The bitter taste hits the back of my throat, triggering my gag reflex, and for a moment I think I’m going to vomit. But then it fades, and a tingling sensation travels along my veins, then centers all across my back. Soon, the pain is gone completely. I sigh and push myself up. Dane and Declan help me to my feet.
When I turn around, I catch Rory frowning at my back with concern and mild disgust.
“What?” I reach back to touch my spine, but instead of feeling the leather of my jacket, I feel soft, moist mush. When I draw my hand back, it’s coated in blood. “Oh.”
“We’ll deal with that later,” Declan says, then seems to catch his insensitivity and adds, “As long as you’re okay?” while looking at me.
I smirk. “Peachy.”
“Then… let’s go get us a trident?” Rory says again, this time more apprehensively.
My smirk turns into a grin. “I’ll race you!”
I set off at a sprint, and the guys laugh and race alongside me. As we go, I scan the arena, or… what’s left of it. Thankfully the stands are untouched, but every obstacle appears to have dissolved into a hulking pile of rubble. “I think we may have overdone it…”
Keaira and Lore laugh in agreement, and Dane urges me forward to where the guys surround the trident, waiting for me. The powerful aura coming off the thing makes the hairs on my arms stand to attention.
“Seeing as you destroyed the entire course, I think it’s only fitting that you get to pull the trident out,” Declan says, hands raised toward the relic.
My hand trembles as I wrap my fingers around the golden rod. The unique power from the trident erupts across my skin. “Holy shit,” I whisper as the power of the gods flows through me, and my stomach sinks at the thought of handing this over to Master Rostova.
There’s no way I can give this to him now.
The speakers crackle and the commentator’s voice rings through: “The trident has been retrieved! All remaining contestants, you have five minutes to complete the… course.”
My attention snaps to the stands where the commentator sits in his box. He squints down at the arena, taking in the lack of standing obstacles, then turns around to consult a few important-looking officials behind him. After a few moments of quiet discussion, he says, “There has been a change of plan. All remaining contestants, you will pass with a half-mark. Please make your way out of the arena. Winners, present yourselves to the god box.”
Gasps ring out through the Colosseum, and I stare around at the guys, the trident held tightly in my hands. “What’s wrong?”
The others remain silent as Declan glances away from the commentator’s box, and his eyes meet mine. “Because no one has ever been invited there before. Ever,” he answers, and my stomach sinks as I glance around at the destruction I’d caused.
This can’t end well.
Chapter 18
I pause at the door in front of me and the woman waiting on the other side. A dull throb is beginning to develop in my back, evidence of the medication already wearing off, but I pay it no attention.
“Serena, I don’t think the gods appreciate tardiness,” Rory whispers, his eyes flicking nervously to the door.
I sigh and motion for Declan to go ahead. He reaches for the door handle and pushes it open. It swings tauntingly slowly, revealing the grand, marble room beyond, and when it’s wide enough, I immediately want to close it again as those familiar emerald-green eyes stare back at me. But I don’t pull the door closed; I shut myself down.
I nod to Her as I enter the room with the guys, ignoring their excitement.
“Welcome! You five put on quite the show,” a tall man exclaims, his body rippling with sapphire power similar to what I’d felt within the trident now being held by Paxton, who is glancing between Nyx and me with curious eyes.
Poseidon’s eyes land on Paxton, and he smiles warmly, bringing him in for a hug before pulling back and searching his face. “And you! You’re stronger, Paxton. I’m eager for you to join my ranks now, my boy!”
My eyebrows raise, and so do those of the rest of my team.
“It seems you’re not the only one with secrets, Mistress,” Lore says, and I smirk.
“Thank you, sir. But you know my answer,” Pax replies, giving us a sheepish smile.
Poseidon sighs, patting his shoulder. “I know, but it can’t hurt to ask again. You never know, maybe one day you will accept my offer.”
Paxton grins with a shrug, and I know from that response it’s definitely a hard no. Poseidon’s eyes then turn to the rest of us as the other gods move in beside him, and of course, Nyx stands in front of me.
“You really should say hello, Serena,” Lore whispers, but this time I ignore her.
“And you all must be Paxton’s friends and teammates. I can see now why he would rather stick with you all,” Poseidon exclaims, and I tilt my head as he appraises Declan and Dane with a keen eye. I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.
Poseidon likes guys? The conversation I’d had with Paxton that first restless night fills my mind, and I have to look away from the man I’d pictured swinging his trident around.
A large hand pokes my side, and I tilt my head to the side to see Dane poke me from his place next to Rory, his aura rippling with amusement.
Our exchange doesn’t go unnoticed as Nyx glances between us and then to the other members of my team, Her eyes widening before they darken when they land on Declan. I wonder what She sees in him…
Poseidon stands in front of Rory, his eyes flicking between the two of us. “I know you, but you,” he
