Talon didn’t fail to notice the stares, but nor did he appear to care. And when Ajax and Keyes sent curious looks his way, he only met their gazes steadily. As if conveying that he didn’t need to explain his actions to them or anyone else.
Soon, we were on the move again. After crossing the length of the pastureland, we walked into the forest of scraggly trees beyond it. Trees with leaves that were a stunning violet shade.
Talon stuck to a narrow path as he guided Xanthos through the maze of tall cedars, eventually leading us out of the forest. From there, I had a better view of the Sovereigns’ magnificent fortress. I also saw flashes of their private garden, but I didn’t notice any apple trees.
As Talon led us toward the steep mountains at the far right corner of the city, I nibbled on my lower lip. I hoped we wouldn’t be expected to climb them. That would probably be the case, though. I supposed it was one heck of a trail to walk, considering the officiates were all on horseback, the cheaters.
My brows met as we approached the opening of what appeared to be a grotto. There, the officiates dismounted the Arions. Talon motioned for all candidates to gather round. We quickly did so, forming a cluster in front of the officiates. I found myself stood between Lear and Bevan.
“Welcome to what has been branded Nightmare Caverns,” intoned Keyes, setting his hands on his hips. “The Sovereigns often send here those who have displeased them.” He paused. “Sometimes those people come back. Sometimes they don’t.”
What an uplifting introduction.
“It is a series of interlinked caves that form a labyrinth,” Ajax elaborated. “You will have heard of a half-bull-half-man creature that roams a massive labyrinth. It is not a story meant to merely scare humans. The minotaur exists.”
Oh, gods, please tell me you’re not sending us in there. Please, please, please—
Wait, the labyrinth was allcaverns? That made me recall the ‘nightmare’ I justmighthave shared with Talon. I looked his way. His expression was blank, but his jaw was hard.
Lear flicked a look at the cave opening. “And we have to go in there?”
My stomach dropped and rolled as Talon nodded.
“Not as a unit,” Keyes clarified. “Each of you will go in separately with fifteen minutes in between. And hopefully come out alive.”
“The minotaur was once a man,” Ajax added. “Minos cursed him. And now he is a half-beast creature trapped inside these caverns that he can never leave.”
Finian cleared his throat with a deliberate cough. “Who was he before he became the minotaur?”
“No one you will have heard of,” Ajax airily replied.
“Why was he cursed?” asked Seneca.
“You’d have to ask Minos.” Ajax swept his gaze over the entire group of candidates as he added, “What you need to understand is that the minotaur may have the body of a man and only the head of a bull, but he thinks like an animal. Acts like ananimal. Hunts and eats like one. He will attack and kill anybody in his territory—no exceptions.”
Well, shit.
Talon unrolled a piece of parchment and held it against the rock wall. On it was a drawing of what I presumed was the labyrinth.
“There is a single circuitous pathway from the entrance to the heart of the labyrinth, wherein lies the exit,” said Ajax as Talon traced it with his fingertip. “It will mean traversing through seven circuits, each of which has its own dangers and obstacles.”
Talon once more rolled up the parchment and arched anAny questions?brow.
Reeve rubbed at his nape. “In terms of dangers and obstacles, what are those exactly?”
Talon pursed his lips and slightly angled his head, his expression saying,You’ll have to see for yourself.
Atticus folded his arms. “And we’re supposed to kill the minotaur?”
The Cardinal stared at him like he’d asked the most ridiculous question in the history of ever.
“You couldn’t even if you tried,” Keyes told Atticus. “Your aim is to avoid him completely while navigating and escaping the labyrinth.”
That made me frown. “But … if there’s only one pathway, how can we avoid him?”
Keyes’ gaze landed on me. “The minotaur is able to cross from circuit to circuit—walls will open for him like doors. Providing he’s in a different circuit to you at all times, you should manage to not come across him.”
Oh. Well, then.
