Page 163 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The Labyrinth

Kronos was the God of Time, and what is time but a maze without end?

As I tried in my drugged state to escape his cave, it gave way to a labyrinth of caves.

Kronos may be a diminished God, but he knew precisely how to use his powers to confuse me.

So I did what I had to do, I chose the cave that had appeared closest to me and stumbled towards it.

Behind me I could hear that he had turned into his true size and the thud of his footsteps was louder and slower than mine but they covered more ground.

I had forgotten that Kronos was also the father of giants, beings of great stature and strength.

I ran through cave after cave, stones and sharp-toothed minerals cut at my bare feet, and still I heard him behind me.

It felt like my heart would be torn asunder.

Oh if only I had drunk the nectar before this happened, it would have fortified me, but now I was breathless and these tunnels seemed endless.

Behind me the Titan ran, his unrelenting roar sending chills through my body.

Still, I was silver-footed enough to run faster than he could and it put me in the lead, my single winning hand.

Finally, finally, I reached a crossroads.

Three different cave entrances stared at me.

Each looked like the other, crystal-lit until suddenly the crystals died.

Trembling, I pulled a torch from my bag, hoping to light my own way – a trick that Styx had taught me, a snap and flick and the fire flew from my fingers to the torch, the darkness fleeing from the flames.

Thank you, Styx , I whispered softly. My fear had a grip on me as I looked at all three routes in turn, hoping this was not just whatever spell he put on the food toying with my head.

I could hear Kronos now. He was snorting, and as I turned, I saw his monstrous form in shadow, close behind me, like the form of a Minotaur.

But there was no Minotaur here. This labyrinth held something much more dangerous.

A once God-King. Perhaps it was the panic then that made me do it.

But whatever the spell was that he gave me was as likely a culprit as the ancient stirring in my blood.

Every approaching footstep was evoking something in me, the taste of moulding cavern air, the smell of the danger so close behind was so terrifying, I felt like I would break apart.

Like pieces of me were pulling apart, my whole body trying to tear itself into portions.

Then suddenly, there was a moment of wrenching pain.

My vision suddenly cleared… and I split into three.