standing up, her hands going to her hips. “Karma, you will have to pretend to be on Neritous’s side. He isn’t a good person.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I tell her and take her small hand. “Can you show me around?”
“Yep, and I will show you good places to hide. Don’t trust the twins or Faleria, but Dominic is nice. He cries every night when he thinks no one is looking...can we save him too?” she asks me, and I nod once, making no promises.
I will get Ruby to her mother for Jade and save my own ass because I don’t want to die here. But unless I’m sure, I’m not taking a crazy sibling back to my family. Gods, I fecking miss them, but at least I’m not alone anymore.
And we are getting out.
Chapter 3
“Here’s your friend,” Ruby says, pointing at the black steel door with a little window. “They put anyone who fights and tries to run in there.”
“Thanks, Ruby,” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder. She grins up at me, and for a second, she reminds me of myself. Crap on a cracker, I have a sister that looks up to me. I’m not a good role model.
“Do you like peanut butter? Dominic makes these cookies, and they are so nice,” she asks me, and I smile at her. Feckin’ hell, I’ve missed peanut butter. Turns out I share that addiction with my siblings.
“I love peanut butter,” I answer her.
“I will get us some!” she cheers and runs off. I can’t wait to introduce Ruby to my mum and brothers, they will love her. I just know it. Knowing I can’t put it off any longer, I walk to the door and push it open, seeing Mads awake on the bed. Two gold cuffs hang on her wrists, glowing slightly, and now I know how they keep her in here. She turns to me, and the empty look she gives me hurts my soul. I rub my chest as I walk into the room and stand opposite her, leaning my back against the wall.
“Mads,” I whisper.
“My name is Madison, not Mads. Are you here to fight me again?” she asks me, and I shake my head. The higher gods have done one hell of a job on her. I can sense her power from here, even if she can’t use it in this place like me. Her blonde hair is now white, but it only adds to her beauty.
“I want to say I’m happy my best friend is immortal and a god now, but fecking hell, I’m furious. If I could kill the higher gods that did this to you all over again, I would,” I tell her. “Pey is missing you, I’m sure. Do you remember him?”
“No,” she snaps at me, standing up. Her hands shake, and I wonder if some little part of me is getting through to her. “Get out or fight me!”
“Nope,” I draw out the word, annoying her more. “Pey always said you were a saint for putting up with my stubborn ass, and he was right. He was always right, but don’t tell him that.” I chuckle, and she shakes her head even more. “We have been best friends since we were eight years old. Both of us are complete opposites. You were mortal, with no family, and in general you were sensible and kind. I was a goddess with a crazy family and headstrong, clumsy and immature. Yet you were my best friend, and I love you. You love me too, even if you don’t remember.”
“Shut up!” she shouts before she punches me hard in my cheek. I fly to the floor, tasting my blood in my mouth as tears prick my eyes. She jumps on me, lifting her fist to hit me again, and I just lie there. She pauses, halting above me. “Fight me back! Don’t just lie there!”
“I fought you once, and I won’t again. You’re my best friend,” I tell her, tears falling down my cheeks and stinging on the side that hurts like a bitch. “You will remember me, and everything you do, you will regret. I won’t give you anything else to regret because I love you.”
“Go away,” she pleads, her glowing blue eyes shining with pain. I wish I could hug her, tell her it will be okay. “Go away, go away, go away!” Her pleas hurt my ears as she climbs onto the bed and hides her head behind her knees,