Page 49 of Hell Breaks Loose

Tell’s visit wasn’t nearly enough.

No number of visits from them ever could be.

And I cannot afford to dwell in that place, that deceptive hope.

Sobering almost completely, I sit up, rinsing off the remnants of the slick and bubbles. With the release comes a softening of my resolve, but also clarity.

Gently, I close that door inside myself, shutting off the ache.

I won’t let my heart break again.

Not now.

It’s right then that it clicks.

Right as I hear the shouts outside, the clamor of a car roaring up the driveway and unloading. Rising quickly, I peek out the small window above my tub. It only slides open a few inches, but it’s enough to see that one of the scout cars has returned.

One of the scouts from Sanctum Harbor.

And with no one else here to receive them, to report to…

It’s time for Marco's queen to meet with her soldiers.

8

HELLENA

“Sing, I need you!”

The door bursts in almost immediately.

I knew he would be close by, but geez…

“What’s the matter?” he asks urgently, looking around the room. His eyes come to rest on me.

Right before they nearly bug out of his head and he spins around, facing the door.

“What? Oh! Sorry.” I almost giggle, realizing I’m only wearing panties and a bra, tearing through my closet. “Never seen a nearly naked woman before?”

“Need something?” It almost sounds like he’s grinding his teeth.

“Yes! Call Margaret and tell her I need help getting ready for a meeting.”

Sing turns his head halfway back, enough to give me a questioning look.

“I’ll tell you in a minute. Next, I want you to go down and meet the guys who just came back. Take them to the kitchen. Get them whatever they want. Food. Booze. Then have them unwind in the rec room. Tell them they can relax for a bit.”

I wave him away, turning and bending down into another drawer.

Through my legs, I see him dither, hesitate.

Sing starts to say something, then stops, shaking his head. With another quick glance back at me, definitely not at my cheeky-undies, half-covered butt cheeks, he dashes out.

Can’t blame the guy.

My buns are a force to be reckoned with.

At least now I know he’s human.

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