Apollyon

“Sounds like a smart idea.” Dark humor laced Aiden’s tone. “You might want to get your gun off my brother’s face while you’re at it.”

No one moved for a second, and I seriously hoped this guy didn’t call my bluff. I wasn’t sure I could do much in terms of the Apollyon thing, but luckily he raised a hand and the guns disappeared.

I let out a relieved breath.

“I hope I don’t regret this,” the Sentinel said, slipping his gun back into his holster. Then he extended a hand, much to my surprise. “My name is Dominic Hyperion.”

My brows rose as I took his hand. He had a firm shake.

“Hyperion?” said Marcus. “Interesting last name.”

Dominic gri

“I guess so,” I murmured, relieved to see my friends no longer had guns pointed at their heads.

Stalking past me, Dominic stopped at the gate. “So you guys really took out the automatons?”

“Unless they send more, you should be free of them,” Solos answered.

“That is good.” The half paused. “You say you lost one?”

Olivia cleared her throat. “Yes. She was only eighteen, training to be a Sentinel. Her name was Lea.”

Dominic’s chin tipped down. “I am sorry for what you all have lost. The gods know we can sympathize with what you’re feeling.” With that said, he turned back to the gate. “Please follow me.”

“So you really can stop the First?” another Sentinel asked. He was younger than Dominic, around Aiden’s age. A certain gleam filled his eyes when I nodded. “Well, I’m sure there’re a lot of people beyond these gates who’ll be happy to hear that.”

“Do tell?” asked Aiden, who suddenly was by my side. He placed an arm over my shoulders, and I sent him a curious look.

The Sentinel’s eyes about popped out of his face as they landed on the overly possessive arm of Aiden’s. “You’re a—and you are a—”

Oh, dear.

Aiden smiled, his eyes a dark gray. “We’re what?”

“No. No. It’s just…” The Sentinel looked back at equally flabbergasted halfs. No one came to his aid. “It’s nothing. Never mind. Bigger problems, eh?”

“Yeah, biggerproblems…” There was a clear, cold warning in Aiden’s voice as he steered me around.

The gate was opening as Aiden’s arm slid off my shoulder, drifting across my back, leaving a wave of shivers in its wake. Dominic went through first, followed by Marcus and then Solos.

I stopped, twisting back to the bug-eyed Sentinel. “You said others would be happy to hear that I knew how to… stop the First? Who would that be?”

Dear gods, the guy looked at Aiden first before answering. “Before the automatons went crazy, a handful of groups made it in from other locations, including the Catskills.”

My heart stopped. “Council members and Sentinels?”

When he nodded, I was close to doing the Muppet arm-thing. I hadn’t let myself consider was that my father could have been one of those burnt corpses lining the road, but knowing that some had made it to the University safely sparked hope deep in my chest. It didn’t ease the tight pain of Lea’s loss, but it was something to go on.

It was something, and that was better than nothing.

As dawn crept across the lush meadow, throwing light over the tiny blue wildflowers, we reached our destination. The University campus was large, spreading between two mountain peaks like its own little town in a hammock. I imagined it was like any other college in size and atmosphere, but that was where the similarities ended.

Early-morning light reflected off the large sandstone buildings modeled after the ancient coliseums. Courtyards were filled with what seemed like every flower and tree known to man, scenting the air. Statues of the Muses guarded one academic building, while sculptures of the Olympian Twelve lined the road. Dorms that looked like mini-skyscrapers rose in the background, housing potentially thousands of students.

It was so like Deity Island, but on a much larger scale, that there was a pang in my chest.

In the center of the campus was what I assumed was their Council building, and that was where we were heading. Muscles in my legs ached, and visions of beds were dancing in my head, but I forced myself to keep going instead of sitting down in the middle of the road and going to sleep.

Busts of the Olympian Twelve were carved into the marble and sandstone structure. It was circular, like an indoor amphitheater, and a cold shiver rolled down my spine. I don’t know what it was about the Council buildings that always freaked me out, but they did.

As we climbed up the steps, I saw the statue of Themis and almost laughed. Her scales were balanced, but in whose favor?

There seemed to be no one else moving around as we entered the brightly lit lobby. Students were probably still asleep, if they were even continuing with classes. Hell, I didn’t even know what day it was. It might’ve been the weekend for all I knew.

Dominic led us around another cluster of statues, and by then I was so getting tired of seeing them and, of course, we headed up a never-ending flight of stairs. Not even the damn University could throw some money at an elevator.

It was when we were heading down a wide hallway, and I saw the Guards standing before double doors sheathed in titanium, that I knew where we were heading.

“The dean’s office,” I said.

Dominic nodded at the Guards, and then they moved as a unit, opening the heavy doors. My first glimpse of the office really struck home. It was nearly identical to Marcus’. Lush. Spacious. Tons of expensive-looking leather furniture, including a big old desk that probably made someone feel powerful and all kinds of special. There was even an aquarium built into the wall behind the desk, with vibrant fish zooming back and forth.

I glanced at Marcus and saw that his face was impressively blank. Months ago I would’ve believed that Marcus just didn’t feel anything, but now I knew better. Seeing this office had to bring forth memories both good and a buttload of bad, and I sincerely felt for him.

A door opened to our left, and a tall man with ice-blond hair and startling blue eyes entered the room. He was dressed like Marcus used to—a poster child for Golf Club of the Month. Behind him, a smaller figure entered and my mouth dropped open.

“Diana,” Marcus gasped, and then shot forward.

A wide, beautiful smile spread across the Minister’s face. I’d met her while I’d been at the Covenant in the Catskills, and she had been the Minister to stand against Telly by voting against me being placed into servitude.

So, yeah, I liked the woman.

Marcus clasped her hands in his and it seemed like he wished to do more—maybe pull her into his arms, hug her… kiss her like a man who’d never expected to see her again.

“I am so… thankful to see that you’ve made it here safely.” Marcus’ voice was gruff and heavy with unspoken emotion. He so had a thing for this woman. “So very thankful.”

Pink stained the woman’s cheeks. “As I am to see you here.”

The Dean cleared his throat. “I was unaware that you were familiar with my sister, Dean Andros.”

Sister? Oh… oh, awkward.

Marcus let go of Diana’s hands and faced the man. “We are… friends, Dean Elders. She’s a lovely woman, but as much as I’d like to list her glowing attributes, that is not why we are here.”

My brows inched up my forehead.

The Dean’s lips twitched as if he wished to smile. “I am also grateful to see that you have made it here safely. Not many have recently.”

“That is what we have heard and seen.” Marcus clasped his hands behind his back, throwing me headfirst into memories of him in an office very similar to this, where he’d been about to lay into me for something stupid that I’d done.