Page 59 of Flame and Fury

“My invite must have gotten lost in the mail.” Ares steps up to the table, inserting himself between me and Zeus. He pats my head like I’m a toddler. “How are you feeling, little champion?” His mouth pinches as his eyes take in my bandages.

“I’ve felt worse.” What is Ares doing here? And I’m not really his champion anymore. I’m out of the game. From the looks on Nathaniel and the other gods’ faces, it’s obvious Ares wasn’t invited to this wank fest. What's he playing at?

“That’s unfortunate,” Ares says before giving his attention to the rest of the table. “It looks like I’ve missed dinner, but just in time for drinks then. Yes?” He turns his piercing stare toward Nathaniel, who’s barely keeping disdain off his face.

“Miss Torres was just going back to her quarters, but certainly, if you’d like to join the rest of us for a drink, it would be an honor.” Nathaniel’s face twitches as he spits out the lie.

“Indeed, it is.” Ares chuckles and takes a step back. He holds out his hand to help me out of my seat.

I let him pull me up, confused but relieved by his presence. I’m ready to get away from these horrid people. The rest of the table follows our lead and stands. Nathaniel stomps out of the room first. Apparently, after-dinner drinks will be imbibed elsewhere. The rest of the gods don’t acknowledge me as they leave the room, except for Aphrodite. She gives Ares a death glare that shifts over to me.

“I didn’t think you’d stoop to fucking your disgraced champion, Ares.”

“I think we both know I’ve fucked worse.” Ares smiles at her.

Aphrodite huffs, spinning on her heel so her hair fans out around her and strides out of the room. Ares still has my hand held hostage, and I yank my fingers free when everyone has left. That jab at Aphrodite was funny, but I’m slightly disappointed that Ares slept with such an evil crone. Kind of like when your friend goes back to the asshole who keeps cheating on them.

I don’t, however, appreciate being demeaned while he cuts down someone else. Implying that screwing me is beneath him, but not as low as Aphrodite. Real nice.

Just as I’m about to step out into the hall, Ares grabs my arm and shuts the door. He spins me around to face him. Glaring up at him, I make sure he sees how unhappy I am.

“Are you all right?” The corners of Ares’s eyes crinkle as he searches my face. I can’t understand this man’s mood swings. He goes from insulting me in one breath to being worried about my well-being in the next.

With a shrug, I slip my arm free of his hold. “Let’s see, I was shot with a bullet coated in Hydra blood. I got impaled on some rebar. After that pleasant afternoon, I was taken to an auction where Nathaniel Rogers purchased me, and then branded me like a cow. Take what you will from that.” I shrug. Honestly, I don’t know what to think of Ares. I know he likes conflict, but is he trying to get me in trouble? What’s his game here?

“That sick fuck has been collecting champions for years.”

“Does that bother you?” I lean back against the door and search his face. I barely know Ares. Sure, I was his champion, but he’s a god of Olympus. He may not be a giant asshole like Zeus and the other dickheads I had dinner with tonight, but that doesn’t mean he’s Susie Sweetheart. Still, my Fury doesn’t scream for vengeance when he’s near. And that says a lot.

Ares crosses his arms, his jaw shifting as he considers me. “Do you know the story of why the gods were put to sleep all those many years ago?”

I blink up at the god of war, completely thrown off by the change in subject. I’ve heard many stories over the years, most of which are lies that paint the Furies as demons. I know the real story, though. My grandmother told me what happened, and if anyone knew the truth, it would be her.

“I’ve heard tales,” I finally say when Ares doesn’t continue, obviously waiting for a response from me. He nods, his brow furrowing as a hollow and distant look glazes over his eyes.

“The gods of Olympus ruled the world all those many years ago, with no care for mortals. They were our playthings, and the earth, our playground. Some gods seduced and beguiled; some played tricks that made humans fear them. Others performed acts that had humans worshiping them. I encouraged conflict on the battlefield, and in bedrooms.” He grins at the last bit like it’s a fond memory.

“I still do that, but I’ve always understood that there’s a balance. Sometimes we must go to war to right a wrong. To seek justice when there isn’t another way. To give the underdog a chance to rise up and fight back.”

Goosebumps break out over my skin.

“Some of the other gods believe they have the right to do whatever they want to humans. Some of us believe we are here to guide and influence.”

“Did you feel that way back then too?”I ask, curious if Ares is different after being asleep for so long.

Ares’s eyes are dark brown, but not evil like Nathaniel’s black pools of spitefulness. For once, they soften and it’s…weird. His lids lower and he angles his head so he’s closer to me. Like he doesn’t want anyone else to hear.

“We deserved to be taken down. We had too much power. We didn’t respect the lives of the people we should have been protecting.”

My heart thumps hard. “And now?” I shouldn’t ask this. Ares isn’t my buddy, even if that’s how it’s starting to feel when I see him. Like reconnecting with an old friend and not a powerful god who could easily destroy me.

“Some didn’t learn their lesson and have fallen right back into old ways. Manipulating the lives of others because they’re bored or just because they can.”

Something Poseidon said to Zeus earlier comes to mind. “Did you have something to do with my involvement in the games? Did you pick me?”

I thought it was chance, the fact that I grabbed Ares’s token. What if it wasn’t?

A smile spreads over Ares’s face. “The gods would never manipulate the games like that. How could you even think such a thing?” His words say one thing, but the tone of his voice tells me something very different.

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