Page 102 of Nemesis

As I watch them, Wolfe watches Kora. His eyes are red tonight, still in performance mode. He holds out his hand, and Kora takes it. She curls into his side, resting her head on his upper arm.

I’m not jealous.

I’m not.

I’m definitely not lonely.

“Reese Avery,” Apollo grits out, turning everyone’s attention to me. “You were with him tonight?”

“And you goaded him into fighting the one guy searching for him.” I exchange a look with Saint. “Then we left them alone together?”

My brother rolls his eyes. “Are you kidding me? Kade was unconscious.”

“How long do you think it takes someone to regain consciousness, idiot?” I snap.

“Okay,” Saint interrupts. “He’s not going to kidnap him from Olympus.”

Well… it’s possible.

The door at the far end, which we entered through, opens. One of their employees pokes his head in, and Jace gives the man a sharp nod. Jace is Hades, and Hades is truly one of the scarier gods. His mask is a skull without the lower jaw, bleached bone-white, with metal horns extending out of the temples. They twist up high over his head, the points glinting even in the low lighting.

His black body paint is smeared across his chest in a familiar, dainty handprint, and I have no doubt they have Kora decorate their flesh before every appearance.

I’m not jealous.

Not of her, but… of having someone who wants to be touched.

Saint extracting his hand from mine flashes in my mind, and I turn away from all of them. I don’t need Saint. If he wants to fight and prove that he can be on his own,fine. If he wants to be an idiot and suffer in silence,fine. If he can’t move on, if he just wants to linger in Nyx’s shadow,fine. I can’t stop him.

I won’t stop him.

Reese is the first to enter, flame mask and outfit he arrived in back in place. I lean against one of the columns, and my heart does this weird extra little flutter. He glances around, clearly confused.

So no one explained it.

Hades, Ares, and Apollo stand in various power poses. It’s intimidating for those who don’t know them. Kora, in her flower mask, is still pressed to Ares’ side. Saint drifts back to me, although he doesn’t say anything.

Doesn’t dare to interrupt.

Some things—like this—are better run on ceremony.

“As the winner, you receive a favor,” Ares says.

Reese glances his way, then mine.

“You cannot ask for anything to do with my sister,” Apollo adds.

I sigh.

“You can’t blame him,” Saint says under his breath. Just for my ears. “After what happened with Kade…”

That was a disaster. On my birthday, no less.

“You came after me.” I look at him. “I didn’t say thank you for that, did I?”

He grunts. “I was ordered to.”

“We lost you. You didn’t have to?—”

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