Page 8 of Deadly Games
“You’re the one who’s deluded,” she spat.
“Why would Cronus want to frame Ares?” I asked, desperate to get them back on target and further away from tearing into each other’s throats.
“Because he thought Ares was a threat to his rule,” Kore answered without hesitation. I could tell from the glint in her eyes that she actually believed what she was saying, despite her insistence to the contrary, and I was starting to wonder myself. I’d put nothing past Cronus. Certainly not subterfuge. “Apparently, there was a prophecy that suggested as much.”
“A prophecy?” The incredulity in Hades’ tone belied the concern in his gaze. “What are you on about now?”
“A seer prophesied that Death would choose another to favor more than Cronus, and his reign would end,” she replied.
“That’s ridiculous,” said Hades.
“Is it?” I challenged. Before he could kill me, I laid out my reasoning. “He’s always been secretive about the banishment. Usually he likes to flay the sins of his enemies for all to see.”
Hades was still scowling, but I could tell the gears were turning in his mind. “What you’re talking about would be the biggest scandal of the millennia.”
“And if it’s true, imagine how convenient that would be,” I said pointedly.
“Convenient?” asked Kore. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing,” Hades said, shooting me a warning look.
“No,” she said, standing between us even though she turned to face me. I’d clearly been isolated as the weaker link in the chain. “That meant something and I want to know what it was.”
After a moment’s hesitation, I gave Hades an apologetic glance. “She’s on our side one way or another, Hades. With the bond, she doesn’t have a choice.”
“On your side?” Her eyes narrowed as she looked between us, appraising. It was a damn good thing she wasn’t telepathic because she already seemed capable enough of reading minds. “For what?”
“A coup,” I answered. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know damn well you can’t kill me, and she can’t do anything that would put our lives at risk without killing herself.”
Hades was still fuming, but he looked away in defeat.
“What are you talking about?” Kore demanded. “What kind of coup?” Her eyes widened as the realization set in and she turned back to Hades. “Against your father?”
He looked at me and I could practically hear his voice.Now see what you’ve done?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.
“Why would I?” Hades challenged. “You’re my intended, and Demeter’s brat no less. Your mother is just another fawning goddess who’d kill for the chance to do his bidding.”
“You don’t know shit about my mother,” she hissed. “And you say her name again, you’ll be swallowing your teeth.”
He rolled his eyes, even though I could tell from her clenched fists she was dangerously close to making good on that threat. At least the vines weren’t out yet. Small wonders.
“Let’s say what Ares told you is true,” Hades began, drawing his words out slowly like he was speaking to a child. “Your mother must have known something, and yet she agreed to sell you off to the man who banished your father.”
Kore fell silent and I could tell from the stunned look on her face it was the first time such a thought had occurred to her. Denial had a way of clouding even the sharpest of minds. Usually when Hades unleashed his sharp tongue on one of our victims, I felt nothing other than the odd glimmer of amusement, but the anger that roiled in my gut on her behalf was as new as it was unsettling.
“Alright, I think that’s enough for one day,” I interjected. “We’re all tired, and the more alert we are, the better we’ll be able to deal with all this shit tomorrow.”
For a moment, neither of them responded. They just remained locked in a staring contest that was dripping with equal parts hate and lust I doubted they even knew was there. The one seemed to feed off the other. Finally, they parted ways and while Kore threw back the covers, Hades made a point of dropping dramatically onto the sofa by the window.
I sighed, walking over to the other side of the bed to settle in for what promised to be a long night. Why was I always surrounded by idiots?
Chapter 5
Kore
Usually anger was the one emotion that kept me up at night more than any other, but it took a shamefully short amount of time to pass out. I was exhausted, both physically and mentally, from the journey and the bizarre revelation it had led me to.
