Page 108 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Consider me enlightened.”

The space opens up with more marble columns. A round, glittering crystal pool sits in the center of the room. Men and women lounge, sipping from shiny goblets. I cock my head as a brunette beauty rises above the water. Naked.

“Good god, you’ve brought me to some mythical sex club.”

Ant chuckles. “No, but the norms here predate human ideals of decency.” He leads us around the pool and under one of many arches outlined with trailing greenery and mysterious flowers. I reach out to touch one. Ant snatches my hand back. “Don’t touch them.”

A cloud of sweet smelling smoke hits me, I suck in a deep breath and sway on my feet. Ant catches me around the waist and glues me to his side.

“Try to not breathe deep,” he mutters into my ear as my heels click down several steps into a lounge area scattered with armchairs, sofas and loveseats. On a throne more elaborate than the one back at Hell’s Hole sits an exotic-looking woman with a cascade of jet black hair and almond-shaped green eyes. Her gold Grecian gown sweeps over the arm of the throne as she sits with her legs tucked under her. Ant pauses in front of the throne and an uncomfortable stare off begins between them. A hush sweeps through the room as the occupants and the smoke freeze. The tension builds as neither Ant nor the mysterious woman blinks. I take another deep breath, inhaling more of the sweet smoke. Feeling bold, I step forward and stick out my hand.

“Good evening, I’m Natia.”

The woman’s eyes dart to mine and narrow as she takes in my dress. “No, you’re not,” she says in a honeyed voice.

“Lysa,” Ant drawls in warning.

She snaps her finger. “Everyone out.” Several groans echo around the room as people shuffle out. Quietness falls around us like a blanket. “We are safe.” She lifts an eyebrow, “Pandora.” I roll my eyes. This is old news in the supernatural community now. “I see you not only survived my Etir, but flourished.”

My eyes widen. “Your Etir? You created the poison?”

Her rosy lips tip up in a smile. “Of course, I am the goddess of poisons.”

“Wow, just… wow.”

She throws her head back and laughs. The smoke becomes thicker, more seductive, it begs to be inhaled. Like an idiot, I follow its advice. There are two reasons I rarely drink and I’ve never considered doing drugs. One, I hate being out of control, and two, I’m aware I have an addictive personality. Not as in people are addicted to me; but I’m not sure of my willpower if I became addicted to something. Look at Archan for example.

“Lysa, we have come seeking a specific poison-“

She waves her hand, the smoke swirling, like she owns it. The hypotonic pattern catches my attention. “I know what you seek, it will cost you. Sit.” She points behind me as a loveseat sweeps forward and flings myself and Ant backwards. He grunts whilst I laugh, delighted with the trick.

“What do you want?” Ant hisses.

“All in good time, my friend. First, let us share a drink.” A gold goblet appears in my hand, Ant is grasping a matching one. I peer inside to see a silver sparkling liquid fizzing inside.

I giggle and point at Ant. “It matches your eyes.”

He rolls said eyes as Lysa chuckles. “She’s quite sensitive.”

Ant eyes me. “It’s her first time, Lysa. Go easy.”

“I am. Drink up, Pandora. Then we shall discuss what you seek.”

Shrugging, I slurp the silver liquid. It fizzes, bubbles and explodes a raspberry flavor on my tongue. Taking another big gulp, I eye Ant over the goblet. He sighs. “I’m going to regret this,” he mutters before throwing his head back and gulping the drink, his Adam’s apple working hard to swallow the liquid. How does one make a throat sexy?

“Very good,” Lysa says, sipping her own drink. “First you must understand the consequences of what you seek.”

“We already know it will kill the beast,” Ant says.

Lysa shakes her head. “Not only the beast, but the host as well.”

My heart lurches at the thought and tears prick my eyes. I jump up and point at her. “It’s not an option, Archan must survive.”

She arches an eyebrow and stretches her legs, throwing one over the arm of the throne. “Of course it’s an option. Not your only one, but unless you’re willing to do what’s necessary to kill the beast, you are undeserving of my help.”

Ant places a hand on my shoulder and forces me to sit next to him. I do, but grip the side of the sofa so hard my knuckles turn white.

Ant keeps his hand on my shoulder. “This is a backup. The plan is to contain the beast once again. But Natia knows this is a possibility.”

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