Chapter 22
Seth
There was a good part of me that was sure I had not heard Apollo correctly. I needed him to repeat himself.
“Come again?”
“The demigods’ abilities cannot be unlocked. There needed to be six of them for that to happen naturally. Now, as you’ve probably guessed, some of their abilities began to take shape when Josie became a demigod, but as far as them being able to control the elements or harness akasha, they would need to be fully unbound and that will not happen.”
I stared at him for a good minute before I could find the words. “Why not? There has to be… Wait.” I barked out a harsh laugh. “Fuck me with a rusted fork, I get it.”
Apollo’s brows lifted. “The image you just provided me was something I could’ve lived without ever experiencing.”
I ignored that comment. “What you’re saying is that, for the demigods to have their abilities unlocked, it would require the gods who donated their sperm or their egg to unbind them. That would mean the god would be weakened.” I smirked. “Can’t imagine Poseidon signing up for that.”
The god’s eyes narrowed. “It’s more than just that, Seth. Or have you forgotten that Ares is dead, and therefore cannot unlock his son’s abilities?”
“I haven’t forgotten, but three fully charged demigods is better than one, right?”
“Right,” he agreed coolly. “Do you think I haven’t wished they’d follow my lead? Or that I haven’t asked?”
“I’ve given up on guessing what you may or may not do.”
“I have spoken to them,” Apollo responded.
And I knew without asking what their answers had been. “Then what do we do? Because what other options do we have? Or are you saying that entombing the Titans is hopeless? You do realize they just took over the community in Chicago? You guys do realize they are responsible for what happened there.”
“Yes. We are aware of it.”
“And that’s not enough for them to unlock the demigods? Do you know what they offered me?” Apollo’s jaw locked down, and I had no idea if he knew the deal I’d been offered. “Oceanus wants me to bring them Zeus’s head. I have until some festival at the end of July. If I don’t do it, they will destroy Chicago, and they won’t stop there.”
Shockingly, he didn’t ask if I was going to take the deal.
“And now you’re telling me there’s no chance of the demigods getting their abilities? Then what is the point? If that’s the case, then give me a heads-up and I’ll take Josie and go someplace that it’ll take decades for the Titans to find us.”
“You’d do that, wouldn’t you?”
I met his gaze and then I really thought about what I’d said and what I’d do. And then, damn if I didn’t think about what Zeus had said to me. “That’s what I would want to do. That’s what instinct tells me, but I don’t…I don’t want my child to grow up in a world that could end at any given minute. I don’t want a world where Josie has to look over her shoulder every second of the day. So, I guess my answer is no. I wouldn’t do that. I would want to, but I couldn’t. I’d figure out a way to entomb the Titans.”
Apollo held my stare for a moment and then looked away. “What you would do for love and for your child is…admirable, Seth. That I can say.”
I stared at him.
“Love usually doesn’t make people better. People want to believe that it does, but in the end, love usually makes people selfish. And for us? Gods? Love is more of a poison than a gift,” he said, and I had no idea how to respond to any of that. “What would you do to ensure that your child is birthed into a better world?”
I didn’t hesitate. Not for one second. “I would do anything.”
~
Josie
My chest sort of hollowed out as I stared at Seth. We were supposed to hook up with Alex and Aiden so I could finally meet Ares’s son when Seth dropped the bomb that Apollo had been here, at the Covenant, and that there was no other way of unlocking the remaining demigods’ abilities.
We stood in the hallway, just by the stairs leading to the second floor. It was early in the morning, so the hall was quiet while we waited for Aiden and Alex.
“He was here, at the University?” I felt like I needed to clarify that. Maybe he meant that he’d talked to Apollo in an alternate dimension or something. “Like, right here, in the same building as me?”
Seth nodded.
I opened my mouth, but closed it. A moment passed. “And you didn’t come get me?”
“You were sleeping.”
Mouth gaping, I blinked slowly and then I shot forward, smacking his arm. “And you didn’t think to wake me up?”
Seth caught my hand as his eyes met mine. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” Irritated, I tried to pull my hand free, but Seth held on. “I can’t believe you didn’t wake me.”
