Page 126 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“There's something wrong with all of us. What makes you so special?” I like the way Minos manages to downplay bad things and act like it’s annoying rather than something dark.

I clear my throat. “Alcohol, please.” I hold my hand out, and Minos takes a beat, peering at me before obliging. I practically chug half of the bottle from my nerves, and he takes it away again, setting it on the table.

“Tell me,” he says gently.

“Did you know Killian is a Remnant?”

He doesn’t seem shocked, more like he is gratified that a suspicion has been confirmed. His large body shifts. He laces his fingers and sets his massive elbows on his knees, leaning forward. “I had an inkling.”

“Where do you think Aedon is?” I need to talk to my husband. I’m not even sure how to say it. I haven’t processed that Killian is even alive, yet, but Aedon is going to want answers.

“He evaded the guards.”

If he evaded them then he wanted to. He wanted to be away from me. He could even be talking to Eris right now. I stand up abruptly, knocking over the bottle, and the liquor drips off the table. I don’t care. Not right now. Too much is happening all at once. I can’t go outside in fear of Killian accosting me, and I can’t stay right here. I feel the anger and grief bubbling inside of me again, and I don’t want that sort of attention here or ever.

Aedon’s absence is weighing on me, and now I know why he choked Minos out while he was looking for me. I can’t go anywhere, so I head to the fencing on the balcony and lean over it. I scan the crowd for Aedon or Killian.

I’m vaguely aware of Minos placing himself next to me and the guard shifting to make room for him. The shock is starting to wear off and turn itself into expectation. Killian is alive, and while I could change that, I won’t. I could use it though. He gave me the Grimoire and spent years watching over me. He wanted to run that night, and only he knows why.

Could Kate be alive, too? If she is, that complicates things further. Here I was an idiot thinking I could escape my demons. I thought I could be happy. Not a fucking chance. I could ignore Killian completely and move on about my life, but something tells me that would only be a bandage. Deep down I want to see him again. Not because I want him, but because I'm curious. Curiosity killed the cat, but I’ve always liked to dance around death. I’ve made it this far.

My brain feels like it’s melting. There are too many factors, and I’m a little drunk. The first thing I need to do is talk to Aedon, and he’s nowhere to be found. I’m full-on spiraling.

“Where did Hades and Persephone go?” I’ve finally realized they're gone, too.

“Home,” Minos sighs. “They slipped out once everyone got drunk.”

“Lucky them.”

“Car is waiting,” Aedon’s voice cuts through the sounds of the partygoers. My heart is thrown for a loop laced with dread. “We’ll go out the back. You have your own car, Minos.”

I’m grateful to see him, but I’m also angry and nervous. He looks pissed. There are no smirks or glittering eyes that look like they could eat me alive.

“Where were you?” I immediately ask.

“Settling some things.” He brushes a lock of hair behind my ear, still distant. “Let’s go. I’ve had enough of this dreadful affair.”

My body is exhausted. I could have handled Eris, but Killian was too much. He rushes me down the secret staircase Hades had led me through. We pass through the auction room, which is empty. Then he puts me into a car that looks just like the one we arrived in. Once we’re settled and the partition is up, it feels safe. Like we’ve cheated death another day. The tense atmosphere tells me we’re about to fight.

“Are you mad at me?” I ask.

“I’m not angry with you, love. I’m concerned.”

“Where were you? Off with Eris?” Ridiculous. It’s a jealous thing to say, but I can’t help it.

He chuckles and the adoration I’m used to returns to his face. He pulls my head into his lap and strokes my hair absentmindedly. I didn’t realize it, but seeing Killian was sort of fucking traumatizing. Aedon figured that out before I did.

“She’s fucking feral,” I finally complain about Eris, completely avoiding the subject of Killain.

“You are feral. She is a vindictive creature of the deep.” He lays his head back against the seat.

“You slept with her,” I argue.

“Is that what you think I was doing?”

It sounds really stupid when he puts it like that, but I’m not ready to let it go. “Then tell me what you were doing.”

“Jealousy looks good on you, love.” He has the ghost of a smirk, but he’s still in his head running with his thoughts.

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