Page 23 of Gods' Battleground

But before I could outline my totally awesome plan to save Bella, there was a resounding crash, like lightning striking. And then Faris was standing right in front of me, decked out in a set of navy and silver velvet robes. He always had to make an entrance.

“What are you doing here?” I sighed.

He casually flicked a wayward strand of lightning off his sleeve. “I’ve been watching you, Leda,” he said smoothly.

Of course he was.

Faris’s gaze honed in on Vertigo. “I’m here to collect my property.”

CHAPTER 8

KINGS AND GODS

Ihit Faris with a big, wide grin. “Why, hello, dearest Father, how nice of you to drop by! So glad to see you again!”

He countered my smile with a scowl. “What are you rambling on about?”

“Rambling? You wound me, Father.” I set my hand over my heart. “It’s not rambling. It’s called following the protocols of polite society.”

His eyes were suspicious, his jaw set. “Youneverfollow protocol.”

I laughed. “Says the one who teleported into my office unannounced. I’m sooo tempted to tell Alec to put you on my security system’s black list.”

His eyes met mine, narrowing. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I planted my hands on my hips. “Try me, Pops.”

We stood there for a while, stares crossed, horns locked. Faris blinked first.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he huffed. “I grow impatient of waiting, Leda. Return my property to me at once.”

“And by ‘property’, I assume you’re referring to Vertigo?”

The telepath was cowering behind me. I could feel her shaking and trembling. Every so often, there was even a whimper.

“You know very well what I mean,” Faris snapped at me. “Now stop playing games.”

Said the right one. Daddy Dearest only ever played games.

“This could take a while,” I sighed, glancing at my family. “Hey, guys, you want to head on down to the canteen? I heard today they’re serving an afternoon snack of waffles and hot chocolate.”

Calli got the hint immediately. “We should definitely check that out,” she told Tessa and Gin.

Gin gave Vertigo a kind smile. “Hey, you hungry?”

Vertigo’s lip trembled. She couldn’t stop staring at Faris.

Tessa hooked her arm in Vertigo’s. “Come on, let’s go. You look like you could use a decent meal.”

I wanted to hug them. I hadn’t even told them the full scoop on who Vertigo was or why she was here. I hadn’t had to say anything at all. They just sensed that I needed them to get her away from Faris.

When we were finally alone, Faris said, “What manner of mischief are you up to this time, child?”

I reflected his evil eye right back at him. “I am keeping Vertigo,” I said, folding my arms over my chest.

“What?” Faris growled, incredulous.

“You heard me. She’s mine.”

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