Page 45 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“So he can find me if my aura leaks?”

“You’re a shining beacon, Natia. Every godly being in the universe can sense you when you drop those shields.” If he talks about my climax I’m going to throttle him, Primordial being be damned.

“Speaking of rainbow colors,” I point at my paint splattered clothing. “I need to wash and get changed.”

“Need help washing your back?” Zee asks, a wicked grin tilting his lips. I roll my eyes as I stand.

“That’s what loofahs are for.”

He chuckles. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“Loofahs don’t come with expectations, strings, or complaints.”

“Oh, Natia. I have no expectations, I don’t do strings and I promise you won’t complain.”

Shaking my head, I swipe the rest of the sandwich and make my way to my bedroom. A hot shower, clean clothing and a break from other humans… or just humans. Am I human? I mean, Zeus created me as the first human woman, who went and released the sins upon the world. My steps falter. Wait… I rush back into the main cave.

“Tell me I’m not Eve.” Everybody but Jed frowns. He scratches the back of his head and glances at Duncan, whose frown drops as his face goes slack in understanding. He snaps his gaze to Jed.

“Like I said, the gods have multiple identities depending upon the religion.”

“But I’m not a god.”

“I don’t understand, she’s Pandora,” Zee says.

“I’m the first human woman who did something to cause the downfall of man from the gods’ graces. Who else in biblical history can you think of that fits the description?”

His mouth pops open.

“I’m never eating an apple again,” I mutter.

“It’s too late for that,” Zee says, staring at me like I’m a stranger… again.

“I’m still me.”

“No matter which story you go with, you were set up,” Jed tries placating me.

“The story of Eve came after Pandora?” Aaden asks Jed.

Jed nods. “Yup, Pandora is the original Eve.”

“So I fell for it twice, or is it the same story?”

“Twice, the second time with Lucifer. The bible gets the key details right. But it was Lucifer lashing out because they had made him rule hell, so he took it out on humankind and got you kicked out of Eden.”

“How old am I?” I whisper.

“About a hundred thousand years, give or take a few centuries.”

My body goes numb. “I need a shower,” I mutter, backtracking to my room.

I wash my hair three times, like I could scrub away the destruction I’ve laid at the feet of mankind. Did I have sex with Lucifer? That’s a new low. Maybe Ant would know.Excuse me, did I have sex with your boss at all in the last millennia? He might remember me, I was the one in a fig leaf wandering the Garden of Eden.Why the hell did they let my curiosity ridden ass out into the world? Shouldn’t they have locked me up after the Jar fiasco? I shake my head, rinsing off the remnants of the conditioner. It’s not anybody else’s fault but my own. I’m a walking time bomb. The second somebody shoves something under my nose and says, ‘don’t open that, Natia,’ my fingers get itchy. Hiding Christmas and birthday presents from me as a child was pointless, I used to hunt them at my grandparent’s. Although I felt guilty and told them what I’d done. I’m blaming Nathan. Also explains my terrible poker face.

Steam coats the mirror as I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel and robe. Wiping the condensation away before staring at my face in the mirror, I poke the side of my eyes. Will I keep aging? I can die, that’s how I’m suffering from amnesia right now. Can I get those memories back? Do I want them? Panic stirs in my chest and with it my power thrums along my skin. I scratch at my arms as my chest tightens. It’s too much. The wooden door slams open, and Zee storms through, ready to slay whatever demon he thinks is in here. He scans the tiny room before settling on me.

“Why are you upset?” he asks, fisting his hands.

“Overwhelmed, not upset.”

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