Page 3 of Thanatos' Craving

Ember smirked. “I’m surprised my brother didn’t contact me directly. Or did you have something to do with that?”

“I did. His Majesty does not want you overwhelmed and asked me to take care of this side of your projects. I’ve handled it accordingly.” I waved my hand in dismissal.

“It’s my home pack,” she argued. “I’m telling you now, Thanatos. From now on, if you hear from my brother, you tell me.” Technically, she should be the alpha of the pack, but she came to live with Hades to be his mate and queen of theUnderworld. She gave up the title to her brother, who can run it himself after their father trained him.

“Understood.” I bowed my head.

“Let me know of the alpha’s name who reported it, and we will send him a gift.” Ember set her glass down and leaned back into the sofa. “When do you plan to attack?”

I gazed around the garden, and then I heard high pitch giggles coming toward us.

“Isn’t so simple,” I replied. “Strong wards guard it heavily. I’m guessing a powerful entity shields it, and I do not believe this is the only strip club to their name. I’d like to gather more intel before I completely shut it down.”

Ember frowned. “And we let the women suffer while they are there?”

I tilted my head. “Wouldn’t they want to end any other women from being taken? If I could have more time, I could save more.”

Ember pressed her lips together, and the sphere grew brighter from the table. She tapped her finger on her leg. The sphere floated into her hand and sat on her lap. She gazed into it and let her finger roam across it. “There is one soul that won’t last the night.”

My boned hand ran up and down the cracked wood of my scythe. “It is one life, and she will be finally free of pain and suffering. She will be at peace. I will make sure the reaper that collects her soul will take her to the Elysium fields for her bravery,” I reasoned.

Ember narrowed her eyes. “No. Not this one,” she growled.

Her Majesty never growled at me. Yet here she was, her claws lengthened and her hair turned to fur. I tilted my head and saw this new emotion in her that I had never seen. Her anger.

I knew the emotion well, but it was different seeing it in someone so small and female.

“But why? What makes this female special?” I tilted my head.

Ember’s eyebrows furrowed, her hand running down her face. “I keep forgetting that you have such trouble with emotions, Thanatos.” She shook her head. “Each life is precious, and this one most of all.”

I lifted my skull and stared at her. Was it pity? Her eyes were too soft and leaking, but she wasn’t sad. I wasn’t sure what emotion she was trying to display, but it was enough to make me shift in my seat uncomfortably. I didn’t like the look she gave me. It made me feel inferior.

A breeze tickled my hood, and I heard a faint whisper. “She thinks you’re a compassionless dick.”

Chapter Two

Thanatos

Ididn’t jump at the sudden voice over my shoulder. Instead, I took in the smell of cinder and ash and listened to the purr in their throat.

“Lilith, have you killed another nanny this morning? My reapers have already taken two to the pool of souls. Who is watching you now?” I asked.

Ember slumped back in the cushion of her seat and rubbed her eyes. “My child is going to give me grey hairs.”

Lilith giggled. “That can’t happen, mommy. You are a goddess.”

Lilith came around the couch and sat between us. Lilith’s pale skin contrasted with her long, black curls that cascaded down her back. Her sharp, pointed fangs glistened in the light as she tore into the sandwich, leaving behind a trail of crumbs and tornpieces of bread. Her movements were graceful yet predatory as she perched on the couch between the two of us.

She was still young, but like most gods, she looked and acted older than she truly was.

“How many has she killed today?” Ember sighs.

“Two, just this morning. They will revive by this evening,” I replied. “They are taking some convincing to come back to life.”

Lilith shrugged her shoulders. “Can’t imagine why.”

“Because they don’t want to take care of you anymore.” Ember pinched the bridge of her nose. “I don’t understand it. I was never like this as a child. Neither was Lucifer. He was completely harmless and did what he was told until he went through puberty. You and Loki are downright savages.”

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