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You displease me, Wynvail. I gave you one command, and you're such a failure you can't even do that. Why are the men still alive?
Wynvail screwed his eyes shut, his whole body stiffening against me. Almost like he was waiting for an axe to fall. Or like the pain ravaging his body was so much worse than ours, like Cronus was punishing him.
Are you that much of a coward?
A growl rumbled from Emlyn's throat. Even Kai's expression had changed from everyday hostile to downright murderous. Maybe just because Cronus was speaking in general.
"Shut up," I hissed, gritting my teeth against the surge of pain when he spoke again.
Wynvail’s fingers tightened on my calf, his breathing fast, shallow. What the fuck was the titandoingto him? He hadn’t exhibited pain even when the hippocampus gored him; he’d locked it down where we wouldn’t see. But now? His breathing was ragged, his jaw clenched, eyes mashed shut, and a vein throbbed in his forehead. Signs of pure agony. I felt it too, like a brand on my soul. I trembled, anger rising.
You, Halwen, have performed beautifully. That's why I'm going to reward you.
Oh fuck you, asshole. Fuck you with zero lube, no prep, and only a giant cactus for a dildo.
Cronus laughed, a low rumble like an oncoming storm, and Wynvail gasped involuntarily, fingers biting into my leg.
My heart shot into my throat, panic muddying my anger when the wall at the end of the corridor began to move, filling my entire being with vibrations.
That grating of stone on stone burrowed through my skull and into my brain, and I flinched so hard I hit my head on the wall behind me. Wynvail held onto me for dear life, his head ducked so I couldn't see his face, breathing quickening even further.
"Is that—" Kai breathed, jerking forward a step when the opening grew wider.
My breath caught when I saw a glade full of wildflowers through the open doorway, not another passage, not a monster or a new trial. Anexit.
My hands shook; I grabbed Wynvail’s shoulders and heaved him onto his feet.
"There's a way out," I gasped, my head still spiking with pain even as I supported him against me. "Come on, we’re getting out."
My eyes caught Em’s, hope bouncing between us like an echo.
Please.Please.
Without a conversation, we all rushed towards the opening, Kai ducking closer to help me support Wynvail's other side. With a single remark, Cronus had achieved the impossible, and united Kai and Wynvail. Kai’s father had been a piece of shit; he knew the damage vicious words could do. We both saw it in Wynvail’s reaction, saw the history of cruel, destructive remarks. Saw the abuse.
Fuck, now I was feeling sorry for him.
I tried to harden my heart, but I was too busy propelling us down the corridor, slamming my wings behind myself to push us faster, further. My knees were weak, my legs not much better, but adrenaline doused my whole body with the sight of freedom so close.
Em sprinted ahead of us, Harvey clutched to his chest, all our eyes pinned to that bright, verdant glade. Freedom. I could taste the fresh air, could feel it slide through bruised lungs like cool relief.
"Haley," Wynvail murmured, his voice thick and clumsy as he staggered, trying to keep up as we pretty much dragged him down the passage.
"Shut up," I huffed. "No talking, only running."
Leave the traitor behind,Cronus ordered, his voice so deep and omniscient that I stumbled.
My shoulder slammed into the wall, pulling Kai and Wynvail with me, and I swore, whispering apologies.
"Do it," Wynvail slurred, his eyes attempting to flutter open.
"Oh, shut up," Kai barked, helping me back up, the three of us running full-out for the door.
I gritted my teeth and endured the spike of a dozen headaches, not letting my gaze shift from that bright glade. I dreamed of flowers velvety under my fingertips, the cool shade of tall trees, the low hum of insects and life that was the total antithesis of the Labyrinth.
The maze was silent; dead. But we were close, we were there.
Three steps. I could taste it now, coating my tongue with promise and hope.
