Page 30 of Right Hand Of The Reaper
Helios started to walk backwards. “I can’t say more, Roux. Thank you for the kiss, it means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“Helios! Don’t you walk away from me! Don’t you disappear—” But it was too late. He vanished into thin air leaving me with more fucking questions.
Chapter Twelve
Roux
Hadeswaspissed.Hewas ignoring me at the moment, but I could see the muscle twitching in his jaw, and I don’t think I was imagining the audible grind of his teeth.
I’d just told him what I’d been up to, about the conversations with the Fates, and the trip to Olympus. I didn’t mention the kiss with Helios, but I did tell him about the chat we’d had. Since I’d stopped talking, he’d barely acknowledged me. I gnawed at the inside of my cheek as I watched him pathetically attempt to distract himself with stupid paperwork.
I squirmed in my seat, the wooden chair creaking beneath me and Hades snapped his pen between his long fingers.
I winced. “Sorry.”
“Did I say you could speak?” he snarled.
Oh, boy. Maybe I should make a run for it? My eyes darted to the door, but Hades caught me looking.
“Come here.” His tone brooked no argument. Shit.
I stood and walked over to his desk, dragging my feet behind me. I’d never seen him this angry. Even when I’d accidentally broken the arm of his favourite Royal Guardsman. That was totally his fault, by the way.
Hades stood from his chair and fuck, the look in his eyes told me he was going to kill me. That he was going to enjoy cutting me up into tiny little pieces and scatter my remains in all different parts of the world.
I totally should have made a run for it.
I stopped when I was directly in front of him. His chest was rising with deep, measured breaths and I knew he was trying his best to stay calm.
“Sooo….” I started.
He held up his hand, cutting me off. “How could you be so stupid?! What would possess you to bargain something of that magnitude with the Fates?”
“Now hold on a minute, big fella. That’s up to me to decide. I made that deal with my eyes wide open, and I would do it again if it meant helping someone I care about.” What an asshole, trying to lord it over me like a king — which he was, but that was beside the point.
“What if they make you do something illegal? Or immoral? What then? You can’t say no. Did you eventhinkto add stipulations to your favour?”
I shut my mouth. He might have a point there.
“For fucks sake, Roux.”
I winced again. “I know! I know, but I was thinking about saving Thane and you weren’t going to help me! You’re just swanning over everyone like you’re king of the fucking world—”
“I am the king!”
“—when you should be helping me! Thane is one of you! He’s a God and you’re what? Just going to let him be framed by Zeus?”
“You don’t know that,” Hades said, but he didn’t seem entirely convinced.
“Then help me!” I squared up to him. “Prove me wrong. Or are you too chickenshit to even try.”
“How dare you!” he roared, the fire in his eyes blazing so intently I could feel the heat brush my face. “You don’t know the first thing about what I do, about the secrets I keep or the plans I have underway. You havenoidea, Roux, and I am not going to share them with you.”
“Well, isn’t that just fucking convenient. Keep your secrets and whatever else you’re hiding. I don’t need your help. I’m going to find Thane without you.” Then I turned my back on him and started to walk away.
“Roux. Do not walk away from me,” he shouted. “You will stay here and listen to me!”
“Make me,” I threw over my shoulder with a snarl before continuing with my exit.
