Page 2 of A Single Thread Of Hope

Shadowy demons were already being dragged into the black abyss, like sludge circling the drain. Man, Hades was really overpowered.

His laughter spread through the air like a sonic boom. “See, so entertaining. It’s been so long since we had anyone interesting at home,” he said to Persephone, almost sounding like a pouting child. I missed her response, though, as I left them in the courtyard, walking through Demke’s bedroom straight into the chest of a pissed-looking Gryphon.

He opened his beak, but I held up a single finger. “Don’t evensayit, Griff! You and Teron are both on my shit list, and you’re precariously close to catching hands.” My voice broke. “Why didn’t youtellme that Demke would die tonight? Before you yell at me, how about you consider how you’d feel if you sawmygoddamn dead bodyout there under the moonlight!” I was definitely screeching now. “I had to find out from Cy—whoisn’ta fucking dog—and the fucking God of the Underworld, who’s hanging out back there near the fiery pits!”

Yep, if Griff had super hearing in this form, I’d probably just busted at least one of his eardrums.

Mate…His voice sounded hesitant, but I was already shaking my head.

“No. I could almost forgive you, because we haven’t been able to speak like this before. But Teron definitely knew, and you had ample opportunity to warn me.” I held up a hand to stop him from answering. “I’m going to find Nate, because he’s the only one I can trust. Do not follow me. I don’t want to see your feathery, furry ass. The danger is gone now, because Hades seems to be sucking them all down to the Underworld.” Like it was an all-you-can-eat noodle night.

I pushed past Griff, though I wasn’t dumb enough to think he’d leave me completely alone. He was wise enough to just hang back, and I’d take that.

There was very obvious evidence that there’d been a battle inside the house. Bits of gore lined the walls, with broken furniture and deep gouges across the floor. Bodies at different levels of decapitation. Surely it hadn’t just been the Gryphon who’d caused this carnage?

I moved toward the doors that led to the main courtyard, and as soon as I slipped into the shadows that surrounded the building, a small group of dogs appeared. Definitely under the orders of Cy. I would never tell him this, but I found their presence reassuring. I’d seen what they’d done to Ekhidna; they were ferocious little warriors.

Some of them had even given their lives for me. For my babies. I saw the bodies of them cast around like discarded toys.

The shock of the night finally caught up with me, my anger draining away to shock. In the darkened courtyard of a forgotten palace, I broke down. Slipping to my knees, I was immediately surrounded by the wiggling bodies and darting kisses of a dozen dogs, each trying to make me feel better in a situation where there was no “better.” There was just survival.

The dog from the other day—the one that had sat on my lap—put its tiny paws against my chest, kissing my chin. I cried even harder. “I’m happy you're safe,” I murmured into her soft fur as she climbed into my arms. She didn’t even have a name, but she would’ve laid down her life for mine. “I’m so sorry that some of you… died…” I choked out, crying into her fur.

She yipped, pushing her head beneath mine.

“She says it’s an honor. They all knew the risks, and dying nobly in the defense of your little ones was better than dying hungry on the streets.”

Looking up, I saw Cy, who’d found a pair of shorts somewhere. I continued stroking the dog’s fur. “Does she have a name?”

“Kallini.”

“I’ll make sure no one is ever hungry again, Kallini. I promise.”

Cy squatted down in front of me, his hand stroking Kallini’s head gently. “We know, Wren. They believe in you, even if you don’t believe in yourself.” He lifted my chin. “I believe in you too.”

I shook my head at him, because I knew, deep down, that this wasn’t the end. I knew that it was only going to get worse. More people would die in my name, and I didn’t know if I could bear that weight on my soul. I squeezed Kallini to my chest, and Cy knelt down to wrap his arms around the two of us. “It’ll all be okay. I know it.”

He couldn’t know that. This carnage told me that it wouldn’t be all right. I wasn’t made for battle.

“Wren!”

I looked up to see Nate running toward me, huge and shining, his ax hanging from his hand like an extension of his body. I let another choked sob out, placing Kallini down on the ground and holding my arms up to my lover, the man I trusted more than I trusted myself. “The guys?”

He looked over at Griff, who inclined his head respectfully. “They are all fine. We lost one of the Valkyries, however.”

My heart shattered once more, and Nate lifted me into his arms, striding back into the compound as I cried. He was crusted in blood and other fluids I didn’t want to think about. As he walked, he whispered sweet words to me in Gaelic. I didn’t even try to decipher their meaning. I just buried my face in the comfort of his chest and let him carry me back to my room.

The doors had been barred, and apparently, that had been enough of a deterrent, because my suite looked untouched. I walked over to the mural on the wall that depicted the Minoan Goddess. She didn’t even have a name, or if she did, they’d never told me what it was. They just called her the Goddess, like she was everything that they’d ever needed, and they all had that same look of wistful sadness in their expression whenever they spoke of her.

Nate stood behind me silently as I traced my fingers over the dog that was running up the roots of the tree. Cy. I traced the bull that was on the ground at her feet. Milo? Demke was there, wreathed in vines and plants, looking solemn, a Gryphon standing beside him.

They were all there, beside the Goddess, along with other creatures. Snakes curled around her shoulders, the ones Demke had said died in the battle. Even a goat in the tree. Had he beenjust a goat? Or had he been like Cy? Had he died in the battle too?

“I’m repeating her mistakes, and I’ll get the rest of her lovers killed.” I ran my fingers over her face, the features blurred by time and Tryp’s fading memories. “I’m sorry.”

Nate stroked a hand down my hair. “Or you’ll save them. Have faith,mo stóirín.It isn’t hopeless yet.”

Yet.

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