ravaged mechanical

voice. "Hang on! I've got something for you. Catch!"

Charon grabbed Erebus by the collar of his shirt and ran them both through the doorway Hermes

had opened behind them. He just had time to see the confused minotaur catch a phosphorus grenade,

and everything exploded with light and fire. The doorway shut behind them, and Charon fell through

blackness before landing hard on the concrete floor of cells under Acheron tower.

"Fuck, a little warning next time, Hermes," Charon groaned and shoved Erebus off him.

"Why? Your situational awareness was good enough without it," Hermes replied.

"I hate you all," Erebus complained, his shadows leaking from him as he struggled to sit up.

Hermes picked up a shaking Andino by his white lab coat and tossed him into the nearest cell,

slamming the door behind him.

"You have no idea what you've just done," Andino stammered through bleeding lips.

"It's going to be nothing compared to what we are going to do to you," Thanatos hissed.

"Let's give him some time to rot. I'm sure Hades will have a nice long list of questions he wants to

ask in person," Erebus added as they walked out of the cells and left the doctor screaming in the

darkness.

* * *

Hours later, Charon was sitting in his favorite armchair, his shoulder and side pounding in agony. He

and Erebus had spent the better part of an hour cleaning their wounds and taping them up to stop them

leaking ichor. It would take hours to heal, and every second would pulse in pain until they did. From

neck to arm, Charon was a pulpy mess of teeth marks and his back and side was torn to shreds from

the claws of the hybrid.

Charon had left it to Hermes and Thanatos to tell Hades what happened and what it could mean.

Every time, he thought they had seen the limit of the horror Pandora had created, they found another

layer.

Charon poured another straight whiskey with his good hand and downed half of it as his phone

rang. Circe.

"Hey," he answered, fighting to keep the pain from his voice.

"Sorry if I woke you. I had a weird feeling and thought I better check on you," Circe said softly.

"I wasn't sleeping," Charon replied, leaning back on the chair and letting his head fall back.

"Are you okay? You sound hurt." Circe's concern hit him low in the chest. It was rare that anyone

other than his brothers checked in on him. He was very good at making it seem like he was always the

one that was all right, even if he wasn't.

"Really rough night," he said, too tired to keep pretending he wasn't in pain.

"Want to talk about it?" she asked.

"Not particularly." Charon had enough of mechanical minotaurs for one night.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?"

"Fuck no. Tell me about your night. Did the women gossip you to death? Did you learn any sordid

secrets of Hades's?" Charon needed the distraction as his body rebuilt itself, and he didn't want her to

go. Her warm honey voice was a balm to the horror in his mind. He thought about the kiss that he

hadn't taken proper advantage of, wondered what it meant, and if he would risk getting another one.

Fuck yes, I would.

"They were great. Hades loved entertaining such a bevy of charming and beautiful women," Circe

replied, a smile in her voice. "He actually laughed when I told him about Persephone blowing up my

scrying bowl today. I never thought I would make the God of the Dead laugh."

"Persephone did what? You didn't tell me that," Charon chuckled.

"I didn't get much of a chance to tell you, seeing as how your dinner was cut short."

"Persephone has a habit of being good at everything, so I bet she didn't like it one bit."

Charon forgot all about the pain in his side as Circe told him about her day with Selene and

Persephone and the night that he had missed out on.

When Circe was done with those stories, she started to tell him about Helios's court, letting one

story flow onto another until he fell asleep, the sound of her voice in his ears and a smile on his face.

13

Circe was up and waiting for Thanatos as soon as he made it to the kitchen the following morning.

"I thought I'd make your coffee for once," she said, pouring him a cup, "and you can tell me what

happened last night. I spoke to Charon, but he wouldn't talk about it."

"Good morning to you too," Thanatos replied and drank half of his coffee. "Wait, you talked to

Charon last night?"

"Yes?" Circe didn't want to hide that she liked Charon, but she wasn't sure what was happening

between them either. Apart from heart-pounding desire whenever he got too close. "Why? Is that a

problem?"

"Not at all. I'm surprised, that's all. He usually doesn't like to talk to anyone when he's hurt, just

retreats and grumbles like a bear until he's right again," Thanatos replied.

"He was hurt?" Circe demanded. "How badly? He didn't say anything about it!"

"He wouldn't. Don't worry, I'm sure he's all healed up by now if he got some sleep."

Circe knew that, but it did nothing to stop the anxiety eating away at her. "How bad was it?"

"Really bad. Charon managed to grab a laptop last night and so I plan on going and picking it up

with Hecate as soon as she's ready. Hermes is going to meet us at Serpentine with the rest of the

things he stole. The place was a horror show. We should have demolished the rest of the building,"

Thanatos replied, and Circe poured him more coffee.

"Hades is going to be pissed about that," said Hecate. She kissed Thanatos on the head as she

sneakily stole his coffee and gulped a mouthful. Thanatos didn't complain, only gave her a look that

made Hecate flush.

The easy way they were with each other made Circe's chest ache. She had never seen Hecate so

comfortable with anyone, and it made her happy and jealous at the same time. That Hecate could find

someone who loved her gave Circe hope for herself. Maybe not all males are pieces of shit.

"Once Hades sees what we brought back, he might go and demolish the building himself,"

Thanatos said and glanced at Circe with a knowing look in his eyes. "Do you want to come with us to

get the laptop from Charon?"

"Sure, I don't want to be left out of the loop when these monsters have Medea," Circe replied. The

more she learned of Darius, the more her past feelings towards her niece didn't matter. She just

wanted Medea out of their hands.

Hecate took out her keys and twirled them around her finger. "Let's go wake up the ferryman. I

hope he has clothes on this time."

I hope he doesn't. Circe tried not to smile at the thought. Thanatos winked at her behind Hecate's

back, and she realized she was getting approval from Charon's big brother.

Hecate was clueless to the exchange as her magic filled the room, and she slid a key into the

fabric of the world. Circe closed her eyes and stepped through the door and onto soft grass.

"Where are we?"

"Rooftop garden. Charon's is this way," said Thanatos, and they headed through the trees and to a

set of glass doors.

Charon appeared in pajama pants and no shirt, his toothbrush still hanging from his mouth. Circe

had a sudden and painful urge to objectify him again. With enthusiasm. She tried but failed not to stare

as he waved them in and disappeared.

"Least he's awake," Thanatos said, "He's a grumpy bastard if you wake him unexpectedly."

"Good to know," Circe replied as they stepped into his apartment. Like last time, Circe went

straight to the bookshelves. Charon read widely and deeply, and she was almost finished with the last

pile of books she had borrowed from him.

"What are you three doing here?" Charon asked, rejoining them. The toothbrush was gone, but he

hadn't put a shirt on, and Circe was struggling to find where to look. She didn't want to stare. She

couldn't help it, especially when she saw the fresh scars healing on his shoulder.

"What happened to you?" she demanded before she could check herself.

"Had a tussle with a robomutt, but nothing I couldn't handle, sorceress," Charon replied with a

charming smile he used on all the women in the Court. "Want to kiss it better, Hecate?"

"Want another scar?" Thanatos asked as Hecate laughed. "We're heading over to Serpentine to

meet up with Hermes and wanted to see if you still had the laptop you stole."

"Sure, let me grab it." Charon disappeared again, and Circe had to fight not to go after him when

she saw the claw marks down his back. Just how hurt had he been last night?

"How could you let him get wounded like that?" Circe said, rounding on Thanatos.

"I was a little busy dealing with hybrids of my own. He got off easy with the dogs," Thanatos

replied.

"They knew what they were doing," Hecate said, even though she was frowning at Thanatos. "You

didn't mention monster animals last night when you came in."

"I was too distracted at finding you naked and was eager to get the same way," Thanatos replied.

"Gross," said Charon, handing the laptop over to his brother. "Here, you take it. Circe and I will

meet you there later. I need breakfast, and I promised to take her to Maria's for doughnuts."

Circe didn't remember any promise of the sort. What was he up to?

"Are you sure? We don't want to get started without you," said Hecate, looking between Charon

and Circe. Charon's expression was innocence itself.

"I can tell her as we eat. Honestly, Hecate, if I don't get food into me, I might actually die," he said

dramatically.

Thanatos put his arm around Hecate's shoulders. "Come on, he's got some healing to do, and us

titans get hangry if we don't eat enough when we are hurt."

"Okay, we'll meet you there, but you better bring me some," Hecate said as they walked out the

apartment door.

"Chocolate ones for me," Thanatos added before Charon shut the door behind them and locked it.

"You didn't promise me doughnuts," Circe said as he turned towards her.

"Yes, but they don't know that," Charon replied as he backed her up against the door and kissed

her. It wasn't like her polite kiss the night before. His mouth touched hers, and it was pure hungry

desire.

Circe's hands went to his bare skin and pulled his hard body against her. This is what she had

been craving for days without being able to give it a name. She had been foolish not to kiss him from

the start. His lips were made for this and she wanted more. Charon coaxed her mouth open, and his

tongue moved to tease hers as his hand cradled the back of her neck, tilting her head up to his

ravaging mouth. His other hand moved down her hip and dragged her closer to him.

"I almost had my throat ripped out last night, and all I've been able to think about was if I died I

would've fucked up my only chance to kiss you properly," Charon said in a rush when they finally

parted, his thumb stroking the soft skin of her throat.

"You almost died last night?" Circe replied, placing her hand on the scars on his shoulder. She

pushed back the nerves in her stomach and said, "Then I'm going to need a lot more than a kiss."

Charon's smile was a pure dark delight. "I was hoping you were going to say that." His mouth was

back on hers as he guided her slowly back towards his bedroom. His long fingers unzipped the back

of her dress and it slid off her, her bra following it, and both left abandoned on the floor. He picked

her up and carried her the rest of the way, her core pressed up against his hard dick.

Circe broke away from his lips to kiss her way down his neck to the space behind his ear and

breathed him in like she had longed to do for days. He was spice, masculine heat, and just a little

engine grease. She licked his skin, wanting to taste and touch him everywhere.

"Gods, you smell amazing," she groaned, her body heating as she moved to kiss his scars. "Do

they hurt still?"

"No, but they are sensitive and need lots of attention," Charon said as he lay her back down on the

bed, stretching her arms slowly above her head. "It's a shame you're going to be too indisposed to

give it to them."

"What do you-" Circe began, but Charon was too quick. Her hands were suddenly bound with one

of his skinny black ties and fastened to the headboard of the bed. It wasn't tight, but it was strong

enough she would have to work to get free.

"Oh, revenge is so sweet," Charon said, looking down at her straining against her bonds. His dark

eyes were hot with desire as they stared at her full breasts, her nipples already hard.

"You know I can use magic to get out of these?" Circe said, her voice breathy when he had barely

touched her. A growl echoed through Charon as he leaned over her.

"Don't you fucking dare," he said and put his mouth over her nipple and sucked hard enough for

her to gasp and squirm.

"Okay, you convinced me," she managed to say as his hands moved to cup and stroke. Gods, she

wanted him inside of her so badly she was aching. "You know this is unnecessary. I'm ready to have

sex right now."

Charon's reply was a husky chuckle against her skin. "You're so wrong. This is absolutely

necessary, and by the time I'm done, you're never going to settle for a quick fuck ever again."

Circe had always enjoyed sex, but none of her partners had ever taken this long trying to get

inside of her. Charon was acting like he had all day to - Circe yelped when his teeth buried into the

side of her soft breast.

"Get out of that head of yours, Circe. The fact you are over-analyzing why you deserve attention

tells me how useless your past partners were," he said, his mouth leaving her chest to kiss her. "It's an

honor to have you in my bed, and I'm going to make sure you know it and don't ever regret it.

Understand?"

"Yes," she whispered and kissed him to stop the tears pricking at the back of her eyes. This titan

will break you if you're not careful. Circe had always been the unloved one, the one who could be

fucked and left behind. She didn't know if she was ready for Charon's intense attention.

Charon's mouth and hands were already roaming back over her hot skin her until she was

breathless with need, the sight of him moving down her body, almost undoing her. His fingers hooked

around the sides of her purple panties and slid them down her legs painfully slow. He tossed them

onto the bedside table. "Another one to add to the pair you left on my back seat."

"I wondered where I lost them," Circe said, her laughter turning to a surprised gasp as he flipped

her over with unnatural speed. His mouth latched onto the back of her neck, pinning her in place as his

hard naked body moved over hers. "You're driving me insane, ferryman."

"I haven't even started to drive you insane, sorceress," Charon whispered in her ear, voice hot

with promise. His lips traveled slowly down her spine, fingers stroking her sides until they tightened

on her hips.

"Fuck me, you have the most perfect ass," he growled, lifting her hips higher off the mattress until

Circe was dragged up onto her forearms. Circe didn't reply - couldn't- because a second later, he had

moved his head under her, and his warm tongue licked her pounding clit. Circe cried out expletives

into the pillow beneath her, making him chuckle.

"Such a dirty mouth you have," he said approvingly.

"Back at you," she whimpered as he went back to kissing and licking her. His strong hands

gripped the backs of her legs to hold her up as she began to shake. His teeth scraped against her, and

she screamed into the mattress as she orgasmed quickly and unexpectedly.

"Please tell me more about how unnecessary this is," Charon said, as his finger slipped inside of

her and she cried out again. "Sorry, didn't catch that."

"This...this is too much," Circe panted, her breath burning in her chest.

"This is almost the right amount. In fact, it is my new favorite place to be," Charon replied as

another finger joined the first. "And I have no intention of going anywhere." His mouth was back on

her a second later, pleasure flooding her, making her weep helplessly as he wrung another orgasm out

her so powerful that she cried out his name into his pillows. Only then, when she was a trembling

mess, did he move out from beneath her, kissing the back of her thighs and settling behind her.

"You still with me, gorgeous?" Charon asked, gently brushing the damp hair from her face.

"In body, maybe, but I am pretty sure I just screamed my shade out of it," replied Circe as turned

to look at him over one shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want to untie me?"

"Positive," Charon said, hands running over the curves of her ass. "I finally got you right where I

want you." Circe's breath caught as he moved his hard dick inside of her slowly enough to make her

push back with impatience. His hands slipped underneath her to stroke and tease her breasts.

"Fucking perfect," Charon groaned and licked the sweat off her shoulder. Circe widened her legs

for him, letting him move even deeper and harder until her hands were bunching the sheets, and she

was gasping as her orgasm destroyed her. Charon cursed, gripping her hips tight and hard as he

slammed into her, his own release leaving him shaking above her.

Circe opened her eyes just as a dagger flashed down and cut the tie that bound her hands. Charon

rubbed her wrists gently before he slipped out of her. With the same gentleness, he rolled her over

before stretching down on top of her. He stroked the hair back from her forehead, his black eyes

mesmerizing as they studied every line and curve of her face.

Circe's hands slid up his sides to his shoulders, loving the feel of him on her. This powerful, wild

titan was destroying every misconception she had ever had about him and his kind.

"Kiss me," he whispered. Her hands moved through his hair and brought her mouth to his. The

kiss was slow and perfect, its softness calming Circe's heartbeat. Her legs moved around him,

holding him tight to her. Charon finally broke the kiss and rested his face in the groove of her neck,

sighing in contentment.

"You know we can't stay here all day," she said, stroking his hair.

Charon's arm tightened around her. "Can't we?"

"No, because you promised me doughnuts," Circe said and kissed the top of his head. "And what's

worse, you promised Hecate doughnuts, and you know she isn't above bursting in here." Charon

groaned and slowly moved off her, Circe almost instantly wanting to pull him back.

"I'm never going to get my day off," Charon complained and then looked down the full length of

her soft curves and tousled body. "But when I do, I fully intend to finish what I started here."

"You're not finished?" Circe asked, her voice a surprised choke.

Charon only laughed and kissed her before whispering against her lips, "Not even close,

sorceress."

14

Maria took one look at Charon over the busy morning crowd and hurried over to kiss him.

"My boy, you look so good. Where have you been? I haven't seen you for weeks," she demanded.

