Page 75 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“He doesn’t trust me,” I say, thinking of him being so quick to jump to me being an evil version of Pandora.

“His mind seeks deception because that is what he has experienced for eons, Natia. He doesn’t recognize what he has in you because he’s not looking for it and has never felt it before.”

“Yet you expect me to commit the ultimate betrayal, should our plan fail?”

He sighs. “If you don’t, then your love is pointless. Ty will hunt you, kill Archan and the rest of us who oppose him as he releases Hell on Earth.”

I swallow. “He’s not trying to release Hell.”

He frowns. “What?”

“He wants Hell destroyed, and the gates of Tartarus to be opened. He said his genuine family will wipe out the plague of demons and mankind so they can return to the old ways.”

He stands and paces in front of the fire, rubbing a hand down his face. “He’s psychotic.”

“I’m aware.”

“He will never control what lurks in the depths of Tartarus.”

“The beasts who frighten the gods?”

He nods. “Not just of this world, Natia, Tartarus is Hell for this universe. You think you’ve seen monsters in the last four years? These will make you crawl beneath your bed and pray they don’t recognize the scent of your fear. They will make your mind turn on itself to avoid facing them. They won’t decimate Earth, they will destroy the universe as we know it.”

“Shit.”

“If you fail to put Ty in the Jar, I need to prepare for the worst.”

“How do you kill a god?” I wonder.

He scratches his head. “Another god can’t kill him, the laws-”

“-say Primordials can’t be killed by other gods. I know, which is why I got passed the baton for this race.”

“So the question becomes, how do you kill a god?”

I blow my hair out of my eyes. “I have no idea.”

The door slams open and Duncan strides in with Zee. A look of relief passes on their faces as they look me up and down and find me whole. Well, in body anyway. Duncan steps towards me, I stand and dart behind Ant. Everyone freezes at what I’m sure looks like a bizarre reaction.

“Natia?” Duncan questions, glancing at Ant.

Ant reaches back and squeezes my hand. “She’s been to Hell and back.”

Duncan’s face drops like he understands. “What did they do?”

“Nothing that can’t be undone with the strong bonds of friendship you have, but give her some time.”

I gulp and close my eyes. They are here; they haven’t abandoned me, and they don’t hate or resent me. But whoever was with me in the cell had one thing correct - I’m putting them at risk. Every moment they spend protecting me is a potential step closer to their own demise. Zee rubs at his heart. I narrow my eyes, hell’s Zee didn’t even flinch when they shattered my heart and left me bleeding out on the floor. The signals were all there, I just ignored them. I step around Ant and fold my arms around my stomach. The food sits heavy, like I might reintroduce it to the plate any second.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Fuck this,” Zee mutters, closing the distance and wrapping me tightly in his arms. I bury my face in his chest, the sob finally breaking free. Cinnamon, oranges, and fresh linens envelop me from behind as a warm chest crushes my back and more arms surround me. Duncan kisses the top of my head.

“She was in Hell the entire time?” Duncan says.

“Yes, and demons posing as both of you tormented her. Ty pretended to be Archan. The evil sod named Jack confronted her, and an imposter wearing her Grandmother’s face made her believe she belongs in hell.”

“Jesus Christ,” Zee says, his arms constricting so hard my ribs creak.

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