Page 77 of Hades

“And can you honestly say that if one of those times isn’t going to be your last?”

“Would that be such a bad thing?” I hold up my hand before he can answer. “Think about it before you answer because you have so much more to consider besides just yourself. And maybe if it were just you, I would reconsider. But I have so much love for Sloane and your daughter that if anything happened to them because of me, I would never forgive myself.”

Ash lets out a loud audible sigh as he processes what I’ve just said. “And if Pestilence follows you, who will have your back there?”

Leaning against the bar top, I give my brother a genuine smile. “I don’t think she can. From what I’ve learned over the last few years, the split in reality happened the day Gabriel destroyed mankind, and Themis damned him and Pestilence to this one. There is no evidence that Gabe ever fell or that any of you have. Of course, that’s just a theory that Michael and I have been toying with,” I add.

Ash lets out a long whistle. “That is some far-fetched conspiracy theory shit you got going on.”

“I can feel it, Ash. She’s been too quiet for too long. Biding her time, waiting for the right moment. Whatever her plan is, she needs me to make it happen, and I have no intention of standing by her side. I’ve got some loose ends to tie up here,” I add as a vision of Kennedy once again enters my mind and begins to cloud my judgment. She is the only woman that I would change the world for, in this reality or any other. But the thought that Pestilence could and would use her to get to me only makes my decision to leave that much easier.

“How will we know you’re okay? You know Sloane isn’t just going to let you waltz off into the sunset.”

“I won’t let you go where?” A distinctly feminine voice echoes through the bar as Sloane walks in, carrying my niece in her arms.

For a woman who claims to be nothing more than human, she has the uncanniest ability of intuition that I have ever seen. I pity her children when they start to get old enough to think that they can pull one over on their mother.

“Where are you going?” she repeats with a smile. Ash chuckles as he watches me squirm under her gaze.

Clearing my throat, I hold out my arms, hoping that she’ll hand me the sleeping Emma. Instead, she hands the baby to Ash, who cradles his conked out daughter in the crook of his arm.

“Go ahead, tell her what you just told me,” Ash whispers so as not to wake up Emma.

For the next few minutes, I have no option but to repeat everything I already informed Ash of. Yet somehow, speaking to Sloane, I feel much less confident in my decision.

“Hmmm,” is her only reaction as she looks back and forth between her husband and me. “First of all, I want you to know that I think you are absolutely right in your decision to leave.”

Her words shock me. I hadn’t expected Sloane to be the one who would agree that I should leave. But then again, she is a mother who will protect her child above all else. Before I can say anything, she holds up her hand.

“I’m not done. I need you to know that I don’t want you to go but I understand your reasoning. I’ve also learned that when it comes to the two of you, you’re like two peas in a pod—too stubborn to get out of your own damn way. The two of you will do what is necessary to protect your family. But make no mistake about it, Reaver, you are part of this family, and we will do what we must to protect you in turn. Even if that means having to let you leave… temporarily,” she adds.

I watch as Ash’s mouth hangs open in shock at his wife’s agreement to my plan. I have to say I’m also in shock, but happy that at least one of them can see my reasoning.

“When do you think you’re going to go?” Sloane inquires just as her daughter begins to fuss in her father’s arms. Reaching over the bar, I pluck the infant from my brother, and she instantly snuggles into me and falls back asleep.

“Well, I am going to miss how you can calm her,” Ash says with a smile. “You have a gift.”

“It will take me about a week or so to settle everything here. I won’t leave without letting you know.”

CHAPTER TWO

KENNEDY

It had been a few days since I spoke to Salem. The decision to move back to Boston after working with her and Michael for the last year was a difficult one, but one I had to to make for my own sanity. Despite having an advanced degree and a Ph.D. in human behavior, I still can’t tell if I stayed in Colorado for work, or because I hoped that Reaver would return.

My gut tells me it was the latter, but I want to believe I stayed for the work.

All I do know is that something is compelling me to call her. It’s just after 2 am here, so it’s just after midnight in Colorado. If I were dialing anyone else, I would feel slightly guilty. But Salem’s husband is a Blood Angel and she’s a vampire witch, so their lifestyle is about as nocturnal as one can get.

I’ve barely pushed Call before I hear Salem’s voice on the other end. “Hey, I was just about to call you. What’s up?” she asks. Sometimes I hate the fact that my oldest and dearest friend is a witch who has a natural sense of when those close to her need her.

“I don’t know,” I say honestly because I don’t know what this feeling of dread and doom is that seems to be seeping into my life is lately. All I do know is that if anyone were able to help me, it would be her. “Have you heard from…” I pause, not wanting to say Reaver’s name. “Anyone… Have you heard from anyone?” I amend.

“Anyone?” Salem questions and lets out a small laugh. Not the kind that says she thinks I’m funny, but the kind that says, “I know you better than anyone; just say what you mean.”

I know she can’t see me, but I roll my eyes and let out a loud sigh. “Are you going to make me say his name?”

“No and no. But I do feel an energy shift. Something is going on. I’ve been getting this feeling of, I don’t know, dread, maybe. I can’t seem to shake it. I’ve even called up Aunt Olisha to see if she’s feeling it too. She said she wasn’t feeling any large shift, so it must be something directly affecting us.”

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