Sweet Legacy
Page 38

“You’ll get them,” he says, guiding me out into the hall in front of him. “Even if you don’t like them.”
Gretchen leads us into a back alley strewn with garbage cans, loose trash, and abandoned furniture.
“I shall delay them as long as I can,” the healer whispers as we exit into the daylight. “May the gods be with you.”
I hear Sthenno mutter, “Only the ones on our side.”
Then Gretchen is running down the alley, keeping to the side and dodging behind whatever obstacles can provide us some protection. We follow as closely as possible—the gorgons first, then the furry little monkey, and finally me with Thane right at my back. When Gretchen gets to the end, she holds up a fist that I interpret to mean “stop here.” She waves us behind a Dumpster, and as much as I don’t relish the idea of hiding behind a container of garbage, I dislike the idea of being found by whoever is after us even more.
She steps around the corner to investigate.
Thane leans close from behind. “Are you okay?”
My head is killing me, but that’s becoming a standard state of being.
I nod, wishing we weren’t in this life-or-death situation so I could enjoy the sensation of his breath on my neck. I may not understand this connection between us, but I cannot deny that I like it, a lot.
Gretchen runs back to join us.
“There aren’t many,” she whispers. “Half a dozen soldiers, maybe. And they’re entering through the front.”
Sthenno asks, “Arms of Olympus?”
Gretchen nods.
“We could fight them,” Thane suggests.
“That would be unwise,” Euryale replies.
Gretchen shakes her head. “They’re heavily armed.” She skims her gaze over me and Euryale. “And our forces are not full strength.”
I want to argue, but I know she’s right. Just staying upright requires too much effort.
“Getting to the safe house is our only chance,” Sthenno says. “It will buy us time to find a solution.”
“Right. We’re going to walk out of the alley, single file,” Gretchen explains. “Head right and don’t look back.”
“I’m not leaving Greer’s side,” Thane insists.
Gretchen studies him for a second and then concedes. “Fine—in pairs. We’ll regroup at the bookstore four blocks south and then make for the safe house.”
We all agree.
“On my mark,” she says.
She moves back to the head of the alley, leaning up against the wall and peering around onto the street beyond. She raises her arm and waves us forward.
We’ll make quite the parade.
Thane grabs me by the forearm and pulls me out from behind our hiding spot. “You’re going first.”
We walk past Gretchen, stepping out onto the sidewalk and trying to look like normal people. Thane releases his grip on my arm, dropping his hand to clasp mine. He threads our fingers together, securing our hands palm to palm. To anyone else on the street, we must look like an ordinary couple out for a walk on a gray afternoon, happily enjoying each other—except for the tension in every muscle of our bodies.
I start to look back over my shoulder, but Thane tugs at my arm.
“Don’t,” he says. “Eyes forward.”
I scowl at him. “What is your problem?”
He flicks a glance at me. “I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“If you hadn’t noticed,” I argue, “I’m not incapable.”
His mouth quirks into a half smile. “No, you’re not. But you are a beacon of Apollo. You are in the greatest danger of all.”
“What does that mean?”
“When you touched the oracle’s pendant,” he explains, “you created a direct connection between your mind and the god of prophecy.”
I give him a blank look.
“Apollo has unlimited access to your brain.” Thane scowls. “He can track you, communicate with you, and see your visions.”
Sugar. Well, that explains the conversation with Apollo in my vision, and why Sthenno seemed so upset that I had touched the pendant. At the time I didn’t think we had another choice, otherwise I would be upset with myself as well.
As it stands, I did what I had to do, and I will live with the consequences. I will figure out a way to fix the situation.
Seconds later, the sound of footsteps smacking on the pavement clatters around me.
“They’re coming!” Gretchen shouts, rushing past us with the monkey on her shoulders. “Let’s go!”
Thane doesn’t wait for me to respond. He breaks into a sprint, dragging me along with him. My weakened legs struggle to keep up, but every time I start to lag behind, Thane pulls harder. He keeps me upright and moving. It feels like we run forever, even though it’s only a few blocks.
Inside the bookstore, Gretchen is standing by the front door, watching, while Sillus hugs her calf. She waves us inside, gesturing us deeper into the shop. Thane and I move between the wooden shelves of local travel guides and books by Bay Area authors, heading for a side room with a big window facing the sidewalk.
He leads me up the few steps and into a place behind a short bookshelf where we can watch the street. The gorgons hurry by, heading for the front door. Moments later, they all join us.
“Get down,” Gretchen whispers urgently.
I bend my knees but keep my eyes glued on the window. I see the half dozen men run by, sporting golden armor and carrying vicious-looking weapons. They must not have seen us duck inside, because they don’t stop or alter their course.