Free The Blood of the Hydra by Michelle Madow

agreed. “So, what do we do now?”
    “We train,” Danielle said, standing up. “We have one week to study how Hercules slayed the hydra and figure out how to do it ourselves. So let’s get to it. We have no time to waste.”
    With that, she headed to the training center in the basement, and we all followed her lead.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    A few days later, we gathered in the training center at the crack of dawn, ready to go. We had a few bags with changes of clothes and extra weapons, but other than that, we’d packed light. Most of the weapons we planned on using were already on us. Darius had connected to Hypatia on Skype, who was on board the yacht we would be taking through Greece, ready to create the portal.
    “As you know, it’s already the afternoon here in Greece.” She spoke perfect English, with only the trace of an accent. “Once you arrive, we’ll get you settled in, and then we’ll set sail to the first island on our journey. It will take me about a minute to create the portal. Are you ready?”
    “Yes,” we said, although I fidgeted with the strap of my quiver. I wasn’t sure if there was truly a way to feel ready for something like this.
    “Every second the portal remains open will take up more of Hypatia’s energy,” Darius reminded us. “She can keep a portal open for a maximum of five minutes, but please step through as quickly as possible. We want to help her preserve as much of her energy as she can.”
    “If her portal will only last for five minutes, how come the portal to Kerberos can stay open?” I asked.
    “Because that portal was created by the gods,” Darius answered. “Portals created by anyone who isn’t a god can only stay open for a limited amount of time.”
    Hypatia stood up, and she held her hands in front of her, closing her eyes in deep concentration. A minute later, wind rushed through the room, and the wall in front of us shimmered, transforming into the circular whirlwind that would lead us to Greece. It was like looking through foggy glass—I could barely see the shape of a person and what seemed to be a living room on the other side.
    “It’s safe to come through.” Hypatia spoke to us through Skype, since sound didn’t travel through the portal.
    “I know that the five of you wish you had more time to prepare,” Darius said to us. “But in all my years, I’ve never seen power as strong as yours. You’re ready for this—I know it.”
    “Thank you,” I said, blinking back tears. “We wouldn’t have been close to this ready if it weren’t for you showing us the way.”
    “May the gods be with you,” he said. “And I must admit, I’ve always been curious about the Islands of Old Mythology. I’m looking forward to hearing your stories upon your return. Now, don’t keep the portal open for any longer than necessary. Hypatia’s waiting.”
    Blake stepped up to the portal, staring at it with determination. “I’ll go first,” he said, walking through without hesitation.
    Danielle and I stepped forward at the same time, bumping into each other’s shoulders. I moved aside, figuring it wasn’t worth fighting with her over this. “I’m next,” she said, tossing her hair behind her and walking through with as much confidence as Blake.
    Once she was gone, I straightened my shoulders and gazed into the swirling portal. My stomach flipped—I’d never even left the country by plane before—so I had no idea what to expect. But I couldn’t put it off for any longer.
    “Here goes nothing,” I said, taking a deep breath and stepping through.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
     
    It was just like the portal in the boulder to enter the cave—like passing through a mist machine at a theme park. My stomach flipped, like it does on a roller coaster, although my feet never left the ground. Once the prickly sensation left my skin, I opened my eyes and allowed myself to breathe again, stepping aside so the next person wouldn’t crash into me.
    Once all five of us