Rhadamanthys lifted an ancient-looking wooden box from beneath the table. "The terms must be set. The gentlemen will declare their seconds. Lorenzo, as the challenger, you may choose to go first.”
“Rafael,” I said without hesitation.
Constantine’s smile widened. “And I choose Ceasar.”
I arched an eyebrow. “You’re bringing abird? Is that allowed?”
“The laws don’t prohibit it,” Rhadamanthys said with a frown. “Which I’m sure Judge Minos is well aware of.”
“Ceasar is more than a mere bird to me.” Constantine stroked the eagle’s feathers. “He’s been mine since the day I found him. I trust him with my life. There is no one else living now I trust more than Ceasar.”
Rhadamanthys nodded. “Then it is decided. Rafael will serve as Lorenzo’s second, and Judge Minos takes the eagle, Ceasar, to be his second. Now…” He flipped open the ancient brass locks on the trunk. “We must draw for terms. I must remind you that the lots are binding. Judge Minos, as the challenged party, you have the right to choose first.”
Constantine leaned forward to peer into the box. Glass tiles glittered in the afternoon light, each one marked with a golden Greek letter. Twenty-four tiles. Twenty-four chances.
"The first draw determines weapons," Rhadamanthys said. "Judge Minos, as the challenged party, you declare your preference first."
Constantine smiled. "Blades."
The word hung in the air. He knew. He had to know I preferred knives, that I'd trained with blades since I was seven years old. Why the fuck would he choose the one thing he knew I was skilled with? Unless…
This is all a fucking game to him.My fingers twitched as I fought the urge to clench them into fists.He doesn’t give a damn what weapon we fight with. The bastard thinks he’ll win either way.
"Bludgeons," I said finally.
Constantine's smile widened. "Oh, playing risky, are we? How exciting!"
Rhadamanthys gestured to the box. "Draw."
Constantine reached in and plucked out a tile, setting it face-up on the table.
Rho.
My turn. I reached into the box. The glass was cool and smooth against my fingertips. I grabbed one and pulled it out, setting it beside Constantine's tile.
Sigma.
Fuck. The one time I didn’t want to win.
Constantine laughed. “I’m looking forward to seeing how well that works out against Ceasar.”
Rhadamanthys collected both tiles and set them aside. "The second draw determines advantage," Rhadamanthys said. "As challenger's second, you draw first this round, Rafael."
I held my breath. This was the critical one. The one that could save or damn us in the dark.
Rafael glanced from me to Rhadamanthys. “What are my options?”
Constantine sighed and counted out the options on his fingers as if he expected Rafael to know them. “Lantern, map, compass, or…” He smirked. “A head start.”
Well, it was clear he knew which one was the best option.
I looked at Rafael.C’mon Rafael. Make the smart choice.
“The head start,” Rafael said after only a beat of hesitation.
“Yes!” I pumped my fist. I could kiss him.
“Don’t celebrate yet, Kleiner,” Constantine mused. “You still have to win the draw. Let’s see if fate is still on your side.”
