Page 53 of Scion of Chaos

“I have a proposition for you.”

“Erika…” Kol warns. “If you’re about to say what I think, don’t. We can find another way.”

“It’s the only way, and you know it.”

Erika holds my gaze with more intensity than most humans can manage. I remind myself she mated a Red dragon prince, which proves she has the mettle to stand with us. Or to be a thorn in my side, if she gives into Hyperion’s demand.

“I’m listening,” I say cautiously.

“The Titans want me to deliver the key. And you want them. Help me get the key and we can use it as bait to lure them into an ambush. You guys take them down, lock them up again. Then let us open the temple and release our mates from this curse. We both win.”

“Getting the key won’t be easy. You already know where it is, so you should have expected as much.”

“I’m good at acquiring keys to ancient temples. This one’s no different. The only reason I didn’t already have the key was because I didn’t quite believe this place existed. I didn’t want to go poking a couple gods for it if it didn’t exist. But now that I’ve uncovered the door, I know what we need to do to open it.”

“So please share what your plan was. I’m curious how well-prepared you were before I got here.”

She cocks her head. “How do I know you’re not fishing for the answers yourself?”

“Because I helped create the key. Don’t forget we were all there when this door was locked and the key split into two pieces. Tell me how you planned to secure both.”

She straightens and drops her hands to her sides. “What I know is that the two halves of the key are guarded by two of the most powerful creatures in existence. They will no doubt make us work for each fragment. I happen to be close friends with Deva Rainsong, who has already agreed to get me an audience with Fate. As for Chaos, I figure he still owes her a favor too. At the very least, it’ll get me in front of him and we can go from there.”

“So you’re relying on their goodwill toward a woman who stole from them both. Are you sure you want that association?”

Her brows draw together in confusion. “She’s the best chance we’ve got.”

“I’m sorry, but Deva was never a good option. While Fate may hold some favor for her, getting an audience with them is the easy part. As for Chaos, trust me when I tell you Deva’s goodwill with him has been spent. And that still doesn’t illuminate how you planned to talk them into giving you the fragments.”

“I’m resourceful,” she snaps. “And I don’t back down from a challenge.”

“Considering we don’t actually need you or your team, it will be safer if you let us handle things.” I scan her team, who all look on intently. There are a handful of dragons hanging back, but the core of her team are the human mates of the four dragons who were cursed.

For the first time, proof of her desperation creeps into her expression. She darts a look back at her daughter beside the giant egg holding her mate, then gives me a pleading look.

“You need me because the Titans made the bargain with me. They return here in a week, and I’m guessing you don’t want to advertise your presence if you want to get the jump on them.” Her voice drops low. “And I would owe you a favor.”

I’m almost convinced I misheard her last words, but my hearing is too sharp. “I’m sorry, why would I need anything from you once this is over?”

Her scowl intensifies. “I know you probably think I’m useless, but believe it or not, I have connections. I may not be able to offer much besides the bargain I was forced into with those assholes, but if you let me join you, I will owe you. Whatever I can do for you, anything you want…” She lifts her chin and her eyes darken, conveying that she meansanything. “All you have to do is ask.”

Kol’s dark eyes flash and he steps close, whispering a warning in her ear.

I expect at least Chrysaor or Cerberus to make lewd comments, but none of my guards make a peep in response to her very clear offer of her body in exchange for our help.

“Should I be concerned?”I ask.

“She doesn’t really want us to take her up on her offer,”Pan says.“Besides, we have Nemea.”

I’m tempted to argue that they don’thaveNemea—she’s nottheirs—except I know better. The second Pan wound up on that island and Fate’s magic shattered my doors, there was no keeping the threads from reaching my other guards. It’s been obvious since Typhon’s ride-along when I went to retrieve the faun from Nemea’s embrace. If my youngest brother can be affected by her, it’s no wonder the others are too. And they were all too willing to introduce themselves last night. All but Typhon and Alcides, but I don’t doubt they’re just as affected by Nemea as the others.

I sigh and shake my head. “We would never ask anything of you that you did not want to give. But if you are as well connected among the higher races as you say, we may find a use for you. As for this particular task, Fate and Chaos are ancient, immensely powerful primordial beings. There’s no predicting what they will demand in exchange for the key to the temple. It won’t be pleasant, either way, and it very well might be deadly. So keep that in mind.”

Erika’s expression hardens and she nods.

“Someone should stay here at least,” Camille says, clearly possessing less headstrong recklessness than her boss.

“You shouldallstay here,” I snap, then realize my demand is only going to make the hot-tempered woman dig her heels in.

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