Page 92 of Dead End

Power. They were always in search of a way to expand their influence.

Which meant they needed a clear path to invade all theother realms. And now, by manipulating me into leaving Fairhaven, they had one. A multirealm crossroads, the only one of its kind, and without a liminal deity to protect it.

I tore off the silk pajamas and changed into the first outfit I found in the wardrobe. There was no time to spare. I sprinted through the palace until I reached the recovery room that housed my parents. I hated to leave them so soon, but after all they’d sacrificed, I knew they, of all gods, would understand.

“I remember everything,” I told them. “The Arae. My death. I know why you left.” I moved closer to their beds. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known what would happen.”

My father clutched his chest. “You have no idea what it means to hear you say that.”

I bent down and kissed his forehead. “I’ve forgiven you. Now you need to forgive yourself.” I hurried over to my mother and kissed her, too. “You’re going to have to sweet-talk Hestia for me.”

My father peered at me with interest. “Why? Where are you going?”

“To save the worlds.”

My mother clutched my arm. “Don’t go back there, Melinoe. If The Corporation captures you… I can’t bear to lose you again.”

“If I don’t go back now, this will never end. Someone has to break the cycle. If that someone is me, then so be it.”

“If you wait until we’re stronger…” my father began.

“I appreciate the offer, but there’s no time. I think I know what their plan is, and if I’m right, I’ve already lost precious ground.” I hugged my mother tightly. “I love you. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I love you, too, daughter.”

Nana Pratt’s words floated to the surface.You have everyright to be yourself, no more and no less. Of course it would help if you figure out exactly who that is first.

Daughter. Inamorata. Friend. Goddess. I was all of those things, yes, but no single one of them defined me. Strip one away and I was still myself.

I felt a quiet strength building inside me as I fled the palace. I finally knew exactly who I was and what I had to do.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Hope carriedme all the way to the Castle. The house looked intact. Even the roof tiles broken by Ziz had been fixed. Ray must’ve done that before he crossed over. A fixer to the very end.

I dashed through the gate and over the bridge, waving to the moat as I passed. “Hello, you beautiful body of water.”

The front door opened, and I ran straight into Kane’s arms. His mouth found mine, and I pressed the length of my body against his broad frame. His lips tasted like blueberries. Merciful gods. I was home.

“My parents are alive, Kane.” My voice cracked. “They’re alive.” I grabbed his arms and pulled him in for another jubilant kiss.

“I’ve heard of dinner and a show, but not breakfast and a show.”

I broke off the kiss to see Goran standing in the foyer, holding a bowl of cereal. He was clad in plaid boxers and a Dallas Cowboys T-shirt.

“I don’t recommend wearing that shirt outside,” I said.

“It’s only for sleeping in. Got it at the thrift store for a dollar.”

“You overpaid,” I said.

Kane held my waist, as though I might leave again. “Tell me about your parents.”

“I will, in great and annoying detail, but we have bigger priorities right now. The Corporation is coming.”

Goran shoveled a spoonful of cereal in his mouth. “Isn’t that the reason you left?” His words were garbled but intelligible.

“They wanted me to leave; that was their plan. What they really wanted is control of the crossroads.”

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