Page 20 of Gods and Graves
I scowl and continue watching her, studying every micro expression, every twitch of her lips and tightening of her eyes.
“Just a rumor we heard,” Krystian says, moving to claim an armchair closest to the bed. He rests his elbows on his knees and leans forward. “It made us curious.”
“None of us know a lot about the Big Three,” Zaid takes over, speaking of the three most powerful gods in existence.
Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon.
Three brothers who rule different aspects of the world and everyone in it.
Zeus has domain over the sky, Poseidon controls the ocean, and Hades? He rules the realm of the undead.
And, more than likely, Thea’s prison.
“I always thought Hades was obsessed with Persephone, so to hear that he kidnapped a reaper…” Krystian gives a slow shake of his head. “What’s the story there?”
Everyone knows that Hades isn’t above kidnapping to get what he wants.
It’s how Persephone came to live down in the underworld, at least for half of a year.
Hades is desperately in love with her, but she can’t stand him.
Rumor has it she’s in a relationship with Artemis, a fact that infuriates the God of the Dead.
“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about,” Aphrodite says primly.
That bead of sweat I noticed earlier cascades down her nose and lands on her thigh.
“Maybe I misunderstood.” Krystian waves away our previous inquiry. “But did you hear about Apollo?”
Aphrodite perks up at that. “What did he do this time?”
“Well, apparently he was caught balls deep in a satyr and…” Krystian drones on about random gossip that I can’t tell if it’s true or made up.
I suppose it doesn’t matter. Aphrodite eats it all up with rapt fascination.
I tune their conversation out and focus on Thea, who’s frowning at the floor. I know she’s desperate for answers, and I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt for not finding her any.
“That’s where Athena went?” Krystian’s sharp exclamation draws my attention back to him.
“Poor girl.” Aphrodite sniffs delicately. “She was heartbroken when she lost her team. I don’t blame her for hiding away.”
Zaid’s fingers begin to tap against his thigh, as they always do when he’s anxious or planning something. My guess is on the latter.
Krystian and Aphrodite talk for a few more minutes until I have enough.
Taking a step forward—and capturing both of their attention—I say, “Thank you, Aphrodite. But we need to get going.”
“Oh.” Her face falls.
“You know how Ares can be,” Zaid says lightly, trying to alleviate the mood. “He always has a job for us.”
That’s true. The only reason we’re not being pulled away for a mission is because Ares doesn’t know we completed the hellhound one. I… I didn’t tell him.
For the first time in my life, I disobeyed orders.
“You can always stay…” Aphrodite reaches for Krystian, her perfectly manicured nails trailing down his arm.
Thea is there in a second, her teeth bared and eyes sparking with a savage lethality.
“Paws off, sister. Now,” she threatens, and I realize the crazy bitch is actually holding her dagger in the air, like she plans to stab Aphrodite in the chest.
Krystian quickly detaches himself from the goddess and moves to his feet, backing away.
“No can do. I have to go.” He smiles charmingly to show he means no offense.
Aphrodite huffs. “Krys would’ve stayed.”
Krystian blanches.
Thea takes a threatening step towards the goddess, her arm raised.
“It was lovely catching up,” Zaid says quickly, subtly positioning himself between the enraged reaper and the clueless goddess. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
Aphrodite perks up at that, even as Thea snaps, “Over my dead body.”
Rafe smiles adoringly in Thea’s direction—the sight unnerving as fuck to see—then moves towards the elevator.
The rest of us follow, though Zaid has to practically push Thea to get her moving.
Just before the metal doors close, Aphrodite rushes forward, placing her hand in the box.
“Wait,” she blurts.
“Yes?” I grunt, already done with this entire fucking day.
We got jack shit from Aphrodite, despite the fact she obviously knows something, and no leads on what to do next.
“Just…” She glances in both directions, then leans forward, keeping her voice a hushed murmur. “Just don’t discuss certain…rumors around the other gods and goddesses, okay?”
Krystian’s brows clench together. “Huh?”
Aphrodite’s solemn expression clears, replaced by her usual sensual cheer. She waves, the barest movement of her fingers, and says, “Goodbye, boys. Hope to see you again soon.”
“Not happening,” Thea huffs.
We say our goodbyes—well, Krystian and Zaid do; Rafe and I simply glare straight ahead—then take the elevator back to the lobby.
None of us speak until we’re out of the apartment complex and standing on the bustling New York street.
“She definitely knew more than what she was saying,” Zaid points out.
“No shit,” I grumble, still irritated we didn’t get any information out of her.
But what the fuck could we do? Torture a damn goddess? Yeah. I can’t see that going over well with the others.
“We did get something,” Krystian interjects.
“What’s that?” Thea frowns at him.
“Athena’s location.” Krystian’s smile broadens. “I doubt she had anything to do with what happened to Thea, but she’s the Goddess of Wisdom. She should have the answers we need.”
“Athena hasn’t been seen in over a century,” I point out. “And anytime someone tries to meet with her, they end up dead.”
“I guess we just have to press our luck.” Krystian shrugs nonchalantly, already moving towards a side alley where Rafe can open a portal.
“Where is she?” Thea queries, dancing along beside us. She seems in a much better mood now that we’re away from Aphrodite. “I wasn’t really paying attention. I was too focused on her butt plug.”
Krystian doesn’t respond right away, and I can tell he’s thinking about his next words carefully.
“I think we can get her to help us once we get to her.”
“ If we can get to her,” Zaid mumbles, kicking at a loose piece of trash.
“Where the fuck is she?” I demand, throwing my hands up in the air.
Krystian turns to stare at us, his features grave. “The Labyrinth. According to Aphrodite, she’s hiding out somewhere in the Labyrinth.”