"You know the boss, he likes to keep me busy and out of trouble," Charon said. Maria took one

look at Circe and snorted.

"I know exactly what's been keeping you busy. You both look hungry; you want your regular?"

"Yeah, better throw in some extra chocolate ones too for Thanatos. You know he needs the sugar

because he's not as sweet as I am," he replied as Maria hurried out the back of the bakery.

"I'm starting to think every restaurant owner in this city wants to mother you," Circe said.

"Only the ones that make the best food. They all see me as their wayward son, and the benefits are

spectacular," he replied and bit his bottom lip. "Speaking of spectacular, you are positively radiant."

She was glowing from sex and had never looked so irresistible.

They had both taken a hasty shower, and Circe had re-braided her long hair and pinned it up. She

looked incredibly put together considering what state she had been in twenty minutes ago. Her skin

was vibrant, and every time he looked at her, Charon wanted to take her back to his apartment. Or the

nearest bathroom. Or closet.

"You are looking a little flushed, ferryman. What are you thinking about?" she replied, with a

small teasing smile.

"Handcuffs. I like my ties too much to sacrifice them, even for a very worthy cause." Charon

loved the color that flushed across her cheeks as she shook her head at him.

"Here you are, my love," Maria said, handing him over two large bags and a tall takeout latte.

"Make sure you bring Erebus next time. It does my old heart good to flirt with such a handsome man."

"I'll let him know to stop in." Charon and Circe moved to a bar beside a set of windows out of the

way of the waiting people. "Now, prepare your mouth for an experience you will never forget," he

said, pulling a hot doughnut out and offering it to her.

"I thought I already had one of those this morning," she replied and bit into the doughnut. Her

expression went from surprise to delight as she chewed. "Oh, sweet goddesses, that is good."

"I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of watching your face when you eat new things," Charon

said as he bit into the other half. "I've always thought it was a weird kink, but I'm starting to see the

appeal."

"Don't eat it all," Circe replied, grabbing his hand to bite off what remained of the doughnut, and

licking his fingers.

"I have more, you know."

"I know, but yours taste better," she said with an impish grin. She had cinnamon and sugar sticking

to her mouth, and Charon bent down and licked her bottom lip, gently sucking it with a happy groan.

Circe grabbed him by the lapel of his leather jacket, pulling him closer to kiss him back.

They both jumped as someone hit the glass beside them. Ariadne was standing opened mouthed on

the other side.

"I knew it!" she shouted in triumph. Charon lifted his middle finger at her before kissing Circe

again, but started laughing when he saw Circe flip Ariadne off too.

"We better go, or she'll just stand there watching," he said.

"You don't care that...that she knows?" Circe replied, a touch of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Not if you don't." Charon hadn't stopped to consider that Circe might want whatever they were

doing kept a secret. Shit, better bribe Ariadne to keep her mouth shut.

Outside, Ariadne was waiting for them with her arms folded and a big shit-eating grin on her face.

"I wondered what was taking you so long when Hecate said you were out getting doughnuts."

"I will give you a jam and cream one if you don't mention what you saw to Hecate or anyone

else?" Charon said, hopefully.

Ariadne's eyes narrowed. "Okay, but if you are going for discretion, maybe let's fix Circe's hair to

hide the hickey on the back of her neck."

"The what?" Circe asked.

"Turn." Ariadne quickly arranged Circe's braid to cover the red mark. The assassin gave Charon a

mock disapproving look. "You sly dog."

He only shrugged. He wasn't about to regret it. Having Circe pinned and his mouth on her was the

best thing that had happened to him in years.

"How annoyed are they at us?" asked Circe.

"Not really, they know Maria's can be busy. You better tell us about last night before we get

there," Ariadne said to Charon. So, Charon gave them the short version of the research facility and

what they found there. Both women looked as if they were going to be sick.

"They are creating people to be like Asterion? Why?" asked Circe.

"Maybe to pit them against him in a fight, maybe to create super soldiers to sell off," Ariadne

replied, her eyes burning with barely leashed violence. "You were right, Charon. You always said

Kayne was more dangerous than Darius, and now she has an apprentice monster maker."

"I got to tussle with some of those monsters, and they are definitely something to worry about.

Let's see what Lola and Medusa have pulled off the stuff we stole from the lab," Charon replied as

they got into the elevators in the Serpentine foyer.

Circe's fingers brushed against his and squeezed gently before letting them go just as quickly.

Charon tried to ignore the flush of warmth that the brief touch sent through him. No matter what

horrible shit they found in Andino's notes, Circe was something to look forward to.

"You two took your sweet ass time," Erebus grumbled as he took one of the bags from Charon and

pulled out a doughnut.

"Stress eating already?" Charon teased as Erebus inhaled the pastry.

"With reason. I had teeth marks healing on my ass all night." Erebus's dark eyes flicked from

Charon to Circe, and he hid a grin.

Shit, is it written all over me? Charon gave him a warning look to shut the hell up.

Hades and Asterion were muttering in low voices when Charon placed the other bag in front of

them.

"Didn't expect to see you two here," he said, sitting down next to Hades.

"I told them about the mechanical minotaur, and Asterion was shitty about it," Hermes replied.

"You would be too if they created a loudmouth, trickster god," said Asterion. Ariadne came to

stand behind him and placed her arms around his neck.

"Don't worry, big guy, we'll get all those imposters."

"I told you I blew it up," replied Hermes.

"All depends if they made more," said Hades. "Susa? How is that laptop coming?"

"Yeah, yeah, give me a minute, the decryption program is almost done," Medusa replied from

behind the glowing screen.

"Did you have a good breakfast?" Thanatos whispered to Charon from the other side of him. His

brother was onto him too. Fuck, can nothing remain a secret?

"The best. You know Maria likes to fuss," Charon replied, doing his best not to look at Circe. She

was chatting softly with Hecate and ignoring him. Good. He wasn't sure he'd be able to keep his

hands off her if provoked.

"Everyone shut up, I'm in," said Medusa, and the screen in front of them lit up. The main desktop

was crammed with files. "Typical academics can't file for shit."

"What's that one? It's just called M," said Hades. Medusa clicked on it, and it was full of video

files. She opened the first, and a lab flickered on the screen.

"That is at Darius's place on Cypress," said Hermes, sitting up. A woman in a lab coat came into

frame and adjusted her glasses.

"This is Day 43 of testing, and the subject is still as hostile as ever. The formula hasn't done

anything to diminish her strength," Doctor Kayne said and turned as a loud banging echoed in the

background.

"I'm going to fucking peel your face off, you bitch!" A woman screamed. The camera shifted to a

cell. The woman had long black hair and sharp green eyes.

"Medea," said Hecate, her eyes wide.

"Now, now, beloved you know you're never going to get a chance to do that," a man's voice said

on the film, making Medea snarl.

"That's fucking Darius," growled Hermes. "He must be the one behind the camera."

"You keep telling yourself that you're safe. Keep dreaming that you will one day break me. The

day you least expect it, will be the one I get out of here and make you beg for death," Medea said, her

mouth twisting into a smile that made Charon's skin break out in goosebumps.

"So vicious," Erebus murmured approvingly beside him, his eyes glued to the woman on the

screen.

"Lover, you are going nowhere. I know you're pissy now, but let's see how you feel after the next

round of shots. Let's face it; without your power, all you are is a pretty piece of ass with god blood,"

taunted Darius.

A growl rumbled out of Erebus, his shadows curling out of him in sharp daggers.

"Erebus." Hades barely raised his voice, but the shadows curled back in. Thanatos and Charon

shared a worried look. Their eldest brother's power could be unpredictable when provoked, and they

didn't need him prematurely slicing Andino to pieces.

"How old do you think this video is?" asked Hecate, her voice tight with rage.

"Date stamp is from fifteen years ago. They would have had Circe's wand by then and could have

used it to take Medea down like they did to you," said Medusa, pausing the video. Charon risked a

look at Circe. She had gone pale, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she stared at Medea's frozen,

angry face.

"We need to talk to the doctor, but I don't trust any of you hot heads to get information out of him

without killing him too quickly," said Hades.

"What's the problem with that?" asked Erebus.

"He's our best link to finding where Kayne and Darius are based now," replied Medusa.

"Circe could do it," said Hecate, turning to her niece. "I've seen you break open a mind without

torture."

"Break is the keyword there, Hecate. I could try it, but he's human. I can't guarantee he won't be

dead by the end of it," Circe replied, her arms coming around herself. "You know what happened last

time I did this. What it unleashed." Charon clenched his fists, fighting the need to go and comfort her.

"It won't be like last time, Circe. You have the control now to get into his mind and find Medea,"

Hecate said.

"If you get what we need, I don't care what state he's left in by the end of it," added Hades, in a

tone Charon hadn't heard in a long time; cold and impossibly ruthless. "Medusa, Asterion, and I will

keep going through the rest of these files. Ariadne, go with Circe, and if her methods don't work, you

can have him for round two."

For once, Asterion didn't argue about Ariadne's involvement in the bloody side of the business.

There was no denying that she had an extensive education on how to torture a human. Hades was

right, the rest of them were too angry and too powerful. Erebus and Hecate looked one step off

ripping something apart.

"I am going to need some things from home," Circe said, and Hecate took out her keys.

"We'll meet you over at Acheron in twenty minutes," Thanatos told them, and they disappeared

through a doorway. Medusa played another video and Charon got up.

"I can't keep watching this," he said.

"Keep an eye on the sorceress and make sure Hecate doesn't interfere because she's impatient,"

Hades replied and looked at Erebus. "If between Circe and Ariadne, the doctor doesn't spill, do what

you must to get the information out of him."

"It will be my pleasure, sire," said Erebus, his darkness dangerously close to the surface.

Asterion grabbed Charon's arm on the way past. "Keep an eye on Ariadne too, make sure she's out

of there before Erebus goes in. There are some horrors that humans shouldn't see," he said in a low

voice.

"I promise," Charon replied, patting his old friend on the shoulder. Even he wouldn't stick around

to watch Erebus work. He was his brother, and it still scared the shit out of him when Erebus was

provoked to rage.

"Don't worry, master, we will find the answers we need one way or another," Thanatos added as

they filed out. He pulled Charon up outside the room. "Are you sure you're going to be okay watching

Circe rip a man's mind apart? I know how much you like her. You might not be ready to see this side

of her."

"I've never forgotten that we are all monsters, Thanatos. What Circe is capable of doesn't scare

me," Charon replied, "but I think it scares her."

They re-grouped half an hour later in the anteroom of the cold cells at Acheron Tower. They had

gotten a meal from the kitchens, and Circe was lacing the food with something from a glass vial.

Charon hadn't had a chance to talk to her, but it was probably for the best to keep them both focused.

Circe had changed into a plain black uniform with the Acheron logo on it so that with any luck,

Andino would be less hostile towards her.

"We'll be watching through the double-sided mirror the whole time. If you want out, just say so,"

Thanatos told her.

"I'm going to need something to use as a tool to lull him," Circe said and looked at Charon. "May I

have one of your coins?"

"Sure, beautiful," he replied, fishing one out of the collection in his pocket. The one he gave her

was worn and ancient bronze, the designs pressed into it reduced to blurred symbols. Their eyes met

and he silently told her to be careful.

"Thank you, Charon," she said softly, kissing the coin and slipping it into her pocket. She picked

up the tray of food and looked at Hecate. "I'm ready."

"Keep your magic steady, not too much at a time. We aren't in a rush," Hecate assured her as

Erebus opened the doors. Circe only nodded and stepped into the darkness of the cells.

15

The man in the cell didn't move as the door slid open and Circe walked in. The doors shut behind

her, locking her in with him as she set the tray of food down on the table.

You can do this, it won't be like last time, Circe told herself for the hundredth time.

"Are you hungry?" she asked gently, like a mother coaxing a child. Andino looked up at her with a

glare, and then something shifted as he took in the clothes.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"No one important. I thought you might want something to eat, and the bosses forget that humans

need food sometimes," Circe replied and sat down on one of the cold plastic chairs. "They don't

know I'm in here, so if you want to eat, you better do it quickly so I can get rid of the evidence."

"Won't you get into trouble?" Andino asked as he got to unsteady feet and shuffled forward to join

her.

"Only if we get caught," she whispered conspiratorially. "I'm meant to be cleaning the offices next

door, which means no one will expect us for a while."

"How do I know it's not poisoned?" he demanded, and she laughed.

"Why would I want to poison you? You're a human like me, and I don't know what you did to piss

them off but I don't like seeing anyone suffer," Circe said, fighting the urge to take the fork and shove

it in the doctor's eye. Instead, she scooped some of the stew and rice into her mouth. "See?"

Andino took the fork from her and all but fell on the food. "This is actually pretty good."

"I got it from the kitchens. Hades always keeps good chefs on staff. It's one of the perks of

working here, I suppose," Circe said and took the coin from her pocket. It was a small piece of

Charon, and it steadied her nerves, making her focus on what she was about to do. She was immune to

what she had laced Andino's food with, the years of brewing poisons and antidotes making her

impervious to almost everything. Andino had slowed his chewing as the hallucinogens took effect.

"Whoa, I must have had lower blood sugar than what I thought," he mumbled uncertainly. "You're

really pretty."

"Not as pretty as this," Circe said and held out the coin. Her magic simmered alive in her veins

and floated the coin above her palm. "Isn't it lovely, how the light catches it?"

"Yeah, it is. I want to touch it," Andino murmured.

"I'll give it to you if you are a good boy," said Circe softly, the coin turning in the air. Andino was

transfixed, the shimmer of its light becoming his whole world. Then when he was fully hypnotized by

it, Circe stepped inside his mind.

Images swirled, flooding her with memories that weren't her own. Charon was in them, splattered

with blood and ichor, and looking like the terrifying titan he was. Circe settled in, letting the magic

pull her down further and further into his memories. Then she began to hunt for Darius.

Time had lost all meaning as Circe explored one memory after another after another until she was

Andino himself. She vaguely became aware of someone yelling. She knew that voice. It was a

female's voice full of authority.

"Circe! Can you hear me? Snap out of it!" she demanded. Who was Circe? She ignored the voice,

searching deeper for the man and the doctor and the witch.

Warm hands touched her arm and she stilled, the memory freezing around her.

"Sorceress, don't get lost again when I only just found you," a deep voice whispered in her ear.

Heat flushed through her as she sought the owner of that voice. She was drawn to it, the feel of his

hands on hers hooking into her and ripping her out of the mind that wasn't her own.

Circe's consciousness slammed back into her body so hard that she rocked backward. A strong

body braced her and she shuddered awake.

"I've got you, just breathe," Charon said. Charon. Circe looked up at him, and her own memories

came rushing back. They had been in bed together only hours beforehand, those black eyes full of

warmth and desire.

"Charon," she said dreamily.

"You back in there, sorceress?" he asked, his dark brows drawing together. Circe snapped her

attention away from him and back to the doctor opposite her. The coin was on the table and he was

still staring at it.

"Oh no," Circe whispered in horror. Blood was dripping out of Andino's ears, nose, eyes,

mouth...and he was worse than dead. Circe covered her face with her hands. "Fuck, I didn't mean to

go that deep."

"It's okay," Hecate said beside her and took her in her arms. "We knew the risks. Did you get what

we needed?"

Circe swayed. "It's going to take me a while to sort through the memories to give you coherent

answers, but yes, I got...everything." Then she tilted forward and vomited all over the floor. Charon's

warm hand rested on her back, but she flinched away from him. She didn't want him to see her like

this, to see what she had done.

"Get me out of here, Hecate. Now," Circe sobbed. Her aunt didn't argue, only helped her to her

feet and through a doorway.

Circe sat on the cold tiles of her shower floor and let the hot water rush over her. She had vomited for

an hour before climbing in to wash the horror off her. She couldn't move, didn't know how long she

been there and didn't care. She had tried to warn them of what could happen, and still, they had let her

do it.

This horrible ability was the reason why she had been cursed to Aeaea to begin with.

