“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.
“Wedidget 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.”
“Ifwe 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.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
THEA
