Page 83 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

He tipped his head to one side, his eyes bright with mirth. “Depends on the favour.”

Of course it did. Well, here goes…

“We need to get into the Isles of the Blessed.”

Ares spat his drink out in shock. “The fuck? What the hell do you want to go there for?”

I inwardly gave myself a high five over the fact that I’d made him lose his cool, even if it was just for a moment and I think it made me like him a little more. That he wasn’t quite as infallible as he made himself seem.

“I need to talk to Cronus.”

“The Titan?”

“Surely you know who Cronus is?”

“Yes,” he snapped, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I’m just confused as to why.”

I placed my glass on the table next to me. “You don’t need to know why; you just need to tell me if you can get me in there.”

He scoffed at my demand. “Of course I can do it.”

“Excellent. Now then, if you’ll just—”

“Ah ah,” he interrupted, “not so fast. It’s a pretty big favour you’re asking. I can’t just give you a day pass so you can go on your merry way.”

“You can’t?” Disappointment flared in my chest because that was exactly what I’d been hoping for. That it was literally just as easy as going up to the gates with a ticket.

“Nope,” he said popping the ‘p’. “There’s a whole ceremony involved and magic and all sorts of other mundane shit. And you’re tied to the Underworld. And that makes it even harder.”

“So, you, an almighty and powerful God, can’t do it?”

“Hey now, don’t go questioning my fallibility. What I’m saying is that what you’re asking for is more than just a ‘favour’.”

“So what do you want in return?”

His smile was instant. “Now that’s the question.”

For fuck’s sake. What the hell was I getting myself into now?

“It just so happens that I need a challenger to take part in the ring this evening.”

“And you want me?” I had no idea how to fight and I was still trying to get my magic to cooperate with me. “Why?”

“Because, gorgeous, the king of the vampires wants someone new, and I only have seasoned champions he’s seen fight before. And something tells me there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye.”

“Absolutely not.” Hawk materialised out of thin air to stand by my side. “There’s no way she’s fighting in there.”

“With all due respect, Varujan, I didn’t ask you.” Ares’ voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “And besides, it’s just one fight. All she’d have to do is survive.”

“It’s me you owe the favour to. I’ll fight,” Hawk hissed. “And don’t call me that.”

Ares rolled his eyes. “Sorry, Hawk. The answer’s no. It’s Raevyn or no one and no deal.”

The God’s eyes met mine and something within me snapped into place. I could do this. I didn’t know how, didn’t really care, but something took up residence in my core and made me believe that I could take on a vampire and win. Maybe it was insanity, or maybe it was me finally believing I was capable of more than I thought possible. Or maybe I just wanted to wipe that smug look off Ares’ face. “I’ll do it.”

“Draguta, you don’t have to.” Hawk cupped my jaw and tipped my chin up.

“I know. I want to.” And I did. I really fucking did.

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