Page 25 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

He sighs. “It’s a good thing, Jed will protect you as he knows better than most what you’re up against. Emi too, she can help.” Archan makes eye contact with Jed. “It’s the beast, Jed. Prepare for the worse and find a way to put him down.”

“How’s he going to destroy mankind?” I ask.

Archan shakes his head. “I don’t know, he’s working with Lawrence. Look into that, he’s the weakest point.” He turns those molten gold eyes hard. “I’ve warned you once, and I’m warning you again, make no more deals with the beast or Lucifer.” I frown. How does he know?

“How are you here and you right now?” I ask.

“He has to sleep, without his full form he still tires. Once he’s whole, he will be unstoppable. You must not allow that to happen, Natia. Do you understand?”

My eyes dart to the dusty wooden floor. Archan launches through my protectors, throwing Zee and Aaden to one side. He grips my chin and tilts it to meet my eyes. “Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I hiss. His eyes soften as he gives me a kiss, which steals my breath.

“I love the way you kiss me. Just don’t go to war for me,” he mutters against my lips before disappearing. Oh, hell no.

Chapter Nine

Natia

A Taurus is a clear thinker. They will absorb all the information, analyze it, then file it away to destroy you should the need arise.

The delicious scent of coffee swirls around the cave, as Emi clutches a steaming mug and leans back against the sofa. Her head twists to examine Duncan’s hideaway. “You live in a cave?”

Duncan sighs, his face relaxing at her lack of superhero jibes. “It’s the safest place on Earth for Natia right now.”

She nods and her eyes crinkle in amusement. “So, you’re Batman?”

Me, Jed, and Zee snort in delight. “Can we keep her?” Zee asks.

I shrug and tap Jed on the knee who’s sat next to me on the sofa opposite Emi and Aaden. “How do you know each other?”

Jed runs his hands through his blonde tipped hair and grimaces. “Emi, you need to explain.”

She puts her mug on the coffee table and clasps her hands. “Okay, so you know you’re dealing with gods?”

I nod.

“And you know your actual identity?” she asks me.

I nod again.

“Right, well, my proper name is Themis.”

Aaden stiffens. “The goddess of justice?”

She puts a hand on his thigh and squeezes. “That’s right, Aaden, you’re dating a real life goddess.” He blinks at me, a war of confusion and awe obvious on his face. “It’s not as impressive as being a Primordial like Jed,” she adds.

Duncan drops his cup to the stone floor, it cracks in two and the pieces roll around his feet. “Primordial?” he whispers. Nothing ruffles Duncan, so this is either very good or very bad.

Jed leans back and wraps an arm around my waist, anchoring me to him. He tips his head back. “Oh, you hadn’t told them?” Emi says with a light tone.

“Which one?” Duncan asks.

“Eros,” Jed grinds out.

“The god of love?” I ask, digging into my limited Greek mythological knowledge.

“That’s one interpretation,” Jed mutters, tightening his grip around my waist.

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