Page 76 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“They would have torn her down, fed on her fears, and reveled in her pain,” Duncan mutters.

“I think what broke her was you both abandoning her,” Ant says.

Zee tries to step back, I tighten my arms around him, refusing to let go of the people who ground me. He grabs my face and forces my head back. Spring eyes clash with my turquoise ones as he studies me. “We would never abandon you, idiot woman.”

I offer him a watery smile, but can’t force any words past my lips. “Why isn’t she speaking?” Duncan asks.

I direct a thought at them all.“Because this dress is pretty and I don’t want it covered in snot and tears.”

He huffs a laugh over my head as Zee grins.

“Take her back to wherever you are hiding out,” Ant says. “She needs time to heal, and the best way is to surround her with people who love her.”

I tug out of Duncan and Zee’s arms, and spin to face a stern-looking Ant. He’s plastered on his hard ass mask for Duncan and Zee, but I’ve seen beneath it now.

I wrap my arms around him. He stiffens like he’s never been hugged. My poor demon friend. What a bizarre crew I’m gathering. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“You can’t die yet, you need to rectify your mistake.”

I chuckle and lean back. “Sure, okay, let’s go with that. Nevertheless, thank you for rescuing me and taking the time to allow me to process.” He lowers his eyes to mine. “Also for making me reevaluate my beliefs on Hell and its purpose.” I shove my little finger out between our chests, shielding it from Duncan and Zee. Ant cracks a genuine smile and links my pinky with his own.

“You are most welcome.”

“Contact me when you’ve figured out how to enact our back-up plan.”

A look of pain flashes so fast across his face, I could have imagined it. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but I will be in touch.”

Zee tugs me away from Ant. “Come on, Natia, I have a group of angry gods, a wrathful goddess and a gaggle of protectors who need to reassure themselves that you’re okay.”

Chapter Nineteen

Natia

Taurus; the sign to look destiny in the eye and say, “Fuck You.”

New Orleans bubbles with life as we spill onto the street. Duncan takes my left hand, Zee my right, and they tug me along to the suspicious-looking SUV. The door slams open and Aaden pokes his head out. He scans me quickly and his face relaxes as relief floods his eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks, shuffling over to make room for me. I nod and climb into the car, Zee pressing against me, sandwiching me between them. Duncan jumps in the front and spins the car to take the opposite direction from the center of town.

“I will be,” I whisper as Zee wraps an arm around my shoulder. Because that’s the truth. I can rebuild, I can find my identity amongst these people I call friends. They are my strength, they suffer my failures, and rejoice in my victories. When I fall short, they hold me firm. How could I doubt them?

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Duncan glances in the rearview mirror and catches my eyes. “Archan’s house. That’s where everybody is assembled.”

I rub my temples. “Everyone?”

Aaden sticks his hand out and counts people off. “Apart from us; Jed, Nathan, Barney, Michael, Emi and Zac.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sounds like a recipe for a disaster.”

Duncan chuckles. “It will be fine, Locks.” I glance up and stare at Duncan. All I can see is the cold look of indifference as he swept out of the cell and left me to rot. I swallow the lump and turn to look out the window.

“Why aren’t we teleporting?” I wonder.

“I need to leave another message for my contact,” Duncan explains as he swings left and stops on the lawn of a quaint house. The curtain twitches, revealing a young boy. Duncan turns around to us. “Wait here, I’ll only be a minute.” He jumps out of the car and walks up the stony path to meet a slender woman with dark, curly hair. It piques my curiosity when they embrace like old friends. She glances over his shoulder at the car as she releases him. Duncan walks towards the porch, she grabs his arm and gestures towards the car. Duncan shakes his head as she puts her hands on her hips.

“How much do you want to bet we are about to get out of the car and meet and greet Duncan’s secret family?” Zee says.

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