Page 59 of Immortal Sun

Apep Kaos

Family, should always be together, don’t you think?

Me

Yes.

Apep Kaos

Try to stay out of trouble, I’ll text you if I have any updates, and don’t touch the spear unless you want Cyrus to yell at you, and have to be the one to remove it.

Me

Done.

Apep Kaos

Have a lovely evening, Cleo. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.

I yawn, gather my things, and take up Cyrus’s suggestion. I’ll go nap for a bit, and then I’ll join him for dinner—punctually, at seven. I shiver when I think about us being alone. Part of me craves it the other part tells me to run. .

I don’t know what switch flipped in his head, but I have a sinking feeling it’s my fault. And that he’s going to be more than happy to let me know why me, the new guest of the house, is getting on his nerves.

I don’t know what I did wrong.

I’m sure I’m going to find out at dinner.

CHAPTER 13

CYRUS

“If you are fated, it doesn’t matter if you choose or not. You simply have the illusion of being free to choose.” –Ivar, Vikings

I’m still reeling over the fact that she was alone with Apep. I have no idea why he’s taken a sudden interest in her when he knows he can’t do shit. Probably just to mess with my head.

Of course he’s getting brazen since she’s the last one. God, I wish I could kill him without throwing my world into more chaos, though sometimes I think it might be worth it.

I grip my phone in hand and stare down at all the missed text messages, most of them discussing the last two weeks, meeting times, and peppering me with questions about our missing intern on top of asking how his sister is dealing with all of this.

Don’t even get me started on the stupid text thread that Anubis started. If I never have to talk to another immortal from Seattle again, I’d be thrilled. I get that they keep the peace between immortals and humans and are guardians of sort from every species but they’re just so---nosey. It’s almost like they want me to fail so I can stay here with them. I get that Horus is here, in fact I haven’t seen him in ages but he has his own life and part of me is slightly terrified that if I get too close and see what he has—I’ll want it too.

I’m irritated, so when Cleo finally does walk into the dining room, or half walks half stumbles. I want to yell at her, shake her until she understands how much danger she’s in from simply existing.

How much danger I’m in for wanting what I shouldn’t have.

“Don’t talk to him,” Is the first thing I grate out. “Apep, he’s not a nice man.”

She scowls and walks over to her usual seat. “He was actually really nice. He offered to help me find my?—”

“Brother,” I finish for her. “Like I told you, he took a leave of absence. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it.”

Irritation washes over her features.

“Trust me, he was in good spirits and he did say he tends to go off grid sometimes. And our original contract is still intact. Trust me when I say, he’s fine. Give it another week and if we still can’t locate him, I’ll have them further the search. The problem is he notified us when he started that if he discovered something he’d go off grid. I have it in writing to protect everyone involved. There is no law against people making their own choices, Cleo.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “I know, I just. I’m worried.”

“It’s okay to be worried.”

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