Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,32

bringing me into the world?”

I hit his arm playfully. “Yes, another reason.” With a sigh, I run my fingers through his curls. “I missed you.”

“It’s only been a day.” He chuckles.

“I know. But I did anyway.”

Still amused, he rubs his thumb over my cheek. “You’re cute.” His mouth comes closer to mine. “I missed you too,” he whispers before kissing me in the most tender way possible.

I sink completely into his embrace, trying to mold myself to him. I could kiss him forever, but he’s the one who eases off first. “What made you so angry just now? Was it one of those boneheads? Tell me if I need to teach Phoenix or Rufio a lesson.”

“We didn’t do anything.” Phoenix steps out on the patio, glowering in Morpheus’s direction.

“I’d rather hear it from Daisy,” Morpheus replies.

“We’ve done nothing to Daisy that warrants complaint. On the contrary.” Rufio levels me with one of his trademark intense stares, and my body reacts immediately. A blush creeps up my face, giving me away.

“Hmm.” Morpheus narrows his eyes at me. “Is that so?”

I step back. “Enough with the innuendo. What did you find out in Hawk City?”

The mirth vanishes from his face in an instant, and darkness gathers in his gaze. He rubs his chin, turning his attention to the sea. “We should talk inside.”

One by one, we return to the cozy living room. Xavier is in the open kitchen with his ear glued to the phone. Rosie is on the couch with her feet up on the coffee table, distracted by her device as well. She lifts her head when Morpheus slides the door shut.

“Feeling better now?” she asks me.

“A little. But I’m afraid I’m going to get mad all over again.” I look at Morpheus.

He takes a deep breath. “There’s no sense in beating around the bush, so I’m going straight to it. It turns out Andromeda is not a traitor after all.”

“What do you mean? She ambushed Daisy and me,” Rosie retorts.

“Are you saying she’s not a Neo God agent?” I ask.

“She is, but she also works for the Knights.”

“I’ll be damned. She’s a double agent,” Phoenix pipes up.

“Yep. She was recruited by the Neo Gods when she was very young and didn’t know any better. Like Rufio and Bryce, she has some kind of mark that keeps her leashed to her… recruiter.”

The way Morpheus emphasizes the word makes me suspect there’s more to the story.

“The mark can’t be removed?” Rufio asks.

“Not by Daisy.”

“Why not? I was able to remove the block from Bryce’s mind.” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Are you saying the Neo God who put that mark on her is stronger than me?”

“Oh, someone’s feathers are ruffled.” Phoenix laughs.

I spare him a scathing glance before turning my attention to Morpheus again. “Well?”

“Yes, I’d say he’s much stronger than you.”

“Stronger than a seventeen?” Rufio’s eyebrows shoot to the heavens. “Eighteen, then?”

Shaking his head, Morpheus laughs without humor. “No. He’s a demigod.”

“What?” Xavier approaches, looking so distraught that his tan skin is pale.

“Fuck. How can we hope to win against the Neo Gods when they have a demigod in their ranks?” Rufio complains.

“They aren’t the only ones who have a demigod on their side. I learned something else during my prolonged stay in Hawk City,” Morpheus replies. “The demigod who’s been tormenting Andromeda is my half brother. I’m a demigod too.”

Absolute silence descends. We could hear a pin drop. Phoenix and Rufio are gawking at Morpheus with their mouths wide open. Rosie has visibly recoiled from him on the couch, and she eyes him with suspicion.

“Who is your father?” Xavier asks in a raised voice. His eyes wide and a little panicked.

“Erebus.”

“You’re the son of darkness,” he mumbles, passing a hand over his face. “Son of a bitch.”

“Yep. Nathaniel knew I was his brother right away, but it wasn’t until we were both transported to the island of horrors to face the punishment of the island god that I discovered the truth.” Morpheus turns to Rufio and Phoenix. “It was my fault we ended up on the island that day. The island god is Chaos, my grandfather.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Chaos is the primordial god. If he wants me dead, what can I do?

A loud roar outside sends my heart straight up to my throat. I turn to watch the sky become dark and menacing in a matter of seconds. Lightning slashes the gray clouds, and in the brief flash of light, I see the face of