Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,38

an effort. She’s being a gracious host.

Rage doesn’t so much as make eye-contact with me. He barely eats. I wonder if he is more badly injured than he looks. He’s probably wondering what he got himself into. I don’t think he was expecting Gaire to be as…terrifying as he is. The thing with Rage is that he has no idea how powerful he is. No idea how much Gaire fears him. I may have been helpless and in so much pain I could barely move, but my eyes worked just fine. I could see it. Gaire usually plays with an opponent far more. Normally when the sword comes out, it’s right at the end…or as close to the end as possible. It’s only after he’s toyed with his victim. Made them bleed and beg. I couldn’t help but notice how the sword came out awfully quickly. Too quickly! Gaire is afraid of Rage. I made the right call when I had to choose an ally. At least, I think I did. I don’t trust myself as much as I want to. I’ve made errors in judgment.

Twelve takes a final bite of her dessert and pushes her plate away. “That was one of the best panna cottas I’ve ever had.”

“The berry compote made it.” Trident licks his lips. “The shortbread crumb was a fantastic addition for a crunch element. The black sesame seeds…” He widens his eyes. “I have to take my hat off to the chef. I want that recipe for my new restaurant. It opens in a couple of weeks.”

“Trident has several restaurants and nightclubs,” Death explains, putting his napkin on the table. He starts to fold it into squares.

“Oh, how interesting.” Twelve dabs her mouth with her napkin. “I will ask him to write it down for you.” She yawns. “I’m afraid this pregnancy is taking it out of me. It’s hard work growing a little cherub.”

More like a little demon.

Hades beams. “My boy is going to be big and strong.” He winks at Twelve. “That’s why he’s taking so much out of you.”

“You mean your daughter is going to be big and strong.” Twelve smiles.

“I mostly have sons.” He puts his arms around his wife. “I’m almost one hundred percent sure we’re having a boy.” He puts a hand on her belly.

“I think you’re wrong,” Twelve says; she yawns again. “I know you will be happy, no matter what.”

“Of course, I will.” I somehow don’t buy it. Hades wants a son. He’ll be disappointed if the baby is a girl. Might even eat the girl-child when Twelve isn’t looking. I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m not as naïve as I once was. Hades is pure evil. I know the signs.

“I’m afraid it’s past my bedtime,” Twelve says. “There’s a whole string of bedrooms down the hall. I had my staff put fresh towels and toiletries in all of them.”

“Wait a minute…” Hades has his eyes narrowed.

“Now, now honey, I invited them all to stay. They’re our guests. I want to show off how well our chef can prepare an Eggs Benedict.” She smiles at Death. “Let’s go to bed while I still have some strength.” She winks at her husband.

Hades grins at her. It’s the first real smile I’ve seen all night. “Okay, babe.”

“Eggs Benedict, my favorite,” Death says, ignoring any reference to sex.

Hades glowers. His whole stance is tense.

“I’m glad you’re coming to bed with me,” Twelve says in a singsong voice, her eyes on Hades. “My back is killing me, and you give the best rubs.” She presses her hands into her lower back, wincing. Then she winks at him again.

Hades keeps his narrowed eyes on Death. I have a feeling there will be repercussions for bringing us here. It makes me wonder what’s in it for Death. Why is he helping me? I trust him less and less, even though he seems nice. He might be the nicest person on the planet; pity his will is not his own. “Of course, sweets,” Hades says, turning his gaze to Twelve.

We all say our goodnights, and they leave.

Rage pushes his hand through his hair. It’s unruly from him doing that all night. What is he thinking? I can’t gauge.

“The two of you should share a room,” Death looks from me to Rage and back, “and the two of us will do the same…for safety’s sake,” Death says, glancing over at Trident.

Rage looks like he’d rather swim in shark-infested waters than share a room with me.