Page 13 of Shadowed Spirits

“Wait. You can see her?” Archer nods at me. “Huh. That’s new. What’s the coolest thing to happen to you?”

His mouth tips up in a crooked smile. “Meeting you, of course.”

I duck my head so he can’t see how hard I’m blushing. I want to say something heartfelt back, but the words lodge in my throat. I suck at feelings.

“Oh, my goodness. That’s adorable!” Persephone gushes before I can say anything. “I assume he’s one of your mates?”

“Yep.” I let out a slightly bitter laugh. Thinking about any of my mates with someone else makes me feel like I’m going to puke, but they deserved so much more than me. “All five of them got dicked by the dangling dong of destiny and were paired with me for some reason.”

Bishop groans behind me like I’m embarrassing him. I can’t help a tiny grin at that. Embarrassing him is one of my favorite pastimes.

Persephone cackles at my description. “You could definitely be my great-granddaughter.”

Levi, always the responsible one, attempts to get the conversation back on track. “You can see ghosts in this realm because it’s closer to the spirit realm than Earth, pup. And what were you saying about the magic drain, ghost?”

Aggie floats to beside me, instead of using me as a shield between her and Hades. “Oh, nothing important. Just that Doyle figured out how to drain magic with the help of a goddess.”

CHAPTER 8

IZZY

The room erupts into everyone shouting questions over one another, including the normally silent Cain. I can’t understand anyone through the almost deafening chaos. Hades lets out a piercing whistle that shuts everyone up. My wolves all wince at the loud, high-pitched sound.

Hades cocks an eyebrow at us. “Do I need to get out the talking conch shell, children? Or can you take turns speaking like grown-ups?”

Levi rolls his eyes at his brother. “You are aware you’re only a few decades older than me.”

“Oh, very much so.” Hades flashes his brother a giant, slightly maniacal grin. “I relish lording my thirty-seven years, fifty-three days, and sixteen minutes over you, little brother.”

I tut in mock disapproval. “I’m disappointed you don’t have the exact seconds.”

“You raise a great point, earth dweller. I would ask my spawn point, but that bitch has been imprisoned for the last couple billion years. It’s great.” Hurt, anger, and perhaps a little regret flash over Hades’s face before he blanks it again. I wonder what the story is with their mom. Asking Levi will definitely go betterthan asking his slightly deranged brother. Not that I’m judging, because lord knows I’m fucked up.

Seph thumps Hades on the stomach. “Stop calling Izzyearth dweller.”

“Why?” He looks at her innocently. “She is, in fact, an earth dweller.”

She throws her hands up in frustration. “It’s rude!”

“Tell her it’s not rude, earth dweller. I’ve been perfectly cordial with you.” Hades looks so proud of himself for being pleasant with me. I shudder a little, wondering what not being friendly looks like if this is his attempt at being nice.

Bringing up my best pout, I turn to Seph. My lower lip trembles, and I give her the best puppy dog eyes I can. “He’s been so mean to me since we met. He terrified me when we first walked in and made me cry.”

Should I fuck with the ruler of Hell?

No, no, I shouldn’t.

Am I going to, anyway?

Abso-fucking-lutely I am. Snarking and messing with people helps me avoid thinking about everything that’s happened today. I don’t have time to drown in everything I’m feeling, so picking ill-advised fights with a maybe god, it is.

Seph looks horrified, but that quickly turns into a glare when she rounds on Hades. “Hades Lucifer Dis. I can’t believe you! Scaring your brother’s poor mate like that.”

Hades is gaping at me, so I give him a shit-eating grin. His eyes narrow on me, and my smile widens. His eyes light with understanding that I’m fucking with him, and he mouthsgame on, earth dweller.“I apologize for my behavior, earthling. I’ll endeavor to be kind to you to keep my lovely mate happy.” He pulls Seph into a lingering kiss that softens her anger toward him, if how she melts into him is any indication. Hades also flips me off while he does so, and I can’t help my snort.

“As much as I enjoy hanging out in Hell with tall, terrifying, and scary one and two point oh, I really don’t.” Aggie grimaces at the thought of spending more time with Levi and Hades. “If we could move this along so I can leave, that would be great, kid.”

“I live to keep you happy, Aggie,” I drawl sarcastically. “What magic drain are you talking about?”

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