Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,22

still wants to palm me off on his brother. “I told you, your brother isn’t up for dealing with the likes of Gaire. He’s an infant as far as his powers are concerned. Gaire will eat him alive.”

“Is he going to track us that quickly?”

I sigh. “I hope not.” I shake my head. “We would have a couple of hours to plan, and then we’d need to move on. We need to be prepared for the worst.”

“I wouldn’t want to put one of my friends in harm’s way. I could get us a hotel room?”

I shake my head, “That’s the first place he’ll look. There aren’t too many places to stay in Newfolk.”

“We could blow town…” He curses. “But I’m still not convinced I’m the right person to help you.”

“Leaving town won’t help us. Gaire can teleport. We need to plan. There are ways to mask the strong aura I give off. Ways to break down the stupid bond.”

“What ways?”

“We’ll talk about that later. Where can we go? What about Bolt or Night? Both of them would be good options. They’re strong.”

“No and no. Bolt will do anything to protect his girlfriend, and Night has a wife and child. They would kick us out in a hot minute. I know I would if the roles were reversed.”

“We need someone strong, with a whole lot of power.”

“Death is a good option. He’s a full god. He’s unattached. Keeps a low profile.”

“No way!” I shake my head. “He’s connected with the Underworld. Hades is—”

“Death is one of us.” Rage pulls into a parking lot, choosing a space close to the entrance of the shopping mall. It’s busy. There are crowds and people everywhere. He instinctively knows how to hide. We should be okay here for a while. He turns and looks at me. “I trust him one hundred percent.”

I want to call him out and tell him he’s wrong, but I don’t. I choose a more subtle approach. “Death is beholden to Hades.”

Rage nods. “Death is Hades’ son.”

“Hades trapped Death into giving him control. The only reason Death is breathing is because Hades lets him. Death may mean well. He might be a fantastic person and try hard to do the right things, but he is still beholden to Hades in every way.”

“Is it the same with you and Gaire?”

I shake my head. “Gaire is nowhere near as powerful as Hades. He’s stronger than almost all non-humans, but Hades takes all the cake in this regard. Death has no choice…ever. His body is not his own. Even his mind, to a degree.”

Rage curses, looking away. “I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know it was that bad. Poor Death!” He looks back at me. “What kind of control does Gaire have over you, then?”

“We need to move. We need to find somewhere to hole up and to talk. I’ll tell you everything then…I swear.”

Rage nods once and then pulls out of the space. “What about Trident? Is he strong enough for you?”

“Now you’re talking.” I smile.

Rage looks at me through the rearview mirror. He’s scowling. It’s very clear that he doesn’t want to be here.

10

Rage

I knock on Trident’s door for the third time. “I think we should go to Sam’s house.” I check the time. “He would be sleeping and pissed that we woke him up, but I think it’s a better option than this.” I hear a woman moan from inside Tri’s place. I knock again…harder. I even check to see if it’s locked, and…it is.

“Mmmmm,” she says. “I’m not so sure Samuel is the right choice. Son of Hypnos… lord of sleep.” She shakes her head. “What is he going to do, put Gaire to sleep for us?” She shakes her head again. “That won’t work.”

“Jarrod, then.” The woman’s moans are getting louder, which is a good thing. Maybe she’ll come already, and then Trident can let us in.

Nia shakes her head. “No. He’ll tell Gaire all about his past just before Gaire kills him. Trident is the best option we have. We can wait a few minutes. He’ll be done soon.” She sniffs, looking a little uncomfortable.

“You hope.”

“I’m pretty sure.” She licks her lips, her eyes on the door.

The woman starts groaning in a very definite rhythm. I shake my head and push my fingers into my temples. Please let this end! Please! Listening to Tri fuck is not on my list of things to do to keep calm. It’s on the other list. The what not to