Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
“Do you know why the Pleiades aren’t the center of the universe? Did your little dream tell you that?” It didn’t. But she knew this before she asked the question because she doesn’t wait for an answer. “It’s because of me. Everything that has happened to you since you were twelve was because of me.”
“You?” I say, shocked by her words. “Why? Why did you interfere in my life like that?”
“Not just yours,” Aric says. “She did the same thing to me.”
Nyx shoots him a smarmy look. “Oh, please. Let’s be real now. It wasn’t me who put you here, Aric. It was your father, Ares.”
But Aric isn’t looking at her. He’s looking at me. “She’s my stepmom.”
“Whoa,” Declan chuckles. “I had no idea.”
“No one knows,” Aric says, looking back at Nyx now. “She wanted it that way because—”
“Because I was protecting my daughter,” Nyx hisses.
“Please tell me that’s not me,” I say. Feeling ill.
“It’s not you,” Quaid says. “Her daughter is Eris.”
Which makes Declan cackle. “That makes sense, That bitch is nothing but discord and strife. Like literally,” he says, his voice playful. “She’s the fuckin’ goddess of discord and strife.”
“Hmmm,” I hum. “I see. But what does any of this have to do with me?”
“Excellent question,” Aric says. “What is your part in this game?”
But before Nyx can answer, the floor below our feet begins to roll. Like it’s made of water instead of stone. And I find myself putting my arms out like a surfer, trying to ride it.
“Whatever it is you’re doing,” Aric yells, “stop it right now! We’re not gonna be hurried into a decision because you’re playing magic tricks on us.”
Again, Nyx does not look concerned about the state of the rolling floor. She lifts her chin as if to imply messing around with the power of earthquakes is beneath her. “This isn’t me, you stupid child. This is the death of the Labyrinth. You’ve killed the Minotaur in his lair, stepson. The game is over and you have won.” She pans her hands wide to indicate the room. “Your prize is an open portal.”
“Obviously,” Quaid hisses. “Tell us something we don’t know.”
“Like how to get through them,” Declan adds.
“I already did,” Nyx sneers. “Give me your godly possessions and the doors will open. Each one will allow one soul to pass through. Plenty of doors here for the four of you.”
“And you?” I ask. “Are you coming with us?”
She places a hand on her heart. “While I would love to remain your guardian for all of time, little Star, I’m afraid I must take my leave of you at this point. You see, in order for you to pass through, you must give your station of Pleiades Eight back to me. I am the womb of the sky, after all. And as thus, I have to remain behind to keep the stars shining.”
Then she looks at Aric. “What you need to give up is that stupid belt buckle. And the knife, of course.”
Her gaze finds Quaid. “And, as discussed—your glasses.”
“What about me?” Declan asks. “I mean…” He kinda scoffs here. “I don’t have any godly possessions.”
Nyx laughs. “Of course you do! You’re the son Hermes!”
“You mean his ears?” I ask. “What the actual fuck! He’s not cutting off his ears and handing them to you!”
As if in protest against my declaration, the ground rumbles so loud, and with such power, that all four of us go tilting sideways. I actually fall over—only Aric’s quick grip on my arms prevents me from smashing into the stone floor!
“Well, I’m sure Declan won’t mind staying behind,” Nyx says. “But the rest of you had better get a move on because the Labyrinth is failing fast.”
I look over at Declan, my heart suddenly hurting at the thought of leaving him behind. “No,” I whisper. I don’t want to say that because it implies that I’m OK with this witch of a goddess taking his power in the form of his cute little winged ears, but I can’t help it.
I can’t imagine a future, in Paradise or otherwise, where Declan isn’t there with us.
He’s mine.
Declan lets out a breath, his eyes locked on me. “Before you ditch that knife, Aric, put it to use one more time.”
Quaid lets out a breath. “Wow.”
Aric, for his part, just stares at Declan for a moment. Waiting for him to meet his gaze. But Declan’s eyes remain steadfast on me.
And mine on him. That’s how I notice the walls are starting to crumble.
“Do it,” Declan says. “Quick. So we can get the fuck out of here.”
“Wait!” I scream. “Wait, you guys. We need to talk about this!” A gaping hole appears in the stone floor between Nyx and me, but I ignore it. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, or why you sent me to live in the mortal realm, but something about this is all wrong! You don’t cut off people’s body parts to win a game!”