Page 114 of The Games Gods Play
Neve stares at me like I’m a bug she’d like to squish under her shoe. “Why the hells would you tell us the answer, hoser?” she says, her Canadian accent even thicker than usual. “You could’ve just told your allies and let the rest of us fail.” Which leaves us all in no doubt that that’s what she would’ve done.
“Let’s just say I’m not a fan of death as a punishment.” I hope the gods and goddesses are all listening. Take note, I’m telling them silently. I’ll ruin your fun by doing this every damned time.
Then I look at one person and one person only.
Dex.
Staring back at me with his dark-brown eyes narrowed, he works his jaw for several seconds before, lips tight, he gives a jerking nod. “I swear it.”
After a surprised pause, the others follow suit—each and every one of them.
There. At least I got something out of it that should help me and my team. Dex and his allies won’t be coming after us today.
“Music,” I tell them. “Make music—hum or sing. Don’t try to play the harp, though. She bites. Do it until the door opens.” I look at Zai and Meike. “I’ll wait for you at the start of the next Labor.” I won’t have to wait long. Zai is right after me in the order we go, and Meike shortly after him.
I turn to go back through, but the satyr steps in front of me. “I’m sorry, Lyra Keres, but the rules are clear. If you come back out, you have to wait your turn.”
“Ha!” Neve crows. “Serves you right.”
“Shut the fuck up, Neve,” Dae snaps. “She just saved your damned life.”
A blush mottles up the sides of her face, and Neve opens and closes her mouth a couple of times.
“She’s not really like this.” Dae looks at the rest of us. “At least I don’t think so. Ares’ gift was a competitive spirit, and it seems to have made her…” He waves a hand at her. “This.”
Dex smacks him on the back of the head. “Don’t tell them shit.”
Dae’s jaw sets at a stubborn angle. “It’s not going to help them, but at least they won’t hate her for it.”
“Zai Aridam,” the satyr calls.
Zai stops in front of me before going in. “Meike and I will wait for you.”
I shake my head. “I’m last. All of the champions are between us. With your winged sandals, you’ve got a shot of getting through the obstacles. You should try to win.”
Someone—Dex, maybe—gives a derisive snort.
I ignore him. “Don’t wait for me. Help each other, and if I can catch up, I will.”
Zai looks behind him to Meike, who, after checking my expression, gives a reluctant nod. With no warning, he wraps his arms around me in a hug. “You make it through safe, okay? I don’t need another death to feel guilty over.”
My heart squeezes so tight it hurts. He feels guilty leaving me, and he’s hugging me to make me feel better. How is it even possible? My curse should make him…indifferent at least. I soak it up like a dry sponge finally hitting water.
“I will. You be safe, too,” I whisper and hug him back.
With a grin for me and one for Meike, he goes inside.
Two minutes later, the door opens to an empty room.
58
Artemis’ Labor
I am the last to walk into the cave for the next Labor.
I pass through the doorway onto a damp rock surface and pull up short when Diego steps out of the shadows. He went right before I did, so he hasn’t been waiting long, but…
“Why are you still here?” I ask, eyeing him warily. He swore, same as the others. No harm or hindering.
