Page 26 of Scion of Chaos

Tartarus has been breached,so forgive me if I didn’t want to stay and have a tussle. Between hunting for four escaped Titans and fending off a boss who doesn’t take no for an answer, I thought it would be more efficient to just take Nemea where we all know she’ll be safest. Chaos won’t get near her; that I promise you.

And if you could get the word out about the Titans, that would be swell. If you find them, don’t engage. Just send word via the usual channels.

He pauses to re-read, nods, then sets the glass to the next line.

Yours Truly, Vesh

“Yours truly? Seriously?”I stare at him in astonishment.

“I just wanted to sound as sincere as possible.”

“I think ‘sincerely’ would have done the job.”

“Too late to erase it,” he says, turning to me. “Now, are you ready to go?”

“Gowhere,exactly? You saidhomebefore. But where is home for you?”

He glances at the ceiling for a beat. “It would take too long to explain.”

“You worried their petrification will wear off and they’ll tackle you?” I cross my arms and dig in my heels.

He scrubs a hand through his short, dark hair, and I catch a glimpse of glowing rune-like designs running up the insides of his forearms.

“Tartarus is where we’re going. But we aren’t exactly traveling, because I’m already here—Iam Tartarus. Vesh is just the name they call this version of me.” He gestures down his body with one hand.

I take a moment, feeling a spark of triumph that mine and Rachel’s deep dive into Greek mythology the other night wasn’t completely off-base. I wonder how much more we got right?

“Tartarus, the mythological divine prison? You think I want to go toprison?”

His jaw spasms and he glowers. “Not as an inmate. You don’t understand the power of the creatures who will soon start hunting you. If Chaos already knows you exist, it’s a matter of time before Fate finds out and they’re both racing to get to you first. Not to mention if the Titans themselves learn of your existence, you’ll be in even greater danger. The prison is safe because no one wants to go there, and I’m the only easy way inside.”

Despite my conviction that he has the answers I need, the gaps in my memory only leave room for uncertainty. I cross my arms. “I won’t let you prey on my desire to learn how to use my powers. I’m already missing an entire day after trying to take matters into my own hands.” I stop myself before oversharing the fact that I don’t exactly trust my own decisions lately.

His lips tighten and he takes a step closer. “If I return your memories, will you agree to let me protect you?” he says in a low, impatient tone.

“Do I have a choice?” I ask, having to crane my neck to look up at him. Holy fuck, this man is as big as April’s dragon mates, and his proximity sends what feel like electric currents skittering all over my skin.

He smirks. “No, but I’d prefer it if I don’t have to force you.” His nostrils flare and his gaze dips to the perfume bottle dangling between my breasts. “What is this?” he purrs, one eyebrow lifting as he skates a fingertip down my chest beneath the chain to lift the bottle up.

My cheeks heat even as the rest of me goes molten, though for different reasons. “I was hoping to summon… well,you, I think? Because the first time I tried, I think it unlocked my power, but I have no memory of what happened. I want to remember. I don’t even know if it’ll work.”

Vesh gives a slow, knowing smile and carefully removes the stopper from the bottle. “Ah, this is a very special blend,” he says as he breathes in the scent. “It contains notes of lust, rapture, and wild abandon. Such a potent combination.”

He replaces the stopper and lets out a soft sigh. “This fragrance is quite powerful,” he says slowly, looking into my eyes with unmistakable intensity. “It’s capable of unlocking more than just the doors to your lost memories. All it needs is a measure of the power you have within you now, focused with the right intent, along with a little physical push, which I can give you.”

“You’re saying I could have freed those memories on my own?”

“Possibly. And I will teach you how, if you agree to come with me.”

He holds a hand out to me, palm up. Even though I know his offer is merely a formality, I appreciate that he asked—that I have the illusion of being given a choice. But I still feel compelled to ask one question.

“If I don’t like what my memories show me, will you allow me to leave? If… they’re bad, I mean.”If they show me I was harmed.

He frowns then slowly nods. “I won’t stand in your way if you choose to go once you reclaim what you lost.”

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, I place my hand atop his. “Then I’ll go with you.”

15

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