Circe had foolishly fallen in love with Glaucus, a human who had turned into a merman by eating

one of the immortality plants found on Thrinacia. Circe had met him when he had been presented to

Helios and they had almost instantly started an affair.

Stupid, cursed heart. Even now, thinking about how naive she had been made Circe cringe. She

had thought that Glaucus loved her back, but when she began to suspect he saw Scylla on the side, she

had to know the truth. She had drugged Scylla...and tore her mind apart.

Being an immortal nymph, Scylla hadn't become the drooling mind dead being that Andino had.

No, Circe's magic and lack of control had remade the nymph into such a creature of terror and

madness that it frightened the Olympians and titans alike. Transmutation magic wasn't something a

lowly creature like her should have.

Glaucus had been so terrified of her that he had fled the sight of her. He hadn't been there when

Helios had gone to Zeus for advice, nor was he there to watch as she was dragged out of her home by

the Sky Father and abandoned on Aeaea. That one decision had led to every tragedy of her life,

including Odysseus's betrayal. He had needed to know how to get past the sea monster Scylla, and

only Circe knew because she had created her into the beast.

Now, Circe had done it again. Used that terrible, dark power, and instead of control, she had left

the man to a fate worse than death. What would Charon think of her now that he saw what horrible

abilities lived inside of her? Circe tried to push the thought away. Why did she care?

Stop fooling yourself into thinking he means nothing to you. You've made the same mistake all

over again, letting the one you love see what you really are. Circe sobbed; she had only done what

she had been asked to do.

You should have known better, unloved one, Zeus's voice mocked her in the back of her mind.

Too much power for such a weak-willed female to control. What a waste you are, daughter of

Helios.

Circe leaned forward and wretched up water and bile onto the tiles. She should have said no to

Hecate and Hades. Shouldn't have unleashed that side of her after so long. Circe had seen Medea and

what they were doing to her, and all her good judgment had vanished.

You have much better control over your magic now, you can do this, she had told herself as she

had agreed to destroy a man's mind.

"No, sort through the memories and find Medea," Circe said, pulling herself to her feet. She

couldn't dwell on Charon or anything else when her task was only half done.

It didn't matter that she had seen all Andino's memories, she now had to find the ones that were

useful as she purged them out of herself like a parasite. Circe got out of the shower and got dressed.

Nia was prowling outside of her door and Circe stopped to pat her reassuringly.

"I'm okay, girl," she said to the beast. "Time to go outside and find what we need." Circe's

stomach cramped but she knew better than to eat or drink anything. It would all come back up anyway.

She walked out into the afternoon light to her work shed. She found a notebook and pen that Selene

had left behind and turned it to a fresh page. Just get it done and be rid of it.

Circe lit a fire under her cauldron and let the water heat. Slowly she dropped herbs into it as it

began to bubble. She would never sully her scrying bowl with this kind of magic. No, this horror was

best left to be contained in old iron.

When the mixture was ready, Circe touched two fingers to her forehead, letting the oils on her

fingers burn into her skin as the magic took hold. Then she swirled her oily fingers into the cauldron

and let the spell start to pull Andino's memories out one at a time and throw them onto the steaming

surface.

In a trance, Circe took the notebook from the bench and began to write down everything she saw.

16

"Do you think she is going to be all right?" Charon asked after Hecate had disappeared with Circe.

"Better than this piece of shit. Fuck, she did a number on him," said Ariadne as she inspected

Andino. She put two fingers under his neck. "There's a pulse, but there's nobody home." She took a

pen from her pocket and touched the congealing gore dripping out of the doctor's ears. "See that?

That's the brain juice."

"Stop touching it," Thanatos said. "He's a corpse with a heartbeat right now. Let's hope Circe got

what she needed."

"Even if her magic didn't work, who cares? This piece of shit is dead," Erebus said coldly.

"Who cares? Didn't you see what it did to her? Circe was fucking gone, " snarled Charon.

"She knew what she agreed to better than we did," Ariadne replied. "We might as well get this

over and done with." A slim blade appeared in her hand, and she drove it into the catatonic man's

jugular. Charon picked up his coin from the table and shoved it back into his pocket.

"How long did Hecate say it would take for Circe to process the memories?" he asked tightly.

Charon wouldn't interfere no matter how much he wanted to. Panic had seized him when Hecate had

called to her with no response. Circe's expression had been just as vacant as Andino's and it fucking

terrified him. She had come back to herself, but she hadn't been able to hide the horror in her eyes.

Not from him. Now she was gone and he couldn't go to her.

"Hecate wasn't sure. I'll go home and keep an eye on them, report back when it's done," Thanatos

said and gestured to the body. "Ariadne, go back to Asterion. Charon and Erebus can take care of the

body."

"We should send his head back to the research building in Thessaloniki," Erebus said, tossing a

shadow dagger in his hands.

"What's the matter with you today? You're acting like a beast," Charon replied as he pulled out a

tarp and put it on the floor beside Andino's chair.

"You saw what they were doing to Medea on that video. That was decades ago, Charon. They've

still got her. Can you imagine what state she's in now?"

"You've never even met Medea-"

"And that matters? She is one of us, and those assholes have been experimenting on her for all that

time. I don't have any compassion left for the likes of this piece of shit," Erebus snapped and kicked

Andino's corpse off the chair and onto the tarp. "When we find them, Charon, I'm going to slaughter

them without mercy. They fucking don't deserve any. They started this war, and now it's time we finish

it."

Hours later, Charon was still churning over Erebus's words. They had gotten rid of the body and

quickly gone their separate ways. Erebus needed to cool off or get hammered after a bad day. Charon

needed to be left alone. He had sat out in the rooftop garden and watched the sun go down, drinking

beer after beer trying to calm himself down. He hated that a day that had started so well could end so

horribly.

Charon checked his phone messages for the hundredth time, silently begging Circe to reach out to

let him know she was okay. He had never seen that kind of wild power before. It was so silent and

vicious, as it had ripped the essence of Andino clean out of him and into her.

Charon had taken the coin they had used and flung it far out into the ocean after they dumped the

corpse. He'd never be able to look at it again without seeing the blank look on Circe's face.

"She came back, she's fine," Charon said out loud and opened another beer. So why did it feel like

he had lost her?

It was midnight when Charon pulled up in Thanatos's driveway and got out of the car. He hadn't been

able to drink his worry away. He couldn't sleep, so he had gotten into his Maserati and drove. He

hadn't planned on going out to the house until he had stopped in front of it. There was only one thing

that would calm him down, and that was seeing his sorceress with his own eyes.

Charon paced in front of the door, debating on whether he should knock or break-in when it

opened. Thanatos looked him over and after a long moment, sighed and stepped aside.

"Hecate is sleeping, and I think Circe might be too," Thanatos whispered. "She finished the magic,

but it took all her energy."

"I won't wake her, I just need to see her," Charon said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I can't

sleep without seeing her breathing..." He couldn't put it into words, the gnawing inside of him.

"It's okay, just be quiet when you leave," his brother replied and headed back towards his

bedroom.

Charon walked to the far side of the dark house where the guest wing was. He had taken one step

towards Circe's door when a lioness prowled out in front of him, a deep growl of warning hissing

between her fangs.

"God's balls, Nia, you trying to scare me to death?" Charon whispered, and the lioness's eyes

shone. She didn't move from her place, guarding the door. "I'm not going to hurt her. I only need to see

her for one second, then I'll go." He didn't know if the lioness could understand him like she could

Circe, but he had to try. He held his hands out to her. "Please, Nia."

The lioness stared at him for a moment longer before she nudged her head into his hands and

rubbed her big body against him on her way past. "Thank you," Charon said. He gently turned the

handle of the bedroom door and glanced in. There was no light on, but Charon had been born to the

darkness and could see through it. He could make out the shape of Circe on the bed, heard the soft

whimper she was trying to hide.

"Circe, are you awake?" he whispered.

"C-Charon? What are you doing here?" she said, sitting up.

"Couldn't sleep," he admitted, stepping into the room. "Are you okay?"

"No." Circe lay back down.

"Can I come in?"

"If you want to," she replied. She sounded so...defeated.

What the hell did that magic do to her? Charon closed the door behind him and sat down on the

bed. Very slowly, he placed his hand on her shoulder, and she let out a sob. Without knowing what

else to do, he kicked off his boots and pulled her close to him.

"It's okay, little sorceress, I've got you," he whispered.

"You're not...disgusted or frightened by me? By what I did?" Circe asked, and his heart broke a

little, hearing the fear in her voice.

"Not even a little bit. There's nothing I find disgusting or frightening about you," he replied.

Circe's arms went around him, holding him tight. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It's okay, Circe,

I'm not going anywhere. You want to tell me about it?" There was a long silence, and her fingers

tangled in his shirt.

"How much do you know about my banishment to Aeaea?" Circe said, finally.

"Not much," Charon replied, stroking her hair.

"Then...I'm going to tell you a story," Circe whispered, and she did. Charon held her, his heart torn

to pieces as she told him the tragedy of her banishment, and finally, he realized the enormity of what

they had made her do that day.

"You should've said no. The price was too high," he said when she finally stopped speaking.

"No, it's not. We have to save Medea, and this was the quickest way-"

"Fuck, Circe, it wasn't the only way. You should never have done it. It's not worth what you are

suffering through now," Charon said, trying to keep his voice down. "You scared me because you

were gone. I won't risk losing you like that for fucking information on Darius."

Circe's hand came to his cheek. "I did get it, though. I got all of it. Charon, we have to stop them,

the horror of what I saw in there, you've got no idea."

"We will, I promise," he said. "I still don't think it was worth risking you like that and bringing up

a past that hurts you so much."

"You really aren't afraid of me?" Circe asked, staring at him.

"No, you are still as perfect as the day you threw a spear at me," replied Charon honestly.

"You keep saying things like that, and I'm going to fall in love with you. Then you'll really be

fucked," she teased softly.

"Lucky for you, I don't believe in your love curse," Charon replied. She smiled at that, and Charon

didn't think he could handle that look in her eyes. He didn't think anyone would ever look at him like

that, least of all the sorceress of Aeaea.

"Stay with me tonight?" Circe asked.

Charon pulled the blanket over them, knowing that staying away from her would now be the real

problem. "Don't have to ask me twice."

* * *

Charon woke the next morning in a daze, his arms wrapped around a pillow in an unknown bed.

Thanatos's guest room. He sat up and ran his hands through his hair before cleaning up in the

bathroom. It was the deepest he had slept in... years. He looked at the time on his phone and swore. It

was almost midday.

How had he managed to sleep in that long without someone harassing or worse yet, having Hecate

charge in? Charon made himself as presentable as possible and crept out of Circe's room.

Charon made it three steps before he heard voices coming from the lounge room. Hecate,

Thanatos, and Erebus were all looking through a journal and arguing.

"Look who finally decided to wake up," Erebus exclaimed, making Charon freeze.

"I'm surprised you showed so much restraint to let me sleep," said Charon. He risked looking at

Hecate. She didn't look pissed, but there was definitely something in her expression that said they

were going to have a serious conversation.

"Circe threatened to feed us all to Nia if we even went near the bedroom door," Erebus said with

a shake of his head. "You and the sorceress of Aeaea...what a bizarre match."

"Don't be a dick. Charon already knows he's punching above his weight," Thanatos interrupted.

"It's also none of your business," Charon replied and headed to the kitchen. He needed caffeine

and food if he was going to deal with the day.

"It is mine," said Hecate, following him.

"Let me get coffee before you start yelling at me, Hec." Thank the infernal god's someone had put

a pot on. He poured himself a cup and dumped three sugars into it.

"Why would I yell at you?" she asked, putting bread into the toaster for him.

"Because I'm not good enough to court your niece?" he guessed.

"Charon...I wasn't going to say that all," Hecate said, violet eyes filling with genuine hurt. "I only

wanted to tell you to stop going behind my back about it."

"What? I thought that you would be mad," Charon replied.

"You are one of my oldest and dearest friends, ferryman. I don't like that you felt like you have to

keep secrets from me, especially about my own family," Hecate said, putting her arm around his

waist.

"I didn't plan for any of this to happen. I don't even know what this is. I didn't want to upset you,

and I didn't want you to think that I was only trying to get Circe into bed," he admitted.

"I'd never think that about you. Erebus maybe, but not you," she said and squeezed him. "You

wouldn't do anything impulsively when it comes to hearts. I knew Circe liked you from the moment

you arrived and she kissed you on the cheek. The only advice I'll give you is to make sure you take

things slow and don't push her. Be careful with what's left of her heart."

"I will, if she lets me get that far," Charon assured her and kissed her cheek. "Now, where is the

sorceress?"

"In her workshop. Come and see us when you've said your hello. We are going through the notes

she made on Andino's memories, and the more brains on it, the better," said Hecate.

"Shouldn't Medusa be here too? She's the one with the biggest brain," Charon asked, as he

buttered his toast.

"Susa is helping Perseus with final preparations for his exhibit tonight at the Styx House of Art

and Antiquities. There was an extra exhibit included in the collection at the last minute. You didn't

forget, did you?" Hecate said.

"Fuck, I really did," Charon groaned. Perseus had been working on it for weeks, and he had

completely forgotten.

"Lucky you have all of the fancy suits ready to go. We are all taking the night off, so you better be

there too," Hecate said as he headed out the back door.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Charon called back. After the last few days, they all needed a

break from the horror. He was halfway through the gardens when he felt something stalking him. He

turned slowly, looking at the forest that bordered the main property. A golden tail flicked through the

grass and he jumped aside as Nia pounced.

"Missed me," he said as the lioness loped around him. It took a heart-stopping second to realize

she was playing with him. He tossed her half of his toast, and she snatched it out of the air.

"Where's your mom?" Nia was too busy pawing at the toast on the ground to notice him, so

Charon headed for the small stone building. He tapped on the wooden door, not wanting to interrupt

her if she was in the middle of a working.

Circe opened the door, and her face broke into a smile that wiped away every charming thing he

was about to say.

"You're up!" she said happily before dragging him inside and kissing him. Charon put his coffee

down on a bench so he could get his arms around her and kiss her back.

"You should've woken me," he said, "especially like this."

"Thanatos said that you are grumpy in the morning, so I thought I better leave you be."

"I'm only grumpy when he wakes me up," Charon corrected. If he had woken up to Circe kissing

him, he was sure he would've been overjoyed.

"You looked like you needed the sleep more than I needed to ravage you," Circe said, letting him

go.

"You should've ravaged me. I am happy to live without sleep."

"Good to know for future reference."

"You look like you've been busy this morning," Charon said, looking around at the plants and

herbs on the bench. Anything to stop thinking about ravaging and Circe's mouth.

"I'm replenishing some stocks and making these." She held a tiny vial of pale yellow liquid. Inside

of it was a small black leaf and a white petal. "I'm going to have every one of the Court carry one at

all times in case Darius or Kayne tries to poison them. It's moly, something I know for sure that

neither of them has access to. I haven't seen anything it can't counteract."

"Like a mini-magical antidote," Charon said with a smile.

"Exactly. It also helps against illusions and protects against most magic strikes. If we go after

Darius and he still has my wand, whatever curses he throws at us should bounce right off," Circe

explained.

"Wicked. How long will they take to distill?"

"About two days. Plenty of time to figure out where the other labs are where Kayne might be

hiding," she said, placing the vial back next to the others. "I'm not going to be much use trying to

figure out all the places I saw in Andino's mind. My scrying has been good over the years, but I don't

know the cities well enough. Making these is something I can do to be useful."

"You've done more than your share, Circe. You could've been really hurt yesterday," Charon said,

trying not to be an overprotective dick but worrying about her all the same.

"I would've been worse if you hadn't been there," she admitted, looking up at him. "Thank you for

last night, Charon. You kept the nightmares away and made me feel...not so broken."

