Page 161 of Visions & Shadows

I watch as he spreads cream cheese on the toast, and even though I’m not hungry, I take it from him and eat.

“Good girl,” Raighne murmurs, the corner of his mouth lifting.

My eyebrow flies up while my abdomen clenches hard. “Now look who’s the distraction.”

He lets out a chuckle and shakes his head while leaning back against the counter.

I watch as he drinks some of the coffee, then ask, “How old was Ares when he and Adeth turned dark?”

“It happened after my mother’s death,” Raighne answers. “Give or take forty years ago.”

I blink at Raighne as I try to comprehend what he’s saying. “Forty years? How old is Ares?”

“One hundred and ninety-eight.”

“What?” I gasp, my eyebrows flying into my hairline. Then, another thought pops into my mind. “How old are you?”

Raighne chuckles again, the sound hot. “Do you really want to know?”

My head bobs up and down, my coffee and toast totally forgotten in my hands.

“Two hundred and four.”

“Holy shit,” I gasp. “But you don’t look older than thirty.”

“As immortals, we age differently. Janak is over five thousand years old.”

“It’s way too fucking early to hear this shit,” Dylan mutters as he comes into the kitchen.

Still processing what Raighne told me, I just smile at Dylan as he fixes himself a cup of black coffee.

“You okay?”Raighne asks.

“Yep. Just processing the fact that you’re a hundred and eighty-three yearsolder than me.”

He walks closer to me, and, taking hold of my chin, he forces me to make eye contact with him. With a serious expression that only makes him look even more attractive, he asks,“Is it a problem?”

Shaking my head, I murmur,“No.”

“Good,”he sighs before pressing a kiss to my forehead.“Finish your coffee and toast.”

After everyone’s awake and has had a chance to freshen up, we meet in the living room.

I glance at my chosen ones, then ask, “Why can’t we send them to Vaalbara before collecting the last four?”

“Awo has commanded it,” Brenna answers. “I think it’s so they’ll get to know each other through the worst of times and form a bond.”

“Lucky us,” Jason mutters from where he’s standing beside Sarah.

“Where are we going next?” Griffith asks.

“Nepal,” I say. “Somewhere near Mount Vesuvius.” I suck in a deep breath before I break the bad news to the group. “The volcano is erupting, so we’re heading into a disaster zone.” Concerned for the chosen one’s safety, I say, “Maybe you can all wait here while Raighne and I go with Ares.”

“It’s too risky,” Griffith replies. “It’s better if we don’t separate from each other.”

I sigh, not liking the idea one bit of taking the chosen ones into a disaster area. Looking at Sarah, I say, “If we have to run, Finian and Brenna will help you so you don’t fall behind.”

Sarah nods. “I’m sorry I’m not stronger.”

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