Page 10 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

He raises an eyebrow, but has the manners to not speak through his full mouth. He licks his lips before he says, “I know.”

Tugging on my hair band, I loosen my braid as the waves fall around my shoulders. “Zac seemed adamant that I’d fooled you all.”

Jed shakes his head. “It’s true we believed Pandora knew who she was, and we thought she had ill intentions, but it’s clear you don’t.”

“So, we’re on the same side now?”

He nods. “Yes.”

Duncan whips his coat off and flings it across the back of a dining chair before sitting on the opposite sofa, striking the classic manly pose of feet apart, hands splayed on his thighs.

“What about Archan?” Duncan asks.

“We have him contained, and we’re looking for a way to extract the last evil,” Jed answers.

Duncan nods. “And Natia?”

Jed sighs, runs his hand through his blonde tipped hair and sinks back into the sofa. “She might need to do the extraction.”

“Why?” Zee asks, parking his butt on the coffee table and grabbing a quarter of the sandwich. I glower at him and snatch the final piece.

“There are laws governing who can interfere with ancients.”

“The last evil is an ancient?”

“We aren’t sure, but Archan is, and it’s him we’re dealing with.”

“Do we know what it wants?”

Jed thins his lips, his carefree features twist into serious concern. “Not exactly. To control the world? Eradicate mankind? Its not been forthcoming in its intentions.” He twists to focus on me. “What were you doing at Lucifer’s bar?”

I lick my fingers, vacuuming the last crumbs. “Meeting a contact with information on the Jar, me, and the last evil. He wants what we want, to get rid of the last evil.”

“Did he give you a name?”

I nod. “Ant, he said he was there on behalf of Lucifer.”

Jed’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “It fits with our intel,” Jed finally says. “Lucifer wants the status quo, the last evil will upset that. But he’s dangerous, Natia. He’s the King of Hell for a reason, don’t underestimate him, he’s the master manipulator. Examine every piece of information, every clue, every statement, and ask yourself what would Lucifer want out of it. Does he know who you are?”

“He does. He also knows Lawrence is working against him and has supporters. I’m assuming Lawrence is going for a hostile takeover?”

Jed nods. “That’s what we believe. What did he tell you about yourself?”

“Not much. He told me it’s my destiny to sort out this mess.”

“Screw destiny,” Jed says. “She’s a fickle bitch.”

Aaden quirks an eyebrow. He’s having a highly active neuron moment. “Destiny is a person?”

Jed nods. “Yeah, you need to read your Greek mythology.” Same advice Ant gave me.

“Can you give us some info about Natia?” Duncan asks.

Jed leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees and looks at me sideways. “Yes, but some of it is myth and legend.”

“If this story starts with… in a galaxy far, far, away, I’m going to need coffee,” Zee mutters, rising from the sofa and heading to the kitchen. I motion with my hand for Jed to continue.

“Okay, here’s a short version of the facts. Prometheus stole the gift of fire and gave it to humans. In retribution, Zeus ordered the first human woman to be made - Pandora. She was formed from clay, molded with water, forged in fire, and cooled by the air. Then Zeus ordered various gods to give her gifts; beauty, health, creativity, intelligence, to name just a few. But also curiosity and deception. Once made, he sent her to Prometheus’ brother, who fell in love and married her. Zeus gifted the couple with a Jar, but made her promise not to open it. Ever. But remember, he had her gifted with curiosity.”

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