Page 60 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

“Back to the point. I found as Zircon was growing older, both groups had a love for her. Team Zeus started to resent and hate Team Hades. I couldn’t have that, so I came up with a plan.”

I’m listening, but something isn’t adding up.

Davis cuts him off. “You didn’t want Team Zeus, as you call them, to be stronger than your surviving team, but their hatred and anger gave you an idea of how to make us stronger, more ruthless.”

“Precisely. Remember that this is a learning process for future generations. So, I set in motion a series of tests.”

Now that I think about it, thirteen-year-old us didn’t get along with our siblings, but isn’t that natural? “So, you sent her away with an older handler who you’re saying had a boner for her.”

“Don’t fucking talk about her like that,” Trace snarls.

Laughn laughs hysterically. “You think she will love you when she finds out who you are, and that you lied to her?”

“We had this overwhelming instinct to protect her, even from you. I think Mr Z left out a little tidbit... that we would have taken you out for looking at her wrong and still would.”

“Sounds like Brennan likes incest,” I say, and he shoots me a look.

We can all see how he really feels about her; he is only lying to himself. Which means they all could love her.

“What Mr Z is saying is we were trained as her handlers, not yours. When faced with this issue, he had to have a plan,” Brennan adds.

“You fucking knew about this?!” Boston shouts in outrage.

“Not at the time, but I’ve since been filled in.” Brennan is smart, and is holding himself together well, but I can see by the way Boston is staring at him they are having an unspoken conversation.

“You let them beat me and you knew!” Trace scoffs, glaring at Brennan.

“Everyone, stop. Trace—Brennan was following my orders to make sure you hadn’t forgotten your training. Brennan and the rest of Zeus were the reason I sent you into hiding. I wanted to test your skills and theirs. Now, on to more important matters.”

“Can we tell Jolie who she is?” Davis asks the question we are all wondering.

“No. This is no longer a test for you—taking her away was your test. Bringing herself back into the fold is hers. You will not say anything or I will make her disappear again. Do we understand each other? She has one last test, and youwillall play your parts. I need to see if deep down she still has that fire.”

“We need to see what she does as she uncovers the truth. Summer has played her part and given her information. Now we wait,” Brennan says, but I can tell he isn’t happy. I also plan to find out how—and when—the fuck he fell in love with her. It doesn’t make sense, and with the way Boston is looking at his brother right now, he is thinking exactly the same thing.

“One last thing before I go. Zircon, or Jolie, has a new handler.” We all look in his direction and I already have a feeling this isn’t going to be good. “Kai.”

“No fucking way,” I roar in outrage. Not him!

“He is set to start school tomorrow. I suggest you learn to get along because he isn’t going anywhere. Her protection istop priority. While you’re all capable, it’s protocol. Brennan can fill you in on all the details later. You will all report to the training facility for twenty-four hours and then return home. I will see you at the gala where I expect you all to be on your best behaviour. Remember, these people fund our organisation.” With that, he stands and motions for Trace to follow.

We all turn to Brennan, but he shakes his head and scratches his nose, our signal that it’s not time to talk. We all nod back—it’s time to get our training on. Twenty-four hours of gruelling testing with no sleep. Let the fun begin.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jolie

I learned a few things last night.

The Myers house is beyond huge, and I’m almost certain it’s haunted—or it could just be a draft. They also have a basement that is locked. Okay, so I also learned I’m a chickenshit and had to call Jimmie to talk to me until I fell asleep. This stupid house is too big, and once I heard one noise, I just kept hearing them. Turns out I have one more thing to add to my list of things I’m scared of. Matte paper, cotton balls, and big-ass empty houses.

Walking through the school car park this morning, Danika asks, “So, you have one day of freedom left. What do you plan on doing until they get back?”

“We could have a sleepover,” Sinclair suggests.

“It’s not a terrible idea,” I mutter. Danika’s face lights up, but she is focused past me, on something across the courtyard. “Now, who is that hunk of man?”

We all turn to see what, or who, she is referring to.

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