"You're welcome. Thank you for letting me stay and for telling me what happened all those years

ago." Charon toyed with the end of one of her loose braids as he tried to straighten out what he

wanted to say. "Look, Circe, I'm not Glaucus. I don't think your abilities make you a monster, and your

dark side doesn't scare me. I'm not Odysseus either. Clearly, I'm not hero material for a start, and I'm

not going to abandon you for my own ambition. I'm never going to demand anything from you that

you're not willing to give, but I want you to know that what we are doing, I like it. I want..."

"It's okay, Charon, I'm not going to demand any promises from you," Circe interrupted and went

back to putting leaves into the small vials. "I know I'm not an easy woman to love, so I don't expect

anything permanent from you."

"That's the biggest load of shit I've ever heard. I'm not trying to break up with you, kind of the

opposite actually," Charon replied impatiently.

Circe stepped back in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't know who made you believe that you are unlovable, but I'm telling you right now, I'm

going to do everything in my power to convince you of the opposite. And just so we are very fucking

clear; what I feel about you is pretty fucking permanent, so get used to it."

Circe folded her arms. "It might take a while for me to believe you. The males in my life have

never stuck around to become permanent, no matter how much I've wanted them to."

"Then you're going to have to learn to get used to it when I do, won't you? I only need you to give

me the chance to prove I'm serious about us," he said, and because he was helpless for her, he added,

" Please let me, Circe."

Circe's lips twitched. "Okay, but you better not make me regret it, titan."

"Never." Charon kissed her until her resistance melted, and her arms slowly unfolded and finally

went around him.

17

The Styx House of Art and Antiquities was one of the few buildings from old Corinth that had

survived the collapse. It had been part of an ancient agora, and Hades had paid for all the original

features to be kept and a modern building constructed around it. It was one of Charon's favorite

buildings with its mixture of ancient and modern architecture and made it the perfect place for the

newest exhibit, Bridges of Time. Its goal was to showcase modern Styx artists alongside ancient

artifacts to connect the past and future. Perseus was the artist of the night and had been working

constantly for over a month to help bring it together.

Charon hadn't seen Perseus in weeks, between searching for Circe and everything else that had

happened since. Now he felt like a shit friend as he gave his keys to the valet and looked at the

packed gallery. Perseus was standing with Medusa and chatting with some of Greece's most important

dignitaries.

"The belle of the ball, himself," Charon said, pulling Perseus into a hug. "Congrats, kitten, this

looks amazing."

"Thanks, Charon, you wait until you see what's inside," Perseus replied with a beaming smile.

"Hermes had a last-minute donation, and it sent the curators into a flurry," Medusa said with a roll

of her eyes.

"That should have made him happy," Charon replied with a laugh. "Anything I should be worried

about?"

"All depends if his plan works," Perseus said. "Either way, it's going to be a fun night. I met

Circe, by the way. Man, what an aura."

"You're telling me," Charon said, making Medusa laugh filthily.

"Oh, Charon, you have your work cut out for you with that one. You better go find her, so some

rich asshole doesn't run away with her. There's more than a few of them here tonight."

"Now, love, what did I say about calling my patrons rich assholes?" chided Perseus as he lifted

Medusa's hand and kissed it.

"It's still the truth. I'll catch up with you kids later," Charon said and got out of the way of the

incoming crowd.

Inside, the exhibit was underway, with patrons moving about the ancient artifacts and modern art.

The artistic history of Corinth and the new world of Styx was dazzling as modern sculpture and

paintings of similar themes tied to ancient works. Charon spotted more than one of Perseus's paintings

with their adoring fans.

People were crowding around a glass case in the center of the room, and Charon shook his head

when he saw why. The sword of Leonidas that Hermes had so recently discovered in an old duffle

bag was now out for the world to see. Leonidas technically didn't have a history with Corinth, but the

curators wouldn't have wanted to pass up the opportunity to display it.

Bait for Darius's cronies, Charon realized, and the extra security he had spotted around the

gallery suddenly made more sense. Something red flickered out of the corner of his eye, and he turned

towards it, his heart doing a shuddering jump in his chest.

Ariadne had sent him a cryptic message early in the evening that said, Wear red tonight. He hadn't

asked questions, but he put on a dark red suit with a black shirt and tie. He had figured it had

something to do with whatever dress she had picked out for Circe, and now as his eyes settled on the

sorceress of Aeaea, his breath caught in awe and desire.

Circe wore a strapless black gown that looked like the skirts were on fire. Reds, oranges, and

golds rose around her, setting off her golden-brown skin and the shining bronze slides pinning up her

hair. Her kohl-rimmed eyes landed on him, and her luscious dark red mouth rose in a smile. Charon

snapped himself out of his stunned daze and stalked through the crowd to where she was standing

with Erebus. Ignoring Erebus's smirk, Charon took Circe's hand and kissed it.

"Sorceress, you are as bewitching as ever," he said as he straightened.

"So are you," she replied with an awkward laugh.

"You two are as bad as each other," Erebus said, with a shake of his head. "Honestly, if you keep

eye-fucking each other, I'm going to get uncomfortable."

Circe slipped her arm around Charon's as she looked around the room. "You will have to show

me everything. There are so many beautiful things here I don't know where to start," she said.

"I noticed Hermes decided to try to steal the show," Charon commented. "I wish he had clued me

in on that development."

"You were occupied," Erebus said, glancing pointedly at Circe. "Besides, it's a gamble more than

a plan, and it was only decided this morning. I don't think the news about it would have had enough

time to make it to Darius or anyone else, but perhaps in the next few days, it might flush someone else

out."

"Hades has his guys stationed around as well as the gallery security?"

"And Medusa has Lola linked into the security cameras. Don't worry, little brother, the

professionals have this under control," Erebus said. "Your only worry tonight should be showing

Circe a good time or I might steal her away for myself." He winked at her, and Circe only laughed.

"You're adorable, Erebus, but you didn't crash a helicopter for a chance to meet me," she teased.

"True. I'm going to need another drink, so I'll see you two on the rounds," Erebus replied and

slipped away through the crowd.

"That dress looks incredible," Charon whispered in her ear.

Circe's smiled slyly. "It does, so you had better do your best not to damage it when I ask you to rip

it off later," she said, and every part of him lit up in excitement.

"You keep saying things like that to me, sorceress, and we are going to be cutting this night off

early," Charon replied, bending down to drop a kiss on her bare shoulder. Her skin flushed pink

across her chest, and Charon had the mad desire to drag her to the nearest dark corner and...

"Stop it, ferryman, we are here to look at art, remember," Circe said, pulling him towards a

painting. "I want to see everything."

* * *

Circe had never seen so many beautiful things in one room before. She was overwhelmed by the

people and the art, but having Charon beside her made it worth it. That suit. It made people either

stop and stare at him or get out of his way because even dressed up, there was something about him

that looked dangerous.

"This is another one that Perseus painted," Charon said, as they stopped in front of a large canvas

that was an explosion of color.

"It makes me feel...excited," Circe struggled to explain. She had never seen art like it, each one

seemingly of nothing, but the more she looked, different emotions vibrated through her.

She had met Medusa's handsome artist earlier in the night, and she knew she was going to like him

immensely, even if he was another son of Zeus. She liked all the Court, except for Hermes, and that

continued to surprise her most of all. Hecate had told her that they would all grow on her, but she

hadn't expected it quite so quickly. It made the urgency to find Medea and stop Darius even more

important.

"Would you like a cocktail? I can go grab us some while you look at this," Charon said, his arms

coming behind her in an easy embrace.

"I would love that," she replied, leaning back into him. He lifted her chin and kissed her gently, so

he didn't smudge her lipstick.

"I'll be right back," he promised and let her go. She watched him go, and his words earlier that

day came rushing through her, and she hung onto them.

Maybe you are not so unlovable, after all. Charon might just be the one to convince her of that.

Circe turned back to the painting before slowly moving to the next piece of an ancient vase

painted with centaurs.

"I'm pretty certain that's a fake," a man's deep voice said behind her. Circe turned as he grabbed

her by the arm. "Easy, Circe, I've got a dagger right next to your heart." Darius Drakos smiled down at

her like they were the best of friends. "Step over there to the corner please. We wouldn't want to get

in anyone's way."

"You bastard, what the fuck have you done to Medea?" she hissed as he maneuvered her. She tried

to wave at Charon over at the bar.

"There's no point in doing that, darling, he can't see us. No one can." Darius held up his hand to

her, where a thick silver ring sat on his index finger. "This little trinket is called the ring of Gyges. It

makes its wearer and whoever they might be touching invisible. Handy little thing I can tell you."

"What do you want?" Circe asked, summoning her power. The tip of Darius's knife pressed further

into her side.

"I wouldn't try magic on me either, darling. I have a talisman that protects against it, and you

wouldn't want any of these humans getting hurt in the backlash now, would you?" he said. "Stop

wriggling and be quiet. I'm here for two reasons; to get my fucking sword back, and to give you a one

time only offer to join with me."

Circe laughed in his face. "You've got to be kidding me. I did join with you and Pandora, and you

left me to rot on that damn island twenty years longer than I needed to."

"That was Pandora's call, not mine, but she's gone and I'm running the show. Come over to the

winning side before it's too late, Circe. I could use another witch, and Medea has gotten so tedious of

late."

"You ask me to join you and then throw the suffering of my niece in my face? Why the fuck would

I come with you? You're going to die, Darius, and soon. For all your knowledge on ancient artifacts,

did you miss all the parts of the stories where mortals were punished for trying to take on the gods?"

she said with a vicious smile. "We are coming for you, and all your invisible rings and protections

won't be able to stop us." Darius opened his mouth to reply, but Circe had already shifted her weight,

twisted and elbowed him hard in the chest. The blade of his knife cut into her as he lost his grip on

her, and she was suddenly visible again.

"Charon! He's here!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Charon dropped the drinks he was

holding and sprinted to her side.

"Circe, are you okay? You're bleeding," he said, holding a hand to her side.

"Darius is here! You must tell the others. He's wearing an invisibility ring," she told him quickly.

She sent her power out through the crowd, trying to find any other magical disturbance. Charon was

on his phone to Erebus, the entire Court suddenly becoming alert. Screaming broke out in the main

room, followed by glass smashing.

"The sword!" Circe kicked off her heels and took off at a run, summoning a spear in her hand and

ignoring the pain flaring in her side. People were scattering in panic as the alarms started going off.

They found Hermes and Selene by the smashed case.

"Any sign of him?" Charon demanded.

"No, the sword was just gone," Selene said, hanging onto Hermes.

"He's wearing the ring of Gyges. It makes him-"

"Invisible," muttered Hermes. "Son of a bitch. What did he want from you?"

"He asked me to join him, and...and I hit him," Circe replied. Her side was aching from the knife

wound. She didn't think it had cut so deep.

"Good job, maybe lose the spear, so people don't think you are the threat," Hermes suggested, and

Circe's spear vanished. "Don't look so worried, Charon. The sword he took it was a fake."

"I'm not worried about your fucking sword, Hermes!" Charon snarled, putting his hand back over

Circe's bleeding side. "I leave you alone for one second...we need to get you out of here."

"It's not your fault. Gods, it's starting to burn, Charon," she hissed. "I think Darius poisoned his

blade. We need to get to my workroom."

"Take her home, Hermes. I'll find Asterion and Ariadne," Selene said and pressed a kiss to his

lips.

"Be careful," Hermes said to Selene before he grabbed Charon. "This way.

18

Charon picked Circe up, and they hurried through the crowd to a small alcove. Once Hermes could

see Selene reach Asterion, he ripped open a doorway to Thanatos's house. Circe could barely make

out the gardens around them as the poison made its way to her eyes.

"Go back to Selene and try to use magic to find fucking Darius. I've got this," Charon said.

"Let me know straight away if it doesn't heal, and I'll come back with the Caduceus," Hermes

replied, and vanished.

"Quickly, Charon, the...the moly I showed you," Circe gasped as the pain started to creep its way

through the rest of her body, slowly numbing her.

"It's okay, I've got you." Charon held her tight as he jogged through the gardens to her workshop.

With one hand, he fumbled with the light switch and set her down. Circe pulled at the zipper on the

side of her dress, and Charon helped get it off her. Ichor was smeared all over her from the shallow

wound across her ribs, and black lines were spiderwebbing under her skin.

"Fucking asshole," Charon hissed as he grabbed a cloth and tried to wipe some of the ichor away.

Circe grabbed her wooden box that contained her moly leaves and put three in her mouth and began

chewing. The herb tasted as terrible as it always had, but within a minute, her breathing started to

ease.

"Get me one of those vials I showed you," she instructed Charon as she gripped onto the bench for

support.

"Here," he said, uncorking one and passing it to her.

"This our best chance to see if it works," she replied and smeared some of the oil on her wound. It

stung painfully, and Charon held onto her as the wound began to froth black poison as it leaked out of

her.

"Get...get one of those spare jars," she said, and he raced to fetch her one. "It's the best sample we

are going to get." She held the lip of the jar to her side and squeezed her wound, so the frothy poison

dripped into it.

"Fuck, Circe, you're so hardcore sometimes," muttered Charon. He took the jar from her and held

it while he wrapped the other around her to hold her up.

"I know. Look, it's almost out," she said through gritted teeth. When the wound was running with

normal golden ichor again, Charon took the jar away. The black lines on her skin were gone and the

wound had already gotten smaller.

"That was too close," Charon said, corking the jar and putting it on the bench. He looked furious.

"I'm fine," Circe assured him. "Will you help me get cleaned up?" Like she hoped, Charon's anger

vanished.

"Sure thing," he said, picking her up. "When I thought about getting you out of that dress tonight,

this wasn't quite what I had in mind."

"Lucky that moly is working so quickly," Circe replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I had

plans of my own."

Charon carried her to the shower, and after Circe assured him she could stand on her own, she

quickly washed the ichor off her skin. The wound had closed but was still tender as she poked it. She

wasn't about to let it ruin the rest of her evening.

After tonight, she knew that the Court would be going after Darius with a vengeance, and she

might not get a chance to be alone with Charon for a while as they hunted.

Wrapping a towel around herself, Circe stepped out to find Charon sitting on the edge of her bed,

his jacket off, and his ear to the phone.

"How's Perseus? His night was ruined. Wow, Medusa must have been able to smooth things out

fast if they are continuing with it. No, she's fine, Thanatos, she had some moly, and it healed it. I-"

Charon looked up and saw her watching him. "I have to go. We'll talk tomorrow." He hung up as she

came closer to him, his eyes running over her. "How do you feel?"

"Good. Healed. I told you that moly could counteract anything. I'm a bit sad about the night being

cut short."

"The rest of the Court is dealing with it. They don't need us. You want to tell me what happened?"

he asked.

"Later. I don't want to talk about Darius when I'm in bed with you. I got a knife wound and

poisoned tonight, so there other more important things on my mind," Circe said as she stepped

between his thighs and ran her hands through his hair.

"Are you sure you are okay? I don't want to hurt you," Charon replied, his hands sliding up her

thighs and under the towel.

"You won't. Touching you is an important part of my recovery."

Charon laughed softly. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely. Trust me, I'm the sorceress here." She kissed him, loving the feel of his smiling lips

against her. "Oh, yes, I'm feeling so much better already."

"That's good because I have a lot of other places that you can touch," Charon said cheekily.

"I have some in mind in particular," she purred, nipping his jaw.

"I'm all yours, sorceress, you know that."

Circe unbuttoned his black shirt, taking a moment to admire all his beautiful tattoos. She ran her

hands over him as she knelt down between his thighs. Charon's black eyes burned with lust as she

undid his belt.

"This is definitely more of what I had in mind when I saw you in this suit tonight," she said. "I

honestly don't know what I enjoy more; seeing you in beautiful clothes or taking them off you."

"I'm glad your thoughts are as filthy as your mouth," Charon chuckled and then gasped as she

licked the end of his dick. Charon swore as her towel dropped down, exposing her breasts. His hands

stroked up her bare shoulders and down to her back as she sucked and licked. He had made her lose

her mind last time they were in bed, and she fully intended to reciprocate. Her hands went up to

stroke his chest and play with his nipple piercings, and his breathing became ragged. Charon's hands

tightened on her breasts, making her groan around him.

