Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) (14 page)

Jules made a beeline for the shelves straight ahead, then did something with his hands. The entire wall swung inward. They passed into the next room, and the mammoth door closed behind them.

As his eyes adjusted to the meager light, Alec could see that, like Grecian Antiquities, this building was surprisingly deep.

The place was also strangely outfitted. Plexi-glass sheets, similar to those at a hockey arena, surrounded a gymnasium-sized exercise mat.

Two men and a woman, all wearing workout clothes, were inside the enclosed area.

Jules pointed to each in turn. “The big guy who looks like he belongs in the WWF is Quinn.”

Big wasn’t quite the right descriptor, whereas the WWF part said it all. Quinn’s biceps were massive, about as big around as Schwarzenegger’s had been back in the day. He could also have been a Marine, with the height and blond crew cut.

“The man he’s practicing with is Adrian. The woman standing nearby is Adara.”

Adrian looked to be in his mid thirties, not as big as Quinn, but no slouch in the muscle department. He was much leaner than Quinn, and his black hair hung a few inches above his shoulders, not cut close to his head like Quinn’s.

Adara, a slender, athletic woman with short, cropped hair, stood nearby, holding what appeared to be a spear of some type, an amused expression on her pixie face.

Alec faced Jules. “Where are the others?”

Jules shot Stephanos a questioning look. “There are no others. This is it.”

Three men and a woman. To go up against a man who had wiped out Stephanos’s entire team.

Alec swallowed past the knot in his throat and returned his attention to the mat where Quinn rushed Adrian, who easily sidestepped him and struck him on the back with his forearm. Alec watched openmouthed as Quinn dropped to one knee. He wouldn’t have expected the blow to have done anything to a man of Quinn’s size.

Quinn roared and lunged forward, catching Adrian at the knees, knocking him flat on his back. Adrian scrambled back up, fury outlined on every taut muscle.

“Be careful, boys. Don’t overdo.” Adara’s husky voice trickled through the air, as if she stood feet, instead of yards, away.

Before Alec could ponder the strange acoustics, Jules shoved a pair of goggles into his hands. “Here, put these on.”

Alec hesitated, watching Adara toss Quinn a similar pair, then don one herself. The hair on his arms and neck prickled, then started to rise.

“Now.”

At Jules’s sharp command, Alec did as he said, just in time. Even with the protective lenses in place, Alec winced at the intense bright light that seemed to be burning his retinas. What the hell? He continued staring straight ahead, but couldn’t see anything but white light. After several minutes, the intensity dimmed, allowing him to view the source of the brilliance.

The fiery light was coming from Adrian’s hands.

Quinn crouched a few feet away, like a basketball player guarding his man, prepared to dart this way or that if needed. But the beams remained to either side of Quinn. Minutes passed until finally the, what he could only describe as rays, subsided. Adara dashed forward as Adrian dropped to his knees. Quinn ambled over, but Adrian shrugged them both off and headed toward Alec and the other spectators, seeming to go straight through the plexi glass.

What the hell? But when Adara did the same, Alec noticed she took a slight jog through the plastic sheets, obviously separated by a couple feet.

Stephanos extended his hand to Adrian. “Nice job.”

Adrian slanted a look to Jules, who nodded. “He’s the leader of Amalgamated.”

Adrian stepped around Stephanos, picked up a gallon container of water, and upended it. The liquid ran down his chin onto his clothing as he hastily chugged the contents.

Quinn, wearing a broad smile, crossed to Adrian and clapped him on the back. The action forced a plume of water to shoot directly into Adrian’s face. Adrian scowled, then glared at Quinn, who looked around. “What? Only congratulating him on a job well done.”

“He should have been saving his energy for the attack.” Adara frowned at Quinn.

“He’s a bit rusty. I was helping him out. We needed to know he still had it, so I had to piss him off.”

“Your natural talent, Quinn.” Adara finally seemed to notice Alec and held out her hand in greeting. “I’m Adara.”

Her grip was strong, firm, not at all what Alec expected of someone model thin. “Your shop?”

She grimaced and blew out a breath. “No, my name.” She glared at Quinn. “Someone thought it was a cute idea and it stuck.”

Looking quite pleased with himself, Quinn jutted a thumb toward the training room. “Wanna fight?”

“Anytime, anywhere.” She swung the spear to her other hand and jogged toward the plexi glass slats, motioning for Quinn to join her.

