Page 41 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“I have nothing to say to you, why are you even here? Justice can’t get involved in a prophecy.”

She shrugs. “I’m here as a friend, not in an official capacity.”

“You won’t intervene to save Archan? Why aren’t I surprised?” Zac fists his hands at his sides.

“I only intervene when Justice isn’t being served, but I can’t do this in matters of the gods.”

He rolls his eyes. “You’re a coward.”

She drops her bare feet to the floor and stomps towards Zac. He folds his arms and frowns at her. She pushes her finger against his chest. “And you are a tantrum throwing toddler who can’t see the bigger picture. You are impulsive, volatile, and immature.”

He growls at her. She growls back. “What am I missing?” I ask Jed.

He leans against the wall and crosses his arms. “Zac encouraged a mortal to slaughter his own family to make him into a weapon for his own use. He convinced him his family would stand in his way. Emi intervened, and the mortal turned against Zac. He stole the Jar from your temple to give him the power of the gods and defeat him in a battle. Previous to this, they were allies. War and Justice often went hand in hand. He was the lethal arm to her values. Until he lost sight of them and became blinded by his own rage. He’s much more grounded now.”

I snort. Wait. “I have a temple?”

Jed smirks as he watches Zac back Emi against a wall. “That’s what you took from the story?”

Zac grinds his jaw. “You self-righteous bitch. Haven’t you ever made a mistake?”

She pushes him and he flies across the room, smacks into the wall and collapses in a heap. “I’m Justice, by definition I’m never wrong.”

He lunges up. “Maybe, but your one fault is your inability to forgive or understand the reasons behind mistakes.”

She stomps towards him, and he does the same. I step in between them with arms outstretched. Zac stares at my hand on his chest. Okay, so getting in-between Justice and War isn’t a smart idea. Nobody accused me of thinking things through. “Yet again, you are getting in my way, Pandora.”

Jed’s story clicks and I glance at Zac. “That’s why you hate me so much?”

“What?”

“My Jar was used to power a mortal who defeated you.”

“I hated you before I knew your identity.”

I tilt my head. “True. But I was a threat to your bromance with Archan.”

“No, you were and are a threat to him.”

“I’m no threat, I’m trying my best to save him.”

He snorts as Nathan glares at him. “She can’t lie.”

Zac opens his mouth, closes it, opens it. Snaps it shut. I made War speechless, go me. “What do you mean she can’t lie?” Zee asks.

“Pandora was gifted with many things from the gods, mine was deceit in order for her to open the Jar.”

“But?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Zeus’ plan was insane, so I gifted you with the opposite, I compelled you to tell the truth, although you’re creative at getting around answers.”

“I can’t lie?”

“No.” Wow, I can’t lie. That’s something I don’t want advertised.

Zac harrumphs. “I still don’t trust her.” He leans around me to glare at Emi. “I’m going to get the key so your traitorous ass can get out of my sight.” Bloody hell, he’s pissed at her. I got the warm and fuzzy version of Zac in comparison. He storms out the door and silence falls over the room. What can you say to an age old argument between two gods? Do they need mediation? Is there a god for that?

Nathan chuckles. “Kind of, Themis in her role of justice is the one who would mediate.”

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