Page 100 of The Unseen Hour

“This was Charon. Even if he doesn’t know about you specifically, he’s the one who created these hellish traps. I’ll kill him for this, I swear it.”

My muscles tensed at Orion’s declaration. How could he possibly take down a god, unless it was with Death’s help? Another part of me, though, understood. Orion was right about his emotions becoming more prevalent, and he had a right to them.

He said nothing further, and we moved in companionable silence until we got back to a part of the forest Orion recognized.

I was certain we’d see Death on the journey back, but she never made an appearance.

“She warned Odos about alerting Charon to their presence. I’d guess that she’s being very careful about her trips down here.” Orion said.

I was inclined to agree. And I hoped that the fact she wasn’t back was a good sign. At any rate, we hadn’t seen Odos, Charon, or any other gods since the beach. I chose to believe that meant Death’s plans, or her interference, were working.

It took several more days to get back to the cottage without the water to carry us. The last couple of days we began seeing the tree hoppers again.

“Thank you, friends. I’ll have something special for you when we make it back,” I promised them.

“In the hundred years I’ve been here, I never thought I’d be so thrilled to see this place,” Orion said when we made it to the cottage. It was still cleverly concealed between the trees, but I’d memorized the area of the forest around his home and recognized it more easily now.

When we made our way inside Orion stared at the two cots. He ran one hand over the back of his neck.

“I was thinking, we should push them together. I want you to fall asleep in my arms. I’ll be able to protect you better if you stay close.”

For a brief moment I considered flirting and asking if that was the only reason, but then I felt the phantom pressure of vines squeezing my limbs. Smoke that didn’t exist filled my lungs.

“I think that would be best.”

I woke to the feel of Orion’s arms warming me, tucked close against his chest.

“You’ve ruined me for sleeping any other way ever again,” he whispered before kissing my shoulder.

He’d been right. It was much better sleeping together. I curled into him, longing to stay like that. After a few moments though, I threw back the blankets.

We just had one more item to find, and then Death would be able to help us end things once and for all.

Ry and I made our way outside to resupply our packs.

“We’ll just keep going as though nothing happened with Odos,” he said as he stuffed some purple almost-potatoes into his satchel.

I nodded along, shoving a bite of pear into my mouth and chewing furiously.

“Yes, as much as I don’t like it. We have to keep going. We’ve gotten this far, and searching for the items has been a distraction from my father.”

From my failure.

“I’m sure Death is being diligent in her search.”

And Odos had pulled her away from her efforts.

I squeezed a fruit I was packing too tightly, and it burst.

Without a word, Orion took it from my hands and wiped my fingers clean with a bit of cloth.

“We’ll find out where he is. As long as we’re alive, it’s not too late.”

I laughed.

“What?” he asked.

“I was picturing Death’s face if we had been killed in the canyon, or the beach, and appeared in her realm instead. I don’t think she would have been happy.”