Page 67 of Incubus

“I-I have to work.” I made my retreat, though it took every ounce of willpower in my body to walk away from him. If I turned to look into his midnight eyes, I’d be lost.

“I’ll see you later tonight.” Another lie.

“I’ll be waiting.” His voice followed me, his sinful tone making erotic promises that sent a shiver down my spine.

I hurried to my room, closed the door, and leaned my head against the cool wood. Flashbacks from my time with Roth kept playing through my mind, and even thoughts of the darkest valley in Thrace couldn’t block them out. He’d been so tender with me, even trying to hold back, fearing he’d lose control.

I bounced my head against the mahogany, cursing myself. But there was no need. I was already cursed. Because now I knew the truth. A bitter chuckle escaped me as the Oracle’s words careened around in my head. “Sacrifice,” she’d told me. That was the only way I could achieve my heart’s desire. And at this very moment, I desired nothing more than to keep Roth as far from Ares as possible.

I’d come to care for him so intensely that just the thought of him in Ares’s clutches turned my stomach. But keeping Roth safe would require a sacrifice. One that I only now realized would be of my own flesh and blood.

I would never give Roth to Ares, couldn’t bring myself to even consider it anymore. I was caught in a trap of my own making, and there was only one clear way out of it.

I toyed briefly with the idea of telling Roth, but I couldn’t. I was too ashamed of what I’d done and too afraid Roth would do something stupid to try and save me. There was no bargaining with the gods, especially the bloody Ares.

My mind was made up. If I had to go down, I would go down fighting, even if it meant angering the gods. My blood would surely flow, but not before I got a piece of Ares. By my count, I had two more days before the hourglass would empty and Ares would come for me.

It didn’t matter.

I wouldn’t wait around for the god of war to claim me. I would take the fight to him.

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