Page 82 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

I squeeze her hand. “I will do everything I can to protect him. If I could do this without them I would. But the universe keeps pushing us all together.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to face these obstacles on your own. Whatever path lies ahead, you need these people in order to succeed. Alone, the fear will consume you. Just when the time comes, make sure he’s at a safe distance.” My eyes well up, again.

“I will protect him.”

She nods. “It’s such a pity the universe isn’t pushing you together to be kissy best friends.”

I leave her standing on the porch, arms folded as she frowns at us in the retreating car. Duncan waves, which she returns. “What did she say in the kitchen?” Zee asks.

“Tarot readings are private,” Duncan says, glancing at me in the mirror, “whatever was said, was for Natia only.”

Zee scoffs. “If it has anything to do with this shit show, we need to know.”

I shake my head. “It was more personal. I need to process the last few days.” I hug the crystal closer as Zee wraps an arm around me.

“Keep your secrets, I’ll just torture them out of you later.”

I drop my head on his shoulder, my eyes falling closed. “Just bog standard torture, no mind games?”

“Sure,” he says.

A smile pulls at my lips as my eyes get heavy. “Deal.”

“Unless Zac tortures them out of you first,” he mutters.

Chapter Twenty

Natia

As a Taurus, it’s not just the climax you’re after… you want to enjoy the journey.

Duncan teleports Aaden leaving Zee and I alone.

“Are you ready to face their questions about your time in hell?” he asks as we lean against the SUV parked outside the New Orleans SIP office.

I fold my arms. “You mean am I ready to be interrogated by the god of war like I’m his enemy?”

He snorts. “You can handle Zac. He’s all bark and no bite.”

“Not sure history supports that theory,” I mutter.

Duncan reappears with a grimace. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

He glances at me. “Are you sure you don’t just want to go back to the cave?”

I shake my head. “I can’t run from this. We need to work together. Me hiding out will only amplify any negative feelings the cadre harbor towards me. It will widen the gap of suspicion which lingers in the air. If we are going to defeat Ty, we must be united.”

He tips his head back and glances at the night sky. “You’re right, but Zac is in a foul mood. Emi is there, which I doubt is helping.”

I grab his arm; he studies me. “I know you want to protect me, save me from more heartache. But I must face my problems and mistakes and take ownership of them.”

“What mistakes?” Zee asks.

“Hiding the key from you guys, opening the Jar in the first place to name but a few.”

Zee scowls as Duncan nods and grabs my hand. The world shifts and blacks out. The pie and cookies threaten to appear just as my feet slam to the ground. Duncan disappears as someone wraps their arms around me and picks me up off the floor. Blonde tipped hair pokes me in the eye. I smack his back. “Smoothie, put me down.”

He squeezes tighter. “By the gods, I thought we’d lost you to the bowels of hell.”

---