Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4)(16)
Author: Jennifer Estep

"You mean the way he looks like he’s dancing instead of fighting?"

Logan nodded. "I’ve heard Coach Ajax say that a battle is almost like a dance to them, and the longer a fight goes, the stronger they get because they train themselves to always keep moving, to always keep attacking. They have incredible endurance. Most of them also use two weapons at once, one in either hand, like two swords or two daggers. I’m not sure what other powers they have, but Bogatyrs are some of the fiercest warriors in the Pantheon, right up there with Spartans."

In addition to their inherent warrior strengths and skills, all the kids at Mythos also had other powers, bonus magic as it were, everything from enhanced senses to the ability to heal others to being able to call up storm clouds and control the weather. At Mythos, what kind of warrior you were, what kind of weapon you used, and what kind of magic you had were all just status symbols, along with the kids’ expensive cars, designer clothes, and pricey electronics.

We watched Alexei work with the staff. Carson, who also used a staff, seemed especially awestruck by him. The band geek leaned on his own weapon, his face scrunched up in concentration as he tried to follow Alexei’s quick, complicated moves. Kenzie stood beside Carson, also watching Alexei.

Beside me, Logan drew in a breath and let it out. I looked at him, wondering what was on his mind.

"I’m sorry about yesterday," he finally said. "And everything that happened. I still can’t believe that my dad is doing this to you, that he thinks you somehow helped the Reapers. I tried to talk to him last night, but he just wouldn’t listen to me. He never listens to me-about anything."

Bitterness filled Logan’s voice, and his eyes were dark and angry. I reached over and threaded my fingers through his. The Spartan’s emotions washed over me, the way they always did, but as I held his hand, flickers and flashes of other things began to flood my mind, things I’d never seen before-memories of his dad through the years.

Most of the images were the same-Logan slumped over at a table while his dad paced back and forth in front of him, his face stern, talking in a sharp voice. Do this. Don’t do that. Why can’t you get better grades? Why is your room always such a mess? Why don’t you straighten up and act like a real warrior, like a real Spartan? Your mother and sister would be so disappointed in you.

The images and fragments of conversation flashed by one after another, faster and faster, until all I could see, feel, and hear was Linus lecturing his son over and over again, each harsh word hurting more than the last. And I experienced Logan’s emotions too-all his anger, frustration, and the aching disappointment in himself that twisted my stomach into tighter and tighter knots.

"It’s okay," I said, shaking my head to clear away the feelings and memories. "You don’t have any control over what your dad does or what he thinks of me. This is what the Protectorate does, right? Investigate claims that folks are Reapers?"

Logan nodded. "Among other things."

"Don’t worry, okay? We’ll get through this, just like we always do."

He wrapped his arms around me and drew me close. I breathed in, just enjoying the heat of his touch, the warmth of his body next to mine, the steady thump-thump-thump of his heart under my fingers. I didn’t know what was going to happen from one day to the next, from one minute to the next, actually, but we were together now, and I was determined to enjoy it while I could. If there was anything that fighting Reapers had taught me, it was to appreciate the good times that much more-because you never knew when they and the people you loved could be taken away from you.

"Anytime you two lovebirds are ready," Daphne called out, twirling her own staff, pink sparks of magic crackling in the air around her. "I don’t know about everyone else, but I feel like hitting someone today-hard."

Carson winced. "Just don’t break my glasses, okay?"

Daphne walked over and kissed him. "Would I do something like that?"

"Well, you wouldn’t break my glasses," he said. "But you definitely would a Reaper’s."

"And that’s why you love me and my fierce Valkyrie self," Daphne purred.

Carson smiled and kissed her back. Kenzie laughed.

Logan and I stepped apart. A door at the far end of the gym banged open, and Oliver Hector rushed inside. The Spartan hurried across the mats and slung his bag down with everyone else’s. The Spartan turned and smiled.

"Hey, guys, sorry I’m late-"

Oliver’s voice cut off the second he spotted Alexei. I’d thought the Spartan would be surprised by Alexei’s appearance, but it was almost like Oliver had seen a ghost. All the color drained out of his face, and his green eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

"Alexei? What are you doing here?" Oliver said.

Alexei’s head snapped up at the sound of the Spartan’s voice. He lost his concentration, and the staff that he’d been so gracefully twirling slipped through his fingers and rolled across the mats.

"Oliver! I didn’t know if you’d be here this morning or not." Alexei walked over to where Oliver was standing with me and Logan. "I looked for you at the assembly yesterday, but I didn’t spot you in the crowd. It’s good to see you again."

"I didn’t notice you there either." Oliver hesitated. "It’s good to see you too."

And that was all they said. The four of us stood there in silence, with Daphne, Carson, and Kenzie looking on.

Finally, I cleared my throat. "Alexei has been assigned by the Protectorate to . . . watch me while they investigate the charges against me."

Oliver’s face tightened, and he glared at Alexei. Instead of glaring back at him, a sad look flashed across the Bogatyr’s face before he was able to hide it.

"I will go work with the Valkyrie and the Celt," Alexei said in a stiff voice. He turned and walked away.

"I’ll help them get started," Logan said and headed after him.

I raised my eyebrows at Oliver, waiting for him to explain. He sighed and ran a hand through his sandy blond hair. He looked at me, as if hoping that I’d leave things alone. Please. He knew me better than that. I crossed my arms over my chest and kept staring at him.

"Spill it, Spartan," I said. "Because it’s obvious that today isn’t the first time you and Alexei have met."

Oliver sighed again. "Alexei is the guy I was telling you about. The one I’ve been texting with."

"The one you met over winter break?"

He nodded.

"Oh. Oh."

Oliver was g*y, and for a long time, he’d had a crush on Kenzie, who was his best friend and straight. But Oliver had told me that he’d met someone over the holidays, someone he thought might have boyfriend potential. I’d just never thought that person would be Alexei.