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“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m Sphinx.”
“Sphinx?” Rai cried in outrage. Among all of us, he was the expert on all myths, legends, and folklore. “Sphinx is a mythical guardian humans made up. The humans named Sphinx the beast of riddles.”
Sphinx smirked, turning his head to look at Rai. He didn’t need sight to see my mate.
“This isn’t your true form,” I said. “Sphinx isn’t your true name.”
“I call myself whatever I want and take whatever form I fancy,” he said. “For you, I borrowed a concept from a human legend about a ruthless magical guardian. You see, I guard the path. If you want to pass, you’ll have to answer my riddle correctly. According to the mythological stories, those who can’t come up with the correct answer to the riddle suffer a horrific fate—being eaten by a ravenous monster, and that will be me.”
“Sphinx is said to be treacherous and merciless,” Rai whispered in my ear.
“Hmm, delicious,” Sphinx said, as if Rai had flattered him. He scanned us hungrily, like he couldn’t decide which one of us he’d eat first.
“You didn’t exactly get the shape right,” Rai said. “The human face and the lion body maybe so, but the sphinx has no dragon wings. So, your claim of being the guardian of the path is invalid. If I were you, I would move away this instant and let us pass.”
“What’s wrong with being creative?” Sphinx said. “I made some modifications. What’s the big deal? I like dragon wings. It’s nice to treat myself. Anyway, you all have passed back and forth and ended up where you are now, haven’t you? My moving away isn’t going to change that.”
“So, you’re just toying with us?” Blaze hissed, pointing his sword at Sphinx.
Sphinx arched an eyebrow. It was a disturbing sight since he had no eyes on his flat, broad face. “You want a fight, boy? That’s marvelous! I haven’t had a duel for an eon. No one challenges me. I’m desperate for some fun after being woken up by your girlfriend.”
“She’s my mate!” Blaze said.
“Not yours only,” Sphinx said.
It would be a disaster if Blaze got into a duel with Sphinx.
“Not a chance,” I said. “We won’t fight Goddess Arianrhod’s gatekeeper.” I had recognized who he was now. I turned to give my mates a quick, warning glance. “Unless we want to be doomed.”
“The females always spoil the fun,” Sphinx said.
Iokul growled.
Henry snarled but stopped at the creature’s glare and hunched down on his rear paws with a whimper.
“What’s the price to get to the other side without being returned here?” I asked.
“The usual—answer my riddle correctly,” Sphinx said.
My heart sank. Must the goddess make the journey so difficult? I had never been good at riddles. I hated spelling, riddles, and the like, even as a little girl. Adrian had often made fun of me for my aversion to all sorts of games.
“Anyone good at riddles?” I asked hopefully.
My mates and the healer looked back at me blankly.
Okay, we didn’t have a riddle expert here. That was bad.
Only Sybil chirped cheerfully,I like riddles.
I darted my eyes wildly around. Where was Elvey? It would be the perfect time for him to show up. I’d bet that he could take on this task better than any of us. He himself was a riddle.
The air didn’t crackle, and there was no flashing light to indicate his arrival.
I sighed. Just when I thought I could rely on him, I found out he wasn’t all that reliable.
“We can try,” Rai said coolly, as if it was no big deal.
Sphinx snorted. “You can try? Do you understand the consequences if you fail?”
