“We didn’t find him. We captured him.”
The semantics were of no interest to her. But this—the Argonaut… This was a game changer.
She fought from smiling so she didn’t give herself away. These idiots had no idea what they’d found.
She fixed an impassive look on her face and turned toward Tohr. “I want to see him.”
Tohr huffed. “You? Why? I thought all you cared about was Zagreus.”
She tamped down her excitement and forced a scowl for the satyr’s benefit. “If he really is an Argonaut, he was probably looking for the Argolean female you let get away tonight. There’s no way he’ll help you.”
“There is if we force him.”
She rolled her eyes. “Forcing him will get you nowhere. Argonauts are fiercely loyal. They’re heroes, for fuck’s sake. It’s in their DNA. But I can help with that.”
“How?”
She lifted her chin, a subtle movement that also straightened her back and pushed her breasts out, just a touch. “I have my ways.”
The satyr’s eyes locked on her chest. He might be stupid, but he was still male. And too dumb to know he looked like an even bigger fool, lusting after her when there was no way in hell he would ever get the opportunity to touch her.
His glazed eyes slowly lifted from her chest to her face. “You’re going to fuck him into submission, aren’t you?”
“Only if he’s lucky.” She grinned. “And his fuckability is dependent on whether or not I think he can secure what I—what we want,” she corrected so the idiot wouldn’t cue into her plan. Her smile faded. “Meanwhile, your life and the lives of your so-called men are riding on the decision you make right now. Take me to him and live, or don’t and find out just how powerful my box truly is. The choice is yours.”
The satyr stared at her with a vengeance she knew he longed to let loose. Tension crackled between them. A tension that only amped her adrenaline and made her more convinced she’d win this battle.
Oh, he may think himself a strong being, but deep down he knew he was no match for her. The biggest mistake he’d ever made was being fooled by her good looks and damsel-in-distress act when she’d first found his gang. The second was falling for her ruse and stealing her treasure back from that fool of a Titan, Epimetheus.
He pushed away from the wall and stalked past her. “He’s in the abyss.”
Knowing she’d won, Pandora turned to follow. “Of course he is.”
She wanted a shower. Wanted one night’s rest. But this was too important to ignore. And her disheveled appearance would only help her where she was headed next.
“Did you take any personal belongings from him before you threw him down there?” She followed Tohr into the dimly lit corridor.
“Only his blade.”
Perfect. “I’ll need to see it before I meet him.”
Tohr stopped at the end of the hallway and glared down at her. “The blade is mine.”
“I care not for the weapon. I simply need to hold it.”
“Why?”
Gods, he really was an idiot. She didn’t feel like explaining but she needed to get this show on the road. “Because personal objects have energy. Energy that connects them to their owners. And I need access to that connection so I can turn him.”
Tohr’s eyes narrowed. “You just said he was fiercely loyal. Even if you fuck him senseless, you can’t turn an Argonaut.”
She fought from rolling her eyes and worked for patience. “He’s mortal. And I was built to fool mortal men.” Look at you, moron. “He’ll turn, trust me.”
Tohr stared at her another long beat, then finally shook his head and moved down another corridor to their right. “Whatever. But if you kill my prisoner, I’m gonna be pissed. I need him to help me take that castle.”
Pandora smiled as she followed the satyr. Tohr’s singular focus was conquering Ehrendia and rebuilding the torture palace he’d encountered under Zagreus years ago in the Yucatan. He was such a stupid male, thinking only with his dick. The satyr was so clueless he didn’t realize if the prisoner was who she thought, Tohr’s days of leading anyone were numbered.
He led her to his private chambers, shoved the door open, and told her to wait in the outer room. As she did, she tried not to notice the filth on the floor and tattered furnishings in what she guessed was a living space.
Ugh, the males in this place were pigs. But that would soon change as well.
Tohr returned several moments later carrying a blade as long as his forearm.
Her eyes widened as he held the parazonium out to her, the weapon only Argonauts used. It shimmered in the low light, the blade wide, the handle thick. It was shorter than a sword, lighter and easier to use. And carved into the steel were the ancient Greek letters she’d seen on Talisa’s arms. The ones that marked all Argonauts as protectors of the mortal world, chosen by the Fates.
Her fingertips grazed the metal, careful of the sharp edges. It was cool to the touch, but she felt the energy zing up her fingertips. Felt the connection to its owner. And instantly knew what she needed to do next.
She lifted her hand from the blade and looked up at the satyr. “Thank you.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” She turned for the door. “I’ll meet you at the lower entrance to the abyss.”
“You’re visiting your box, aren’t you?”
She reached the open doorway and glanced over her shoulder at the satyr, not the least bit worried he or the others had tampered with her treasure while she’d been away. It not only cloaked the location of this rundown fortress, it was also deadly to anyone who tried to open it but her. “Yes.”
“And if this time it doesn’t grant you your wish?”
“Oh, it will.” She grinned as she gripped the wood at the doorway, already looking forward to meeting the mystery male below. “It always does. Just make sure your satyrs are ready to attack. I’ve a strong feeling turning him to our cause won’t take long at all.”
Chapter Ten
The nymphs Zagreus had been training as mages were all greener than grass—timid, nervous, and new to casting spells.
Ana had clearly been his most promising prospect, and two minutes with the others made Talisa understand why he’d spent more time with Ana. Especially now, when Talisa knew Ana was a whole lot more than the others.
Still, these four were their only shot at reforging the border, so Talisa led them out through the hidden tunnel and down to the pool at the base of the waterfall where the stone arch sat just beyond, hoping like hell this worked.
Through the trees and flickering magick, she could see Rhen and several of the other guards cleaning up the mess she’d made of those satyrs. So far, no new beasts had returned, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. Waiting to strike all over again.
Don’t think about that…
She turned toward the four nymphs, each wearing cloaks, each glancing around the dark forest as if they expected those satyrs to jump out of the brush at any moment. “Okay, focus. Like we discussed. You each know the spell.”
“Our magick isn’t as strong as the prince’s,” the blonde to Talisa’s right said with a nervous expression.