Ladon goes down the dark staircase ahead of me to check if the coast is clear. The last thing I need right now is to be ambushed by a palace guard. Visions of the torture room flash in front of my eyes, and the sick feeling of dread creeps up my throat. I have to get out of here without getting caught.
I hold my breath as I wait at the top of the stairs for him to return. When he finally appears at the bottom with that devilish grin, my heart skips a beat. My body relaxes. “We’re good,” he says, “Let’s go!” I rush down the stairs and scoot through the tavern, giving Ivan a wave as we pass. He shakes his head at me, and I can tell by the look on his face that he’s growing weary of my antics.
When Ladon and I emerge into the forest, the last rays of sunshine are starting to fade. I look a
