Page 127 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

I cringe at the half-truth I’m about to tell. “The oath will lend me strength when the time comes to face Ty.”

“So this will give you more power?” Jed says, frowning. “You’ve only just got a handle on the power you have.”

I shake my head. “It won’t give me power now, but it will be a source of strength if I need it.”

Zee runs his hands over his head. “If it gives you more protection when facing off against the King of Monsters, count me in.” I smile at him in thanks. They all agree, trusting me.

“What do we need to do?” Duncan asks.

I screw my face up, because this is the icky bit. “You each need to share blood with me, and repeat the words, ‘Pandora, I swear my loyalty and strength.’”

“That’s it?” Duncan says, standing and going to the kitchen.

“Yes.” He strides towards us with a sharp knife, I stand and put my mug on the table meeting Duncan half way. His too intelligent eyes seek the truth from mine. He knows something is off, and the fact that he’s still going ahead shows that I don’t deserve the trust he has blessed me with.

He holds his hand out flat. I give him mine, palm up. The knife slices my flesh like butter and blood rushes to the sting. He repeats the motion on his own, then clasps our hands together.

“Pandora, I swear my loyalty and strength,” he says, trying to tug his hand away. I clench it tighter.

“And I, Pandora, born of the elements vow to protect you in return.” A jolt of power burns up my arm. He might not be a god but he was still packing a punch. Duncan’s frown deepens. Zee grabs the knife from Duncan.

“What are you up to, Locks?”Duncan says in my mind.

Zee’s already sliced his hand and is grabbing mine, repeating the mantra. I tear my eyes from Duncan and focus on Zee. “And I, Pandora, born of the elements vow to protect you in return.” Another blast of power makes us step back.

Zee’s eyes widen. “Is that supposed to happen?”

I shrug. “I’m the first woman, I bound you to me and it’s magic, who knows.”

I avoid Duncan’s glare as Charlie, Jed, and Aaden repeat the process. Zee throws me a dish towel to wipe my hand on. I drop it in the washing machine. No bat cave would be complete without one.

Uncle Charlie’s phone chimes. He answers it with a grimace. “I need to go back to HQ, they want an update on the situation.”

“I’ll take you,” Duncan says, stepping towards Uncle Charlie. They blink out of existence. Twenty silent seconds click by before he reappears alone.

“Now what?” I ask, spinning around and leaning against the kitchen worktop.

“We have the Jar, the blade, the poison and the spell,” Jed says, coming to lean next to me. “It’s time we enacted whatever trap you’re thinking of and get this over with.”

I frown, I need something else first. “Where’s Emi?” I ask.

Aaden gives me a hard look. “I thought you would be keen to get on with this?”

“I am, but the more gods we have on our side, the less can go wrong.”

“Aren’t you going to tell Zac?” Jed asks.

“Yes.”

Duncan snaps his head towards me. Zee frowns. “You hate Zac,” Zee points out.

“I… don’t hate him. His heart is in the right place even if his methods and attitude leave something to be desired.”

“That’s magnanimous of you,” Jed mumbles. I chuckle. “But you still haven’t told me the plan.”

I nod at the dining table. “There are a few things we need to discuss.”

Everyone makes their way over to the dining table. I glance at Duncan as he sits on my left. “Could you get Emi, please?”

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