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Arden’s face becomes a second study in harsh tension. “We don’t. Wecan’t.”
Too swiftly and too clearly, my logic fills in the follow-up. “Because once the time limit is up, Rerek’s under no obligation to any more underworld laws.”
“At least until his antics create more messes than they’re worth.” With the return, Arden’s again gotten stiffer than an undertaker. Inwardly, I beg for the return of his arrogance. This somberness is awful, unpredictable, and scary. That fear makes me jumpy. And mad.
“Antics?” I blurt out. “Do you really believe that? BecauseIdon’t. I grew up with the pathological bastard. He doesn’t know the meaning of merciful or sweet. Believe me, some of the things he’s done to creatures, mortal and mythological, have haunted my worst nightmares. They’re not justantics.” Nausea hits me in a dizzying wave. “As soon as that hex expires, he’ll be unhinged and able to play with Jaden and Kell in any depraved way he desires. And take my word on this… Rerek doesn’tplaylike the rest of us. We have to stop him before he’s granted free rein over them.”
“For once, we’re in full agreement. Why do you think I was so adamant to double back here?”
Maximus mutters some choice profanities beneath his breath before throwing his head up and his shoulders back. “All right. So what’s our time frame?”
Arden pulls in some new confidence. It’s not his whole hauteur yet, but it’s enough. “A holding hex on a human only lasts thirty-six hours. We have to assume that the same rule applies for any creature with human blood.”
My throat clutches. “So Jaden’s time is already up.”
Arden shakes his head. “When Rerek stretched the curse to include Kell, it would’ve also reset Jaden’s timer. Now, assuming that theHysminai—the underworld’s special forces—swept in for Kell during the three hours between Veronica’s checks on her—”
“Then the time limit for the stretched hex is up at midnight tonight,” Maximus fills in.
My heartbeat runs up one set of ribs and down the other. “Okay. So we have between seven and nine hours to figure out a way of undoing it.”
“No.” Arden’s new stare throws a red light onto my cardiac sprints. “Undoingis impossible. Best we can hope for is a disruption. A long enough release on the cage to get your brother and my betrothed out and away.”
“And that’s where I can help.” And now, I actually feel like I can. A few minutes ago, that wouldn’t have been the case. Contemplating a full reversal of Rerek’s curse was a thought on the same level as blowing up the sun. The demon has existed for centuries, armed with frightening and painful powers. But working with Arden and Maximus to press a pause button on his powers…
Maybe I can do something for the better this time.
“And if Kara’s successful…” Maximus shores up his stance. There’s a steely glint in his blues. “If we really do this, what’s that do to your standing with the underworld brass?”
I don’t fault him for the question, just for the timing. The last thing we need right now is Arden glaring like the words are a wedgie. But weirdly, as he pivots, it’s as if he’s wearing a velvet robe instead.
“Kell ismine,” he all but seethes. “Rerek may be Hades’s obedient puppy, but many have grown tired of his stunts, even with the thin excuses for approval. And staging that little ‘beach party’ for Hades wasn’t as impressive as it looked. You think His Godship has only one Tinseltown shaker in his back pocket?” His chuff is sharp and bitter. “Those boys are scattered everywhere from Irvine to Ventura. But Hades can’t afford to lose a more established voice like mine.”
Maximus jogs his head to one side, like he’s picking up on something my inner sensors aren’t. Good thing. Something tells me I’ll need every drop of my mental mojo in the next nine hours.
“Good enough,” he declares. “You do the politics. We’ll do the logistics.” His jawline tenses. “But, Prieto?”
“Hmmm?”
“This doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
Arden wrinkles his nose. “My good professor, I believe in reliable colleagues, interesting dinner companions, and females insatiable about getting fucked. I donotbelieve in friendship.”
For a fast moment, Maximus and I trade a glance. I don’t need any extra senses to read him. Is rescuing Kell from Rerek only tying her to a worse fate with Arden?
In the depths of my soul, I don’t believe that. Arden’s a ruthless ass, but he doesn’t pull punches. From the time his true purpose was revealed, I’ve always known where I stand with him. Rerek’s as shifty as the sand his villa is built on. I’ve been on the receiving end of his wicked pranks over the years, including his most elaborate deception of all. The illusion that led me right into Hades’s trap and then locked Jaden in his hex.
Now, because of me, J’s been imprisoned longer than Kell. And for all his lip and swagger, my little brother hides a more fragile spirit than most assume.
“Come on.” I charge forward, grabbing Maximus by a hand. “There’s no more time to waste.”
“About what?”
There’s not enough bass in the interruption to be Maximus, or even Arden. But enough of a rich alto husk that I halt in my tracks, already knowing whose gaze to expect when I lift my head.
Sure enough, even from ten feet away, Circe gives the sunbeams a run for their money. But her rays seem more determined to fry my retinas, despite the hesitant quirks that tempt the corners of her expressive mouth.
She rolls her thumbs along her fingers in nervous little circles. “Did I miss something?” she says slowly, until her gaze refocuses on a spot just past us. “What areyoudoing back here?”