"Fuck, stop," he gasped, lifting her off. "As good as that feels, I need to be in you."

Charon picked her up and pinned her down on the bed underneath him. He guided himself inside

of her, his mouth finding her breast and making her shiver.

Circe's legs went over his strong shoulders, and Charon pushed into her even deeper, making her

hips rise up to meet him. Her vision exploded with lights as she came with an intensity that shook her

bones. Charon released her legs so they could hook about his waist. Then he was kissing her,

smothering his own groans of pleasure as he came deep inside of her.

"You see? I'm feeling better already," Circe said, making him laugh.

"Fucking hell, you really are perfect for me," he said, struggling to breathe.

Circe laughed again, putting her arms around his neck and bringing his mouth back to hers. "And

that's only the first one of the night."

"Circe, please don't ever get stabbed again," Charon said seriously, tucking her golden hair

behind her ear. "I've never been that afraid in my life before, and I don't think I could survive the

experience again."

"Even with the makeup sex after?" Circe tried to joke, but she held him tighter to her when he

didn't smile. "Charon, cut it out. I might get hurt, but I'm just as tough as you are. I'm not going to sit

back and let you go after Darius alone when he has magic and you don't."

"I know, but next time Darius turns up, please throw a spear at him and ask questions later,"

Charon said. "You know like you did with me."

"I promise," Circe replied with a laugh and kissed him until he smiled again.

19

Charon woke the next morning with his phone vibrating. He fumbled for it, careful not to jostle

Circe still curled around him.

"What?" he answered sleepily.

"Get up, we have two leads on Darius, and you're needed," Hades said, his tone like a bucket of

cold water being splashed over him.

"Okay, I'm awake. Where are we meeting?" Charon replied, sitting up.

"Serpentine. Don't dawdle. Bring the sorceress." Hades hung up, and Charon cursed. If Hades

was pissed enough to have that tone, then his day was about to get very violent, very quickly.

They made it to Medusa's war room in record time. It was full of the entire Court, and they all

looked grim.

"Look who finally made it," said Erebus, pushing two coffees at Charon.

"Thanks, big brother," he replied.

Circe held Charon's hand the whole time, refusing to let it go. Hecate raised a brow at them, but

Circe held her stare, a defiant gleam in her eyes. My sorceress. Charon didn't think he'd ever had

someone silently thrown down on his behalf before and smiled smugly as they sat down.

"Now that we are all here, let's get started, Lola," Medusa said from the head of the table.

"Thanks to Circe's memory pillage, we have managed to track down one of Andino's laboratories

in Istanbul." Lola opened the journal that Circe had recorded the memories in and held up a sketch of

a building. "This is obviously Hagia Sophia, so I dug around into Andino's recent flights and

financials and found that he's visited this building in Istanbul twelve times in the past six months. He

has also donated overly large sums of money to the tune of five million drachmae." Lola clicked on

her laptop and brought up a photo of a three-story building on the main screens. "Doesn't look like

much, but after looking through various shipping manifests of this fake company, there is more high-

tech equipment in there to have a completely separate operation running to the one at Thessaloniki."

"Fucking great, more mechanical hybrids to kick our asses," Thanatos said.

"Unless they are experimenting with something else," Charon added. "That poison Darius had his

blade dipped in last night worked quickly enough for it to be lethal in the smallest doses."

"We can't be sure what was in it without a sample," said Lola. Circe took the jar out of her bag

and slid it across to her.

"That's what came out of me when I purged it."

"Ew gross," Ariadne complained as Lola snatched it up.

"Wicked. I'll get Dany's nerds over at ARGOS to run tests on it, see what it's made up of," she

said, studying the black muck.

"Focus, please," Hades prompted.

"Yes, boss, sorry. Okay, so we have Istanbul as a location, but we also know that the sword

Darius so boldly stole last night has ended up in Lindos," Lola said and clicked on a map where a

GPS beacon was pulsing from the city on Rhodes.

"You bugged it?" Charon asked Hermes. The trickster smiled his slyest smile.

"Of course, I did. Did I expect the fucker to have an invisibility ring and turn up like that? No. But

I did expect someone to try to get it back at some point. The sword is a replica made here by

Medusa's R & D to look like the real thing. Darius would have to do a lot of tests to prove its

authenticity, giving us time to track down wherever it goes in the meantime," Hermes explained,

making Charon smile.

"You will have to give the gallery another one too. They are devastated that they lost it on the first

showing," said Perseus with a laugh.

"I'm sorry for ruining your night, baby brother," Hermes replied, patting him on the shoulder.

"You didn't. The gallery is getting so much press now that I'm going to have to organize you to rob

it every couple of months."

"Getting back to Darius. Circe, what did he say to you last night," Hades interrupted them. Circe

didn't flinch from the look in Hades's eyes as she told them how Darius had grabbed her, and what he

had said about the ring and joining with him.

"I didn't know what else to do to be able to get Charon's attention, so I shoved Darius off me,"

Circe finished and then frowned. "I didn't stop to think about losing him once I did. I could feel the

magic around the ring, but I didn't have enough of a grasp of it to be able to track him that quickly."

"It doesn't matter. Darius took the bait, which means we now have to decide what to hit first,

Istanbul or Lindos," Hades replied.

"We should split up and do both," said Erebus, his shadows swirling around his chair. "They

know we might have gotten information out of Andino, so we need to raid them before they move out.

There are enough of us now that we don't all have to go together. Charon and Circe can lead a team

and go to Istanbul to see what's at the lab. Thanatos, Hecate, and I can lead another to go to Lindos.

We need a sorceress each in case they have other people that can use the wand."

"That idea has merit. Darius could have shipped off the sword, and he could be waiting for us to

leave before attacking Styx. I'm concerned that because we attacked Andino's lab, they will try to

target our buildings here," said Hades, steepling his fingers thoughtfully.

"Then, we have three teams. Between you, Persephone, and Medusa, no one would last long even

if they did attack Styx," said Charon. "Hermes can come with us to Istanbul, and if we find nothing, he

can take us to Lindos to help out."

"How much time will you need to get prepared?" asked Hades.

"I have the old building plans for the Istanbul site, but I'm starting to think a lot of it will be

underground, and that's not on it," said Lola, bringing up blueprints. "The amount of equipment that

has been delivered there wouldn't have all fit on the floor plan I have. As for Lindos, I have nothing.

Looking at the satellite pictures taken at those GPS coordinates, there's literally nothing there but a

hill."

"They could be in caves like on Crete," suggested Thanatos.

"We won't know until you guys get there. I can support as much as I can, but if they have a security

CCTV feed, it's not online, and you'll have to get something in there for me to piggyback into," Lola

explained.

"Then we have a plan. We only need weapons and darkness," said Ariadne. "Let's hit these

bastards tonight. I call dibs on the invisibility ring if we get Darius's stash."

* * *

The grey building in Arnavutköy looked run down from the outside. The sign out the front advertised

an import-export company in faded paint, but nothing that would have signaled it was owned by a

medical research corporation.

Charon didn't like the feeling of dread that settled along his bones. The building in Thessaloniki

had been bad enough, who knows what horrors they would find inside?

"This looks like a shit hole," said Ariadne, a small dagger flipping between her fingers.

"Appearances can be deceiving, especially when magic is involved," Circe replied.

"Are you picking up anything odd?" asked Charon. He wouldn't put it past Darius to construct a

glamor if he had the knowledge on how to do it.

"I can feel magic, but it is here and deep down." Circe pointed to a space in the empty carpark.

"Score one to Lola for at least one underground level," said Hermes. His staff appeared in his

hands, glowing softly in the grim light. "Let's go and ruin their night."

Charon grabbed Hermes by the arm. "No stray grenades this time."

"You're no fun at all," Hermes said with a sigh. "Don't worry, I promised Asterion all of the

mechanical minotaurs he can handle."

"There's no substitute for the real thing," Asterion grumbled.

Hermes looked at the rusting metal roller door in front of them. "Subtle? Or flash bang?"

"Flash bang!" Ariadne said excitedly, pulling out two handguns from her thigh holsters.

"How about flash bang the top floor so we can sneak in through the bottom? The lower levels are

the ones we need to get to after all," Asterion replied. "Just because they have no security outside

doesn't mean we don't know what's inside."

"Okay, both it is," Hermes said. "Charon, come with me. We'll be right back."

Hermes grabbed Charon, pulling him through an invisible door, and they stepped out into the

middle of the building's top level. There were no people working on it, and nothing was there but

empty cubicles. Charon ran his hand over the nearest desk and came away with half an inch of dust.

"Fake office. Doesn't look anyone has been up here in years," he said, looking around at the eerie

ghost offices.

"Good, it makes our job easier," said Hermes and sent a bolt of magic from his staff to the far

wall. Flames erupted in its wake, blowing out all the glass windows.

"Let's get downstairs and see who rushes out," said Charon.

They decided to take the stairwells and make their way down to the ground level. The second

floor was the same as the third, window dressing for a company that didn't exist.

"I'm starting to think this might be a bust," said Hermes as he kicked open the access door to the

ground floor. On the other side of it, a bellow echoed around them as Asterion picked up a hybrid

panther and tore it in half.

"Still think that?" Charon asked as he pulled out his daggers and hurried to get to Circe's side.

"What happened?"

"As soon as the explosion went off, these cages opened," Circe said as she threw a spear at a

hybrid dog that was about to jump on Ariadne's back. In a flash, another spear appeared in her hand,

and she charged in.

"I like your new girlfriend, Charon!" Ariadne shouted as she caught up to Asterion, who was

finishing off a bear.

"Any humans yet?" Hermes asked, knocking a large dog on the head with the Caduceus.

"None," Charon said, just as an elevator opened, and a team of mercenaries in tactical gear ran

out. "Fuck, get down, we have incoming!"

Charon raced to get Circe out of the way of the laser sights as the team opened fire. Circe's hand

shot out, and a bolt of magic streamed towards the mercenaries. Guns flew out of their hands and

stuck to the ceiling in a melted blob as Circe let another bolt strike them down. The mercenaries flew

backward, all hitting the walls and splattering like crushed bugs on a windshield.

"Holy. Fucking. Sorceress," Ariadne gasped, as they stared at Circe in amazement.

"What? They outnumbered us," Circe said, her whole body lit up with power.

"No complaints from me. Hermes, why don't you ever do anything like that?" Charon asked.

"Selene said I'm not allowed to!" Hermes huffed as he picked a set of swipe cards off the nearest

guard.

"Let's see what else we can find." Charon offered his hand to Circe. She looked a little relieved

as she took it like she was surprised he wasn't scared of her. "Have I told you today that you're

fucking incredible?"

"Man, after that display, I'm kind of in love with you too, Circe," said Ariadne as they got into the

elevator.

"Hey, you're taken," Asterion huffed, his bull's horns running with gore from gods knew what.

"Don't worry, so am I," Circe replied, squeezing Charon's hand tighter.

"Save your mushy shit for later," Hermes chastised and swiped the dead guard's card pass over a

grey panel. When nothing happened, he pulled a severed finger from his pocket and pressed it on a

small black screen.

"That's so disgusting," Ariadne laughed.

"You never know when a spare finger might come in handy," Hermes replied as the elevator doors

closed. "How many do you think are going to be waiting for us when these open again? There are no

buttons on this ride, so I'm hoping there's only one floor."

"I reckon twenty guys," said Charon and looked down at Circe. "Don't suppose you know of any

good shielding magic?"

"Of course, lover," she replied and traced a sigil on the steel door in front of them.

"She's so much cooler than you are, Hermes," Charon whispered. Then the doors opened, and

another group of mercenaries opened fire at them. A wall of green light caught their bullets, and they

pinged to the ground.

"That's so freaking awesome," Ariadne said as they stepped out of the elevators and behind a row

of concrete pillars. "Asterion! I want to learn how to be a sorceress."

"Anything you want, sweetness, but let's get out of this first," Asterion called back.

"Don't drain yourself, Hermes can help out," Charon said to Circe.

"Yeah, that's right. Just watch my suburb peacekeeping skills." Hermes pointed his staff around the

pillar, and magic surged towards the mercenaries, turning them all into mice.

"Sissy!" Ariadne shouted from the other side of the floor.

Hermes groaned. "Selene said I couldn't kill anyone!"

"We've got civilians over here," Asterion shouted, and his minotaur head shifted back to a bloody

faced man.

Charon hurried past the lab bays to where four people in white coats were huddled in a

storeroom. "I don't suppose you could tell us if there are any other ugly surprises for us?" he said

conversationally. The nearest woman shook her head.

"Please don't kill us. We aren't responsible for the creatures, we are only for testing the artifacts,"

she said in a panicked rush.

"What artifacts?" Charon demanded.

"Shut up!" The man beside her hissed. Ariadne punched him in the face.

"No, please continue," she said sweetly.

The woman got to her feet. "I - I can show you," she said, and Charon stepped out of her way.

Hermes shut the door of the storeroom again and melted the lock.

"I wouldn't want anyone trying to escape," he said, and the woman fumbled to get her swipe cards

from the clip on her belt.

"I'm a scientist, not a mercenary. I didn't even know what I was getting dragged into," the woman

insisted as she opened the nearest door.

"Well, you know now, don't you?" Ariadne hissed at her.

Hermes whistled. "Would you look at that."

"Gods, is that Apollo's bow?" Circe asked, stepping into the room. The room contained four glass

cases, each holding a different artifact: a shield, a bow and quiver, a helm, and Circe's wand.

Computers were connected to the cases, data flashing across the screens.

"What are you testing them for?" Charon demanded.

"Everything you can think of. What they are made from, what energy readings they give off, what

are the properties of the poison in Apollo's plague arrows," she rattled off.

"That's mine," Circe said coldly, as she drew near a case that held her wand on a metal stand.

"And no one is ever going to use it again." She slammed her palm onto the glass, and it shattered as

her power hit it.

Circe gripped her wand, and then before anyone could question her, she broke it over her knee.

Magic surged out in a wave of power, blowing out all the electrics and shattered all the glass around

them. The room lit up as the power moved back and reabsorbed into Circe. Charon couldn't look

away as she glowed with light.

"A little warning next time. I'm going to be tasting your magic for a week," Hermes complained

and spat on the floor.

"Are you hurt?" Charon asked, stepping closer to her. Gods, she was something else.

"No, I'm better than I've ever been," Circe assured him with a quick kiss, her lips leaving the taste

honey and lightning on his. "We need to go, Medea's not here."

20

Erebus stood on a high cliff, the night wind blowing salt and dust around him. Thanatos and Hecate

stood a little way off, talking softly as they waited. Enough love birds to start an aviary. Erebus

never thought he would ever see them all so loved up.

Beneath them, men stood guarding a large set of metal doors that had been built into the natural

cave opening. They had been waiting for over an hour, and Erebus's shadows were hungry as they

reacted to his mood, shaping into pointed spikes and snarling monstrous mouths.

"You know you freak me out when you're in this kind of mood," said Thanatos as he joined him.

"What mood is that?" Erebus asked, flashing his teeth in more of a snarl than a smile.

"Erebus," Thanatos's tone was deadly soft. "You know what I mean. You haven't been this

unstable in-"

"I'm fine. Just anxious to rip Darius a variety of new orifices for being such a pain in my ass,"

Erebus replied, forcing his shadows back into soft curling smoke. Anything to reassure Thanatos, he

wasn't about to lose his shit.

"We need to get Medea, then you can fuck off for a few days break if it will make you feel better.

You've been getting worse ever since we learned they had her. Why?" Thanatos asked, seeing straight

through him.

"How can I not be pissed? She's one of us, and they are using their ugly human science to try to

tear her apart. Did you watch all those videos we found on Andino's laptop? No? Well, I did so don't

try to tell me that I'm overreacting," hissed Erebus.

