“I’m not his girlfriend,” I quickly point out. “It’s not like that between us.”
“Sure it isn’t,” Trident agrees, but from the smirk on his face, I can see he doesn’t mean it.
Rage doesn’t say anything.
I dish up the eggs. There’s fresh bread and butter on the table. My mouth is watering.
Trident makes a humming noise as he looks down at his plate. It’s clear that he likes what he sees. Rage pours juice into three glasses, and we all dig in. There’s silence for a minute or two while we enjoy our breakfast.
“There’s nothing like crispy bacon,” Trident says, shoving a whole piece into his mouth. His lips are glistening with fat. He chews and swallows. “So, you hellhounds have litters?” he remarks.
I nod. “Yes, we do.” I put some butter on a slice of bread.
“Wow! That’s hectic. I think one kid is a lot of work, let alone a whole litter. I was at Forge and Ava’s place yesterday.” He whistles low. “Little Bruce is amazing, but he’s also a handful. I have high energy levels, and even I got tired of chasing after him. He’s just started walking.”
“It’s normal for us,” I say. “I don’t plan on having kids anyway.” I shrug. There is a part of me that’s sad, but it would be for the best since I don’t want to settle down with anyone. I think kids need a secure household with two people who love them. Sure, it doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s best to at least start off with a happy home.
“I must say,” Trident takes a big sip of his juice, “I don’t think I want to have kids, either. I enjoy the single life far too much. I can’t think of spending the rest of my life with just one woman.”
“You would be able to imagine it if you fell in love,” Rage says.
“Love.” Trident snorts and shakes his head. “Nah, not for me. I can’t fathom it.”
“You haven’t met ‘the one’ yet. One of these days, you’ll meet someone and fall hopelessly in love. It’ll be like a sucker punch to the gut. You won’t even know it’s happened until it’s too late.”
“You sound like you’re talking from experience,” Tri laughs. He gives Rage a slap on the back. Rage scowls at him. “Do you want me to leave so that you can get onto one knee?” Trident laughs again.
“Fuck off!” Rage gives him the middle finger. “That’s not what I meant.”
Trident chuckles. “Touchy, aren’t we?”
“I’ve been beat-up and teleported too many times to count. I’m waiting for a madman to arrive. A madman intent on killing me and on making Nia’s life a living hell, so yes, I’m a little cranky.”
“When you put it that way…” Trident nods a couple of times. “So, what’s the plan? Are you just going to sit tight until Gaire gets here?”
“That’s the plan,” Rage says. “I have Death on speed-dial. The agreement is that if I call, he knows Gaire’s here. He and Star will stand by to remove us if we’re getting our asses handed to us…again.” He sighs. “It’s getting tiring.”
“How are you going to defeat him this time? What’s changed?”
“We’re hoping that he won’t have as much control over Nia. That she’ll be able to take him on, with my help, of course.”
“Because you guys have been having a ton of sex?” He bobs his brows.
Neither of us says anything. I think he’s getting a kick out of watching us squirm… because we are squirming.
“I hate to break it to you, but that’s not much of a plan.” Tri puts more bacon in his mouth.
“It’s all we’ve got,” I say.
“It’ll work out,” Rage says. “It has to,” he mumbles.
“In that case, let me finish eating, and you guys can get back to bed. It sounds like the more sex you have, the better. I’m all for getting plenty of sex.” He scoops a final forkful into his mouth. He pushes his plate away and wipes his mouth with his napkin.
“There’s more egg in the pan if you’re still hungry,” I tell Trident. It’ll be even more awkward between Rage and me if Tri leaves. Especially off the back of this conversation.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think that you were trying to keep me here, Nia. You two lovebirds need to get back to fucking like rabbits to break this spell.”
“We’re not lovebirds,” Rage growls. He’s frowning. “Nia is going back to Wales as soon as this is over. I’m helping her out. That’s all.” His frown deepens. “As for fucking like rabbits, we’re not. In order to break the bond, we need to have sex without a condom, and that isn’t going to happen. The Underworld was one thing. Up here…it’s a no…we’re not taking a risk like that. You’ve heard our take on having kids.”
