Page 46 of Immortal Sun

She looks around the room and does a double take.

Apep sits to my right, Enki to my left, Inti at the end looking irritated and bored as hell next to Kratos.

The sea brought him back, fucking hilarious. It never keeps him for long despite how many things he does for the world. I hope his swim was refreshing, even if he’ll never find what he’s searching for, even if he will never tell us what he failed and why.

He puts his boots up on the table and leans back. “We doing this or what?”

“I do love family reunions.” I laugh.

Apep sends me a glare while Enki just pours more wine.

I can see she’s confused since most of these people hate me, but whatever. I don’t have time to explain, neither do they. Plus, it wouldn’t change anything.

“Yes, please sit.” Apep starts to stand, but I beat him to it and grab her chair on the opposite end, yanking it out.

Cleo sits.

I hand her a silver goblet of wine, different from the night before for different guests.

She frowns slightly, then lifts it to her lips.

After all, when you have certain guests with preferences…

I jerk my leather chair back and sit down then grab my own goblet. “A toast to Cleo’s first day taking a full look around this lovely town.”

Enki bursts out laughing then abruptly sobers. “Oh, sorry, I thought it was a joke.”

He grunts as someone, most likely Apep, kicks him under the table.

He mouths, “What?”

Kratos sighs into his glass after toasting, like he’s been there, done that.

Same.

“Anyway, tonight we have salmon grilled with?—”

Apep raises his hand for me to stop talking making me want to strangle him again.

“Sounds great.” He shoots me a pointed stare.

I give him one back.

Kratos clears his throat. “So, Cleo, how did you enjoy your first day? Anything interesting? I mean, if you have any questions we’re all well versed on the subject matter.”

I glare at Kratos, wanting to throw the wine glass at his head but resist. What game is he playing?

“I didn’t realize…” She starts, then glances to me as if fitting puzzle pieces together. “I guess it would make sense, with all the research available here.”

“Yeah, research. “ Apep takes a sip of wine and smirks.

Krato’s nods. “I’ve done decades of research, in fact most of us have dabbled in one way or another, so did you find anything…fascinating?”

Oh hell, here we go.

Everyone watches as plates are delivered to the table.

Cleo doesn’t grab her fork. Instead, she glances down at the salmon then looks directly up at me. “Why did the gods agree to trials of humanity?

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