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“We’re leaving,” I say, hoisting to my feet. “And as you already know, we’re doing it with Jaden and Kell.”
Back to his hiked elbows, Rerek laughs without caring about the fresh blood that spurts out. “Oh yes. Of that I’m sure.” He jogs his head back a little. Regards me with a resurgence of his lazy rock god stare. “I only hopeyouare.”
I swing toward the door, ordering myself to focus on the important stuff now. There are no more rushed footsteps across the roof. And too much desperate tension inhere.
But as much as I yearn to write off the demon’s last-minute clickbait, I stop. Not clicking yet…but not navigating away.
No! Don’t give him the pleasure of getting a millimeter under your skin.
Move. Now. One foot at a time. Do it.
But after one step, I’m pulling back up short. It’s impossible to do otherwise when facing off with the new figure who fills the doorway, tidal waving her empyreal energy through the room. As I take a second to regain my balance, even Arden finally rises to his feet. Only Rerek seems unfazed, rolling his head like it’s dangling from a silk ribbon.
“Well, someone strip the beds and make some togas. This party is getting better and better. Goddess Hecate, as I live and breathe.” He frowns while pressing a hand to his breastbone. “At least Ithinkthat’s still happening…”
Hecate rolls her eyes. “Regrettably, yes.”
“I must say, it’s oddly invigorating. Having to actually face the existential big ones, you know?” he drawls. “The possibility of being…ended. After all these years, truly contemplating it. There’s an odd exhilaration about it.”
Hecate takes a pair of measured breaths. “Your point?”
My discomfort spikes as Rerek slides out a languid grin.
“Hmmm. I suppose I don’t have one. I’m babbling, aren’t I? And why? You’ll have the joy of the experience yourself once Hades gets word of how you’ve all defied him by crossing me.”
So much for discomfort. Raw rage is its replacement, rushed by the arctic wind of fear. I can’t stop or even slow it, even with the glaring knowledge that Rerek’s driven me here on purpose.
I jerk back around and set murderous eyes on his gangly neck.
Except that an invisible force lassos around mine. It snaps my gaze around, until I’m ensnared by Hecate’s glittering glare. I practically hear her intent as real sounds in my head.If you kill him, Hadeswilldemand retribution. And will break our agreement to get it.
Arden pushes in at my side, grabs my elbow, and nods as if he’s heard the same message. “He’s not worth it. And you’re needed much more elsewhere.”
With a gruff grunt, I acquiesce.
This time, I lead the way through the wide spaces of Rerek’s place, which feels bleaker than even a few nights ago when the faux Tinseltown partiers were here. They were all repurposed demons, but at least they warmed up the stark decor.
Now, there’s only one kind of heat that matters. The fires that ignite in Kara’s eyes as soon as I step free from the vestibule. The fierce blaze of her arms around my neck from the second we rush into each other’s arms. The desperate heat of her lips, lifting and mashing against mine.
“You’re okay?” she rasps when we drag apart, despite raking her hands along my shoulders to confirm the fact.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Yeah, beautiful. You?”
She dips a bunch of fast nods, working off the remnants of her adrenaline and tension. “I think so…”
“But holy shit. You’re also—” Kell cuts short with her adamant charge. “K-demon. Whatareyou?”
Kara turns to grab her sister by a hand. She pivots more when Jaden steps over, scooping up one of his too. “We have some catching up to do.”
Kell scoffs. “I last saw youtwo nightsago.”
“When you were high as a kite and Maximus and I had to practically pour you into bed. Yeah, you were in great shape to process a bombshell likecan ya smell the witchy on me yet, girl?”
“I knew it.” Kell rolls her head and wrinkles her nose. “Youdosmell different. But I was having a devil of a time getting to the core of it…”
“Do you mind?” Jaden sweeps up a hand with furious speed. “All devils, demons, and daimons are hereby banned from this chat thread for an hour. My human half thanks everyone in advance.” He visibly tightens his grip on Kara. “But that’s not the end of my gratitude. Sister of mine, I owe you a thousand favors and a million free frappes for this.”
There’s a happy glimmer in her gaze to match the joyous quirk of her lips. “Anda million frappes? Don’t you meanor? Whichever comes first?”
