Page 37 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

His grip tightens on my hand. “Hold on, babe, we’re almost through.”

Tiny tears appear in my mind, my aura leaking brilliant gold. Something latches onto my ankle, the shackle firm and unbreakable. Jed’s hand slips from mine, as I’m left adrift and alone.

“And where are you going, little temptress?” His smooth voice rolls through the air like a storm. The Monster is here.

“Typhon.”

He chuckles, the rasp grates on me. “Good, you know who I am, therefore you know you can’t win.”

I pivot, trying to find him. All I can see are the multitudes of color wrapping around me. “Where are you?” I ask, reaching for my swords. My hand meets empty air. Crap, I left them in the bat cave. Still, it’s not like I’m powerless. I tap into the constant stream of energy humming in my bloodstream and roll twin fireballs in my palms whilst I wait for the Monster to show himself.

He parts the clouds like they are his creation and his suited form solidifies three feet from me. His grin matches his wicked eyes. “How are you here?” I ask.

“It’s my realm, Natia.” Right, he might be evil, but he’s still a god.

“What do you want, Typhon?”

“Ty.”

“Ty?”

“Call me Ty.”

“Okay, why are you here, Ty?”

“Do you have my Jar?”

I shrug and drop one of the fire balls onto my palm, leaving one hand empty. I swirl them around, hoping he gets my meaning. Back off or lose your balls. His grin spreads. Great, he gets it and likes it. “It’s safe.”

He takes a step closer. “Give it to me.”

I arch an eyebrow and glance at his feet. “Why would I do that?”

“It’s mine.”

“It was a wedding gift from Zeus to me. Besides, possession is nine-tenths of the law.”

He blinks. Score one for the curiosity ridden human. “You will give it to me.”

I tilt my head, tiny sparks of electricity jumping down my arms onto my palm, joining the fire. That’s awesome. “I think I’m going to hang on to it for now.”

He roars, power blistering my flesh. I suck in a breath and battle the urge to find the nearest dark hole and hide. Instead, I applaud the fact that I don’t budge an inch. “You will give me what I want or I will kill everyone you love.”

Wow, forget the twenty-first century villain’s endless speech. This guy goes straight for the kill. “How would you open it?” I ask him.

His fists clench at his sides. “You don’t have the key?”

Nope, but I was on my way to get it, asshole. “No.”

“Do you know where it is?”

Not specifically. “No.”

He whips his hands out, wraps them around my waist and tugs me against his chest. His suit catches fire and disintegrates into ashes, floating away on the ribbons of color. He chuckles. He’s not stable. The fire dances like it’s caressing him. “I like your idea of foreplay, Natia.”

“Don’t mistake violence for foreplay.”

“You got me naked.” Bonus though, I’m not naked this time. “You have seventy-two hours to find the key and deliver both the Jar and the key to me.”

---