“I know.” Seth pulled me to his chest, clamping one arm around my waist, trapping my arms so I didn’t hit him again. He still held onto my hand as he dropped his chin to the top of my head. “And I am sorry, Josie. I really am.”
I didn’t get it. Why would Seth not wake me up? He knew how badly I wanted to see my father, to talk to him—to force him to talk to me. Seth more than anyone knew.
Then it hit me.
Sucking in a sharp breath, I pulled back, and I did so with enough force to break Seth’s hold. Understanding dawned, and damn, it hurt. “He didn’t want to see me.”
Pain flickered across Seth’s face, and I knew I was right. “Josie—”
“I’m right, aren’t it?” My entire chest burned.
Jaw grinding, he looked away and didn’t answer, and that wasn’t good enough. I wanted to hear him say it. I didn’t know why, but I needed to hear him say it.
“He only wanted to talk to you, but didn’t want to see me. That is why you didn’t wake me up.”
“Josie, babe, I…” He trailed off, finally looking at me again. “Don’t make me say it.”
“Why?” My heart pounded in my chest and the burn had crawled into my stomach. “It’s the truth, right? What’s so wrong with saying it?”
Seth stepped toward me, and I knew he was going to pull me back into his arms, and if he did that, I was going to cry. Because I was a mess and I wanted my dad to be a dad, but Alex and Aiden’s door finally opened and they stepped outside.
Relieved by the interruption, I spun toward them. “Hi!”
Both drew up short and looked between Seth and me. Probably had to do with my overly bright greeting.
“Hey.” Alex smiled faintly. “I hope you guys weren’t waiting long.”
“Not at all,” I chirped, ignoring the frustration that rolled off Seth.
Aiden looked from Seth to me. “We are so sorry to hear about Colin,” he said, his voice heavy with compassion. “We didn’t know him well, but he seemed like a really great guy.”
“He was.” I pressed my lips together, not wanting to think about Colin. I knew that was wrong, but it hurt too much to do it. I drew in a shallow breath. “So, you guys ready to head up?”
“Yep.” Alex stopped beside me, her heart-shaped face tilted up as she placed her hand on my arm. “Everything okay with you?”
Swallowing the knot in my throat, I nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay; the baby is okay.”
Alex squeezed my arm. “I’m happy to hear that.”
And I knew she meant that, which made me want to cry again.
Good Lord, was this pregnancy hormones? Or was it everything to do with Colin and my father? Probably a mixture of all of those things, but thankfully, we got to walking up the stairs.
Unfortunately, Seth lingered back and said, “We need to talk,” his voice low as Alex and Aiden rounded the first flight of stairs.
“I don’t think we do.” I didn’t look at him as I gripped the railing. “I know the answer. It is what it is.”
“Josie…” He moved so fast, he was beside me and then he was right in front of me. “I don’t like seeing you this way.”
“I don’t like feeling this way. I just…” Casting my gaze to the window on the landing, I shook out my shoulders. “I’ll be okay.”
Seth lightly touched my cheek. “Tell me how I can make you feel better about this. Tell me, and I’ll do it. Anything.”
My heart squeezed in response to his words. If I told him jumping on one foot would make me happier, I really think he would’ve done it. “I’m not mad at you.”
“I know that.” The door above us creaked open. “This isn’t about me.”
It was all about Apollo. Closing my eyes, I shivered when he brushed his nose along the side of my cheek and then kissed the corner of my lips.
“Let’s go,” I said. “They’re waiting on us.”
Seth didn’t move for a long moment, his warm breath dancing over my lips, and then he pulled away. Taking my hand, we walked up the steps. Alex and Aiden hadn’t stayed in the stairwell, but they waited out in the hall. Obviously they knew something was up and were giving us space.
Feeling my cheeks heat, I cleared my throat. “Do you think he’s awake?”
“Yeah.” Aiden walked ahead, to the third door on the left. “Time difference. It’s actually in the afternoon for him.”
“Oh. Good point.”
I had no idea what to expect when Aiden knocked on the door; a few moments later, it opened, but I had not expected to get an eyeful of male nipple and a whole lot more.
“What the hell?” Seth cocked his head to the side.
