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xvi<br />
Nico<br />
‘YOU’RE NOT ORION,’ Nico blurted.<br />
A stupid comment, but it was <strong>the</strong> first thing that came to his mind.<br />
The man before him clearly was not a hunter giant. He wasn’t tall enough. He didn’t have dragon<br />
legs. He didn’t carry a bow or quiver, and he didn’t have <strong>the</strong> headlamp eyes Reyna had described<br />
from her dream.<br />
The grey man laughed. ‘Indeed not. Orion has merely employed me to assist him in his hunt. I am –’<br />
‘Lycaon,’ Reyna interrupted. ‘The first werewolf.’<br />
The man gave her a mock bow. ‘Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, praetor <strong>of</strong> Rome. One <strong>of</strong> Lupa’s whelps!<br />
I’m pleased you recognize me. No doubt, I am <strong>the</strong> stuff <strong>of</strong> your nightmares.’<br />
‘The stuff <strong>of</strong> my indigestion, perhaps.’ From her belt pouch, Reyna produced a foldable camping<br />
knife. She flicked it open and <strong>the</strong> wolves snarled, backing away. ‘I never travel without a silver<br />
weapon.’<br />
Lycaon bared his teeth. ‘Would you keep a dozen wolves and <strong>the</strong>ir king at bay with a pocketknife?<br />
I heard you were brave, filia Romana. I did not realize you were foolhardy.’<br />
Reyna’s dogs crouched, ready to spring. The coach gripped his baseball bat, though for once he<br />
didn’t look anxious to swing.<br />
Nico reached for <strong>the</strong> hilt <strong>of</strong> his sword.<br />
‘Don’t bo<strong>the</strong>r,’ muttered Coach Hedge. ‘These guys are only hurt by silver or fire. I remember <strong>the</strong>m<br />
from Pikes Peak. They’re annoying.’<br />
‘And I remember you, Gleeson Hedge.’ The werewolf’s eyes glowed lava red. ‘My pack will be<br />
delighted to have goat meat for dinner.’<br />
Hedge snorted. ‘Bring it on, mangy boy. The Hunters <strong>of</strong> Artemis are on <strong>the</strong>ir way right now, just<br />
like last time! That’s a temple <strong>of</strong> Diana over <strong>the</strong>re, you idiot. You’re on <strong>the</strong>ir home turf!’<br />
Again <strong>the</strong> wolves snarled and widened <strong>the</strong>ir circle. Some glanced nervously towards <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>tops.<br />
Lycaon only glared at <strong>the</strong> coach. ‘A nice try, but I’m afraid that temple has been misnamed. I<br />
passed through here during Roman times. It was actually dedicated to <strong>the</strong> Emperor Augustus. Typical<br />
demigod vanity. Regardless, I’ve been much more careful since our last encounter. If <strong>the</strong> Hunters<br />
were anywhere close by, I would know.’<br />
Nico tried to think <strong>of</strong> an escape plan. They were surrounded and outnumbered. Their only effective<br />
weapon was a pocketknife. The sceptre <strong>of</strong> Diocletian was gone. The A<strong>the</strong>na Par<strong>the</strong>nos was thirty feet<br />
above <strong>the</strong>m at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> temple, and even if <strong>the</strong>y could reach it <strong>the</strong>y couldn’t shadow-travel until<br />
<strong>the</strong>y actually had shadows. The sun wouldn’t set for hours.
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