Theta by Lizzy Ford

Author:Lizzy Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dystopia, mythology, greek mythology, young adult fiction, teen fiction, modern mythology, young adult dystopia, dystopia fiction, teen dystopia

Chapter Eleven: Alessandra

“You’re slow today. You don’t look sick.”

Gods, Niko was driving me crazy. He was as unrelenting as usual. After two nights with less than three hours of sleep each night, I was in no shape to handle him in the ring or out. Light headed, and panting after ten minutes of sparring, I leaned against the ropes of the boxing ring.

I didn’t answer him. My mood was fickle, and I didn’t want to tell him to join Cerberus in Hades and earn myself a punch or two. The ever-present, three headed dog monster had become my only companion. He didn’t need sleep either, and he sat or paced or stood behind the curtain separating my world from that of Hades. All. Day. Long. I had never had a pet in the forest, but I did now. I didn’t have to worry about feeding or walking him, which was nice.

“What’s wrong with you?” Niko yanked my chin up while dragging me from my thoughts again. He studied my face.

“Nothing!” I tried to pull away.

He ignored me. “You’re weak, too. Are you sleeping?”

I sighed.

“So you’re not.” he grumbled and released me, stepping away.

“I’m having issues,” I replied and straightened.

“What issues?” he retorted. “Villa doesn’t have enough servants or shoes for you?”

“You have no idea what I’m going through!” Anger flared within me, warming my blood and clearing my mind temporarily.

“C’mon.” He motioned me forward. “Hit me if you can. It’ll help.”

“You’re my therapist now?”

“I don’t give a shit how you feel, kid, but you gotta be physically ready to deal with the world, and you aren’t.”

I was agitated enough at him to give him a good thirty minutes of sparring before I ran out of energy again. Taking a break in my corner, I sipped water and studied him. He was … Niko. Regular, irritable, quick-to-snap Niko.

We hadn’t sparred yesterday, because he was hunting insurgents. I had dreaded our session today, certain he would beat me to a pulp for my involuntary involvement in helping Cleon disable Theodocia. Forty minutes into our hour session, he hadn’t dropped the hammer, and I was getting edgy.

“You’re not mad at me?” I asked him at last.

“You’d know if I were.”

“Do you even know what I’m talking about?”

“It’s likely I won’t care.”

“Theodocia.”

He glanced up. “What about her?” His tone remained the same, but I sensed it took effort.

“I put her into this frozen-rubbery state of immobility,” I said. “She’s a gummy statue.”

One eyebrow lifted.

He doesn’t know. Whether this was Cleon’s assertion or my realization, I couldn’t tell.

I had Niko’s attention, which was not always a good thing. He lowered his water bottle and approached, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

I knew he loved her still. Another thought that was both Cleon’s and mine. If he hits you, he hits me. Do not let that happen. This was distinctly Cleon’s order. I shared his concern. I didn’t really have the intention of getting my ass beat by a pissed Niko, who was just as likely

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