The worm lunged. Hypnos slashed out with his blade, drawing black blood that trailed down its body, sizzling where it landed on the floor.
The beast recoiled. Then the sound of shifting rubble caught its attention.
Hypnos watched in horror as Iliana stood from where she’d landed. The curse seized control the instant he’d been thrown from her, when his protection had been severed by physical separation.
Hypnos slammed his blade against the counter with a sharp clang, trying to pull the worm’s attention back. The beast’s body contracted, its maw opening wider. Hypnos saw it coming but couldn’t move fast enough. The creature spat pale green venom, hitting him square in the chest and face.For a second, it felt cold, then the burning started. His skin sizzled as the acid dissolved flesh and muscle. The golden ichor in his veins mixed with the venom, burning hotter. The pain was too much, making his vision blur and his head swim.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed up from the counter and stabbed the worm again, driving the sword to the hilt. He left the sword in its belly and backed away before the black blood could burn him. The room seemed to spin, and he lost vision in his left eye. He could feel the acid continuing to eat away at his body. He needed to get Iliana out of there before he was too weak.
The world focused once again. Iliana was moving, unaware of the danger she faced. The curse was puppeteering her body, moving closer to the monstrous beast.
“Iliana! No!” He flung the warning out to the gods through theirmental link.
Black wings shot from his back. He couldn’t feel them—couldn’t feel much at all—only the need to reach her.
Pushing off the ground, he launchedtoward her. Three feet. Two. One.
His hand hit her shoulder—and the curse’s grip shattered.
Her hazel eyes snapped into focus, both aware and horrified as they met his.
Then the worm’s jaws closed around him.
His vision blurred as pain burst through him. Fangs punched through his skin, piercing his organs. He tried to hold on, to keep the connection with her, but the worm jerked him backward with more strength than he’d expected.
The last thing Hypnos saw in his one good eye was Iliana reaching for him. Her hand was outstretched. Her mouth opened, but he could no longer hear.
The darkness dragged him down.
Chapter fifty-six
ANUBIS
Anubis drummed his fingers impatiently on the table as he waited for Osiris. He hadn’t been away from Iliana for long, and he already wanted to return. He should be protecting her—not stuck here discussing the Bennu.
Except this wasn’t routine. With the Bennu going quiet, the Olympians getting restless, and the Kabeiroi watching, none of it was a coincidence. He just couldn’t figure out how it all fit together.
Iliana had asked why the Kabeiroi were watching her. He’d had no answer, and neither had the twins. They could speculate based on their past appearances, but it wasn’t enough to protect her. What good were they as guardians if they were blind to the danger?
Anubis exhaled sharply, forcing the thought away.
Iliana had promised to share the prophecy. He felt her working up to it through her questions, her hesitations. He just hoped her decision wouldn’t come too late.
While waiting for Osiris, he checked in with his team about the tomb looting. They’d erased a group of humans’ memories and located the leak in the Ministry of Antiquities. A temporary fix for a persistent wound.
Greed had always been part of humanity, but the recent rise in violations angered him. At first, he’d thought it was ignorance, fewer people appreciating the historical and cultural value of the past. Butnow…
What if something else was driving it?
He’d contacted Thoth again, but the god was tied up with a new task for Ra and Osiris. Thoth promised to look into the curse within the next few days. Despite hating the delay, Anubis couldn’t force Thoth. Not yet.
He was about to abandon his wait, when Osiris appeared before him. His regal posture betrayed none of the exhaustion Anubis knew he carried.
“Good. You are here.” The god was calm, but expectant. “I know you want to return to your protection detail, but this cannot wait.”
Anubis gave a tight nod, hiding his irritation. If it was so urgent, why had Osiris kept him waiting? “What is it?”
“The Bennu has not been seen, even though its return is imminent.”
