Page 86 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

“Lose properly,” I finished for him. I cast a glance at Ares through a gap in the feathers of my wings. He eyed me warily, stroking his pursed lips. The idea that this was a test popped into my mind and I knew I was right. Ares was trying to accomplish something here, but I wasn’t sure what. It didn’t matter though. I was going to do what I thought was right.

“Okay,” I said shakily. “Then win.”

Gratitude bled from his eyes and a small smile curled his lips. “If you ever need a favour—”

“Pfft, a favour got me into this mess.”

He chuckled. “Well, if you ever need my help, the offer is there.”

I gave him a single nod and put on my big girl pants. “What do you need me to do?”

Isat back in Ares’ personal suite after the fight being coddled by the guys. Ares hadn’t said anything, and he was still watching me intently.

“Guys, I’m fine,” I said for the hundredth time. I could feel my magic tingling through my veins as it healed all my injuries. I’d had to make Magnus’ win look believable, so I’d let him slam me into the ground a little. I think I broke a few ribs and feeling them knit themselves back together was weird.

To be fair to Magnus, he had offered to heal me afterwards. I still didn’t have a clue what he was doing here in Infernium when his territory was topside, but it wasn’t my place to ask. Handy to have a favour from him in my back pocket though.

“I totally thought you’d win,” Nox said with a pout.

“She should have,” Ares said. “But she was noble.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe, or maybe he caught me by surprise.”

There was a moment’s silence and then Ares broke into laughter. It was loud and deep and rich, like it came from his very soul.

I looked around at five stunned faces. Guess the God didn’t laugh all that often.

“I like you, little god, and I will grant you the request you need.”

“Little god?” I asked.

“Mm-hmm. The power you wield comes from Olympus. You are more than just a witch or a necromancer. You’re also a god.”

“A God?” I asked, struggling to get my brain into gear. We’d known it was possible but I was hoping there was also a chance that I only had the power and was a lesser deity. I’d prefer that. the thought of being anything ‘god-like’ was more than terrifying.

“Yes,” Ares replied. “Well, more like a Demi-God. Your mother was definitely a witch. That power you showed in the arena was more than witchcraft, and I know that time manipulation is rare.”

“That’s what we thought,” Korbin mused. “And why we wanted to visit the Isles.”

“Makes sense,” Ares said before walking over to his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a single sheet of paper. With a flourish he signed it and then presented it to me with a bow. “Your ticket.”

“What about the ceremony and the magic and all the—” the penny dropped. “You asshole!”

Ares laughed again. “Sorry, gorgeous, it was too difficult to resist winding you up.”

Another realisation hit me. “So you didn’t even need me to fight?”

“Nope, but I wanted to see what you could do, and I could sense the barriers you’d set yourself in your mind. I just tested a theory.”

Why was it that I both wanted to punch and hug the guy in one go. On one hand he’d manipulated me into doing what he wanted, and on the other, he’d helped me overcome my own mental wall.

“Thank you,” I said offering my hand.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, engulfing my hand with his much larger one. “And besides, if you are Hades’ sister, that makes you family.”

Oh, fuck. It did. Hades was uncle to Ares so that would make me – gulp – his aunt. Ares chuckled as he followed the thoughts that were no doubt playing across my face. But it wasn’t all bad. I’d gone from having a family that despised me to finding a family that, whilst it was a little unconventional, was much more than I could ever have wished for.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

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