Page 87 of Ignited Spirits
It was a weirdly domestic and peaceful day that felt really out of place with everything going on. But if we just keep going without any chance to rest, we’re going to be too drained to take down Lua.
Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I grip the scabbard with one hand and the handle of the blade with the other. As I carefully start pulling the knife out of its sheath, Hades shouts, “Careful, earthling!”
I jump and drop the blade on the coffee table in front of me, horrified by whatever I was accidentally going to do with the overpowered knife.
My eyes dart up to his, wondering what I was doing wrong, when I see him grinning at me. It’s then that I realize he was just messing with me.
I mime strangling him as I growl in frustration. “You’re an asshole. I hope someone tells you that at least five times a day so you never forget it.”
He tips back his head and lets out one of his rare, genuine, full-belly laughs. “I know I am. Strangely, enough, I really don’t give a fuck. It’s refreshing having someone call me on it, though.”
“You know, I’m pretty sure if I drained you and stole your magic, I’d be closer in power to Lua than I am now.” I tap my chin as I pretend to consider shanking Hades. “That would definitely help with defeating Lua.”
Cain grins from his spot on the other side of me. “Want me to hold him down for you, angel?”
“I’ll help,” Levi growls, still scowling at his brother.
Hades cackles in delight before pinning me with his gaze dancing with mirth. “Yeah, but then you’d be the ruler ofInfernus, and it’s a terrible gig. Awful hours and shit pay.”
I can’t help my snort at that. “Hmm, I guess I’ll hold off on draining you. I’m way too young to be tied down at a nine to five.”
Grinning at me, Hades says, “Very magnanimous of you, earthling.”
“It is, isn’t it?” I nod regally at him.
When he gets his amusement under control, he asks, “So how sure are you that this potion is going to work?”
“Somewhat sure, I guess? Maybe, like, sixty-three percent?” My voice doesn’t come out as confident as I want it to. It sounds about as unsure as I feel.
What if it’s not the right potion? What if we can’t figure out how to drain Lua? What if Giles, or whoever else, killed everyone who might know the answer?
“If that doesn’t inspire confidence, I don’t know what will,” Hades deadpans, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I huff. “Levi found the recipe by going through Giles’s mind. It’s supposedly what Lua has been using to drain all the mage kids. I don’t exactly have anyone I can test it on, so all I can go on right now isshould.”
“I have no shortage of people you can drain. Make up the potion and let me know when you’re ready to test it. If it works, then we can talk about your ridiculous plan.” Hades glances up at the clock on the wall before standing reluctantly. “I’m late for a meeting. When you have the potion made up, Leviathan will be able to find me. Try not to kill yourself making it.”
He strides out of the room without a backward glance.
“Why does he keep telling me that?” I ask no one in particular. It really doesn’t boost my confidence any when hekeeps saying that. “Is ‘try not to die’ likeInfernus’sversion of goodbye?”
Levi chuckles. “No. It’s just Hades being Hades. And I think that’s his way of expressing care. He’s not very good at it, as you can tell. I don’t know how Seph puts up with him.”
“The same way you put up with my emotionally stunted self, I would imagine.” My mates all look very offended on my behalf, so I rush to change the topic before they can say anything. “So, how are we making the potion?”
“We could go to Anya’s,” Bishop offers. “She is an expert at potions.”
“That’s a great idea.” I pause as something occurs to me. “Why haven’t we taken her back with us, Levi? Doesn’t she want to go home?”
Levi shrugs. “She didn’t ask to be brought back. We can inquire if that’s what she wants when we visit her, however.”
Well, I guess that’s something else to ask her.
I feel kind of bad that we just forgot Gran on Earth in all the craziness. At least no one knows Gran in her Anya form is related to us, so she shouldn’t be in any danger. And pretty much the entire council is gone at this point, so I don’t even know who’s making the laws.
“Everyone ready to go now?” When no one objects, I open a rift to Anya’s shop, which is where I assume she’ll be, like she always is on Saturdays. And, well, every other day of the week, if I’m being honest.
I should probably start calling her by her real name, but it’s hard to get used to saying Melinoe after years of calling her Anya.