“Wait a minute…” Tri narrows his eyes. “You didn’t use a condom at Hades’ place?”
“It’s the Underworld,” I say. “You can’t become pregnant in the Underworld. It’s a common fact.”
Trident looks up at the ceiling. He makes this humming noise at the back of his throat. “I might be very wrong, but I’m sure I heard something about Hades’ house being in a different realm.” I can see that he is thinking it through.
“But it’s still in the Underworld.” I’m feeling panicky. I was the one who convinced Rage that it was okay not to use protection. That we would be fine. Was I wrong? Is there a chance I could conceive? Oh, no! No!
“I’m probably completely wrong. Don’t listen to me.” Tri shakes his head and makes a face. “I’ve been wrong plenty of times. Do you need me to stick around? I could try to help you beat Gaire.” He flexes his biceps.
“Like last time.” Rage snorts. “You were knocked out five seconds into the fight.”
“It was a lucky punch. I’m more prepared this time. See that beautiful lake outside your back door.” Trident points. “I am good at bending water to my will. I’ll give Gaire the biggest enema, and then—”
A laugh is pulled from me. I can’t help it. “An enema?” I laugh harder. “I’d love to see that.”
Trident grins.
Rage shakes his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I think this is something the two of us need to face alone. Gaire has threatened to kill anyone who tries to help us. I think Death might be okay, but we demigods are vulnerable. You should probably go now, and stay as far away as possible. Let the others know what’s going on. Death will bail us out if it looks like we’re about to die. I ultimately don’t want to be responsible for anyone getting killed.”
“It would be my fault if anyone died,” I say, looking down at my half-eaten food. “I’m sorry I brought you into this, Rage. I didn’t realize you couldn’t use your powers; if I had known, I—” I stop talking when Rage reaches over and squeezes my hand. He doesn’t linger, taking his hand back.
“It’s not your fault Gaire is a narcissistic prick,” Rage tells me. “We’re in this together. We’ll find a way to sort this out.”
It does feel good hearing him say that. I feel a lump grow in my throat. I nod and give him a smile.
Then Trident is pushing his chair back. “Okay, then. You kids take care of yourselves. Let me know if you change your mind about the extra help. I quite like the idea of giving Gaire an enema. I’ll shoot the water in one side, all the way through, and have it come out his mouth, his nose…he won’t know what hit him.” Trident chuckles to himself.
“This isn’t a game,” Rage says. “Someone is going to end up dead at the other end of this.”
Trident puts his hand on Rage’s arm. “It won’t be you, bro.” He’s completely serious for a change. “I have faith in your abilities. I have faith in you.”
“If only I could control my power better.” Rage’s eyes are blazing.
“You might surprise yourself.” Trident winks at Rage, “See you guys.” He heads out, closing the door behind him.
“I wish I could have his optimism,” Rage grumbles.
“Do you think Tri was right about Hades’ house being in another realm?” I ask. I can’t hold back. It’s the burning quest
ion in the front of my mind. I could end up pregnant. What then?
“I have no idea. He didn’t seem too sure. I wouldn’t worry too much,” he says, but he’s frowning. I can see his mind working.
I nod. I’m panicking, though, and trying not to show it.
“I’m sure Death will know. We can ask him when we see him next, and until then,” Rage rubs his chin, “we need to keep a cool head about it. We can’t undo something that’s already happened.”
I must say he’s taking this far better than I am. “You’re far too calm about this.”
“I’m being pragmatic.”
I pull in a deep breath. Rage is right. “Very few hellhound females are fertile. I more than likely can’t have kids, even if Hades’ house is in another realm.” I hold onto that thought.
“There you go. I’m sure we’ll be just fine. First, we need to get through the next confrontation with Gaire.”
“You’re absolutely right.” There’s a chance we might not even live long enough to find out. I stand and start gathering the plates when there’s a knock at the door.
