Page 79 of Flame and Fury

“You spit at Nicky Spalduche and threw garbage at him.” Why Is that the first thing out of my mouth after not seeing my grandmother for nine years?

Nyx chuckles and holds out her arms. “I don’t even get a hug before the interrogation begins?”

My chest swells with emotion. I can’t even pinpoint everything I’m feeling right now. It’s too jumbled and messy. I’m beyond happy to see her, but there’s a strange longing for my mother that hits me at the same time. Anger also simmers under the surface, because it’s just occurring to me that Nyx has been mere blocks away from me for years.

I’m walking across the room and in her arms before I decide which emotion is the strongest. Nyx holds me so tightly it’s hard to breathe. Or maybe it’s because I’m trying to hold back tears. I don’t want to cry in front of Hades and Atlas. I don’t want Nyx to think that I’m weak.

Nyx pets my hair like I’m still a little child. “My sweet girl. I have missed you so much.” There’s a quiver in her voice, and I squeeze her that much closer.

“I’m so proud of you,” she murmurs quietly so that only I can hear.

I pull back with a loud exhale. Nyx grips my biceps and squeezes them, looking over my face and shaking her head. “Look at you. My gorgeous girl.”

“I feel like you’re sort of complimenting yourself since we share the same genes.”

Nyx chuckles, and then lightly punches my shoulder before letting go of my other arm. Her eyes drift over to Atlas, who’s hovering like a nervous mother behind us. I look over my shoulder at him. Every one of his muscles is tense. He’s ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

“Seems like you’ve gotten yourself into a fine mess, Wren.” She eyes Atlas, but then winks at me.

Nyx grabs my hand and pulls me to the couch. She sits and tugs me down beside her. Atlas stays on guard, eyes searching the room like he’s waiting for another monster of mythical lore to pop out and start attacking us.

“Sit down, champion,” Nyx commands, eyeing Atlas with a calculating gaze. “Nothing is going to hurt anyone in this room. You have my word.”

Atlas considers for a moment before he dips his head in acknowledgment. Crossing the room, he picks the chair with a line of sight to both me and the front door.

“You’ve been here this whole time?” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice, but I’m not successful.

Nyx turns to look at me, sadness written all over her face. “It was the only way to keep you safe. No one could know that we were connected. But I couldn’t just disappear and not keep an eye on you.” Nyx is still holding my hand. Her fingers tighten around mine and the corners of her eyes crinkle with grief.

I know she’s right, but it still sucks. I don’t blame her, though. I blame the gods and the clerics who have hunted down the Furies over the years and made it impossible for Nyx to show her face.

“I’ve been watching the games,” Nyx says, a hint of disgust lacing her tone.

I understand that too. The games took her daughter from her. They’re the twisted creation of Zeus and Nathaniel Rogers. Blanketed in the concept of unity when, really, they’re meant to kill innocent people for entertainment. They’re gross.

“You always were a clever girl. I think you would’ve won the games if you hadn’t thrown them.” Nyx almost sounds annoyed, but I had to figure out a way to get myself free from the stupid contract that bound me to the games.

“Yeah, well, it’s hard to fly under the radar when cameras are on you twenty-four-seven. Besides, we were trapped in a contract. We couldn’t get out of the games unless we lost. With the way things are escalating in the territory, we couldn’t keep wasting time with the challenges.”

“And then Nathaniel Rogers bought you at an auction?” A shimmer flickers behind my grandmother’s eyes, and I see her Fury pressing for release. Did Hades talk to her already? He must have, since she isn’t surprised to see us. She might sound calm, but rage vibrates off her skin. My own Fury sings at the presence of another of its own kind. I want to unleash my wings and fly with Nyx by my side.

I fidget in my seat, feeling antsy. The movement shifts my tank top and Nyx’s eyes drop to my chest. Her head angles to the side, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the brand Nathaniel placed on my skin. She hooks her finger into the collar of my shirt and pulls it down to display the full scar.

“Son of a bitch,” Nyx murmurs, looking lost in her thoughts.“The audacity. And right under everyone’s noses.”

Atlas leans forward. “What do you mean?”

“How did you get this?” Nyx asks, instead of answering Atlas's question.

“Nathaniel Rogers likes to make sure everyone knows that you’re his property.”

A small puff of laughter leaves my grandmother's throat. She lets go of my shirt and turns her head toward Hades. Apparently bored by our entire conversation, he’s found a book and is reading. Or maybe he’s just trying to give us some privacy. His comfort in my grandmother’s home is surprising. Like he’s been here once or twice before.

“Have you seen this?” Nyx points at my chest.

Hades follows her finger and stares at the mark. Carefully setting down his book, he stands and crosses the room. Stopping just behind Nyx, he leans down to get a clear view of the brand on my chest. He squints and moves his head from side to side as though he’s trying to interpret what he’s seeing.

With a shrug, he turns to Nyx. “I see a triangle with two lines in the middle. That’s no simple scrape. Will it heal up completely?”

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