Ares’s son stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a towel folded around his hips. The guy was lean and tall. He was also fairly good-looking, with high, cut cheekbones and a wide mouth.
And apparently he didn’t realize he was about five seconds away from death, courtesy of either Seth or Aiden.
“Did you forget to put clothes on?” Aiden clipped out.
Erik arched a dark brow in Aiden’s direction. “I just got out of the shower,” he said, and oh my, he had an accent. Nice. “Do you have a problem with that, mate?”
“I do.” Seth stepped in front of me, blocking my view, and I rolled my eyes.
“All righty,” Alex murmured under her breath as she turned slowly and raised her brows at me.
I grinned.
Sighing, Aiden pushed open the door, edging Erik out of the way. “Go put some clothes on. Gods.”
Erik smirked, but he disappeared back into the bathroom. I looked around the room, seeing a small piece of black luggage. Was that all he brought? I guessed he wasn’t planning to be here long.
Erik wasn’t gone long. He walked back into the sitting area, wearing a pair of jeans. And that was all.
“Really?” Seth murmured, his lips thinning.
I wanted to point out just how often Seth failed to wear a shirt, but decided against that. I stepped forward, offering my hand. “I’m Josie.”
The newly acquired demigod took my hand as he checked me out. “Quite nice to meet you, love.”
“It’s not going to be nice if you keep holding her hand,” Seth said from behind me.
I turned, pinning him with a look. Seth raised his brows in return. I shook my head as I looked back at Erik. “Please ignore him. He’s crabby in the morning.”
“I’m sure that’s what it is.” A half-grin appeared on Erik’s lips as he glanced over at where Aiden stood next to Alex. “I was hoping someone would bring me breakfast.”
Seth snorted. “You better do more than hope.”
“So I’m allowed to leave this room then?”
Aiden answered before Seth could. “Not yet. As we told you, there is some stuff going on here. It wouldn’t be wise for you be out there by yourself.”
Sitting down on the couch, Erik stared up at us and there wasn’t an ounce of concern on his face. He glanced at me. “So who’s your father?”
They hadn’t told him? Surprised, I glanced at Seth, but he was eye-balling Erik like he was a single-celled organism he hadn’t decided if he should squash or not.
“My father is Apollo,” I answered.
“Really?” Erik chuckled as he leaned back. “My father was not a fan of yours.”
I blinked. When Seth had told me that Erik had met Ares, I’d been somewhat surprised, but I figured it may have been a one-off thing. I mean, Ares sounded legit psychotic, so I couldn’t imagine he’d been spending much time with his son.
“Did you see your father a lot?” I asked.
Erik lifted a shoulder as he rubbed a finger along his brow. “I guess so. Wasn’t like every day or every week, but he was around. Anyway, what’s the plan?” he asked. “I’m assuming no one brought me here just to keep me stashed away in a room.”
“Well, we’re thinking we’ll start training you, along with the other two you’ll be meeting today,” Aiden said, sitting on the arm of the chair. “At least in the basics when it comes to hand-to-hand combat.”
“Your full demigod abilities are still bound, but you don’t need them to defend yourself,” Alex chimed in. “We can teach you.”
As they talked, a hot, ugly feeling unfurled in the pit of my stomach. I knew I should be paying attention, because I felt responsible for these demigods, even this one who was looking back at Aiden like he hadn’t signed up for any of this, but my brain was tripping over what Erik had said about his father.
Ares had formed a relationship Erik.
Crazy, murderous Ares.
Meanwhile, my father did everything under the sun to avoid being in the same room with me.
I shifted my weight from one side to the next, trying to pay attention to what they were saying, because I was pretty sure they were starting to argue, but my head…it just wasn’t in this right now. My skin felt stretched too tight, brittle and about to break.
In that moment I realized I was going to lose it, right there, in the middle of the room with a stranger who had a better relationship with his murderous, psycho dad who was dead than I did with mine, who was very much alive and mostly not a psycho.
I had to get out of that room.
“Excuse me,” I murmured, and then I left the room. I didn’t wait for a response from anyone, but I knew Seth followed.
He caught up to me a few steps away from Erik’s door. “Josie, are you sick?”
