Kate OHearn - The Fallen Queen

Titans

The Fallen Queen

Kate OHearn

Author of the Pegasus Series

For Kenneth OHearn

My best friend and the greatest dad in the world

I just lost you, and now I am lost

ZEPHYR, IM SCARED, ASTRAEA SAID softly.

Me too, Zephyr agreed.

They were standing on the edge of the jungle just outside the Temple of Arious. It was their turn to keep watch for any new Mimic attacks. So far, their shift had been uneventful, but things could change in an instant.

The massive snake Belis was beside Astraea, his tongue dipping in and out of his mouth as he tasted the air for Mimics. Every few minutes, Astraea would look at him. The moment Belis became aware of the deadly Mimics, his scales would turn from colorful stripes to black.

Around them the trees were filled with cheerful birdcalls, but they found no joy in the songs. The beauty of Xanadu was missed as they stood watch.

Since arriving on Xanadu and clearing the temple of the shape-shifting Mimics, everyone was on edge. There had been several more attacks, but now that the Titans had security patrols carrying slingshots with rocks covered in snake venom that killed the invaders, the Mimics were quickly driven back. It was the Shadow Titans controlled by the Mimics that proved to be the most dangerous. Their arrival was always brutal and was happening more often. It was obviousthe deadly Mimics were fighting back.

Do you think Jake is with my brothers? Astraea asked as her keen eyes watched the jungle. You dont think the Mimics killed them?

Fear for Jake and her missing brothers had been pressing down on Astraea like a lead weight. Despite her best hopes, her four brothers hadnt been in the Titus prison, while Jake had been abducted from Earth by the Mimics and had vanished without a trace.

Not long ago, she, Zephyr, Tryn, and Pegasus had decided to go to the Mimic home world to try to rescue Jake and the others. But that was before the attacks had become bolder and more intense.

Zephyr snorted and shook her head. Of course theyre not dead. If the Mimics wanted to kill them, they wouldnt have bothered taking everyone. I think Jake was taken because he can talk to the snakes.

Why would they care? All Mimics want to do is kill the snakes. Look what they did to Belis. Astraea looked along the snakes body to all the scars from the Shadow Titans swords. Every time they attack us, he seems to be their main target.

The snake could now understand them completely and raised his head higher for Astraea to stroke. But we wont let them hurt you again, she cooed.

I still dont get it with you two, Zephyr said, and snorted in disgust. But it seems thats the only reason the Mimics would go for Jake. I mean hes human. Why else would they care, if not for Nesso?

Zephyr looked slyly at Astraea, then winked.

Astraea chuckled softly. Zephyr was still making a show of not liking Jake because he was human, but she was ready to go on the secret rescue mission to save him. Maybe. But Im just so worried about him.

Im worried about all of us! Zephyr said. Seriously, I never imagined wed ever be going through anything like this. Our lives have been turned upside down. Titus is overrun with Mimics, and they want Xanadu as well.

They want our worlds, but not us, Astraea said.

Tryn appeared out of the temple and flew over to them on his skateboard. Hows it going?

So far its been quiet, Astraea said.

Quiet? Zephyr snorted. I can barely hear myself think with all the jungle sounds around us.

Im glad for the sounds, Tryn said. Havent you noticed how it goes quiet when the Mimics are here? Its as though everything in the jungle is frightened of them.

Does it? Zephyr said.

Astraea looked at her friend in shock. Seriously, Zeph, you havent noticed?

Hey, Im too busy trying to stay alive to notice stupid things like that.

Those stupid things could help save your life, Tryn said.

Astraea was about to say more when Jupiter, a herd of centaurs, and several other Titans ran out of the temple. They were followed by multiple Shadow Titans being controlled by Tryns people that were racing behind them. Everyone vanished into the jungle behind the temple.

Triana ran out of the temple and up to her brother. We all have to go back inside right now!

Whats happening? Tryn asked.

Theyre back! Triana cried.

Astraea looked all around and saw only the calm jungle. She looked at Belis, who was still striped. Where are they?

Theyre attacking the nectar orchards, Triana cried. Jupiter says they are going after our food.

Thats low! Zephyr cried.

Thats war, Tryn said.

Triana caught hold of her brothers arm. Come on, Mom says we have to get inside. This is a big attack.

It didnt take more prompting to get them running. They entered the temple just as more fighters rushed out. Hercules and Mercury, the messenger of Olympus, were among them. Hercules paused long enough to call, Get to Arious and seal yourselves in.

Maybe we should help them, Astraea said.

Belis was still at her side and hissed loudly. When Astraea looked at him, the snake was jet black.

Uh-oh, Zephyr said. That isnt good.

Moments later, a blaring siren sounded. It was Arious, the mainframe computer, warning of Mimics arriving within the temple.

This is huge! Tryn cried. He pulled out his slingshot and opened his pouch of venom-covered rocks. Astraea and Triana did the same as they ran deeper into the temple.

I wish I had hands, Zephyr cried.

You dont need them, Astraea called above the siren. You can stomp the Mimics Shadow Titans into oblivion. Thats way better than hands.

Yes, but I cant stomp Mimics.

Well take care of them; you just go after the Shadows. Astraea entered the stairwell going down toward the entrance to Arious and looked back at Zephyr. Be careful here.

How? Zephyr complained as she followed behind. Would you please tell me how Im supposed to be careful on stairs? And why are there always so many of them? Here, back on Earth, Tartarus, even Titustheyre everywhere. Dont architects think about those of us with hooves? Whats wrong with ramps?

You can tell them when this is over, Tryn offered.

Dont think I wont, Zephyr finished.

Tryn and Astraea linked arms while bracing against the stairwell walls to keep Zephyr from slipping down the long flight of stairs. When they reached the bottom, Zephyr neighed, Thank you.

The siren was still blaring as they moved deeper through the cavernous corridors of the temple. Belis was directly beside Astraea and still as black as night. She held her slingshot at the ready but knew that the snake would move on any Mimics long before she could fire it.

With each step, Astraea felt more and more on edge. Perhaps it was the blaring siren, or the confines of the temple. But the fear that shed felt earlier was now turning into terror as she kept looking all around. It wasnt a question of if there were Mimics in the templeit was a question of where. It was not knowing that was making her terror worse.

When they approached a junction, Zephyrs ears sprang forward and she stopped. I hear something.

Belis didnt stop. The snake lunged forward, hissing loudly as he slithered down the corridor. Just then, a group of four Shadow Titans rounded a corner. The large warriors were bright green and looked like walking sea turtles. Standing side by side, they formed a large, impenetrable wall blocking the corridor.