Page 6 of Devastation
A deep chuckle floats through the room at my question. Dropping Ash's cold hand, I whip around to find a tall man shrouded by a dark grey cloak standing in the corner. He's easily the tallest man I've ever seen, and a pit of dread settles into my stomach from just being in his presence.
Stepping forward, he reaches up to pull his hood back, revealing smooth grey skin and piercing orange eyes, eerily similar to the color of flames. He is bald and looks to be around his mid-thirties, which is obviously far from the truth if he’s a god.
After his foreboding laugh and grim appearance, I'm not expecting the toothy grin and peppy greeting that he gives me. "Hello, cousin! My name is Thanatos, and I'll be your tour guide for all things Underworld and River Styx."
He sounds like a terrible theme park worker.
My eyes widen in shock, and I glance around the room to see combinations of confusion and amusement on the faces of my mates.
Of course, Luke chimes in first with his trademark cheekiness. "How much is admission? I seem to have left my purse in another realm." This causes Leo to fake gasp in horror and fan himself as he adds on, "No, not the Louis Vuitton!"
For the first time in so long, my heart feels a little lighter being back with my men, and I don't feel terrible for the smirk that appears on my face in response to their banter.
Hale smacks the twins on the backs of their heads when they try to continue their dramatic charade, and I fix my eyes back on Thanatos. His muscular arms cross over his chest as he scowls at the twins.
Oh no. We've angered the god of death within thirty seconds of meeting him. This is a record that we most definitely should not be proud of.
Just as I'm about to profusely apologize for the twins, Hypnos lets out a soft laugh and walks to clap Thanatos on the shoulder. "I told you that you'd like them!"
The god of death narrows his eyes and mumbles under his breath, just barely audible, "I'm used to being the funniest person in the room. I don't know if I like this, brother."
What the actual flying fuck is going on?
Hypnos chuckles and counters, "It'll be good for you. You'll have to step your game up to hold that title." He guides Thanatos over to me at the same time my mates walk to stand behind me in support. Nyx stays off to the side, perched with her back against the wall and a foot kicked back to support herself.
I don’t know how long I can continue to hold my tongue with her scathing looks and obvious disdain for me. Someone peed in her Cheerios, but it definitely wasn’t me. I strictly pee in toilets. I’m not a heathen.
What’s her deal?
Plastering on what I hope is a welcoming smile—and not one that looks like I'm trying to hide my resting bitch face—I greet the new god. "It's nice to meet you, Thanny! Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter. It means more than we could ever express."
Without responding to me, he scrunches his nose as he looks at Hypnos and mouths, "Thanny?"
My smile drops from my face and I deadpan, "You know I can see you, right?"
His head swivels ever so slowly back to me, and I take a step back in shock at the literal flames that erupt from his eye sockets. "Do I look like someone who should have such a soft nickname?" he growls out.
Mocking an inspection, I take him in from head to toe, walking around him in a slow circle. Rubbing my chin as if in deep thought, I come to a stop in front of him again. Tilting my head far back to look into his still flaming eyes, I chirp, "Yep! Definitely a Thanny."
His shoulders droop slightly as the flames disappear, "Fine, but only because you're family. Don't ever call me that in the underworld though. The last thing I need is them coming up with some stupid rhyme like 'Thanny has a phanny'" as he gestures towards his ass, which is noticably round.
Simultaneously, everyone in the room laughs, even the ice queen, Nyx.
Hmm, I guess she has more than one mode: bitch mode.
Wheezing out between laughs, I admit, "I didn't expect you to be...so...upbeat?"
"Just because I'm the god of death, doesn't mean I don't like to be the life of the party! What a horrid misconception," he grumbles with an oddly adorable pout that makes me want to pat his head.
We collect ourselves, the mood sombering slightly as Thanny smiles tightly and warns, "I know we've made this a fairly light hearted conversation, but this trip does not come without risk, Lana."
In unison, my mates pipe up behind me.
"What risk?"
"Why just Lana? Wherever she goes, we go."
"How severe of a risk?"
