Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) by Teri Gilbert Page A

some poor unsuspecting souls, then launch an attack. Or had he followed them from the Strathallen? Didn’t matter, did it? Punk was here now, and after everything else, he was in no mood to deal with this.
    Alec turned slowly, keeping Eleni safely tucked behind him, then tugged out his wallet, thankful he’d left the bulk of his money locked in the glove box. He held out a stack of bills, around a hundred dollars, to the punk, whose eyes lit in amusement.
    “I must say I’m offended. Is that any way to greet your cousin?”
    Cousin? What was he talking about? He’d never seen the man before in his life.
    Alec glanced behind him, in the direction of the motel, nerves twitching. There was still no one in sight. “Who sent you?”
    “I think you know. The real question is, are we going to have to get physical?” With raised brows and a knowing smirk, the punk’s gaze fixed on Eleni.
    How dare he look at her like that? Alec’s hand convulsed, itching to wipe the gleam out of the asshole’s eyes.
    The punk shot him a challenging stare. “I know you want to get physical with her. I saw you.”
    A surge of anger flashed through Alec, quickening his heart, tensing his muscles. He made a fist and stepped toward the punk. “You’re spying on us?”
    The kid gave a heavy sigh and rolled his eyes. “The drama. Mallaki said you were new, but geez. Don’t you have visions , cuz? They run in the family.”
    The only vision he had now was of his hands around the punk’s neck and him pleading for mercy. Alec felt Eleni stir behind him. “Get lost and I won’t report this to the police.”
    The kid laughed, a cocky sound that raised the hair on his arms. “As if I’m afraid of any man .”
    Alec made a half turn so Eleni could hear him. “Run.”
    “I’m not leaving you.”
    Through the stubborn tone, he could hear the underlying fear in her voice. Damn it. She wasn’t safe. “Go.” The word came out on a snarl, but she didn’t budge.
    “Let us pass.” Her voice deepened to a seductive pitch.
    The young man pretended to yawn. “I have Aphrodite’s blood too, sweetie. That shit won’t work on me. Look, I haven’t got all day. I don’t care about the chick, but you’re coming with me.” His “cousin” reached behind him and withdrew a wooden arrow from his strange-looking sack.
    Alec stared in morbid fascination before realizing the punk’s intent. “You’re threatening us with that?”
    Eleni stepped between them, facing the punk. “Put it away.”
    “Weren’t you paying attention, bitch? That voice shit don’t work on me. Now get the hell out of the way.” He shoved Eleni, forcing her to take several wobbly steps before falling to the pavement.
    Pulse pounding in his ears, Alec lunged. The punk’s mouth dropped open in surprise as Alec’s shoulder struck his chest. Pain spiraled through Alec’s arm.
    He felt the punk’s arrow knocking harmlessly against his back. Ignoring the annoying taps, Alec hooked his leg behind the kid’s in a schoolyard maneuver, then planted his hands on the punk’s chest and shoved, jerking his leg forward at the same time.
    The kid grabbed the front of his shirt, and they both tumbled to the asphalt with a series of grunts. Alec heard the arrow clatter to the pavement a few feet away.
    The kid landed a hard punch on his solar plexus. Alec panted, then tried to draw a deep breath. Mistake. Nausea bubbled to the surface. Alec lashed out again and struck the side of the kid’s face. They were evenly matched, blow for blow.
    They staggered to their feet, fists raised. Alec tasted blood at the corner of his mouth, and his cheek felt swollen. At least he wasn’t the only one hurting. The kid’s face was starting to turn a myriad of shades of blues and purples.
    “Alec.”
    At the sound of Eleni’s voice, he thrust his head in her direction. “Dammit, Eleni. Go.”
    The kid threw another punch toward his head.
    Alec ducked. A brief swell of satisfaction filled his