Page 31 of Gambling with Time

Sam glanced over at me, studying my face. “I like demon Bellamy better.”

I smiled, my canines still firmly in place, and she grinned back at me. “That’s good to know.”

“Stop flirting,” Ty grumbled as he led the way to the exit.

Unfortunately for him, I didn’t follow commands, and it actually made me do the opposite. By the time we reached their home, I couldn’t even count how many times I made Sam blush and Ty groan. Pushing buttons was a specialty I honed as the younger sibling. At least while Tristan was around. And it gave me great pleasure to do it.

As we entered the house, I tried to pick up every detail of the home Samantha grew up in. It was cozy and comfortable. Light pastel colors, and photos hung on every wall. They led the way into the living room. I paused in the doorway as my gaze traveled over her parents.

Her father had a book open and glasses perched on his nose. While her mother was focused on her laptop. They both paused what they were doing when we arrived.

“Do you remember? You were gone so long, and then Ty disappeared. I was so worried,” her mom said as she popped to her feet and crossed the space between them. She pulled them in for a hug, smooshing them together like they were still little kids or something.

When she released them, her gaze landed on me. “Who is your friend?”

“Bellamy.” Sam crossed her arms and stepped back, placing herself between me and her mom. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.

“I’m sorry about–” she started.

I huffed out a laugh. “About attempting to kill me to save your daughter?” I lifted an eyebrow. “That was the point. Although, I did think I would actually die.”

She nodded, clearly unsure what to say to my brushing off of her apology. I knew that Samantha still harbored some kind of feelings on the subject, but as far as I was concerned, she did what a parent should have done, protect their child at all cost.

“Mom, we need help getting Rai’s memories back. Does The Order have a way?”

She shook her head as she tugged her eyes back to her daughter. “No, I looked after the God Alastor came and asked your brother for help. If they have a way, it is hidden. And they are already suspicious of me, we’ve been put under surveillance.”

“I noticed the van, could they be any less obvious?” Sam replied.

“Being obvious is their point,” her dad spoke up. “They want us to know they hold the power, and if we don’t do what they want, they know where to find us.”

“What do they want?” Ty asked.

“To save the world, I suppose.” Her mom lifted her shoulders in a half shrug and settled back onto the couch.

“They have a crappy way of going about it. Things aren’t as black and white as they think,” Sam grumbled.

Moving further into the room, I laid my hand on her shoulder, working out the tension I could sense. What she really needed was a good orgasm. But we didn’t have time for that while trying to save the world.

“Maybe Rai and Alastor have had better luck,” I replied. She leaned into my chest, spreading her warmth into mine.

“I hope so,” she murmured.

CHAPTER 17

Lex

Entering my mother’s home without bothering to knock, I strolled in as if I still lived there. In her sitting room, she paused midway with a cup of tea, her lips frozen in anticipation of the warm drink. Setting the cup back on the saucer, a joyous light illuminated her face as she stood up to greet me. Her shadows billowed around her feet, and she stepped forward, her company forgotten.

I cast my attention over the room, my gaze snagging on the sister I had come to see. Sleep.

“Where is your son?” I asked, my back rigid and my tone demanding. I didn’t have time for games today.

A smile wavered over my mother’s face as she stood before me. “I’m so glad your memories have been restored.”

“Tell me, Mother… Why is it Gods and Goddesses can play in our lives when it suits them, but if it is to save their own child or brother, it is considered interfering?”

She blinked, her shadow pausing halfway to my face. “Faith. And prophecy.”

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