Page 114 of Hell’s Weapon

I see Hades and Khaos, standing on a stage. I see Cameron pinned on the crucifix.

The image slips away, slips to her again.

NO!

I manage to shut the visuals down and send my mind to an empty, black slate.

“He’s stronger than we thought.”

“Push again.”

“Show us!”

The voices demand and demand, my skin now burning in the fire. The noise of the crackling is too much. My throat is blistering from the heat of the flames.

I look up at the Death Bringer, purring as I rub against her thighs. I can’t see her face, but I know she’s smiling kindly down at me.

“Yes,” the deep voice sounds pleased. “Show us more.”

A flash of a bed, a mix of limbs. A slideshow of various lectures and teaching staff.

“Keep going.”

A sudden jolt of my body, sucker punching me and shaking my brain inside my skull.

“Milo.” A familiar deep voice cuts over everything.

“Not yet. Show us more,” one of the voices growls.

“Sweetheart, wake up.” His voice calls to me and I make the herculean effort to lift my head to find in what direction he’s calling to me from.

“He’s too strong now,” one of the Angels says.

“He’s given us enough,” the deep one says to my horror.

“But we don’t know h–”

“We know enough to know that she’s there.”

“Milo? Come on Sweetheart, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” The voice pulls me away.

“You’re okay, Milo. We’ve got you.” Her voice sends my heart into freefall.

“See you soon, Milo.” Laughter echoes through my mind as I jolt awake.

I’m in bed with Wyatt and Tacita, both of them are leaning over me, matching looks of concern on their faces. Sweat pours down my chest and my temples and I shove backwards from them, hitting the head of the bed and panting hard to catch my breath.

I failed. I couldn’t keep them out.

The Angels got whatever information they wanted.

I wasn’t strong enough.

Staring between the two people I love more than I ever thought it possible to love, a sob breaks out of my body, quickly followed by another. Tacita and Wyatt try to comfort me but I’m beyond help now. My heart breaks in my chest as I feel their hands on me, as they support me on each side. I just wanted to be loved. I just wanted to love them. I just wanted a family.

And now I’ve put them in danger.

I thought I could shut the Angels out. As soon as Tacita turned up and treated me like I wasn’t broken, I tried to break the connection they have to my head. I’ve been mostly succeeding these last couple of weeks.