“And while you’re off on your scavenger hunt, I’m supposed to protect her on my own?” Hypnos asked. He wasn’t a warrior like Anubis. He wasn’t reckless like Hermes. His strength was more subtle—keeping her alive as she slept. But was he capable of fighting? Facing unknown threats?
Despite those doubts, she knew better than to discount him. He was a god, after all.
Hermes rolled his eyes. “Relax. If I thought she were in immediate danger, I wouldn’t leave.”
“You wouldn’t?” Iliana asked.
He gave her a teasing smile. “Don’t look so surprised, sweet girl. I prefer you alive.”
Hypnos snorted.
Hermes ignored him. “They’ll be back in a few hours. You’re not defenseless. Neither is Hypnos. And I’m always listening. If anything happens, I’ll know.”
After a lazy stretch, he disappeared.
Iliana looked at Hypnos. “Well, that was reassuring.”
He dismissed Hermes’ exit and asked, “Do you want to keep watching the show?”
“I—sure,” she replied, distracted.
“Are you sure?”
She turned to him, surprised by the tender edge in his tone. Was that…teasing? “I don’t know if I could watch anything right now. There’s too much on my mind.”
The show had stirred up more than she’d expected. Memories of her father. Everything she’d lost. Everything that’d brought her there.
“There’s too much on my mind,” she said again.
Hypnos grabbed the remote and shut off the TV, then turned to face her. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Iliana stared, then looked at him suspiciously. “Did you just ask if I wanted to talk about my feelings?”
His smile turned wicked. “I know it’s shocking, but you’ve been chewing on something for a while. I figured if I offered, maybe your head wouldn’t explode.”
She sensed he was being genuine, despite his biting humor. Not knowing how long his good temper would last, she turned and got comfortable on the couch. “I’ve got enough worries to write a novel.”
He gave a small laugh. “Lucky for you, I’m immortal. I’ve got time.”
She stared. His laugh caught her off guard. It was friendly and genuine. For a second, she saw who he might’ve been before life made him bitter.
Her stomach growled, and Hypnos’ eyes lowered. “You’re hungry. What do you want to eat?”
She placed a hand over her stomach. “Pizza?”
A box of steaming pizza appeared on the coffee table after he let her choose the type. Iliana eagerly grabbed a slice. She took a bite and let out a satisfied moan. “Food of the gods.”
Hypnos stiffened. “What? Ambrosia?” Concern laced his words.
She giggled. “No; it’s an expression.”
His shoulders relaxed. Then his eyes narrowed at the pizza.
“What’s wrong?” she asked through another bite. “Have you had pizza before?”
Scowling, he said, “Of course, I’ve had pizza before.” He pointed accusingly at the box. “That is not pizza.”
“It’s Hawaiian.”
