Page 141 of Legacy of Temptation

Logan’s first instinct was to summon Cujo to transport him to the hospital. The fact that he couldn’t was a sting on top of everything else.

They finished dressing and made it to the island’s Harrowgate five minutes later. “You can stay here if you want,” he said to Eva. “The hospital is kind of…full of demons.”

The look she gave him was pure annoyance. “I can handle it, Logan.” Her voice was solemn but firm, her eyes sparking with determination. “I’d rather be with you in hell than without you in paradise.”

He drew a breath at the quote she’d taken from the blockbuster movie from last year, aBeauty and The Beastretelling in which the Beast was a demon, and Belle was a demon slayer.

Man, Eva just kept getting better and better. “If you’re sure.” He reached into his pocket and fumbled around the twodecipulasto find the StryTech coin he hadn’t bothered to return to DART. When he found it, he handed it to Eva, and they entered the gate.

He tapped the glowing Underworld General Hospital caduceus symbol, and they stepped out of the gate inside Underworld General’s Emergency Department.

Prepared for the usual chaos, he was surprised that only a couple of demons were waiting to be seen, and no one was shouting, screaming, or threatening people.

Miracles do happen.

Right now, though, the miracle he needed was inside the room his father had just walked out of, his expression crestfallen, his pale eyes rimmed with red.

Logan’s world wobbled, and the only reason he remained standing was because Eva held him up.

Guilt swamped him, tried to take him to his knees.

This was his fault. If he hadn’t confronted his parents, if he hadn’t upset his mom, she wouldn’t be in that room, and his father wouldn’t be on the verge of breaking down.

“Go.” Eva squeezed his hand and nudged him. “He needs you. I’ll be fine.”

Logan had told her that Ares’ island was the safest place in the world, but really, it was here. The hospital was warded and defended by the demons who considered this place their home. And they didn’t mess around. He squeezed her hand back and went to his dad.

Thanatos watched him approach, his expression carved from ice, his gaze cold and distant.

“Dad.” Logan swallowed, willing his voice not to break. They were eye to eye, three feet apart, yet a world away. “I’m so—”

Suddenly, he was engulfed by Thanatos’s arms. “Son,” he croaked. “Whatever passes between us, I will always love you. I will always be grateful that you are here.”

Relief swamped Logan, dulling some of the pain and guilt. If his parents had taught him anything, it was that no matter how much of a jackass he could be, they would always be there for him.

“I know.” He pulled back, his eyes stinging. “Mom? The baby?”

Thanatos shook his head. “She started bleeding, and we came straight here, but Eidolon says it’s too late.”

“That can’t be,” Logan said as the Harrowgate opened, and Ares stepped out, followed by Limos and Arik. The wagons were circling. “Eidolon can fix…he can fix anything.” He looked around wildly for the doctor, but only saw patients and nurses. He was going to lose his mind with remorse.

Thanatos laid his hand on his shoulder, the comforting weight grounding Logan. “Some things are beyond even him.”

“But this is my fault. If I hadn’t upset her…”

“No.” His father released him, his gaze wandering to the room where his mother lay attached to a zillion monitors. “Your mother’s pregnancies have always been difficult. This is not on you.”

The Harrowgate flashed again, and Reseph and Jillian, both in sweats, ran out, looking like they’d come straight from bed.

“What can we do?” Jillian asked, but Thanatos shook his head.

“Your being here is all we need.” He turned back to Logan and pressed something into his hand.

The wooden weapon Thanatos had been working on in the shop when Logan had busted in, full of accusations and bile. His mouth went dry at both the memory and the knowledge that the weapon was meant for Draven.

“Just in case.” Thanatos gave Logan’s shoulder another comforting squeeze. “No matter if we are at odds or not, I want you to be safe.”

Logan wanted that too. He wanted everyone he loved to be safe, but life had taught him that safety wasn’t guaranteed, not even for immortals.

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