Page 95 of Hex
Clearly, all I got from him is his angel power because our personalities couldn’t be more different.
“You need to figure out a way to bring Slash back.” I lift my chin and beside me, Hack does a weird mix of a gasp and a chuckle.
“Excuse me?”
I think I’ve offended the Grandei, but in for a pound and all that.
“Slash. He was killed on your watch and I want him back.” Hekate restored my soul to my body, and I may not know much, but I know enough. The Grandei has a direct link to the Moirai, so he should be able to bypass the fact that the balance needs the Horsemen or Slash’s chosen to save him. The Horsemen tried to save him already, until Pierce almost killed himself in the process, so we’re running out of options.
“I’m afraid that’s just not possible.” The dismissive tone Atlantis uses on me is grating, to say the least.
“I don’t believe that. The Moirai are all about balance, or so everyone tells me, but a djinn with a bad attitude and a sketchy trigger finger can disrupt said balance and no one can undo it? Sounds fishy to me.” I cross my arms over my chest for added effect but my bravado isn’t working as well as I’d like.
Atlantis stands, and when he does, the energy in the air changes. In silence, he rounds his desk, and the closer he comes to me, the louder Hack’s growl becomes.
“Calm yourself, demon. I would never hurt my progeny. This is why you are seen as lesser. You allow your emotions to control your logic.” Atlantis probably thinks he’s poking the demon with his insults, but at this point, I know Hack. The only thing that sets off my chosen is me being disrespected or placed in danger. My father could throw shade at him all day and it wouldn’t even get a jaw tick from him.
Leaning back on his rich, cherry wood desk, the contrast with his white beard and hair—not to mention his clothes—is even more stark. I wonder if this is what humans or anthros or whatever believe is their Christian God. I almost get it, except he doesn’t seem to be kind and loving.
“Are you God?” I blurt out the question before I have the time to think about what I’m asking.
Atlantis recoils like I’ve physically slapped him. Hack doesn’t even try to muffle his laugh.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” And that’s it. That’s his only answer to me.
“It’s not how this works, Satapti.” Great. I guess this is a story for another time, then?
“How am I supposed to learn anything if I only get bits and pieces?” I’m annoyed and it’s making my skin glow with frustration. That gets Atlantis’s attention faster than a group of athletes in gray sweatpants could draw the eye of a cougar.
“How are you doing that?” Atlantis nods to my arm where tiny sparks are creating a sheer layer of light.
“I don’t know, really, but it has something to do with my emotions.” I glance at Hack, not sure how much I should say and what information I need to hold back.
“It’s how she summons her power, through high emotions. This is what Hekate is trying to teach her to control.” Hack speaks for me, having read my questions from just one look.
My father nods like he understands exactly what’s going on.
“Show me what you can control.” When Atlantis pushes off his desk and stands to his full height, he’s taller even than Hack. We’re talking around seven feet tall, which means I’m barely reaching his chest. Still, I’m not intimidated and my mind is on one track only.
“I’ll show you all of my powers, but first, you need to bring Slash back. That’s the deal.” I raise my chin to give me some added height but it’s ridiculous, given the mammoths next to me.
“I told you, Sage, there’s no way for m—” Hack steps in front of me, effectively interrupting whatever excuse Atlantis was about to spew.
“I think I know a way.” My head snaps to my chosen and I don’t need a mirror to know the shock is written all over my face.
“And you’re just telling me now?” Talk about wasting time.
“Yes. Because you’re not going to like it.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hack
There’s a perfectly good reason why I haven’t brought up the subject until now. First, because once Sage hears the plan, she’ll wish I never spoke of it. Second, this isn’t the kind of decision I can make without my brothers. If it were solely up to me, I’d take the risk, but it’s not.
Sage is right, the Moirai’s existence is based upon balance, so to receive, one must first give. The higher the stakes, the greater the sacrifice. In this case, the stakes couldn’t be any higher.
“No. It’s never been done before and the Thirteen won’t agree to it. Especially not Samhain.” I scoff at the Grandei’s characterization of Samhain. He won’t care what needs to be done as long as he gets his liege back. All four of them.
