Page 14 of Wicked Ties
Liesin’s face appeared over me. “Sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Shut up.” Nova shoved him to the side and grabbed Tilly’s hand, helping her to her feet.
I rolled to my side and sucked in a deep damp breath. I coughed, and when Nova offered me her hand, I shook my head, refusing it. I needed a minute to get back what little stability my head had. I lurched to my feet and shoved my hair out of my face. Behind me, Liesin chuckled, and I glanced at him over my shoulder and flipped him off.
“Very nice.” He hissed.
“Are you good?” Nova raised her hands as though to touch me but then dropped them. Even with her hand completely covered with her elbow-length gloves, she rarely touched anyone. Beckett mentioned to me one time that if she did, she would see their death and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. If anyone knew how that felt . . . it was me.
“I’m good.” Not good at all. “Let’s go.”
We stood in what appeared to be an anterior room. In front of us, there was a vaulted opening that led into darkness. Nova motioned for us to follow her. “This way.”
Liesin stepped in front of her. “Don’t you think I should go first?”
“Why? He doesn’t like you, and he likes me.”
“A little too much,” he muttered under his breath.
“Bro, you might want to hide your jealous card.” I motioned to Nova. “Lead the way.”
When Tilly’s little hand wrapped in the back of my shirt, I had to force myself not to smile. I liked being here for her. I liked having her around. I just liked her. Usually, I was a loner with no one to worry about by myself. But with her things were just . . . better.
I hiked my thumb to point behind us. “Back of the line.”
Nova walked through the door, and I followed with Tilly right behind her. I could feel Liesin’s energy behind us, but I didn’t pay attention to him. He was here for one reason and one reason only . . . Nova.
When we walked through the door, the cave opened into a long hall. The ceiling was jagged with rocks that resembled dripping icicles. The one thing I noticed was that it was quiet. The noise of the underworld fell away to nothingness. When we reached a big wooden door, Nova gave three quick knocks.
“Go away!” a deep voice boomed through the door.
She glanced over her shoulder at us and pressed her finger to her lips, telling us all to shut the hell up. She cleared her throat. “It’s me, Nova.”
The door creaked open a fraction as though a ghost had opened it. Nova pushed it the rest of the way open and stepped through. When I followed her, I hadn’t expected to see a completely different home. This place wasn’t dark or dim like I expected. Instead, there was a path that led farther into the cave. On either side of it, small waterfalls trickled into bright glowing blue pools. Rainbow koi fish danced and swam within. Lilly pads drifted over the calm water.
The room opened into a warm, cozy living room. Brown leather couches were spread throughout the room, and long-stem candles lined the walls, giving the room a dim glow. A crackling fire stood in an opulent fireplace made of thick brown stone. A man with long white hair sat in an oversized leather seat. Half his head was shaved, while strands of hair fell over his forehead and into his eyes. The rest of his hair fell almost to his waist. When he peered up at us, his gaze was ice cold, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.
“I thought it was just you.” He rose to his feet and dropped the book he was holding onto the chair.
He wore a long black toga-like cloak that draped over one of his shoulders and exposed his upper torse, then fell to the floor. Thick gold bands surrounded his neck and both upper arms. When Liesin strolled through the opening, he narrowed his eyes at him. “You.”
“Really have a way with people, don’t you?” I rolled my eyes.
“It’s a gift.” He walked into the room and began to touch the books sitting on the shelf.
“Why did you bring him?” Thanatos scowled.
“Like I had a choice.” Nova sighed. “Prisoner exchange, remember?”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Right.” His face softened. “What brings you here, my dear?”
Liesin growled in the back of his throat but said nothing.
“Excuse you,” Nova snapped at him.
Silence . . . awkward.
“Sir, Mr. Thanatos. My name is Tilly.” She stepped forward and offered him her hand. He hesitated for a moment, then took it.
