“You might have had the upper hand at Phoenixia, what with you being one of the nobles. But here, you’re just another offering. Godkin, yes, but still an offering.”
Her grin faltered. “That doesn’t put us on an even keel.” She moved to stand in front of me, giving me a head-to-toeinspection, her upper lip curling. “Nor does your being a Sayer. Anointed by the gods or not, you’re still human.”
“You say that as if it’s something that I should be ashamed of. I’m not. It’s a point of pride for me. Nowpick it up.”
Lifting one finger, Seneca opened her mouth wide and—
Footfalls heading our way.
I looked to see Talon prowling toward us. His gaze on her, he pointed at the pouch.
She quickly obeyed the wordless command—snatching it from the floor and throwing it to me, all while pouting like a child.
Talon emitted a sharp whistle to get everyone’s attention and then urged us to follow him and the bald officiate I’d heard others call Ajax.
I none too hesitantly fell into step with the rest of the Phoenixians as the two males headed toward the high tower. We followed them along a path that wound through a stunning garden of trimmed hedges and colorful flowers. Some passersby spared us curious glances but didn’t slow their pace, clearly used to offerings being hauled here.
I glanced up at the tower that loomed over us, tall and intimidating. Ropes of vines twisted and looped around the gigantic structure haphazardly. Windows were set here and there, all large with stained glass.
Reaching the entrance, Ajax pulled open the wooden door, making the hinges creak. Talon entered first, but Ajax didn’t follow; he waved the offerings ahead of him. Maybe he intended to take up the rear to be sure that none of us made a run for it. Though where would we even go?
Grudgingly stepping into the tower, I drank in my surroundings. The bright white walls were accented with gold trim. The floor was a beige polished stone that was as smooth as the antique wall-mounted mirrors. Upholstered chaises wereperched near the windows, their burgundy shade matching the pretty rugs. Had it not been for the circumstances, if fear hadn’t knotted my belly, I might have appreciated the view.
A few people stood around, and all were sure to bow their heads at Talon. But they paid the rest of us little attention as we fell into step behind him, the sounds of our footsteps bouncing off the stone walls of the passageway.
Soon, we reached a spiral staircase … and I silently prayed that we wouldn’t need to climballthe way up there. Letting one hand lightly skim over the limestone wall, I followed the others, hating every single step I took. Each time we reached a particular level, I hoped that we’d be done. But Talon would just keep ascending.
My knees began to ache. My thighs started to feel a little numb. My breathing became slightly labored.
Some people ahead of me stopped, striving to catch their breath or rubbing at their legs. But a loud whistle from Talon or a barked “Keep up” from Ajax had them moving again.
Just when I thought that my knees would give out on me, Talon pulled open a door and gestured for us to follow. My legs didn’t get any steadier as I walked along the arched hallway, passing pretty ceramics and sculptures, but that was due to the nervousness that rattled my bones.
As we reached the neared end of the passageway, which seemed to branch out into a wider space, Talon came to a halt.
We all did the same, some accidentally colliding into others and apologizing in whispers.
“What you’re telling me is that you still have no answers to report?” asked a deep, rich voice coming from up-ahead.
“Minos,” another male voice began, “I have done all that I can—”
“If that were true, you would be able to explain to us just how they escaped,” clipped Minos. “Two-hundred beings do not simplydisappear.Especially not from Tartarus.”
I frowned. Tartarus was a prison where the Sovereigns were said to send those they wished to punish. Few knew exactly sure where it was located.
“There is no evidence of them escaping, Minos—their cell doors were locked.”
A scoff. “Nobody could break out of Tartarus, especially without going unnoticed. Two hundred roaming prisoners wouldnotgo unnoticed. One of the wardens obviously freed the Watchers. It is your job to find outwho. Do it. Fast.”
I blinked, surprised to hear that the Watchers were alive. The army of godkin had once fought under the banner of the half-blood Theseus during the Uprising. I would have thought they’d all been executed when caught.
“And don’t disappoint us again,” added Minos, a deadly note to his voice. “I’m sure you’ve heard what I do to the tongues of those who have nothing useful to report.”
My gaze immediately flitted to Talon. A rumor circulated that Minos had taken his tongue, hence why he didn’t speak. But … I’d heard Talon whistle a few times. You couldn’t whistle if you didn’t have a tongue.
Or could you?
A rangy male who was presumably Minos’ conversationalist nodded curtly at Talon as he hurried past us. Talon was then once more on the move.
