hurt Death,” Jarrod mumbles. “I think that Death is more hardcore than we think.”
“How can you be so sure?” I’m pacing now. I’m not only feeling much better, I also have adrenaline coursing through my veins.
“Also, Death serves a purpose for Hades. Gaire would be in deep shit if he interfered with that purpose.”
I make a noise of agreement.
I smell ozone, and they appear. I almost can’t believe my eyes for a second or two. “Nia!” I yell.
She sways on her feet but smiles at me. It’s radiant. My heart is pounding with relief.
Death is frowning hard. “Looks like he’s more gung-ho about getting Nia back than I thought he would be.”
“It didn’t work,” I say to Nia. “You’re still just as bound to him as before.” I run a hand through my hair, feeling frustration well.
“No, it did.” She smiles again. It’s far more watered down this time. “Just not as well as I had hoped. I normally can’t do anything but fight the compulsion to do as Gaire says. This time I could speak. Not that I could say much,” she mumbles the last. “I could also move my hands.” She looks down at them
“It is working. You’re just not there yet,” Death says.
“Yet?” I frown.
“Yes, yet. I guess once wasn’t enough,” she adds, making a face.
“What wasn’t enough?” Jarrod asks, frowning.
“I need to go,” Star says.
“Thank you for your help,” Death tells her. Star waves and disappears.
“She looks a lot like Gaire,” Nia whispers.
“She’s my half-sister and the daughter of Hades.” Death says, “That would make her Gaire’s half-sister as well.”
“Star is also a dragon demigod,” I tell her.
“Interesting and quite freaky. She has the same eyes…same as all of you.” She looks at Death.
“She has the same color hair as Gaire too,” I say.
“Star looks so much like Gaire,” Nia says again, “I got a fright when I saw her. I could see the resemblance immediately.”
Jarrod is frowning. “So, you’re bound to this Gaire asshole and therefore have to do everything he tells you, no matter how shitty? I have to say, that sucks. Star mentioned that you were trying to break the bond you have with him, but she didn’t tell me how you ended up bound to him in the first place. She also didn’t tell me how you were trying to break it.” He folds his arms, looking mighty interested. Too fucking interested for my liking.
“You don’t need to know.” My voice is a low rasp.
“Actually, it might be better if someone else—” Death starts to say.
“Not going to fucking happen.” I take Nia’s hand and then let it go again. What the fuck am I doing? I’m not her fucking boyfriend. I don’t do the whole handholding thing. “I’ve got a target on my back already. I won’t put anyone else in harm’s way. I will take care of it. I’ve already committed to helping Nia.”
“I agree with Rage,” Nia says. Her voice is soft and unsure. “We shouldn’t bring anyone else into this mess. We probably shouldn’t be here.”
There’s a part of me that wants to turn and walk away because I’m jealous of the thought of anyone else having sex with Nia. I’m feeling protective of her. I’m a selfish bastard. That’s the main reason for taking on this role right now. It has nothing to do with saving my friends. That’s secondary by a long fucking shot to actually wanting inside her again.
It’s the sex. It’s amazing. I almost feel normal when I’m with Nia. I know this is risky, but I’m doing it anyway. It’s calming, and if there’s one thing I need, it’s to be calm. I try to forget that on the other side of all that calm is Gaire, who is anything but calming. I’m making excuses to fuck her again, but I guess I’m okay with that.
“If it doesn’t make too much of a difference, you might need to consider other options,” Death cautions. “I need to go and get Tri. He’s still at my father’s house.”
Oh shit! I completely forgot about Trident. I really do have my head up my ass. I nod once. “How long do we have before he finds us?”
“I’ll be back in two hours to move you,” Death says. “I think you’ll be okay for that length of time. Make the most of it.”
“We will.” I feel my whole body tense. I hate running like a coward. I want to destroy that fucker so badly. I can’t seem to