Page 10 of The Brothers Bane

But now, a daughter? And if she’s been here all this time, I have no doubt she’s as much of a wonder as her mother.

Hippolyta’s expression softens just slightly. “Hold onto the belt for now. We can sort that out later. But if you wish for the girl’s sanctuary here, you must make an effort to connect with Ele. She deserves that much from you.”

I can only nod mutely, still reeling from the revelation of my daughter’s—Eleutheria’s—existence. Hippolyta seems to accept my stunned silence as my agreement, continuing in a firmer tone.

“Very well then. Nemea will be welcomed and sheltered among my Amazons for as long as she wishes. You may stay for a week, during which I expect you to spend time with Eleutheria. Get to know the woman she has become.”

Drawing myself up, I meet her unyielding stare. “You have my word, Hippolyta. I will embrace this opportunity.”

A faint smile plays across her lips at that. “We shall see, Alcides.” She pauses, studying me carefully. “Now, tell me truthfully—what are your intentions toward Nemea?”

I hold her gaze. “She is my fated mate, Hippolyta. Our bond has yet to fully form, but it is inevitable that we will join. For her own good, and the safety of humanity, I must be there to guide her burgeoning powers.”

Silence hangs between us, heavy with unspoken thoughts. But even though what love we shared has faded to barely more than a memory, the respect we had for each other remains strong. Finally, Hippolyta gives a curt nod of acceptance.

“Then we have a bargain. Stay true to your word, and the compound will offer sanctuary.” Her eyes glint with a hint of challenge. “Do not squander this chance, Alcides. It may be your last.”

With that parting remark lingering in the air, I take my leave, my mind spinning with the revelations of the past few days. A daughter… a mate… and a precarious future bridled only by my ability to walk the paths set before me.

6

Vesh

Acasino heist wasn’t something I expected to have to pull off, especially not the one my team and I are technically tasked withprotectingfrom break-ins.

“We know the layout of the Pandemonium inside-out, so this should be easy, in theory,” I say, my voice a low rumble echoing off the walls.

Pan snorts, his fingers drumming against the table. Before us, an ultraviolet rendering of the vault itself rotates in mid-air. “And you think just because we manage security at that glitzy hellhole means we can waltz in and take it?”

“Nearly,” I counter. “Chaos might be cunning, but he trusts us to keep his treasures safe. All but one.” My eyes narrow at the thought of the vault—sealed by magic no being, save Chaos himself, can unravel.

“So spill it,” Pan urges, leaning forward. “How do we crack open this nut without drawing his attention?”

I pace before him and the others, my face still throbbing from the beating Pan and Campe gave me. The soreness becomes a distant memory as the plan takes shape.

“There will be no cracking. It’s impervious to damage of any kind. We must coax it open. The vault is enchanted to recognize its master’s essence.”

Pan grins wickedly with understanding. “Are you talkingessence,or…?”

Campe snorts. “He’s not foolish enough to just leave that kind of power laying around, unlikesomepeople.” She eyes Pan, who studiously ignores her.

I stop pacing and face him squarely. “Not to worry. I know just what we need to get it.”

Pan straightens up, interest piqued.

“Chaos’ libido responds to only two things: his bride and his chocolates.”

Pan chuckles darkly. “You plan to seduce his spunk out of him with a chocolate? Because I don’t see you getting under Sybil’s skin.”

“No.” I allow myself a smirk. “We’re going to steal it from under his nose during one of Sybil’s grand soirées.”

Everyone leans closer, eyes brightening with interest. A party is the perfect thing to get them all invested. It’s also the perfect venue to secure the element needed to crack open that vault.

“Please do tell how exactly you propose to get that creature’ssemenwithout him noticing?” Campe asks.

“With your help, my lovely dragon. He isn’t immune to the effects of certain mind-altering substances, and dragon breath is the most mind-altering of them all. You will trick him into believing you’re his bride while the faun distracts his actual bride. We all know how debauched Sybil’s parties can get, so it won’t be an unusual occurrence for her to want a private moment with her mate. Chaos will believe the ruse. And Sybil’s been wanting to get her tentacles into Pan’s pants since the start. Satyrs are her favorite creatures to molest.”

She frowns. “You’re forgetting that I won’t have my full power while I’m piggybacking on one of your clones. Every iteration weakens my magic.”

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