Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,83

know.” I’m not sure why that is exactly. I’m feeling confused. That, and a touch overwhelmed.

“Is it maybe because you might want to see two lines?”

I nod. “That would be crazy, though. It’s not what I want.” I shake my head.

“Sometimes, the things that we’re most afraid of are the things that we actually want the most.”

“That doesn’t make any kind of sense, Mam.” I’m still frowning. I’m trying to unravel the words and their meaning. I see truth in them. I see my truth, but it can’t be.

“Go now, child. Unless you want me to go with ye?”

I smile. “I think I’ll manage on my own. It says on the box that it takes two minutes. I’ll call you, and we can look together.” I don’t want to be alone when I find out. I know that I will be sad either way. It seems I’ve lost my mind.

27

Rage

Two days later…

I hit the bag with everything I have. Sweat is dripping, and my muscles are protesting.

“What did the poor bag do to you?” Manny asks. He laughs at his own joke. “It’s good to see you here. You’ve been back a week, and I think you might be ready for another fight.”

I pull in a deep breath and turn. “There’s something we need to talk about.”

“What’s going on?” He gives me his full attention. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it.

“I’m quitting the fight scene,” I say.

“Quitting?” Manny’s eyes go wide. “You’re too good to quit. You can go all the way to the top, Rage. I’m talking—” He stops when he sees me shaking my head.

“I’m going to study. I’ve enrolled in college for the next semester. I’m hoping to be accepted.”

“Oh…college…wow…” Manny wipes his face.

“Don’t look at me like that.” I smile at him for a moment. “I was good at school. At least I was until my life went pear-shaped. I’m not as dumb as I might look. I’m more than just my muscles and my fists.” More than just my powers and who my father is.

“Son, you don’t look dumb. Not in the least. I would never be so short-sighted in my thinking.”

I nod. I believe Manny. I’ve seen him support disadvantaged kids. Young men who face prejudice daily because of where they come from or how they look. I’ve seen him give them his all. I’ve seen him believe in them wholeheartedly.

“What are you going to study?” Manny asks. He looks enthusiastic.

“I want to be a lawyer,” I say.

“A lawyer? Now that’s something.”

“Yeah.” I smile. “I ran into a good friend of mine the other day. He used to be my best friend. He reminded me of that particular ambition. Funny, I had forgotten all about it.” I spent so much time trying to forget what happened. Trying to punish myself for what I did, that I couldn’t see beyond that day.

“I hope you get in. That’s amazing. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I know you’re up for it. I don’t know anyone who pushes themselves more than you do.”

“Thanks, Manny.” My phone rings. “Excuse me.” I take it out of my pocket. I see I have five messages, all from Death. It’s Death calling now, too. “Yeah,” I say, as I answer the phone, “is someone dying?”

“No…fuck! Where are you? Why don’t you answer your messages?”

“I’m at the gym, working out. I’m nearly done.”

“No…you’re done! Get your ass home now.” Death never speaks to me like this. He sounds frantic.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes…no…mostly. On second thoughts, get your ass into the shower and then get back here.”

“I’ll shower at home. I always shower at home. What the fuck is going on?” I practically yell because I have Nia at the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to be thinking about her because I’ll just be disappointed yet again.

“Shower and come home.” The line goes dead.

I yell an expletive and earn a couple of looks from a group of youngsters. I heave out a sigh and then go to the locker room. I refuse to get my hopes up. I refuse! It’s going to be something fucked up. Maybe Death and Trident are at my place, and they want to go out somewhere. Tri’s just opened a new restaurant-come-cocktail bar. It is a Friday afternoon.

That’s it!

They want me to go partying with them. Although Death isn’t the partying type. He’s in a bad place since finding out about the demon. Then again, he was in a bad