Page 135 of Find My Way Down to You

Henri stops in front of the two statues at the room’s center. The ones I admired before. The woman with a crown of asphodels and the other holding a bouquet of daffodils.

“Narcissus,” I whisper.

“Cora,” Henri says of the one cradling the flowers. He gives me a sidelong stare. “Deathless of—”

“Life,” I finish for him.

I couldn’t see it before. Didn’tknowwhat to look for. But something about her pulls ever so slightly on my chest. A thin string tied between us.

I wonder which of my parents she’s related to. We don’t look alike. Mostly because she’s a statue. But is that where my dad gets his intense love of helping kids from? Or is she the reason my mom is so gifted with plants and flowers?

My gaze shifts to the other woman. “And she is?”

“Death.”

“Cary’s mom,” I breathe out.

“And Milos’s,” Henri reminds me. I don’t want to think about him. Either of them.

Turning away, I follow Henri toward the end of the hall. “Why are you telling me this?”

Henri’s face smooths into soft lines. “I’m loyal to Aides and Milos. But I haven’t forgotten who I was before. There’s still a part of me that”—he exhales, touching his chest—“feels a connection to mortals. I help where I can.”

The soaring walls of the labyrinth loom over us. Tangled foliage hides the stone beneath. The entrance is an open mouth. Waiting to swallow me. Heady spice from the saffron crocus scents the breeze.

Smiling fondly, Henri thumbs one of the red threads. In a low voice, he says, “Trust your instincts, August. Watch your surroundings. Listen carefully. And try not to go backward.”

His eyes glance over his shoulder. The guards watch us.

I lean closer. “Are youhelpingme?”

He clucks his tongue. “Clearly.” Turning to me, he adds, “Look, Milos built the labyrinth to entertain himself. It’s dangerous and difficult. Stay alert anddon’tlook in the mirrors.”

I shudder, remembering that mistake last time.

“What do they do?”

“Reveal your worst fears and nightmares,” Henri answers. “Milos had Meli create them.”

Careful. She’ll give you nightmares.

Henri said that at the ball like it was a joke. Now the playfulness is gone from his eyes. Serious, he says, “They’re meant to distract you. Avoid them.”

I nod. “Is it true? That no one’s ever escaped?”

“You’re not ‘no one.’ You’reAugust.” He takes my cheeks in his hands, pinching. “And this face is way too pretty to be trapped where no one can see it.”

I laugh, elbowing him away.

After a final smile, Henri steps over to the guards. I inhale deeply, then walk through the maze’s entrance. I haven’t even made it ten steps before Henri calls, “Look for what you need the most and it will be there!”

“What the hell does that m—”

A rumbling noise cuts me off. It sounds like gears turning. Suddenly, a stone wall shoots up from the floor. It closes the labyrinth off from anyone else entering. Or exiting.

I’m sealed inside.

“It’s fine,” I mutter to the flower-covered walls. “I can do this.”