Page 42

A text from Kade has sat in my messages, unread, for two days.

Artemis has been gone for so much longer than that. I keep expecting new arrivals at our borrowed safe haven to be her. Instead, we’ve been spending our time helping people get out of Sterling Falls.

They come to Jace’s home, and one of us drives the small group to the marina.

Bobby ferries them to the docks in Emerald Cove.

The first few days after Ouranos moved into Sterling Falls were utter chaos. People who tried to stand up to him were shot down. The mayor’s body was carted through North Falls and left spread-eagle, naked, in the middle of Main Street.

One of Tem’s old employees told us that, tears rolling down her cheeks, when she arrived to ask for help escaping. She was the first one we smuggled out, but certainly not the last.

Apollo, Jace, and Wolfe are effectively blocked from the city. Apollo tried to re-enter and was nearly shot. Having the conversation about Artemis and her addiction over the phone was not ideal.

He threatened to get her immediately, but Antonio made him see reason.

She’s there to get help.

However long that takes.

But with most of our forces removed, it leaves us with both hands tied behind our back. We don’t go out alone, and every run for supplies seems dangerous.

There are wanted posters around town with my face on them, along with others.

Malikai Barlow, for one. Half the Hell Hounds. Jace, Wolfe, and Apollo.

Not Artemis or Reese—although the latter says he doesn’t want to risk it.

I have to agree with that. Clearly, Kade worked out some deal to protect Reese and Artemis. And when he realizes Reese didn’t leave town like he hoped? That might backfire.

Anyway. We’re not supposed to leave the property alone, and here I am, going solo.

I’m on Jace’s bike. It feels a bit dangerous to be out riding, but we made sure there was no sign of ownership on it.

We took off the plates and replaced them with fakes from Daniel, scanned it for any sign of trackers.

I sort of relished prying Jace’s anti-theft detection off it, if only to make sure it wasn’t traceable back to him.

The ride to Jace’s old boat house hideout is quick. I pull back the ivy-covered fence, roll the bike through, and close it behind me. Leaving the bike where it is, I stride down the sloped, curving road to the building.

It’s no better than a shack.

I slow when I catch movement through the window, but then the door opens.

Malik glares at me.

He still wears his cut, and I have no doubt he’s armed to the teeth. Currently, however, the only thing visible is the handle of a dagger at his hip.

“Hart,” he greets me.

I incline my chin.

He steps back, allowing me inside, and closes us in. “What’s the news?”

“We’ve been getting people out of the city,” I tell him. “And your Hell Hounds?”

He grimaces. “I don’t suppose you saw the smoke the other day?”

I nod slowly. We stood in the backyard and watched the brownish smoke climb into the clear sky. Vittoria was worried about Olympus, but Reese mumbled something about it being in the wrong direction.

Our only options were the Hell Hounds compound or something worth destroying in South Falls.

We didn’t venture out that day. All the vehicles are out of sight from the main road, and we make sure the house looks unimposing and empty if anyone were to check it out.

“What happened?”

His expression tightens. “A group of them came in, led by the one that smiles too much.”

“Gabriel,” I supply.

“Right. I was in the back, but we were already aware of the wanted posters for me, my second, and the road captain. My guys got us out the back…” He quiets.

My gut twists.

“They killed everyone who tried to hold their ground. Lost a few of their own, I’m sure, but it doesn’t even seem to fucking matter. They burned everything to the ground.”

“Fuck.”

“The Hell Hounds will rise again.” He scuffs his toe on the floor. “They know where to meet me. But we’re fucking laying low until we can get a better advantage.”

“Understandable.” And, same .

“Here.” He holds out a piece of paper. It has a number scribbled on it. “That goes straight to my road captain. Only call it if there’s no other choice.”

I take it and stuff it in my pocket. “Thank you, Malik.”

He hesitates. Then, “Artemis…?”

“She’s out of the city,” I tell him. “Safe.”

My heart hurts to add that, but it’s true. She’s away from Sterling Falls, away from Gabriel’s influence and the possibility of drugs. For now, that’s safe enough.

“I trust you because of her,” he says.

“I know.”

He nods and glances around, then laughs a little. “I can’t believe Jace slept here for six months.”

It’s a mess. There’s a cot. A sink in the corner, a camping stove on a table with only two chairs. There’s a showerhead over a drain practically in the middle of the room.

“Well, I’d rather be here than a captive of the Titans.” I touch the center of my chest. I often brush over that time. I was tortured—there’s no other way around it. Artemis and Elora came to my rescue. Kora, too. They risked a hell of a lot to get me out, and I still barely survived.

“Kronos was one sick fuck,” Malik agrees. “Cerberus wasn’t much better at the end.”

I hum my agreement. Then something occurs to me?—

Ouranos is keeping his identity secret.

Would blowing his cover hurt him or harm him?

“You know who Ouranos is, don’t you?”

He eyes me.

“The brother of Kronos.”

Malik tips his head back and laughs. It bursts out of him, a wild sound that doesn’t stop until he’s wiping tears from his eyes.

“Oh, that’s fucking perfect.” He shakes his head. “Is that why your face is posted around town?”

I don’t answer.

He claps my shoulder. “Good luck, brother.”

I have a feeling I’m going to need it.