Unmade (Unborn #4) - Amber Lynn Natusch Page 0,4
had nearly killed her by locking her away in a cell barely larger than she. I thought of how she had looked when Oz and I had found her, and anger flushed my cheeks. “Aery, hear me when I say this: I have not forgotten what he did to you. He will be punished, by my hands if necessary. But for now, you must tell me where he is, for my father said he was not to return until his brother was found.”
“He is here. Your father called him back to report. But even if you catch him before he leaves again, do you really think he will do what you demand?” She eyed me warily as we stormed through the Underworld. Her hand on my arm drew my attention and she stopped to stare, her bright eyes begging me to see what was so obvious to her: that Deimos would not take me to the in-between to save Oz. Instead, he would do what he had wanted to for so long—claim me as his own.
“He will do as I say, Aery. Just take me to him.”
She hesitated for a moment before doing as I had asked and leading me through the halls to where she knew Deimos to be—in my father’s chambers. For the second time since I had arrived, I burst into a room without an ounce of decorum or regard for those inside.
Hades looked over his shoulder at the intrusion, his scowl lifting to a smile in but a second.
“Khara!” he said, heading toward me. “What are you doing here? It’s not safe!” I paused long enough to allow him an embrace, then made my way to Deimos, who lurked in the shadows, black eyes homed in on me.
“I need to speak to you,” I said. I stopped only inches from him and stared, arms crossed over my chest as Oz so often did in an attempt to intimidate others.
“Then let us speak.”
“Alone…”
“What is this about, Khara?” my father asked, stepping up beside me. “Why aren’t you with your mother?”
“I am sorry for interrupting you, Father, but I must take Deimos from you for a moment. I will return him as soon as possible.”
“Return me?”
“Yes. Once I no longer require your services.”
“You’re ignoring my questions, Khara,” Hades said, frustration in his tone.
“And I am sorry for that, Father, but I must talk to Deimos now. There is no time to waste.”
Hades eyed the two of us with suspicion. “Are you in danger?”
I hesitated. “No more than I was when I left here.” My answer did nothing to assuage his concern. Before he could argue, I walked out of the room, knowing Deimos would follow. “I will return soon, Father. Fear not.”
He muttered under his breath, as my brothers did whenever those words left my mouth, but his quiet discontent was shut off when Deimos closed the door behind him. His gaze fell heavy on me, his looming form menacing, but my anger left no room for fear in that moment. I was too far gone for that.
“Follow me,” I said, heading toward the Great Hall.
“No,” he replied, grabbing me by the shoulder. He whipped me around to face him, searching my countenance for something it did not show. “Not until you tell me what this is about.”
“This,” I said, stepping so close our bodies touched, “is about you taking me to the in-between. Now.”
“Why would I do such a thing?” he asked. His hungry eyes fell upon my lips, and I pressed my face nearer just to unhinge him further.
“Because I know that you covered for your murderous brother—that you let him slay Drew. My brothers are my family—my blood. Letting one of them fall is tantamount to sliding a blade in my back. And though you may enjoy such acts with others, I know you crave something else entirely from me,” I said, voice low and husky. “You owe me an apology, Deimos, for causing pain to those I love. Do as I ask, and I will accept that as penance for what you have done.”
“And if I do not?” he asked, his cruel hand wrapping around my waist to hold me closer still.
“Then our game will continue, and you have told me how you tire of it. How you want to claim me to keep me from your brother, though I fail to see how our union would ensure my safety.”
“I told you that I will deal with my brother—”
“You have done a pathetic job