Page 120 of Spellbound
Their eyes hollowed to a deep matte black, void of emotion.
One rushed me at a speed half of mine. With a flick of my wrist, she twirled and flung through the air, then landed on her back. She stood and let out a low growl. They both ran at me. I extended my arms, lowering myself to their level, and held my fingers out to reach their tiny necks. I grabbed them both by their throats and flung them back through the crops with a skull-crunching thud.
I heard movement behind me. Turning, I looked out past the crop field and saw Raiden standing, hands in his pockets, on a slight hill.
I ran toward him, looking back over my shoulder at the crop field. “That was insane.”
His hard tone sent goose bumps along my skin. “What the fuck, Elle?” He grabbed my arm, and my wrist turned under his strong grip. “You’re indestructible. Did you even feel that?”
My eyebrows pinched downward. “Was it supposed to hurt?”
“Yes.” He let out a low growl. “What did you do?”
I closed my eyes briefly. How could I tell him I’d taken his sister’s place? That I’d pulled a Freya, in a way.
He took my hands in his, his gaze burning into mine. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?” He ran his finger along my arm but stopped at my collar bone. “Lucius is still here. This is his domain.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “Aren’t you—wait, what?”
“Get out of here, Elle. This isn’t the time to be a hero.”
I swallowed thickly. “You’re upset because I’m in the underworld?”
“Yes.”
“Not that I’m a goddess?”
His jaw clenched. “I’m not happy about it, but I assume it means you killed Freya.”
“I’m sorry.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Why are you sorry?” His lips parted, knowing flashing in his eyes. “You think I’m upset because of Leda.”
I looked to my left, then back at him. “Well, yes.”
“If you managed to kill her, then it means you were in danger and took the chance. I’m not mad because of that. I’m upset you’ve been forced into immortality, but mostly I’m angry because you came down here when—” A thunderous boom halted his next words. “It’s Lucius.”
My brain faltered. “You’re not going to kill me then?”
He grabbed my hands in his, intensity rippling through our touch. “Elle, I would never, ever hurt you. Did you really think I would?”
His pained gaze shot through my chest. “It’s your sister,” I explained. “I know you want her to come back to our world.”
“I’m not thinking that far ahead.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. “You need to get out of here. Go back to Istinia. Aziel is coming, and Lucius isn’t far behind. If he sees you here, he’ll try to kill you. He’ll know you’re a goddess.”
My heart skipped a beat. I grabbed his hand before he could run away. “Not this time. I can catch you now.”
A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “Leave.”
“No.” I pulled him back to me. “I’ve come to help you.”
“I don’t need your help.” His gaze softened. “Please, Elle. Don’t do this to me.”
“I have to,” I said slowly. “I can’t leave you here. I need you.”
He hesitated. “Elle.”
“Alexander has my sister.”