For a moment, I had no idea why he thought that, but then I realized my face felt flushed and he probably thought I was about to vomit. Morning sickness. Duh. “No,” I said quickly. “I’m not sick.”
There wasn’t any relief in his striking features as he walked to where I stood. His hair loosely brushed the curve of his jaw. The moment those churning amber eyes met mine, I felt my self-control begin to crack a little. “Don’t compare what is going on with Apollo to what Ares and Erik had. That’s not a road you want to go down.”
Was I that transparent?
Yeah, like a window.
I sighed. “My head is just not where it needs to be right now. I’m okay, Seth. I just…I just need a few minutes. Please?”
One look at his face told me that he didn’t want to leave me alone, and I could appreciate that. I really could, but I just needed space to get my head back where it needed to be. “I didn’t get the chance to tell you this earlier, but he did ask about you, Josie. He asked about you and the baby. He is thinking of you and he is concerned, he is just shit at showing it.
I drew in a stuttering breath. Somehow him asking Seth about me made it all the worse, because he was thinking about me. “I just need to walk.” My vision blurred. “You said you’d do anything, and that is what I need.”
Seth’s shoulders tensed and it was obvious he didn’t like it, but then he nodded.
I mouthed “thank you” and started to back up, but Seth caught me around the waist and tugged me to his chest. He lifted me clear off the floor, to the point my feet dangled. His mouth was on mine, hot and firm, and making my head spin. Electricity thrummed between us. I opened, and his tongue spread over mine. Despite the sorrow infecting my chest like a poison, molten lava moved through my veins. His kiss was demanding, possessive—devouring.
When he put me back down, I was surprised my legs were still working. All I could do was stare up at him, flushed for a whole different reason.
“I love you,” he said. “Just want you to remember that.”
“Always,” I whispered.
“Find me when you’re ready.”
More than a little shaken, I nodded as I backed away and then hurried off, my lips feeling swollen and my pulse pounding.
I really had no idea where I was going, but I eventually found myself in the gated courtyard, the one that bloomed beautiful flowers all year round and smelled like the best parts of a florist shop.
Walking past the bench, I stopped and stared at it. This was where Colin and I would sit and talk during the time Seth had pushed me away.
Colin was…he had been a good friend.
Blinking back tears, I sat down on the bench and shoved the hair back from my face, clasping the strands to my neck. I closed my eyes as I breathed in the warm air. Maybe I was being overly emotional. Or maybe I would be handling this latest development with Apollo better if Colin hadn’t just been murdered.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but tears snuck through. I wondered, if I just let myself cry, I’d move on and clear my head. Then I could focus on what was important, like the fact that the demigods had no way of their powers being unbound.
But I felt like…I felt like that little girl again, the one who didn’t understand why her father wasn’t a part of her life and who her mother wished she hadn’t had.
It was like being right back there, unwanted.
Letting go of my hair, I wiped at my cheeks and sat up straight. I looked down at my stomach and placed my hands there, just below my belly.
My child wasn’t even born yet and I couldn’t imagine not wanting to see him or her, to not be a part of their life. I just didn’t—
“Josie?”
I looked up at the sound of my name, seeing Laadan rounding the corner. I expected to see Alexander behind her. Whenever I saw her, he wasn’t far behind the raven-haired woman.
They had a…thing.
Wiping at my face, I plastered on a smile. “Hey,” I croaked out, and then cringed. “What’s up?”
Sympathy creased her face as she approached me. Her long hair was pulled back in a smooth ponytail I could never master. Even in jeans and a blouse, there was an innate elegance to Laadan that made me feel like I had the grace of a baby donkey.
“I’m sorry to intrude,” she said softly, “but Marcus and Alexander are looking for you and Seth.”
Figuring it had to do with what had happened yesterday, I pushed my daddy issues aside. “Seth is with Alex and Aiden and, um, Erik.” I didn’t know if she knew who Erik was. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, but Marcus thought it was best for you to hear this before it gets out like almost everything inevitably does.”
I started to frown. I had no idea where she was going with this.
Laadan clasped her hands together. “Colin…Colin’s body is missing.”