Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,73
fight.”
“It was a lucky punch. I’m more prepared this time. See that beautiful lake outside your back door.” Trident points. “I am good at bending water to my will. I’ll give Gaire the biggest enema, and then—”
A laugh is pulled from me. I can’t help it. “An enema?” I laugh harder. “I’d love to see that.”
Trident grins.
Rage shakes his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I think this is something the two of us need to face alone. Gaire has threatened to kill anyone who tries to help us. I think Death might be okay, but we demigods are vulnerable. You should probably go now, and stay as far away as possible. Let the others know what’s going on. Death will bail us out if it looks like we’re about to die. I ultimately don’t want to be responsible for anyone getting killed.”
“It would be my fault if anyone died,” I say, looking down at my half-eaten food. “I’m sorry I brought you into this, Rage. I didn’t realize you couldn’t use your powers; if I had known, I—” I stop talking when Rage reaches over and squeezes my hand. He doesn’t linger, taking his hand back.
“It’s not your fault Gaire is a narcissistic prick,” Rage tells me. “We’re in this together. We’ll find a way to sort this out.”
It does feel good hearing him say that. I feel a lump grow in my throat. I nod and give him a smile.
Then Trident is pushing his chair back. “Okay, then. You kids take care of yourselves. Let me know if you change your mind about the extra help. I quite like the idea of giving Gaire an enema. I’ll shoot the water in one side, all the way through, and have it come out his mouth, his nose…he won’t know what hit him.” Trident chuckles to himself.
“This isn’t a game,” Rage says. “Someone is going to end up dead at the other end of this.”
Trident puts his hand on Rage’s arm. “It won’t be you, bro.” He’s completely serious for a change. “I have faith in your abilities. I have faith in you.”
“If only I could control my power better.” Rage’s eyes are blazing.
“You might surprise yourself.” Trident winks at Rage, “See you guys.” He heads out, closing the door behind him.
“I wish I could have his optimism,” Rage grumbles.
“Do you think Tri was right about Hades’ house being in another realm?” I ask. I can’t hold back. It’s the burning question in the front of my mind. I could end up pregnant. What then?
“I have no idea. He didn’t seem too sure. I wouldn’t worry too much,” he says, but he’s frowning. I can see his mind working.
I nod. I’m panicking, though, and trying not to show it.
“I’m sure Death will know. We can ask him when we see him next, and until then,” Rage rubs his chin, “we need to keep a cool head about it. We can’t undo something that’s already happened.”
I must say he’s taking this far better than I am. “You’re far too calm about this.”
“I’m being pragmatic.”
I pull in a deep breath. Rage is right. “Very few hellhound females are fertile. I more than likely can’t have kids, even if Hades’ house is in another realm.” I hold onto that thought.
“There you go. I’m sure we’ll be just fine. First, we need to get through the next confrontation with Gaire.”
“You’re absolutely right.” There’s a chance we might not even live long enough to find out. I stand and start gathering the plates when there’s a knock at the door.
“Must be Tri,” Rage says. He opens the door. It’s not his friend. It’s Gaire. My ex is smiling like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I feel my heart sink. I was so sure when he made his offer to Rage that he was doing it because he was running scared. Now I’m thinking that he did it to play with our emotions. I’m not sure we stand much of a chance. I square my shoulders and look him head-on despite the fear that’s clogging my throat.
22
Rage
Gaire leans against the doorjamb. His shit-eating grin gets bigger. “Can I come in?” His eyes move inside; I watch his lazy perusal of Nia. I want to break his face. I wish to god I had a little more control over my powers. I’d finish this asshole right now. I wouldn’t even hear him out. There is nothing he can say to me.