“Must be Tri,” Rage says. He opens the door. It’s not his friend. It’s Gaire. My ex is smiling like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I feel my heart sink. I was so sure when he made his offer to Rage that he was doing it because he was running scared. Now I’m thinking that he did it to play with our emotions. I’m not sure we stand much of a chance. I square my shoulders and look him head-on despite the fear that’s clogging my throat.
22
Rage
Gaire leans against the doorjamb. His shit-eating grin gets bigger. “Can I come in?” His eyes move inside; I watch his lazy perusal of Nia. I want to break his face. I wish to god I had a little more control over my powers. I’d finish this asshole right now. I wouldn’t even hear him out. There is nothing he can say to me.
“Do I have any choice?” I deadpan.
“Not really.” He turns his smug smile onto me and winks. The fucker winks.
I step to the side, my patience waning.
“Eggs and bacon.” Gaire sniffs the air. “Nice!” He nods a few times. “Good to keep yourself in tip-top shape.”
“Why are you here?” I interject. It’s a stupid question, but I ask it anyway.
“I’m here for my hellhound. Are you going to hand her over?” He acts like Nia isn’t even in the room. It grates me. He’s treating her like she’s an object instead of someone with feelings.
“No deal,” I say.
There’s another knock at my door. I feel my hairs stand on end. I feel my blood run cold. The knock sounds again. Softer this time.
“Don’t you want to see who it is?” Gaire goads me.
“No.” I shake my head. It feels like someone has just walked over my grave.
The knock sounds a third time.
“You should really get that.” Gaire folds his arms, looking smug. I fucking hate him!
I look at Nia. Her eyes are wide, and she looks pale. I feel an ache in my chest. I walk to my door, feeling like I’m in a daze. I open it slowly; my heart is in my throat. My mouth falls open. I knew it. I just knew. Gooseflesh breaks out over every part of my body.
Warrick grins. He’s exactly the way I remembered him. “Holy fuck, but you’re old,” he says. “Gaire warned me, but,” he sniggers, “I didn’t think you’d be this ancient.”
I take a few stumbling steps backward.
“So this is your place?” Warrick walks in and looks around. “It’s small. You always said you were going to live in a mansion.”
“Things change.” My voice is choked. “Your priorities change when you get older.”
“What do you do for a living? You said you wanted to be a lawyer.”
I push out a laugh. I had forgotten about that. “No.” I shake my head. “I haven’t been in such a good place since…since… I didn’t study. I make my money with these.” I hold up my fists. “I couldn’t…I didn’t have the concentration after…after you…”
“After I died?” He raises his brows. He doesn’t look upset or angry.
Fuck! “I’m sorry,” I choke out. My voice is thick with emotion.
“I was an asshole,” Warrick says. “I should never have believed Bella. I knew you were crazy about her. I—”
“That’s enough.” Gaire clicks his fingers, and Warrick disappears.
I shout his name. He doesn’t come back. I shout it again. I know it’s futile, but I have to try. I grab Gaire by his leather vest and give him a shake. “Bring him back!” I snarl.
“Let me go.” Gaire stays completely relaxed. His eyes are on my hands. “I said, let me go. We can talk about it.”
I let him go on a growl and pace away before turning. I can feel my power; it’s right there. I’ve never been more tempted to let loose before.
“You can have your friend back,” Gaire says. “Just say the word, and he’ll be here, in the flesh. Not just for a minute or two, but to stay.”
My throat hurts. My eyes are stinging. I look at Nia, and she nods. “It’s okay,” she whispers.
Nia is as sweet as they come. She’s selfless. Sacrificing her would be far from okay. What Gaire is doing is wrong.
“My friend is dead. That’s on me. He’s not coming back.”
“You’d let Warrick rot for her?” Gaire points at Nia. “A woman you hardly know. Not even a decent lay…just lies there.” He snorts.
“Don’t talk about Nia like that,” I snarl.
“So you have it bad for the bitch. So bad you’re going to let your best friend rot in hell? I thought you’d want to help him since you put him there.”
