Page 33 of Insatiable

"In a few days when you are up and on your feet, we’re going to find Hades and persuade him to let us back in the games,” Juliette says with a determined look.

“Oh, and how do you propose we do that?” I ask, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

"I don't know yet," she admits, "but I’ll think of something. Rest up for now, because we’re getting out of this shithole and on to better things."

16

I’M OUT

FELIX

“I’m out!” I storm into the canteen, catching Hades’ attention. Even seated, his presence is imposing, his dark eyes flicking up at me with mild surprise.

“You’re out?” His deep voice carries an undertone of curiosity.

“Of the games. Out. I cheated.” I steal a quick glance at Twila, who arches her eyebrows in surprise at my blunt admission. “I want Rowena to take my place, like when Quinn took Twila’s in Purgatory.”

Hades leans back, eyes narrowing as he studies me. I can practically see him weighing his options. What could he say? He can’t bend the rules for one person just because he wants to spend eternity with her and not do the same for me.

“You cheated? You understand that admitting to that will have... very grave consequences.”

I meet his gaze without hesitation. “And I’ll take them all. Just put Rowena back in the games.”

“You’ve treated Ro like shit since the moment you met her. Why the sudden turnaround?” Twila pipes up.

I turn toward her, the weight of her words stinging more than I’d care to admit. "Because..." My throat tightens, the reasons jumbling together in my mind. It’s hard to put it all into words, to admit that the person I’ve been dismissing might actually mean something.

"I’ve been a coward," I admit quietly, forcing myself to meet Twila's eyes. "But that doesn’t mean Ro deserves to be out of the games. She’s better than me. She deserves a chance."

Hades' eyes narrow further, his expression inscrutable as he watches the exchange. After a long, tense moment, he rises to his full height, towering over us. "Very well. If you insist on taking Rowena's place, then so be it. But know this - the consequences of cheating in my games are not to be taken lightly."

A shiver runs down my spine at the ominous warning, but I refuse to back down. I nod, holding his gaze steadily. "I understand. I'm ready to face whatever comes."

“There you are,” Anthura purrs, suddenly appearing from nowhere and linking her arm with mine. She flashes me a warning stare and digs her sharp talons into my arm, before smiling at Hades. “I thought I’d lost you. I know how upset you’ve been about the baby.”

“He says he cheated and wants out of the games, Anthura,” Hades says.

“Nonsense.” Anthura digs her nails in deeper and smiles more widely at Hades. “He accidentally got some of Rowena’s meds. There was a mixup in the hospital. Sedatives or something. Don’t listen to a word he said. He’s probably hallucinating.”

“Anthura,” I caution, but her nails are digging in to my flesh so hard, I can feel blood trickling down my wrist.

“Don’t say another word. We need you to get you back to your room.” She shakes her head dismissively. “He didn’t cheat. He’s just confused, aren’t you?”

“I’m not…” I can’t say another word as a flash of heat runs up my arm, scorching it. “See?” Anthura trills. “He’s still in the games. Now come with me before you fall over, Felix.”

She’s shorter than me, but her strength surpasses mine as she drags me away from a confused looking Hades and Twila. It’s not helping that my arm feels like it’s on fire.

Anthura doesn’t say a word all the way up on the platform but the second her apartment door closes, she lets rip.

“What the actual fuck are you thinking? Have you gone completely insane?”

“Me?” I rage at her, pulling my sleeve up to find my right arm red and blistered, with four puncture marks just above the wrist. “You burned me, you heinous bitch.”

"Having you simpering after that freak is one thing, but putting me in danger?" Anthura's voice drips with venom. "That's something you're going to come to regret, Felix Barclay. What did you tell Hades?"

"I didn’t even mention you," I shout back.

Anthura laughs bitterly, a sound that sends chills down my spine. "You're not that fucking bright to be able to cheat by yourself. Of course, they'll know I helped you. And for what? So you can go crawling back to that freak?"

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