"Asterion…" Melite called out after me. I didn't stop. There were no sweet words she could say to make me not kill this boy. He, like the criminals who get sent in her, deserve what I'm going to do to him. I'm not letting that little bastard stay in my labyrinth, especially not with Europa, who he's already hurt, and Melite. He is a danger to them, and I'll see him put down like the dog he is."No, please! Please don't send me in there!" Antimachus cried out as I heard the familiar rumble of the boulder being moved back across the entrance. As I peeked around the corner, I saw the sandy blonde boy beating his fist against the boulder. As if that would help him. He wasn't going to escape this place. He wasn't going to escape me.I watched him for a while, staying just out of sight as he cautiously tried to navigate the maze. He didn't look all that danger

I let Europa guide me away from the bath, thought just enough for us to be out of Melite’s sight. We’d only managed to get around the corner before Europa surprised me by pushing me to the wall. Typically her pushing me wouldn’t have caused me to move an inch, but she’d caught me off guard, and I stumbled slightly into the wall. “Europa…” I started to question. The rest of my words died off, muffled as she kissed me. Her kiss was different from Melite and even different from last night's. It was desperate and chaotic. It felt like she wanted to use me to erase the trauma even hearing that boy’s name brought bubbling back to the surface. And I don’t know how I should feel about that. But I do know I want her to feel better, so I go with it. I wrap my arms around her, lifting her to my level. Swit

I groaned as I shifted, the chains loosening now that the guards weren’t holding them in place. I looked and saw my mother with Melite and Europa just behind her. My mother was crying and the girls...they were both pale and looked horrified. Damn it. I didn’t want any of them to see that, to see me like this. Why would my mother bring them out here? “How… how could he be so cruel?” Melite sobbed as Europa hugged her. I groaned as I moved to get to my feet. I had to reach out to stable myself on the wall. “Asterion…” my mother called out, rushing forward. “I’ll be okay, mother.” I nodded trying to reassure her. “I’ll be alright, girls.” I said looking to the distraught Melite and Europa.  “Does he do this often?” Europa asked. I shook my head. “Not recently.”I assured. It wasn’t the first time I’ve been beaten. Probably won’t be the last either. My mother

“Let us come with you.” Melite instantly spoke up, grabbing my arm. “Melite…” I sighed. “I know Andromache. She was my friend even before our names were drawn to come here. She’ll feel safer if she sees us.” Melite argued. As much as I adore her big heart, it’s a liability right now. I know she wants to reassure her friend, but I can’t allow that, not yet. “That’s the problem. She needs to scream, blood-curdling level scream. If she doesn’t, they won’t think she’s dead. If they don’t think she’s dead, Minos will send people in to verify. Soldiers come in here, enough of them that I can’t hold them back. They not only see she’s alive but that you two are as well. And then Minos takes all three of you.” I warned, shaking my head.I don't

The stew was actually rather good. It seems Andromache can cook. I’m glad it won’t just be me cooking. Yes, some burned bits in the stew near the bottom of the pot, but overall it was good. The girls settled in for the evening, taking up the bed. Melite was crocheting something with the colorful yawn my mother brought. Europa was busying herself with brushing Andromache’s hair while Andromache was reading one of the books I’d brought from my max shift library. It was oddly settling. To sit here content, not alone, as I reread a book for probably the millionth time. I could almost get used to this. But I remind myself it's not forever. This is only until they can escape and start their lives over somewhere. And I want that for them. I want them to be free and to live long, happy lives. “Did the person who built this plac