"Well, it looks like you're going to get your chance to blow off some steam and unleash, Erebus,"

Hecate said, as she held up her phone screen. "I got a message from Charon, and Istanbul had relics

and nothing else. They are tidying up and will join us soon."

"Don't worry, Hec, I've got this," Erebus laughed maniacally as he launched himself off the side of

the cliff, exploding into a nightmare of darkness. He was vaguely aware of Thanatos yelling, but he

didn't care. Hecate said he could unleash, after all. She just had no idea what that meant.

Erebus landed in the middle of the two guards, shadows cutting through their body armor like

butter and leaving them in chunks. He smiled a bloody grin at the camera above him as darkness

exploded out of him and tore open the metal doors. It felt so damn good to let it out. The pressure

inside of him had been building for months.

On the other side of the door, there were walls of stone with snipers pointing down on him.

Erebus lifted his blood-soaked hands into the air.

"Hi, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of Medea? The former queen of

Corinth? Terrifying sorceress of Colchis?" he asked. The snipers opened fire, and Erebus exploded

back into shadows, crawling up the walls and knocking them down out of their perches.

"She's on level 3!" one screamed as Erebus picked him up by his throat.

"Thank you," he said and dropped him onto the walkway below.

Alarms were going off and Erebus could feel Thanatos moving towards him, joining the fight.

Erebus ripped open the elevators and dove down the shaft. He landed on top of one of them coming

up, and he opened the roof hatch. Three men started firing, but he only laughed, and darkness filled the

space, choking out the air in their lungs as Erebus dropped down and pressed a glowing number 3

button.

The doors slid open to reveal glass and steel laboratories, and rows of cell doors. He had taken

three steps when a high-pitched beep squealed, and the doors to the cells opened.

"Why do I have a feeling you want to make this more difficult than it needs to be, Doctor Kayne!"

Erebus shouted as hybrid men and monsters raced down the long hall towards him. "Fuck this," he

muttered and became darkness itself. He didn't feel anything as teeth and claws and knives slid

through shadows. He only kept walking towards the one door that hadn't opened.

Darkness sucked back into him as Erebus reached for the handle, leaving a hallway of blood-

drenched gore and stray parts behind him. He ripped the door off its hinges and tossed it aside.

A woman with grey hair was leaning over an operating table, a gun pressing to the chest of the

woman on it. Erebus knew her instantly. Look at all that beautiful black hair.

"One more step and I'll shoot her," Elizabeth Kayne hissed.

"Do it, you weak fucking bitch," Medea laughed as she thrashed against the bonds holding her

arms and legs down.

"Bullets won't harm her for long," Erebus said, calmly leaning against the door. "You would be

better off pointing that gun at your own head and pulling the trigger. Do it. I can wait."

Darkness crept along the floor towards them, the doctor not noticing the threat at her feet as she

aimed the gun at Erebus.

"These bullets were made especially for your wretched kind, believe me, they will-" her voice

choked off as Erebus's darkness wrapped tightly around her and turned to blades. The gun fired as

Doctor Elizabeth Kayne collapsed into pieces and blood on the floor. Erebus cut Medea's bonds and

received a swift punch in the face as soon as she had one arm free.

"You fucking asshole!" she screamed, her other hand clutching the bullet wound in her thigh.

"The hell was that for? I'm trying to save you, woman!" Erebus demanded as he tore her feet free.

Medea struggled to sit up; her thin gown soaked in the doctor's blood. She swung her feet over the

side of the bed and stamped down on what remained of Elizabeth Kayne.

"Fifteen years I've been waiting to kill that fucking bitch, and you rob me of my revenge," Medea

shouted wildly, kicking part of a face at him.

"Be angry at me later, we need to go," Erebus said, reaching for her arm.

"Don't fucking touch me or I'll rip your hand off," she snarled.

"Settle down, hellion, your claws aren't as big as mine." Erebus let her pass through the lab door

to the hallway where Thanatos and Hecate were stepping out of another elevator.

"Was this all you?" Medea asked, looking around at the blood and animal everywhere.

"As I said, my claws are bigger, baby," Erebus replied, letting the darkness curl around him.

"We'll see," Medea muttered and had taken three steps before her wounded leg gave out. Erebus's

shadows caught her and lifted her into his arms.

"Don't fuss, you can't walk," he said as she wriggled.

"She shot me up with something before you came in. I can feel it moving, gnawing teeth and

claws," Medea groaned, trying to cover her eyes with her bloody hands. "Oh gods, the lights are

burning me."

"Don't worry, I can help," Erebus said softly and enclosed her in night. Through the darkness, her

emerald eyes glowed with pain and fire.

"Please...destroy it all. Please," she begged.

"I will, I promise," Erebus said as Hermes and Charon appeared beside Thanatos. Charon's eyes

went wide as he looked around.

"Oh no, Erebus," he murmured.

"Take her, I'm not done," Erebus said as he passed Medea over to Thanatos. "Hermes, meet me on

the cliffs in twenty minutes for a pickup."

"Oh, no, I'm not coming back for what you're about to become," Hermes said.

"Erebus, don't-" Thanatos began and then stopped when he saw that he was too far gone. "Just

make sure you come back."

"You focus on getting her to safety. Hecate, she's poisoned and shot. Now go," Erebus snarled as

Hermes opened a doorway for them.

"Hades will come for you soon, so don't play with your food, titan," Hermes warned as they

disappeared.

Once they were gone, Erebus closed his eyes and shed his human form.

Erebus was the oldest of the titans, older than the world, and the land and creatures on it. He was

the darkness, the nothingness, the eternity of night between the stars before they learned to shine.

And he was angry.

21

Charon and Thanatos got Medea onto a spare bed as Hecate and Circe hurried to collect herbs to

counteract the poisons. Hermes had disappeared again and reappeared minutes later with Persephone

and Hades.

"You need to go and get Erebus. I'm not going anywhere near him when he's like that," said

Hermes.

"I've brought him back more than once and I can do it again," Hades replied. "Thanatos and

Charon, you're with me."

"I'll stay with Medea and make sure her shade doesn't wander," said Persephone as Circe and

Hecate came back with their arms full. Charon hesitated, too worked up to want to leave Circe alone.

"Go and get Erebus, we'll talk later," she assured him, before turning back to the struggling, crying

woman on the bed. "We need to figure out what they've done to her."

"Charon, to me," Hades commanded, and his body responded, snapping to attention and hurrying

to join him and Thanatos.

"I'll watch over them," Hermes promised as darkness pulled Charon away.

The earth rumbled on the dirt road as Hades, Charon and Thanatos appeared out of the night sky. They

were standing in front of the torn metal doors that led into the underground laboratories.

"What the hell is he thinking," Hades muttered when he saw the splattered guards and ripped apart

hall.

"He's pissed. I knew he was getting twitchy, but I didn't think he was struggling with his control

this badly," Charon said as he stared around him at the carnage.

"He watched all the videos of the experiments on Medea. It made him crack, and then he promised

her that he would destroy it. You know what he's like when he makes a promise," Thanatos explained.

They weren't going to risk going inside because Charon knew that the rumbling earth was Erebus

demolishing every floor, one at a time and anyone or anything left in it.

"He's not taken his true form for over a decade. We are going to have to drag him to the

Underworld, so he can pull himself back together. Fuck! Just what we needed," Hades growled.

"It might not come to that. He might be able to contain himself again," Charon said, even though

they all knew it was wishful thinking at best.

"Medusa is going to be pissed that so much evidence is getting destroyed too. Perhaps that's not a

bad thing considering what these assholes have been up to," Thanatos replied.

They didn't have long to wait as snarling shadows exploded out of the doors, collapsing the

hallway of stone in on itself.

"Hello, Erebus, have you had fun?" Hades asked, holding his ground at the swirling mass of

horror. It shuddered in response as it reformed into the shape of a man before it shattered and

reformed again.

"Fuck, get ready to take him," Thanatos whispered to Charon. Hades's power was already

building around him, setting Charon's teeth on edge.

"Wait! Don't hurt him, Hades," he said, reaching out a hand towards the shadows. "Erebus, it's

about Medea." The shadows stopped their shuddering, and a thousand unseen eyes turned to Charon.

"She's really hurt, but she's with Circe, and they are trying to clear out the poison. You did all of this

because of what Darius did to her, right?"

"What does this have to do with anything?" whispered Hades.

"Shh, Master. Erebus is listening to him," Thanatos replied. The dark mass swirled around

Charon, and his brother's ancient presence rattled his bones, calling out the ferryman of souls inside

of him. Charon swallowed down the urge to rip out of his fleshy prison and be his true self.

Think of Circe. Can't be with Circe if you have no real body again, and Hades might not make

you another one because you've inconvenienced him.

"You need to come back, Erebus," Charon urged the shadows, and when he was ignored, he went

for the ego. "If you don't get your ass back in your body this minute, I swear to all the gods that I will

tell Medea I was the one that rescued her. She's delusional enough to believe it. Yeah, that's exactly

what I'm going to do. I'll be the hero of the day, bro. Thanks for the extra points I'm going to score

with the sorceresses." Anger hissed around him, and Thanatos stepped back.

"Maybe don't piss him off?" he said.

Charon forced himself to do his lazy ass shrug. "Fuck him! If he can't get it together enough to be

presentable, I'm going to take all the victory kisses from the beautiful ladies."

The earth beneath their feet cracked as the shadow drew itself together. Power as ancient as time

rolled out of it before sucking in, containing and tightening until the shape became form, and form

turned to a physical male. Erebus shuddered, his eyes still full black as the last of the darkness settled

into him.

"No one is getting victory kisses but me-" he managed to say before Hades hit him full in the face,

knocking him out cold. Charon flinched as his brother hit the ground. He knew just how bad Erebus

was going to be feeling after he woke up.

"Stupid bastard," Hades muttered as he bent down and pushed the dark hair from Erebus's face

and checked his form was holding. With a sigh, Hades picked him up off the dirt and slung him over

his shoulder. "Let's get him into a bed under the villa. I don't want him anywhere near the city when he

wakes."

Charon took one last look at the collapsed cave and unsteady cliffs. There was nothing left of

Darius's operation. He could only hope that there might be something left of his brother.

* * *

Circe and Hecate sat next to Medea's bed, watching as she thrashed about in her sleep. They had

flushed the wounds on her body with a concoction of moly and had forced as much as they could of it

down her throat. Now they had nothing to do but wait for her body to filter out the poisons that were

coursing through her. Medea didn't recognize Circe and only sometimes recognized Hecate.

"Pandora was dosing Hermes pretty thoroughly too. It will take a few days at least for her to come

around," Persephone said before Hermes had politely knocked on the door, and they had both gone

home. He didn't say anything about whether Hades was back with Charon, and Circe tried not to

check her phone. She was physically, emotionally, and magically exhausted and wanted nothing else

but to curl up with Charon and go to sleep.

"I hope they managed to get Erebus back," Hecate said beside her. "I haven't seen him so angry

since the old, old days."

"He doesn't seem the type to lose himself to violence like that. He's always seemed so cheeky and

charming," Circe replied with a shake of her head. She almost didn't believe it when Hecate and

Hermes told them what they had found in Erebus's wake.

"Some dragons are best left sleeping, and he's one of them," Hecate said after a long silence.

Outside, there was a roar of a car engine, disrupting the early morning silence, and Hecate smiled.

"Our boys are back," she said, and the tightness in her face eased. "Let's leave her to sleep."

They shut Medea's bedroom door just as another opened, and a filthy Thanatos and Charon

walked in.

"You both look like crap," Hecate said.

"Still better than Erebus," Thanatos replied and pulled her to him.

"Is he okay?"

"Define okay. Hades punched him in the face, and we've just had to shackle him under the villa,"

grumbled Charon. He looked Circe over, and she knew he was checking her for wounds. His energy

was pounding and pouring anger out of him. What had happened with Erebus?

"I'm fine, and so is Medea. Well, as good as she can be," Circe said, slipping her hand into his

and trying to comfort him.

"You two get out of here. I can keep an eye on Medea," Hecate interrupted them.

"Are you sure?" Circe didn't want to leave her alone in case Medea began to throw magic around.

"You're dead on your feet and no use to me. Take care of her, ferryman," Hecate said, waving them

out as she wrapped herself around Thanatos.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Charon replied. He waited for Circe to grab some clean clothes

before she got into his bright red car.

"Charon?"

"Yes, Circe?"

"Drive really fast," she said, putting the windows down. Charon smiled, the first time she had

seen it in hours, and her night seemed a little less horrific.

22

Charon finally got his day off. He woke the next morning with a message from Hades telling him that

Erebus was fine and that he wanted Charon to take two days off to recover from their rough week.

Charon suspected Hades was worried that if Erebus had cracked so hard, maybe the rest of his

Court was about to as well. Whatever his motivations were, Charon didn't care because it meant he

could keep Circe to himself without interruptions.

"Does this book pick up? I'm a hundred pages in and nothing is happening," Circe said from her

end of the couch, her legs tangled with his. They had been reading all afternoon as the rain poured

down outside. Charon took her foot in his hand and rubbed it.

"I swear, it's about to kick off and blow your mind," he assured her. "Would I lie to you?"

Her clever eyes peeked out over the top of her book. "Not if you value your life."

"I'm ready to wrestle whenever you are, sorceress, but if memory serves, last time you got sassy

you ended up with your ass in the air and begging for mercy," Charon said and dodged the pillow she

threw at him.

"Oh yeah, because you got nothing out of that."

"Pretty sure you did too."

Circe went back to her book. "That's what you think." Charon couldn't handle it any longer. Circe

yelped and squirmed as he grabbed her and pulled her up to him and wrapped his legs around her,

pinning her close.

"There, that's better. Now when you get cheeky, I can just lick your face," he teased as she gave up

struggling and lay on his chest.

"How long do you think we are going to be able to hide out like this?" Circe asked. Charon

combed his fingers through her hair.

"Why? Are you getting sick of me already?"

"No, but I know this fight with Darius needs to end, and Hades is losing his patience." Circe

propped her chin up on his chest so she could look at him. "I've never had a huge prophetic gift, but I

feel something shifting in the fabric of the world, Charon. It's going to get worse, and it's dangerous to

assume Darius's end game is the same as Pandora's. She wanted all of us to be locked away because

she had the twisted idea that the world was safer without us. Darius isn't like that. He's fascinated by

us. Obsessed to find what makes us different."

"Maybe he really does want to become immortal," Charon realized. "I thought the shit he said to

Lander about finding a secret to immortality was just a gimmick, something to keep an egomaniac like

Lander dangling to do what he wanted. Maybe Darius is serious."

"It makes sense. Maybe he wasn't only experimenting on Medea but trying to learn everything

about her strengths and weaknesses, what makes us different physically so they can try to copy it,"

Circe said, chewing her lip thoughtfully.

"Darius seems the type that if he did figure out how to make new immortals, he would sell that

secret to the highest bidder." Charon hugged Circe a little tighter to him, wanting to hold onto the

moment of peace.

"We need to find out what Darius has done to Medea," Circe whispered. "She was already

unstable in the old days, so I honestly don't know what to expect from her now."

"If Hermes can come back from his mind being completely wiped by Zeus and tortured by

Pandora for decades, then there's hope for Medea too," Charon reassured her. "If Hecate was worried

and needed your help, she would call. But she hasn't, which means I get you to myself that little bit

longer."

Circe smiled as she wriggled further up his body. "That's right, you still have to convince me how

permanent your feelings are for me."

"Am I the only one that has those feelings?" Charon asked with a cheeky smile. "Or are you still

trying to convince yourself that you're not helplessly in love with me?"

Circe slid her hands through his hair and ran her tongue over his bottom lip. "You're going to have

to work much harder than that to get the answer out of me."

Charon's book dropped to the floor as he kissed her. His fierce legendary sorceress. Circe was a

living story he would never tire of reading and would eagerly learn and love every mysterious and

magical line of her.

"Charon?" she whispered.

"Yes, my sorceress."

Her eyes glittered with desire. "Are you sure you don't have another tie you would like to ruin?"

