Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I get my answers as we walk through the doors to the greenhouse and into balmy heat. I shake out my hands, which instantly start prickling from the change in temperature. If the gardens outside reflect the change in seasons, the various plants readying themselves for winter, in here it’s a permanent summer.
The woman who steps into view is one I haven’t met personally, but after a few seconds, I place her. Ariadne. She’s only been photographed with her father a handful of times since arriving in Olympus, but the woman in front of me hardly looks like the same person. Oh, she has the same light-brown skin, curvy body, and straight black hair, but she’s wearing a pair of leggings and a long sweatshirt that clings to her hips and waist and chest. She also doesn’t have on a drop of makeup, and it’s clear she hasn’t been sleeping well by the circles under her dark eyes.
Those eyes take me in with suspicion, which she turns on Eurydice. “You were supposed to come alone.”
“Consider Orpheus an extension of me.” Her sharp tone softens, and she takes a step forward. “What’s going on? You said we wouldn’t be able to meet for a while, but your texts seemed pretty panicked.”
“Yeah.” Her full lower lip quivers. “I need you to get me out, Eurydice. I need you to do it right now.”
16
EURYDICE
There’s no good way to get Ariadne to safety without exposing what I’ve been doing with her up to this point. Maybe if Eris was answering her phone, things would be different, but after the third time I get sent to voicemail, I know it’s a lost cause. I almost call my mother, but the only people my mother looks out for are herself and her daughters. She might extend an offer of sanctuary, but she’s not above going back on her word if it suits her end goals. I promised Ariadne that she would be safe. That means there’s only one person I can call.
I’m about to be in so much trouble.
The woman standing next to me hardly seems to have the same bubbly personality that I’ve interacted with previously. I don’t know what happened, but she’s scared out of her mind. She keeps flinching every time Orpheus moves. I don’t think it’s him personally that’s causing the reaction. It’s more that he’s fidgeting, and the movement repeatedly startles her. Either way, it has my nerves fried. “Orpheus,” I snap. “Go stand watch by the door.”
For a second, he looks like he wants to argue, but he finally gives a short nod and moves toward the door. We’re not so deep into the greenhouse that he’s soon out of sight though, and even though he’s not trained the same way that Charon is, I find his presence comforting.
I turn back to Ariadne. “I need to know what I’m dealing with. I promised to help you, and I will, but I need all the details in order to make sure I keep my word to the best of my ability.”
She wraps her arms around herself tightly, as if afraid that she’ll shatter into a million pieces. When she speaks, it’s so soft that I have to strain to understand her. “I’m pregnant. I need an abortion. As soon as feasibly possible.”
I stare. Who…? But then, it doesn’t matter, does it? I’m doubly glad I chose not to call my mother now, because I can’t guarantee what she would do with this information. The pregnancy has to be caused by someone in Minos’s household, and I highly doubt it’s Theseus. Of the other three men left living with her, two of them are related to Ariadne. While I can’t rule anything out, I don’t think Minos is guilty of that. And Icarus certainly isn’t.
Which leaves the Minotaur.
My mother wouldn’t hesitate to use a pregnancy as leverage to attempt to bring the Minotaur over to our side. Even at the expense of Ariadne. I won’t let her do it. I take Ariadne’s hands and squeeze until she meets my gaze. “I have to call someone for help. I know this is scary, but we’ll go to a clinic right now. I will stay with you the whole time.”
The relief on her face makes me feel a little weak. I’m nearly certain Hades won’t make the same call my mother would, but if I have to fight him and the rest of the Thirteen, then so be it. “After that, we’ll set you up somewhere safe and talk about the future.”
“Okay.” She slowly pulls her hands from mine and nods. “Okay,” she repeats.
I pull up my phone. It’s tempting to take the cowardly route and call my sister instead, but in this I can’t trust Persephone any more that I can trust my mother. I don’t think she would force me to go back on my word, but I can’t be certain. All the women in my family can be remarkably ruthless when those they care about are on the line. If Persephone thought that handing over Ariadne would protect her husband, her family, her unborn children? She’d feel guilty for doing it, but she’d make that call.