Page 70 of Blood

Come the fuck on. Does she honestly expect me to believe her “nice” act? There’s no way in hell she’ll escape imprisonment and immediately agree to follow the orders of her archenemy’s daughter. She must have an angle, but until I can determine what that angle is, I’ll need to keep her close.

Besides, if she’s willing to help me eliminate Zeus, then I’ll do anything she asks. My soul burns with the desperate need for vengeance, and only Zeus’s head on a silver platter will dampen the blistering flames.

Athena nods cordially and then sweeps away, her long, silver gown cascading behind her like a waterfall of silk. I warily watch her go until she disappears around the corner.

“I don’t trust her,” I say immediately, turning back to my mates. “And she’s too powerful for me to compel. I have no idea if she’s deep dicking me or if she’s being truthful.”

“I don’t trust her either.” Frankie tiredly runs his hands through his dark hair. It’s beginning to become longer at the top, emphasizing the tight curls I love to run my fingers through. A contemplative expression paves its way across his face as he tilts his head to the side. “Perhaps I could put together a truth potion to determine her sincerity. I’m not sure if it’ll be strong enough to work, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. It’ll certainly be stronger than your coercion.”

“You can do that?” I gape at him.

“I’ll need to gather some ingredients from my lab at Prodigium, but yes.” Frankie nods decisively. “I believe I can.”

Hope unfurls in my chest at the prospect of finally getting answers.

“Yes.” I nod eagerly. “We can send a team to gather what you need. Make a list as soon as you’re able to.” I shift my gaze to Memphis, who still sits at the table with his claws tapping against one another.

The monster meets my gaze unflinchingly. “I can assemble a team of trusted demons for you, Your Highness. Shall I put a note in your calendar?”

“Thank you, Memphis.”

I don’t know how it happened, but somewhere along the way, Memphis turned into my...unofficial secretary? Yes, I don’t understand it either.

But I have to say, the grotesque creature is surprisingly good at keeping meticulous, written notes of our meetings and knows all of Hell’s latest gossip.

Memphis awkwardly attempts to type on his computer with his huge crab claws. A second later, my phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket. A new event has been added to my calendar.

SHFDI)SIODJFDKL DSDS

Okay, maybe there’s one thing Memphis isn’t good at. He really shouldn’t be in charge of my schedule.

“So, we have a list of things we need to do.” I press my hands to my temples to fight off the encroaching headache. Dear lord, I’m going to need to attach a bottle of aspirin to my hip if I’m going to continue being a “leader” and “queen.” This shit is exhausting. “I’ll need to enlist Balor’s help in teaching me how to remove the rune from Vanessa. Afterward, a small team will travel to Frankie’s lab to gather what he needs for this truth serum.”

Frankie lifts his hand. “Perhaps I should go with the team to ensure they grab the correct—”

“No.” I shake my head vigorously. “It’s too risky. I don’t want any of you guys leaving Hell while Zeus is running rampant. Especially when he has an army of runed assholes at his beck and call.”

Cal blows out a breath and shifts in his seat. “Damn. Is it just me, or is it hot when Violet goes all queenly on our asses?”

“Not just you,” Barret murmurs as butterflies erupt in my stomach.

Frankie pinches his lips together, looking as though he wants to protest, but I cut in before he can mount an argument.

“I can’t lose you, Frankie. I can’t lose any of you.” Hot tears brand the backs of my eyes like burning pokers. “It’ll break me.”

Frankie’s face softens imperceptibly before he offers me a tiny nod of acquiescence. He may not be happy with my decision, but he’ll accept it.

“I can use my resources to try to find the location of your parents,” Dimitri cuts in, his voice that carefully apathetic rumble I’ve grown to love. He turns his frosty blue eyes toward me. “And before you protest, I’ll be careful. I’ve made a career of listening to the shadows. No one will even know I’m there.”

“But—” Fear coils tightly in my stomach at the thought of any of these men going off on their own. I know Dimitri is a badass assassin and spy, but…

“I’ll be safe,” Dimitri says expressionlessly. And then, in a soft voice meant just for me, he adds, “I won’t leave you, Violet. Not now; not ever.”

There’s no denying the sincerity in that one vow. Prickles of heat run up and down my skin, bringing a rosy flush to my cheeks. It’s still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Dimitri Gray—the unattainable, grumpy, cantankerous Dimitri Gray—loves me.

And though the last thing I want is for him to leave my sight, I have to put my trust in him, the same way he put his trust in me.

“Okay.” I nod repeatedly, as if I’m afraid that if I stop, I’ll change my mind and tie him to me. “But be careful.” I flick my gaze to Frankie next. “And if you feel it’s necessary for you to accompany the team, I trust your judgment. However, if something happens to you, to either of you—”

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