“You know we’re right here,” said Dolus.
“We can hear you,” agreed his sister, Apate.
Their necks were charred and smoking beneath their Stygian iron shackles. Their bodies trembled from the aftershocks of immense pain. They could barely lift their heads enough to meet Nico’s eyes.
“I’m not going to leave anyone in chains,” Nico decided. “Not if we can figure out a way to help.”
His half sister smiled at him. “There’s the Nico I know and love.” She glanced at Asterion. “How ’bout you help evacuate the other mythics? They’ll follow you. Nico and I will figure out these chains.”
Asterion nodded. “As you wish, Hazel. Please take care of yourself. Arielle, Johan, Quinoa, Orcus, with me!”
“I’ll just stay here,” said Semele through Nico’s voice. “Be careful, you gorgeous cow.”
Wow, do you have to?Nico asked.
Yes, Semele said.Yes, I do.
As the mythics marched into battle to help their comrades, Hazel faced the other demigods. “Can you all buy us some time? We can’t let Pirithous get near these two gods. Otherwise, I’m afraid they’ll pledge their loyalty to him. The pain is just too much.”
Right on cue, the iron shackles began to glow red. Dolus and Apate screamed, writhing in agony.
Frank scowled. “Legionnaires, you heard her. We protect this position at all costs.Orbem instruite!”
“Praetor!” the demigods replied in unison. Then they formed a circle around the chained gods, facing outward with their weapons ready. Will, who wasn’t so up-to-date on Latin commands, looked confused for a second and then added, “Um, yeah, what they said.” He took up a position next to Savannah and got ready to glow, to heal, to send some arrows flying, or to throw Kit Kat bars, depending on what was required.
That left Hazel and Nico to deal with the chains of Prometheus.
Hazel frowned at Nico. “So…you’re possessed. How does that feel?”
He shrugged. “Pretty cool, to be honest. Semele saved my life, so I’m not going to complain.”
Thank you, said Semele.It was a strange sensation to be granted permission, but for now, I much prefer this to the old ways.
For now?Nico asked.Meaning what?
Focus, she ordered.
He wasn’t comforted by that, but he turned his attention to the problem at hand. He knelt next to Dolus and Apate. The shackles had cooled again, leaving the two gods whimpering and gasping for breath.
“Any idea how to get these off?” he asked them.
“If we knew how,” grumbled Apate, “don’t you think we would have done it?”
Dolus wheezed. “I don’t want to pledge myself to that fool Pirithous,” he said, “but your sister is correct. If he asks again…I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist. Youhaveto free us.”
“Then there’s the little matter of you two being the gods of trickery,” Hazel noted. “How do we know you won’t turn on us? Or just killeveryone, including our friends?”
Apate glanced up. Like many gods, her face was unearthly, beautiful and terrifying at the same time, but her desperate expression struck Nico as very human.
“You tried to warn us, Hazel Levesque,” said the goddess. “You alone understood who we were, even when we weren’t telling the truth. We will not harm you if you help us. Look at me. Am I lying?”
Hazel narrowed her eyes. “No. I don’t think so. But honestly, I would help you anyway. No one should be chained like this.”
“Strongly agree,” Dolus said. “Especially when it’s me.”
Nico stood and hefted his sword. “That just leaves the question ofhow. Hazel, stand back….”
Semele spoke in his mind:That isn’t…
