Page 98 of Thanatos' Craving

“We all are,” Hypnos muttered. “But you know the rules, Andriel. We are all to find our mates on our own. The Fates willlead us to our other half when the time is right, unless otherwise prompted by a pairing goddess.”

The look in Andriel’s eyes was of pure desperation. He was nearly in tears, wanting something he couldn’t have that wasn’t there. My heart sank for him for wanting something so badly.

And here I was with Thanatos, right beside me, still contemplating a bond with him.

Ember came around the desk to approach the demon. She knelt in front of him, but Hades stood in front of her. “That’s far enough, Ember.”

Ember scoffed and grabbed his hand. “No one else can find your mate except for you. And sometimes Selene or I can step in, but I’m telling you right now, this person who told you they would find your mate, they can’t.”

The demon heaved in a breath.

“What did they ask for payment?” Ember asked.

The demon bit his lip. “I was to help her find other people’s mates, too, in return.” He looked up at Hades.

My hand went to my mouth. I knew what was coming.

“She would give me a list of human names. Sometimes it was just features of human females she was looking for, and I was to bring them to her office.”

Hades clenched his fists tightly, wisps of smoke curling up from his back. A blazing inferno engulfed him, yet his suit remained untouched by the flames. Even from across the room, I felt the searing heat emanating from him. The sheer power he exuded was overwhelming, causing my body to sink deeper into the protective embrace of Thanatos. Hypnos swiftly positioned himself before us, acting as a shield, intensifying the sense of safety.

There was a blood-curdling scream from Andriel. The singe of burning flesh seared my nose.

My chest and my head felt pressure until I heard Thanatos tell me to look up.

Hypnos stared down at me, his eyes glazed over, while placing his hand on my forehead. “Sleep, Juni.” And that was when I fell into the dark.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Thanatos

My anger was fierce as each second passed. Hades, his face contorted with frustration, exuded an intense aura. The air crackled with tension, as if a brewing thunderstorm loomed overhead. The scent of burned sulfur filled the room, which added to the suffocating atmosphere. I could feel the heat radiating off Hades, his fury palpable, as his demon cowered before him, the weight of disappointment heavy in the air. How could he be so foolish as to trust in a mere matchmaker to find his destined mate, for such a meager price?

My companion, a fragile mortal, laid vulnerable as Hades’ furious power that seeped into the room. The air crackled with an electric charge, carrying the weight of his anger. In response, Hypnos enveloped my mate in a profound slumber, offering respite from the overwhelming force. Although she appearedunharmed for now, the potential harm inflicted by his relentless turmoil lingered, a threat to her fragile form.

“Hold her?” I stood and cradled my mate in my arms. If there was anyone I was going to trust, it was my brother.

He knew the importance of a mate bond. Any jealousy I’ve had toward my treasure and his relationship instantly vanished since he has expressed his want to finding his own mate.

He nodded, gripped her tightly, and took her to the far corner of the room.

I stepped forward, flaring out my wings. Ember, already engulfed in the flames, tried to calm Hades down and not destroy the fucking furniture in his office.

“Hades!” I roared, my wings forcefully pushed back by the scorching blaze erupting from his infernal fire, engulfing his demonic form. The intense heat seared Andriel’s skin, leaving a lingering smell of burnt flesh in the air. However, it was not enough to claim his life. “Your power threatens to harm my mate. I strongly advise you to cease before I resort to more drastic measures.”

And I would fight the damn King of the Underworld. I could very well wrestle with his soul until I grew weary. I could very well hold his soul in my hand and strangle his neck. Doing that to Ember would, of course, upset her and it is the last thing I wanted to do, but when it came to my mate, I would go to the ends of all the realms to take care of her safety.

Hades cast a fleeting glance toward Hypnos, who tightly clutched my precious treasure. Even in the depths of slumber, her eyebrows furrowed, etched with the weight of either worry or pain. Fueled by rage, I clenched my fists, feeling the surge of anger course through me, as my scythe materializes in my hand.

“Stand down Hades,” I snapped. It was my last warning.

I felt Ares’ colossal figure behind me. He grunted in agreement. “We can’t hurt the human, Hades. Think about this.”

Ember nudged him, her hair winding wildly around him. “Please, Hades. Calm down. We are going to work this out.”

Hades’ jaw ticked, and he yelled, sending a blast of fire toward the demon. Andriel screamed louder than his previous cries and Hades' light lit the entire room aglow. Once the light faded, all that remained was the dust where the demon had been lying.

“Well, great,” Mariah stood next to Hypnos, helping to shield my mate against Hades’ wrath. “Now we can’t question him.”

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