Epilogue

Medea was burning up. She struggled against her nightmare as the ghostly images of knives and

sharp lights and the chemical stink of the cell enclosed around her. She thrashed out at them, her arms

unshackled for once. She wanted to destroy everything.

I will, I promise, a deep voice said to her. Warm, soft darkness wrapped tightly around Medea

banishing the cells from her dream. The dark had always made her feel safe. Even as a child, she had

been more interested in the moon than the sun. For years, Darius had kept the lights burning in her cell

non-stop, that one act driving her madder than all the cutting, drugs and beatings put together.

Everything ached, everything burned. Medea wrapped her arms over her head and screamed into

her pillows as the years of rage and helplessness threatened to choke her. She had never let them see

how they were breaking her. Never gave them satisfaction. She was a sorceress, a queen, the true

victor of the hunt for the Golden Fleece.

Cruel. Cursed. Child Killer.

Medea was the most wicked woman that had ever lived.

Once the burning stopped, she would show her torturers just how wicked she could be.

About the Author

I believe that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. I prefer my clothes black,

eyeliner winged, and books full of hot romance. I think heroes are boring, so my first series 'The

Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from my favorite Greek

Myths.

Come say hi to me on Instagram, or keep track of all of the Court gossip by subscribing to my blog

newsletter at:

https://alessathornauthor.com/alessa-news/

Thank you for reading CHARON, if you loved it please consider leaving me a short review or a

rating on Amazon as it helps other readers find my books.

Keep reading for a sneak peak of EREBUS…Coming soon in 2020!

EREBUS

Sing to me, O Muse, a final song, of the Primordial Darkness and the Witch Queen of Corinth…

1

Erebus felt like pounded shit. Not the usual ‘oops I drunk too much’ feeling, but the very specific,

‘oops I transformed into living shadow, killed a lot of people, re-formed into the shape of a man and

got hit by a very pissed off god,’ shit feeling. Mouth dry and head throbbing, he cracked open his sore

eyes and groaned into the floor. Where the fuck am I now?

The last thing Erebus remembered was cliffs and blood and Charon mentioning heroes kisses.

Surely, he would’ve remembered the kisses if he’d gotten any.

Holding his throbbing head, Erebus slowly sat up and tried opening his eyes again. Blurred

shapes cleared into the outline of furniture and… adamantine shackles.

“Seriously?!” he shouted hoarsely and then regretted it as his voiced echoed like gongs through

his head. He shook out the pins and needles in his legs, the chains dragging and scraping on the floor.

There was a large bottle of water left in reach so he grabbed it, draining it in large gulps in the hope it

would clear his foggy brain.

“He wakes at last,” Hades said, appearing in a chair out of his reach.

“How long was I out?” Erebus asked.

“About a week,” Hades replied. Erebus didn’t like the way Hades was looking at him like he

weighed up a threat.

“What…what did I do?” Erebus hadn’t seen Hades unsure of him in years.

“You don’t remember?”

“Only parts. You hit me.”

Hades’s silver eyes narrowed. “You took on your true form and destroyed the facility holding

Medea.”

“Medea!” Erebus started, his chains jerking him back to the floor. “Fuck. Is she okay? I didn’t hurt

her, did I?”

“You didn’t hurt her, and she’s recovering.” A muscle feathered in Hades’s jaw. “You completely

lost it. I have half a mind to send you back to the Underworld so I can get a decent sleep at night.”

“Master, come on! I was pissed off and did what had to be done. I’m fine. Really. Don’t send me

back, not now when you need me.”

“I need someone I can rely on, Erebus. You need to be able to follow orders and listen to others.

If you can’t do that, then I don’t need you at all,” Hades replied, folding his arms.

“I did follow orders,” Erebus snarled. “Go in, get Medea, stop Elizabeth Kayne and her monsters.

Could you imagine if a handful of those creatures got out in the world? The damage they would do to

the humans? I couldn’t allow that to even be a risk. We don’t have the men to hold a facility like that,

and we couldn’t trust them anyway. I did the right thing; you just don’t like my methods.”

“Perhaps. I’m still not going to condone such recklessness. You lacked control. Thanatos said that

it was the videos of Medea that set you off. Why did you watch all of them?”

Erebus pushed his dirty hair out of his face and leaned against the concrete wall at his back. He

didn’t want to lie, but he could tell Hades the whole truth either. “Because I didn’t want to pity the

assholes when I went after them. This is a war, Hades. Whether you are willing to recognise it or not,

this fight with Darius and his humans, it’s coming, and I’m not going to sit around and wait for them to

kill the rest of us.” And because Medea deserved to know that they were all dead after what they

did to her. He had made a promise. He always kept them no matter what.

“How do you feel now?” Hades asked after a long, thoughtful silence.

“Like some asshole god punched me in the face and knocked me out for a week,” Erebus replied.

“You deserved it for scaring your brothers and pissing me off.” Hades looked at the shackles that

bound him. “If I take those off you have to promise me you will keep your human form unless I

specifically command you otherwise. If you break the promise, I’ll throw your ass back into the

Underworld. I can’t risk you going off whenever you feel annoyed and hurting those around you. Do

you agree?”

Erebus nodded. “I promise, Hades, but I need you to start seeing Darius as a real threat. They’ll

be coming after us all soon. I can taste war in the air, and we’ve all worked too fucking hard to be run

back to our caves and our shadows.”

“Don’t worry. We’ve already started making preparations. We could use your help. Only if you’re

going to behave though.” Hades got up and traced a glyph onto the shackles, his magic releasing them.

“Where did you get Prometheus’s chains from?” asked Erebus, rubbing his wrists. Hades gave

him a sardonic look.

“Do you honestly think Darius is the only one who put away some helpful relics over the years?

Don’t make me regret it, Erebus. As you said, we’ve all worked too hard to make a life for ourselves

to lose it now. That includes you.”

“Yes, Dad, I’m sorry,” Erebus said with a grin.

“I regret this decision already,” muttered Hades. “Get out of my house, and don’t you dare wake

up Persephone on your way out.”

All the food in Erebus’s fridge had gone bad in the week he’d been living under Hades’s villa. He

rang the kitchens in Acheron despite the obscene hour and order three mains. He stank like ass and

was still covered in dried bits of fuck knew what.

Erebus showered for a long time and was drying off when he sensed someone moving about his

apartment. He threw on a clean pair of jeans and found Charon accepting food at his door.

“What are you doing here?”

“Hades text me and told me to make sure you got home okay,” said Charon, putting the tray of food

down on the table.

“What’s next, a chip in my ass so you can all keep track of me?” Erebus complained as he reached

for a bowl of pasta.

“Don’t act pissy when you’re the one that has gotten yourself into this mess,” Charon replied. He

took a seat opposite him and stole some of his garlic bread. “How are you feeling now?”

“Totally fine. In need of a weeks worth of food but I’m steady.” Charon’s eyes narrowed. Erebus

wanted to hit him. Why was he so untrustworthy all of a sudden? “Thought you would be with Circe.”

“She’s taking turns with Hecate to look after Medea. I came home as soon as Hades text me.”

Erebus swallowed a too-large piece of chorizo. “Is she okay? Medea?”

“The drugs are almost out of her system, but it’s been rough. She’s one angry chick,” Charon said.

“Can’t say that I blame her. I’m really glad that I’m not Darius. Or you.”

“Me? What did I do?” Erebus demanded. “I saved her!”

“You killed Kayne when she really wanted to. She’s a bit pissed at you for that.”

Erebus pushed aside his empty bowl and started on a plate of steaks. “Maybe she needs to learn

about gratitude, not attitude.”

Charon choked on his garlic bread as he laughed. “I’ll pay you a hundred drachmae to tell her that

to her face. She’s going to need some time. Coming off the drugs has rattled her, but Circe and Hecate

have it under control.”

“Let’s hope their healing arts extend to anger because if Medea can’t have an outlet for it, it’s

going to chew her to pieces.” Erebus knew that from experience.

“Worry about your own anger, so I don’t have to. You were almost taken back to the Underworld

for pulling that shit. Is that what you really want?” Charon asked.

Erebus groaned in frustration. “You know it’s not.”

“You resent us being concerned. Fine. But it doesn’t change the fact you were fighting to regain

control and have been getting worse. What is it about Medea that sets you off?”

Isn’t that the big question?

“It was more Darius than Medea. I just want this to be over. Hades thought it would end with

Pandora, and now we have Darius. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder forever or worried

when the next attack is coming. I’m too old to take up paranoia as a hobby.”

Charon clicked his tongue. “Okay. I just wanted to be sure because I don’t need you losing your

shit every time you’re in her presence. We need you, and we are going to need her too when she’s

functioning. Hades is starting to up the security in Styx, and the towers especially, so we are going to

need you helping out.”

“Fine. Just let me know when I can see Medea. If she needs to have a good yell at me, then it

might help her feel better,” said Erebus. He didn’t relish the idea, but if it helped her move on, then

he’d get over it. He couldn’t deny he wanted to see that the mouthy hellion who punched him in the

face was doing okay.

“I’d be more worried about her trying to kill you at this stage,” Charon replied.

Erebus would never forget the fury on Medea’s fierce, beautiful face as she kicked parts of

Elizabeth Kayne at him. She was a tempest of a woman, and he liked that fire. He might even enjoy

her trying to kick the shit out of him.

Erebus’s smiled widened. “Tell the Witch Queen I’m ready to rumble whenever she is.”

2

Medea was sure that she had been dying for days, so she was continually surprised when she woke up

each morning. Circe was asleep on a chair beside her bed, her braids a tangled mess. How long has

she been watching over me? Medea was only vaguely aware of days passing, of Hecate and Circe

speaking with her and forcing concoctions down her throat in an effort to counteract what Kayne and

Darius had been dosing her with.

Medea’s thigh twinged when she sat up, a fresh pink scar marking where she had been shot and

stitched up. She didn’t heal quite as fast as the other immortals with her half-human side slowing her

down, but it was enough time for there to be yet another scar on her body thanks to fucking Elizabeth

Kayne.

Making sure she didn’t disturb Circe, Medea shuffled into the adjoining bathroom and stripped off

the sweaty nightgown she had been wearing for gods knew how long.

When was the last time she had a shower alone? There had always been guards watching at her at

all times, ever ready to shock her with their tasers in case they felt too threatened by her. They had

watched her get tortured every day and dragged to the showers to have the ichor and vomit hosed off

her every night. Medea’s hands tightened into fists. They will pay for that—every last one of them.

Medea climbed into the hot shower and fumbled for the shampoo. The smell of rose and

sandalwood almost overpowered her as she lathered her long matted hair. She couldn’t remember the

last time she had been allowed to brush it. She had nowhere else to be, so she took her time and did

her best to wash and detangle it. Medea tried not to look at her body and what they had done to it.

Leave her face and neck pretty for me, Darius used to say to Kayne as soon as the doctor got her

knives out. The beauty of her face and neck now mocked Medea every time she caught a glimpse of

them. The rest of her body told the story of the years she had spent on operating tables and living in a

cell. Scars, too numerous and varied to count, covered the rest of her. No part left unmarred by Darius

and his doctors.

Pressure filled her chest, and Medea leaned over to try and breathe clearly. The anger she had

inside was like a living beast, ready to consume and savage anything in its path. She had known this

level of anger before, and people had died—lots of people.

“Kayne’s dead,” she reminded herself. There was no way that the doctor would ever use her

knives on her again. She died far too quickly.

That fucking titan. He had made a mess of Kayne, but she didn’t suffer enough for Medea to be

satisfied. I wonder how much damage he did? She had a hazy memory of asking for his help, but

nothing after she was passed over to Thanatos.

Hades’s much-feared and favourite monsters now had bodies. It almost made Medea wish that

there were some Olympians left to be terrified by his audacity. She grinned as she imagined the bitch

Queen of Heaven, clutching at her pearl necklace in outrage and fear. Hera was another one that

Medea had never been able to get her revenge on and didn’t she resent it. She had been gathering

weapons to go after all the bastards when her paths had crossed with Darius Drakos.

Mind churning, Medea got out of the shower. Someone, probably Hecate, had placed a black satin

night robe on the back of the door for her. Medea went through the bathroom cupboards and found a

brush and a pair of scissors. With old precision, she cut herself a blunt fringe and trimmed her hair of

the ratted mess that hung near her waist, and back up to just beneath her breasts. Feeling a little more

like herself, she covered herself in moisturisers and lined her eyes heavily with black eyeliner.

“There you are,” she said to her reflection. Her face was still beautiful, and she stared at it

compared to her ravaged, broken body until tears filled her eyes.

Let’s face it, without your power all you are is a pretty piece of ass with god blood, Darius

taunted her. Medea’s fist came down on the marble counter.

“No. Stop. Your beauty was only ever a weapon, and it still is, it’s not who you are.” Medea

wrapped the black robe around her, hiding her mutilated body. She didn’t need anyone to fall in love

with her or to use her beauty to get her revenge. What she needed was her hands around Darius’s

throat and to watch the light die in his eyes forever.

“I’m glad to see you up at last,” said Hecate, when Medea finally left her rooms and went in search of

food. Her aunt hugged her briefly and let her go, knowing that Medea always hated it.

“Are you hungry?” a dark-haired woman asked her.

“Who are you?” She had something of Hecate in her face, but Medea didn’t recognise her.

“Selene. Hi. Nice to meet you,” she said and offered her a hand to shake. Her skin was warm, and

healing power raced through the touch.

“Ah. You were the one that stitched my bullet wound,” Medea replied, recognising her power

instantly.

“Yes, that was me. How is it? Twinging at all?”

“No. Its’s fine. Thank you,” Medea said, trying not to sound ungrateful.

“Selene is dating Hermes,” Hecate added, giving Selene a mock disapproving glance.

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“Great. Someone else who hates my boyfriend!” Selene complained as she turned on a hot water

jug.

“It’s not his fault. I hated all the Olympians, and he was the grandsire of a man I hated more than

any other. I can’t blame Hermes for how Jason turned out, so he isn’t on my murder list if that

comforts you?” Medea said, sitting down on one of the chairs in the kitchen.

“You have a murder list?” asked Selene.

“Medea always has a murder list.” Circe came into the kitchen, her golden eyes watching Medea

carefully. The last time they saw each other was far from pleasant. And also not my fault. Medea

knew they would have to have that difficult conversation and soon.

“Force of habit,” Medea said with a slight smile.

Hecate laughed. “Look at all my girls, together at last. If I was maternal, I’d cry from happiness.”

“Lucky for us you’re not,” Medea replied. “I’d hate to think you had gone soft, Aunty.”

“Ha! Worry about yourself. It’s not like you’ve had a chance to practice your craft or your weapon

work in the past fifteen years.”

“I’ll get it back, don’t you worry.”

“Not without pants on you won’t. Come with me. I’ve got some proper clothes for you to wear

before you can go get your own,” said Selene. Medea followed her to the lounge room and the bags

stacked on one couch. “I figured you would be like Hecate and like black so I stuck to that.”

“Thank you, Selene, I’m sure they will be sufficient. It’s been quite a while since I’ve worn real

clothes,” Medea admitted.

“I can’t imagine what you went through, but if you ever need to talk to someone, I’m a good

listener,” said Selene. She was so serious and earnest, Medea tried hard not to laugh in her face.

“I’ll keep that in the mind if the need arises,” she replied and gathered up her bags. “You seem

like a nice person, Selene. You aren’t built for this war, so you had better prepare to suffer in the next

few months. Thank you for the clothes.” Medea went to go and get dressed, so she didn’t have to look

at Selene’s concerned face. She didn’t have any room left in her for pity.

The clothes were all soft fabrics and good quality, and even then Medea felt strange being fully

dressed after so long. Black jeans and a long-sleeved, satin blouse covered her scars, and that’s all

she cared about. Hecate was waiting outside of her bedroom door.

“I see you took no time in scaring Selene,” she commented.

“It wasn’t my intention, but she needs to prepare herself.”

