Page 41 of Gods of Prey
“Not as crazy as you might think,” I say carefully. Beside me, I can sense Sienna’s tension. I’m getting close to unraveling her carefully weaved web of secrets.
Jovie studies my face. “You believe me.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes.”
She exhales slowly. “Then you know something. About Sienna. About what’s happening to Bash and me.”
I weigh my options. Sebastian clearly hasn’t told Jovie everything about who he really is. I’m not sure he can at this point. But she knows more than she’s letting on.
How much should I reveal? I glance at where Sienna should be, wishing I could see her reaction.
“I knew Sienna for a long time,” I say finally. “Longer than you might believe. And yes, there are things about her and Sebastian that are unusual.”
Jovie nods, unsurprised. “They’re not...” She pauses, struggling for words. “Normal, are they?”
I’m taken aback by her directness. “What makes you say that?”
She rolls her lips, dropping her gaze to the coffee in her hand like she regrets speaking the thought out loud. “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling overwhelmed lately.”
“Are you sure?” I press. “You can trust me.”
She looks stressed and tired. A lonely woman unknowingly living beside a powerful god with no one else to talk to. Doesn’t she have family? Friends? How did Sebastian manage to find someone with zero connection to the mortal realm?
“It’s just little things,” she finally blurts, blinking owlishly. “The way Bash sometimes talks about the past, like he’s lived much longer. I know we had an unconventional start, but thingsaren’t adding up.” She pauses again, then shakes her head. “See? It’s silly stuff. I’m grasping at straws.”
I sense movement beside me. Sienna, reacting to Jovie’s words. What exactly happened between them?
“You were close to Sienna,” I observe.
Jovie’s eyes fill with tears. “She was my friend. Probably my best friend. Even though Bash never knew.” She wipes at her eyes. “That’s what’s killing me. I keep seeing and dreaming about her, but I can’t talk to her. And I can’t tell Bash because he’d think I’m losing it.”
I feel a subtle change in the air and realize with alarm that Sienna is manifesting, making herself visible. Before I can stop her, she appears—translucent, but unmistakable—sitting beside Jovie on the couch.
“You’re not losing it,” Sienna says softly.
Jovie gasps, nearly spilling her coffee.
I stand, stunned by Sienna’s recklessness. Why can’t she ever just follow the plan?
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
But Sienna ignores me as she always does, her focus entirely on Jovie. “I’ve been here. Watching over you both.”
Jovie reaches toward her, then stops, realizing she can’t touch her. “Why didn’t you show yourself sooner? I’ve been seeing glimpses of you for weeks. Bash has been waiting–” She glances at me and stops herself.
Waiting? Waiting for what?
What the fuck are those three hiding?
“It’s complicated,” Sienna says, her spectral voice echoing slightly. “And dangerous. We need to help Bash remember some things, but he’s not ready yet.”
“Remember what?” Jovie asks, but before Sienna can answer, heavy footsteps sound in the hallway outside.
“Hide,” I tell Sienna unnecessarily. She’s already fading from view.
If he realizes what’s happening here, we’re all fucked.
The pounding at my door makes Jovie jump.
