ar turned ni

es, the mark burning in response to the divine power. Shadows screamed as A

o said, stepping through the wreck

manded, moving between him and M

s eyes blazed gold. "And I

th her blade, bronze meeting sunlight in a shower o

of here!" Athena shoute

exit. Bjorn covered their retreat, his war axe appearin

na kicked open

factory exploded with divine combat. Light and d

ained him during the police station escape, and

ave a choice,

xit, doors opening. Armed men poured out, but these were

Elena hissed. "Apol

word that hummed with power. "Marcus Chen. You are under arrest

is hands. "I am

divine pistol three times. The bullets curved in mid

gods gave chase, faster than mortals,

g to a stop beside them. The rider wore a blac

e was female, muff

ou?" Marcu

es not want you

he pulled Marcus up after her. The bike launched forwar

lights. Marcus clung to Elena, who clung to the mysterious rider. Behin

. Under bridges, through parking garages, down alleys barely

ront of an old church. The rider kil

s breat

hifted between gray and gold. Scars marked her face and arms, but she w

demigod,"

dangerous. "I am Kara. Daughter of Ares.

he world tilt

Until you came along." She studied him with an expression between curiosity and re

sk for this,

smile faded. "But you go

" Elena asked

ara leaned against her bike. "Also, I do not think you killed my father. You a

did it," Mar

owing them a photo. A tall man in expensive suit,

hing about the man seemed famil

arcus Aurelius. CEO of Olympus Holdings.

Kara said quietly. "Go

"Your brother ki

ys resented being the lesser son. Ares never gave him the recognition he wanted. Six months ag

pets," Elena said. "S

ied. I saw him leaving the scene, covered in blood, smiling." Her voice cracked slightly.

vid Park. The security guard. H

eared," Elena said. "De

ee weeks ago. Deimos has him locked in a private faci

out," Marcus said.

Divine wards, armed guards, probably traps. And if we fail, Deim

on," Elena said. "We have less th

h bell began to ring.

lem. Apollo just issued a Blood Hunt. Every demigod and god-touched in th

cold. "He ca

said. "He can do whatever he wants until Z

"Bjorn just texted. Athena is down. Apollo nearly killed her defendin

ver him. Athena had riske

ow?" he as

ng stupid. We hit Deimos's facility tonight, get the wit

id. "We need a plan

es, more hunters join the Blood Hunt. By morning, there will b

out Ares choosing him in that final moment. A

" he said. "Le

w you sound like family. Come on. I

bike. The engine

rough the city. The hunters

d Hunt h

en was runnin