“There is no way that Warrick is rotting anywhere. He was a good person. An amazing person. I’m sure that if you brought him back, you’d be taking him from the Elysian Fields. From paradise.” I know it in my heart.
“Are you sure about that?” Gaire lifts his brows.
I nod. “I’m very sure. I’m glad I saw him again. You gave me closure. Thank you for that.”
I watch Gaire’s face turn crimson. He gets this tic in his jaw, and his muscles bunch. He’s not happy at all. “I guess we’ll have to fight it out. At least until you run like a coward. I will keep coming for you, and your friends won’t be able to save you every time. It just isn’t possible. You understand that, right? One day soon, I’ll finish you. It’ll be slow and painful. You’ll be begging me to kill you at the end, but I won’t. I’ll make you watch while I make Nia mine again.” He winks at her. “I’ll break her…bend her completely to my will. Then I’ll end your puny life.”
“Can we at least be civilized and take it outside?” I ask.
Gaire shrugs. “Whatever works best for you.”
I realize I haven’t let Death know that Gaire’s here, so I make a show of emptying my pockets. I push speed dial as I put my phone down. I’m signaling Gaire’s arrival.
Nia and I go outside. The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day. Gaire comes out after us. He also seems to bask in the sun for a few seconds. “You sure you won’t change your mind?” he asks; that smug grin is back. “I’ll give you one more chance before I kick your ass.” He sighs, sounding bored.
“No deal,” I growl.
“What about you, dog?” he yells at Nia. “Are you ready to be a good girl? Are you ready to obey your master?”
“Go to hell,” Nia pushes out.
“In that case, get over here and suck my cock, bitch.”
We both look at Nia. Her face gets that pinched look. She shakes her head.
“Now, Nia,” Gaire pushes. “I’m ordering you to take out my cock and to blow me.” He laughs as Nia falls to the ground. Just as before, her body is convulsing. She’s not as bad as before, but I doubt she’s going to be able to help me.
I launch myself at Gaire. I get a punch in. I watch his eyes go wide with disbelief. I see his lips split beneath my fist. Blood flies. Then Gaire disappears.
I hate it when he does this.
“Use your power!” Nia shouts. Her voice is strong. I see her kicking with her legs, trying to break free from the compulsion. “You can do it! You’ve got this!” she calls out. It’s the strangest thing. I feel obliged to do as Nia says, and so…my power surges to the fore. Everything changes in that moment. It’s like the world slows down. I feel a buzzing through my veins. With it comes a need to kill and maim.
Gaire.
I roar, feeling every muscle bulge and rope. I look around me. I see Nia on the ground. “Yeeeessss!” she shouts. Her voice sounds funny because it seems slow and drawn-out.
I see Gaire appear. He looks weird. Like he’s made of smoke. I think he’s in his invisible form. I can see him. How is it that I can see him?
My power.
I remember feeling this way once before. Just before I blacked out. The day Warrick died.
Gaire starts laughing. He’s looking down at Nia and licking his lips. Fucking bastard! I’m feeling the buzzing. So much strength is coursing through me. I watch from the corner of my eyes as smoky Gaire comes for me. It’s still in slow motion. He’s casual about it because he thinks I can’t see him. His pulling back his fist, ready to pummel me. I see the evil-as-fuck glint in his eyes. He takes enormous pleasure in taking the advantage. Of using his strength, his powers, his abilities to crush people. To make them puppets.
No more!
I tap into my well of energy. It’s chaotic. It makes me want to roar again. More than anything, I feel the need to kill.
Kill!
Hurt!
Bleed!
Die!
I clock the bastard in the middle of his face. I feel his nose pulverize under my fist. I give a battle cry and kick him in the stomach…hard!
Gaire’s eyes go wide as he flies backward…still in slow motion. My clothes and hair feel like they are whipping about my face. I think it’s my power. I’m looking Gaire in the eyes while he’s in his smoky form. I charge at him, intent on finishing him off.
He disappears before he hits the ground. I see a neon, smoky light where he used to be. I look around. Where is he? Where is that fucker?
Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods Book 7) Page 18