“I know, Medea, and so does she. Selene has her strengths, too, even if they are different from

ours.”

“I’m hungry. Is it okay if I make something?” Medea asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Of course, appetite is a good thing. The few times we tried to feed you this week, you almost bit

our fingers off.”

In the kitchen, Medea went through the fridge and fruit bowl, trying not to stuff handfuls of food in

her mouth. “I’m sorry I put you through such a shitty week, Hecate.”

“It’s fine. You weren’t exactly yourself. You seem steady enough now, so I want you to go and talk

to Circe once you finish eating. She needs to know what Hera did to you, or she’ll continue to think

the worst of you.”

Medea sighed as she sat down beside her. “I know. I never found Aeaea again, and I tried,

Hecate, I really did. I couldn’t make it right with her. It feels like a million years ago.” Time had lost

all meaning to her in the cell, her past feeling so disconnected to who she was now.

“Regardless, make it right with her. Who knows what this new war will do to us? We have enough

enemies to fight without fighting each other.” Hecate rubbed Medea’s back, as close to comfort either

of them gave. “How’s the anger?”

“Trying to choke me every second.”

“Think of a way to release it, or at the very least how to control it. I won’t have you swiping at

everyone like a wounded bear.”

“I’ll do my best,” Medea replied, and reached for another croissant.

Medea walked slowly through the gardens, stopping to touch flowers and crush herbs between her

fingers. Her mind slipped, trying to convince it was a dream, that she had never been rescued and she

was still in a dank cold cell.

Medea burrowed her toes into the earth and grass in an effort to ground herself. This was real.

The sky above her and the forest around her. Free. Emotion clung to her chest and throat. Free. The

truth of it sank deep into her, her magic flaring to life across her skin for the first in years.

Medea laughed loudly, a mad cackle of dark happiness. A lioness interrupted her as it slunk out of

the trees. It eyed her up, trying to determine if she was prey. Medea snapped her teeth at it, and the

lioness backed off, loping away towards a stone building with a smoking chimney. Medea smiled and

followed it.

Circe was brewing and stirring when Medea stepped into her workshop. The lioness let out a low

growl of warning.

“I don’t think your cat likes me very much,” she said.

“Nia is protective. Off you go, stubborn beast,” Circe told the lioness, giving its ears a scratch of

reassurance. Nia eyed Medea and gave her a wide birth as she slunk out the door.

“What are you making?” Medea asked as she studied the small vials Circe had been filling.

“Small antidotes for us all to carry in case Darius or anyone decides to attack us unexpectedly,”

Circe replied. This was something they could always find common ground on; magic, poisons and

potions.

“I’m sorry, Circe,” Medea said. The sooner she began, the quicker it will be over. “I came to you

with Jason, and I lied to you. I made you cleanse me for killing my brother without telling you all that

had happened. I used you so that Jason and I would be welcome back into a world that you would

never be allowed to be in.”

Circe didn’t stop working or say anything, so Medea continued. “Inside, I was screaming. Every

day since the moment Jason arrived in my father’s court, I was screaming. I didn’t think much of the

adventurer when he arrived, and then the next morning I felt like I couldn’t live without him. I found

out, far too late, that I had fallen victim to the games of Olympians. Hera wanted Jason to succeed in

his plans, and the only way he would have was with my help, so I was cursed to love him. It wasn’t

until I was killing my own brother and tossing his small body parts into the sea, that I realized that

something was wrong. I had murdered my own family so that Jason could escape my father’s wrath.

My father, who died thinking I had betrayed him.”

Medea sat down on a wooden chair by the small fire. Old pain hurt the deepest, and she still felt

like a fool that Hera’s and Eros’s magic had ensnared her so easily.

“From that day on, I knew I was trapped. My mouth, my body, my magic belonged to Hera’s

whim. My mind was my own, and it was a living hell. I came to Aeaea under the pretence of getting

you to cleanse me for killing Absyrtus, but I had also hoped that if anyone could have detected I was

under a curse it would be you.” Medea remembered the hope that she had felt seeing her aunty for the

first time, and the utter despair when they had sailed from Aeaea because Jason had opened his big

mouth and boasted that he was from Hermes’s line.

“I always thought he was too dumb for you to be in love with him. I shouldn’t have chased you

away, I was so angry, and as you know, when the women of our family get mad we can’t think

straight,” Circe said, sitting down beside her. “When did you break free of Hera’s curse?”

“It broke the moment Jason said he was going to leave me for Glauce. Finally, my madness and

rage could be set loose. I didn’t want Jason to have more thing he wanted. I wanted him to die a

defeated, broken man. As nothing. Like he always would have been without me. I killed Glauce and

her father, robbing him of his crown.”

“Did you kill your children too?” Circe asked, golden brows drawn together. Medea’s stomach

turned that she even had to ask. She rested her hands on her stomach, where amidst the scars made by

Kayne, she still bore the marks of her pregnancies.

“I carried them in my body, raised them and loved them. I didn’t kill them, but I couldn’t save

them from the Corinthian mobs that stormed the palace. I lost everything that day. I was on the palace

roof, ready to throw myself from it when grandfather finally stepped up and sent me a flying chariot to

escape on to Athens. You know the gods can’t interfere with each other’s curses. Helios told me he

had waited until Hera’s curse lifted to save me,” Medea explained.

Circe’s face had turned dark with anger. “It’s good to know that he did one good thing for you,

even though he never lifted a damn golden finger to help me, his own daughter.”

“I doubt his motivations were so pure. He did it to piss of Hera, who was hoping the Corinthians

would tear me apart. I didn’t care. I was free from a curse that had dictated my every action for over

a decade,” replied Medea. She held her hand out to Circe. “Peace?”

“Peace,” Circe said, taking it. “We were both fucked over by the gods and Hermes’s brats. That

binds us closer than anyone. We will get our revenge on Darius together and take our future with both

hands.”

Medea smiled, feeling some of the old pain lessening. Yes, Darius was all of their enemies now,

and she had something special in mind for his death. Maybe, Circe could help her collect what she

needed.

“Tell me what he did to you, and I will tell you what I am planning for him.” Circe smiled, her

beauty turning feral, and Medea knew she had an ally.

3

Erebus spent the next two days running errands for Medusa and Hades. Both the towers needed a

security overhaul, and he was kept busy directing builders to install more cameras and drilling their

human security teams. He devoted a significant amount of time to sucking up to Medusa so she would

stop being so pissed off at him.

“But did you have to destroy all of it?” she asked, as he brought her in a bunch of flowers and set

them down on her desk.

“Yes, Susa. You didn’t need any of it, believe me. I wouldn’t trust anyone with it, not even us. We

have too many humans around us that could steal it. We are going to have enough problems guarding

the relics,” Erebus replied, staring at the city beneath them. He had an itch under his skin like

anticipation, a warning that there was already another predator in his city.

“Nobody knows about them except the team at ARGOS, Erebus, and your brothers vetted them,”

Medusa said, coming to stand beside him. “I wouldn’t have them anywhere near Dany if I didn’t think

we could protect her.”

“Have they learned anything interesting yet?”

“They are still trying to make sense of all the data taken from the warehouse in Istanbul. They

were searching for something, but I’m unsure of what,” Medusa said. “Who knows, now that Medea

is back in her right mind, maybe she has a bit of insight into what Darius is really chasing.”

“I didn’t know that she was recovered.” Erebus had been doing his best not to think about the new

sorceress, figuring that if the worst happened Thanatos or Charon would mention it.

“I don’t know how recovered she will ever be after years of continuous experimentation, but

she’s coherent. Selene said that she freaks her out a bit. Her exact words were, ‘scarily focused to the

point of madness.’ Sounds like a typical immortal to me.” Medusa poked him to try and get a smile out

of him. “She’s moving into Selene’s old flat.”

“You think leaving someone in that frame of mind alone is a good idea?” asked Erebus. He had

seen the fury in Medea when she was off her face. He couldn’t imagine what it was like now that it

was focused. He shivered.

“Medea wants her space; after years being under surveillance, I don’t blame her. She’s not going

to leave the city, so there’s no harm in it. Hecate and Circe will keep an eye on her, and Selene isn’t

going to give up until they are friends,” Medusa replied and put an arm around him, her head leaning

against his shoulder. “Do you remember when it was just the six of us, and the days were quiet with

no one trying to kill us?”

“You mean when we were all bored as hell? Yeah, I remember.” Erebus kissed the top of her

head. “We’ll get those days again, except this time around you’ll have a sexy demigod devoted to

fulfilling every whim. How is Perseus by the way?”

“Good. He is working on his magic with Hermes. It makes me nervous but not as nervous as the

thought of him not being able to access his magic if we are attacked. Now that the exhibit is done, he’s

focused on figuring out that side of himself so he can protect Dany,” Medusa said, her tone softening

like it always did when talking about her little family.

“About time we saw what that kid can do.”

“Are you okay?” Medusa asked softly. She had been vocal about missing out all the evidence they

could have gathered from Doctor Kayne’s monster factory but hadn’t mentioned his meltdown.

“Not really. I’m keeping a lid on it until I can have an outlet. I want to grind Darius under my

boots, and then I will be back to normal.”

Medusa chuckled. “Or as normal as you get.”

“You love me.”

“I do.”

“Excellent, I can’t wait to break the news to Perseus. I don’t see why we both can’t have a sexy

demigod boyfriend.” Erebus yelped as her sharp nail poked into his side.

“I don’t share. You know that,” Medusa stated, and then reached up to kiss his cheek. “Go home,

Erebus. I’m giving you the afternoon off.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Go hang out with Charon. Unlike me, he’s actually worried about you. You know he relies

on you to be the most steady big brother,” she replied.

“Gods help us all if that’s true.”

Medusa gave his hand a squeeze. “Please call me if you feel like it’s a good idea to rip out of

your body and go on a murder spree again.”

“Why? You want to join me?” Erebus teased.

Medusa pushed him towards the door. “Go.”

Erebus went shopping and cleaned and restocked his fridge. His apartment was clean, and he looked

at his phone for the third time waiting for Charon to message him back. That’s what you get for trying

to be polite and not barge in.

Erebus grabbed a six-pack of beer and went outside into the rooftop garden. The sun had set, and

he didn’t want to be alone, he was too twitchy for his own company. There was no one home at

Thanatos’s apartment, so he headed for Charon’s doors. Charon could make out with Circe anytime,

Erebus needed someone around him, so he wasn’t stuck thinking about how good it felt to be in his

true form and about Medea’s angry green eyes. He had reached the glass doors to his brother’s

apartment, and those same green eyes were suddenly in front of him.

Erebus stopped dead in his tracks, like a wolf who had discovered another alpha in his territory.

Medea was standing with Circe, her face going from smiling to guarded as soon as she saw Erebus.

She had cut her hair, but it still fell in smooth straight darkness down to her ribs like liquid midnight.

Move, stop staring.

Charon opened the glass door, and they stepped outside. “Brother. What a nice surprise.”

“Is it?” Medea and Erebus said at the same time. Their eyes narrowed as they sized each other up.

“I wanted to bring Medea around so she could meet Charon properly. She’s moved into Selene’s

apartment this afternoon, isn’t that nice?” Circe interrupted quickly.

“So nice.” Erebus tore his eyes away from Medea to Charon. “I didn’t know you were

entertaining. I was...I can come back later.”

“Why? Do you have someone else’s revenge you want to take for them?” Medea said, her posture

tightening for a fight as she stepped towards him.

“Nope. Just off to rescue another damsel who can’t get away from a bunch of weak ass humans,”

Erebus replied, the words out of his mouth before his common sense could kick in.

“Aren’t you full of yourself. I had my own plans of escaping, monster,” said Medea, taking

another step. He felt it then; a thick haze of aggressive power now encircled her aura.

“Yeah? Those plans seemed to work out great for you, witch.” Erebus grinned as her nostrils

flared. “I’ve honestly never met someone so ungrateful after I pulled their ass out of the fire.”

“Maybe we should go,” Circe said softly.

“Fifteen years,” Medea snarled over the top of her. “Fifteen. Years. I. Waited. Then you waltz in

like an arrogant male swinging his dick around playing the hero, and you took the one life in the place

that was mine to destroy.” She was so close that he could smell her belladonna perfume and rage. His

shadows pulsed excitedly around her feet, wanting to play or fight.

“Kayne was about to open you up like a fish. I stopped that from happening which is more than

anyone else ever did for you in those fifteen years,” Erebus said. He lowered his head, so they were

at the same height. “And trust me, witch of Colchis, when I actually swing my dick around, you’ll

know about it.”

Medea smiled unpleasantly, looking up at him from under her thick fringe of black hair. “I doubt it

would even be big enough to see if you did. Wait, are you doing it right now?” She looked down at

his groin, making Erebus’s smile grow wider.

“That’s enough. You’re pissed at each other, fine. You don’t have to insult each other like kids,”

Charon said.

“If you are so angry at not being a prisoner anymore, why don’t you drag your ass down to the

Labyrinth and take it out on some opponents that are more your speed. You know, slow and human.

Then when those little claws of yours are a bit sharper, we can have a tussle if your panties are still

in a wad.” Erebus looked her over. “That is, if you know how to fight. You’ve always used witches

tricks from what I hear.”

Medea moved so quickly Erebus barely registered it as she grabbed one of the knives from his

belt and drove it into his shoulder to the hilt. Sharp, hot pain screamed through him, but he did his

best not to show it.

“How’s that for a witch’s trick, you fucking monster,” hissed Medea.

Erebus bared his teeth and pulled the knife out. Most people ran the other way when Erebus

looked at them that way. Medea glared right back. “You haven’t even seen my monstrous side. I’ll let

Asterion know to throw your ass into the ring so you can work off all your little grumpies, shall I?”

“You do that,” she said. She turned towards a frowning Charon and Circe. “Thank you for the

afternoon. I’ll see you later.” She started walking off through the trees.

“No exit that way, gorgeous!” Erebus called after her. Medea laughed a wild sound that pulled at

all of his nerve endings. Then she plucked at the night sky above her, wrapped it around her like a

cloak and launched herself off the balcony.

Erebus raced to the concrete barrier and stared at the traffic beneath them. “What the actual fuck!

Did you see that? Did you know she could do that?” he demanded.

Circe smiled. “Medea can do a lot of things.”

“Are you serious about talking to Asterion about throwing her into the Labyrinth?” asked Charon.

“It might be good for her,” Circe replied before Erebus could.

“How? She’s just had fifteen years of imprisonment, and you want to throw her in to fight the

scum of Greece?”

“She needs to get back into fighting condition, and it’s not like any of the humans could

permanently damage her,” Circe said thoughtfully, making Erebus laugh.

“Kicking the shit out of someone can be surprisingly therapeutic, and something tells me she’s not

the ‘I need to talk about my feelings’ kind of girl,” Erebus added, placing a hand over his wounded

shoulder to try and stop the ichor dripping out of him.

Charon scrubbed at his face with his hands. “Come with me and let’s get you stitched up.”

Erebus took one last look over the balcony. There was no dead body on the pavement or shock

onlookers taking photos. Medea was gone. He grinned at the night and followed his brother back

inside.

***

Want to find out if Medea and Erebus kill each other? EREBUS is coming soon, so subscribe to

my website to find out the Court Gossip on release dates: https://alessathornauthor.com/alessa-news/

Document Outline

- Title Page

- Copyright

- Contents

- Prologue

- Chapter 1

- Chapter 2

- Chapter 3

- Chapter 4

- Chapter 5

- Chapter 6

- Chapter 7

- Chapter 8

- Chapter 9

- Chapter 10

- Chapter 11

- Chapter 12

- Chapter 13

- Chapter 14

- Chapter 15

- Chapter 16

- Chapter 17

- Chapter 18

- Chapter 19

- Chapter 20

- Chapter 21

- Chapter 22

- Epilogue

- About the Author

- EREBUS

- 1

- 2

- 3

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

About the Author

EREBUS

1

2

3

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

About the Author

EREBUS

1

2

3

Title Page

Copyright

Contents