Page 83 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

“Yes, I have. I know it was the guys who chased me through the bush that day, and I also know you had Trace take me.”

“It was for your own safety,” he explains, opening a door that leads into a laboratory.

“How so?” I ask. I know he didn’t really order Trace to take me, but I want him to believe I don’t know the real truth.

“When our original scientist was creating the super teams, we wanted the boys to love the female fiercely. So, we had an idea to engineer them to love her. Only the scientist had two ideas. We created Team Zeus, and a few years later we created Team Hades—and you. There was never a second female.” I listen as he talks, and he guides me to sit at a bench in front of a bunch of test tubes. “As you got older, we could see both teams had emotionally attached to you. Only we needed to know which one would die for you. Who would go to the ends of the earth to protect you? So, you see, even though they told you I took you, it was actually them. They think I don’t know, but I’m aware of everything. Team Hades just accepted you were dead. Yes, they grieved and then forgot you... but Team Zeus, they went to the ends of the earth to cover their tracks.”

“But had Boston and his team known, would that have changed the outcome? They were barely teenagers when I left?”

“Good question. That’s why we are creating an ultimate test, and only the strongest team will make it through the test course.”

“You plan to test them against each other,” I realise, astonished.

He smirks at me. “Yes, that is exactly what I plan to do.”

“They wouldn’t go against each other.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. They are trained to protect their team no matter what, but I have an insurance policy.”

“Me,” I surmise.

He simply nods. This man is nuttier than a kangaroo in boxing gloves, and more screwed up than any of us thought.

“Why have them kill each other? That makes no sense.”

“That’s just for fun. Both teams have been working against me, and that is where you come in. I figure you’re smart. You have no loyalty to them, maybe some to Trace, but he lied to you and took you away from your family.” Malice gleams in his eyes.

“So, everything you do is just a test? Seems a bit much.”

“Maybe, but imagine being one of the wealthiest people in the world, creating human weapons for hire.”

“I get all that. It’s a genius idea. But do you really expect me to play along when you plan to kill people I’m genetically linked to?” I can’t help but question him.

“We all make sacrifices for the greater good. You will be fine. Your bond is strongest with Creed and Laughn—one from each team—so either way, they will help you through it. After the test, you will go to stage five, either alongside Team Zeus or Team Hades. I’m afraid that won’t be an easy feat though, since Team Hades hasn’t completed it themselves. If Team Zeus wins, then it should be a breeze, since they previously passed with flying colours.”

A wave of nausea hits me. I feel the blood drain from my face and chills hit my spine, my stomach forming knots. I have suffered from these pains for years, always coming at random times. My doctor once said maybe it was my diet.

“It’s good to see that one of your skills is still working,” he remarks, watching my reactions closely.

“Skill?” I ask through clenched teeth. The pain is now radiating through my entire body.

“Yes, when something bad is about to happen to your team, you can sense it.”

The tears stream down my face and I’m curled in a ball. Chester kneels down beside me. “Are you okay, Wildflower?” He strokes my hair, offering me some comfort.

“I don’t know,” I whimper. “Something bad is going to happen. Where is Laughn?”

We were practicing my self-defence skills when I was hit with a wave of pain. We sat for an hour before anyone could find Laughn. He comes running in, his beautiful face covered in blood. My pain subsides the second he sits by my side and pulls me into his arms.

“They hurt you,” I whisper against his shoulder.

“No, they tried and failed, as usual.”

That was the memory of the first time I could sense one of them was hurt. It happened every time one of them was taken away after that day. Each time they returned, they were mad that the pain inflicted on them was felt by me.

“So talk. What do you want from me?” I finally ask.

“I want you to get ready to congratulate your new team on their win, and I’ll see you soon for your training.”

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