Unmade (Unborn #4) - Amber Lynn Natusch Page 0,25
to tell him of Ares’ wish.
“When Ares found me, he made me an offer.”
“Which was…?”
“He would provide the way to kill Deimos’ brother if I agreed to take over the PC. To rule them as Sean does now.”
Oz’s expression grew grim. “And how would you do that? He can’t be killed. And even if he could—”
“I am aware of all that is flawed with his proposition, Oz,” I said, standing to face him. My chest grazed his torso, and his eyes dropped to where they touched, if only for a fraction of a second. “But that is not what concerns me.”
“Thank God something does—”
“Ares knows as well as we do that I cannot kill Sean, so he has a plan to be rid of him. One that does not involve his death, but his incarceration. In the Oudeis. For eternity.”
“Is that even possible?” Oz asked, genuine shock in his tone.
“Ares believes it is. It seems Deimos has informed him of my control over the Underworld—its attraction to me. When I argued that I had turned that power over to my father, Ares countered that I could take it back if I wished, even if only for a second. Enough time to unlock the Oudeis and entomb Sean there.”
“But if you can put him in, then why couldn’t you just let him back out once you got what you wanted? I mean, let’s face it, you’ve already done worse with the souls in there.”
“That is what does not sit well with me. Ares is, by all accounts, as smart as he is shrewd. He would surely know this and have accounted for it in his plan. He must have a way to stop me, and that is what weighs on my mind, because I fear Sean would all but volunteer to go if it would mean stopping the fear god. Which is why he cannot know.”
Oz contemplated my words in silence, then finally spoke. “I get that you care for your brother—and that you’re loyal to the PC—but I need to make something very clear. If push comes to shove where the fear asshole is concerned, I’ll fly Sean into the Underworld and chuck him into the Oudeis myself, because I only give a fuck about your existence, not his.”
“You do not have the power to do that,” I argued, leaning closer.
“Maybe not, but I’m willing to bet Hades does—or possibly even Casey. Who do you think he’d choose? You or Sean, especially if the latter is willing to go?”
Ice slid down my spine at the thought. “You told me once that you would never betray me,” I said, my voice as heated as it had ever been. “That would be the greatest betrayal of all. Going against my wishes to suit your selfish purpose—”
“It’s not selfish,” he all but growled.
“It most certainly is self-serving.”
He clenched his jaw to keep back his retort. For a few long moments, he just stood and stared, grinding his teeth until I wondered if they would shatter under the pressure. If, perhaps, he might as well.
“Sometimes decisions have to be made, and like it or not, you know I’m right about this one, if it indeed comes to that. Sean, Hades, even Casey, they all understand this. And if you have to take Sean’s place, then you’d better get real okay with that, and fast.”
“I will never do what Ares asked, no matter the price.” I pushed up onto my toes to glare directly into Oz’s eyes. “I do not fear my fate, but I do fear for my brothers. Do not cross me on this, Ozereus, because there will be no turning back if you do.”
Whether it was the set of my stare, the conviction in my voice, or the complete and utter lack of remorse I showed when I delivered those words, I could not be sure, but something shifted behind Oz’s eyes—uncertainty. Possibly regret.
Our silent battle waged until he turned to leave.
“You should get some rest,” he said, opening the door. With a flip of a switch, the firelight in the room dimmed to nothing, casting the room in near-darkness. Then he walked out, leaving me alone with my unanswered questions regarding Phobos, my twin, and whether or not Oz would forsake my wishes to fulfill his promise to my mother.
To keep me safe.
10
In the depths of my slumber, a voice found me. At first, it was a buzzing of sorts, like a swarm of bees, but it grew in proximity and