“First, why don’t we see what Alec can do with his bow?” Stephanos stopped the bantering pair in their tracks.

“Come on, then, what are you waiting for? Fall?” Quinn laughed as he held back the thick plastic.

Alec felt a surge of anticipation flow through him. He knelt, opened his case, and withdrew his bow and a handful of arrows identical to the ones Zorba had provided. A tingle started up his arm at the familiar contours of his weapon. It felt like ages since he’d held the bow, but it had only been a matter of hours. The ancient coin caught the light, sending radiant spears in all directions.

“Nice.” Jules nodded his approval. Even Adrian glanced over and stopped drinking, an appreciative gleam in his eyes.

As Alec entered the arena, he immediately noticed the odor, like hot, dry air on a summer day. Each breath felt completely devoid of moisture. He jogged over to where Adara and Quinn stood a few feet away from each other.

Alec looked around. “Where are the bull’s-eyes?”

Laughter bulleted around the room, and Alec felt heat rush to his face.

Quinn pointed at his barrel chest. “Imagine a big ol’ red dot.”

A chill swept through Alec. They couldn’t possibly expect him to shoot at them?

Adara raised her brows. “What are you waiting for?”

Alec remained where he was, unmoving. He couldn’t do this.

“I think he’s afraid of hurting you,” Adrian taunted from the sidelines.

Both Quinn and Adara looked at each other, and again laughter echoed around the training area.

“Give him a break.” Stephanos sounded angrier than Alec had ever heard him. “Go to the far side. Let him get used to the idea.”

Looking slightly chastised, the two did as Stephanos requested.

“Now, Alec.”

Alec set the arrow into place and lifted the bow, bringing the nock back to his cheek. How could Stephanos order him to shoot at a human being?

“You brought us a real winner.”

The sarcastic tone of Adrian’s voice reached into Alec’s ear. No, he wouldn’t be bullied into this. He would do it when he was good and ready.

“Shoot for my hand.” Quinn held his arm at his side, fingers spread.

Alec aimed at Quinn’s palm, then released his grip on the arrow. The whizzing sound seemed to follow the carbon rod through the air toward his target, right on the mark. Alec braced himself for Quinn’s cry of pain, but he moved his hand at the last possible second.

Quinn let out a loud whistle. “That was close.”

“You see, Alec, you don’t have to worry. They’ll get out of the way. This will help you train.” Stephanos spoke in a low voice, again seemingly in his ear. “Continue.”

Alec picked up another arrow and aimed at Adara this time. She twisted just enough to avoid the weapon, which clattered off the plastic behind her.

He continued until he’d used all twelve arrows and was forced to stop and gather them again.

Quinn merely shook his head when he picked up an arrow near his foot. “Come on, I’m not even breaking a sweat.”

Once more. One more round. That was it, then he was out of here and heading to Mallaki’s. He returned to his spot on the opposite side.

Adara and Quinn sprinted toward him.

“Stop us now, Alec. Before we reach you.” Adara cut in front of Quinn, heading directly for him.

Alec heard Stephanos’s swift intake of breath. He obviously thought they’d carry out their threat.

No one had gotten hurt in Adrian’s attack. Maybe the arrows wouldn’t affect them. He lifted the bow. Steady, steady, then let it fly. Quinn pulled ahead of her and Alec groaned. He hadn’t meant to aim at Quinn’s head. The big man did a quick two-step, and the arrow glanced off his hand.

“Stop. Mission accomplished.” Stephanos’s command filled the arena.

Alec lowered the bow.

“Nice work.” Quinn approached and held out his hand, which had a smear of blood across the palm.

Alec hesitated, feeling guilty about inflicting such a wound on another person.

Quinn laughed. “Oh, that. That’s a love bite. You were going to nail me. I had to save my handsome mug.”

Alec shook Quinn’s hand, immediately aware of energy forming deep within him. By the time he’d released his grip, Quinn’s hand was healed.

Quinn stared at him, dumbfounded, before what Alec could only think of as a shit-eating grin spread across his face. “You’re a healer.” He clapped him on the back so hard his teeth rattled. “We’ve got ourselves a healer.” He turned toward Adara, who also appeared pleased.

Alec felt the knot in the pit of his stomach loosen. Just a bit. Somehow, he’d passed the test.