Hypnos looked at his brother. He hadn’t meant to scare her or let her go hungry. Time just got away from him like it always did, but he kept seeing her shaking hands holding that dagger. The way she’d crumpled when he’d made her sleep.
Guilt, sharp and unwelcome, dug into him again.
“I didn’t intend to scare her. Or starve her.” He almost choked on the words but forced them out. “I was curious. Then I lost track of time.”
Thanatos’ frustration gave way to understanding, making Hypnos feel even worse. He sat beside him on the bed, resting his elbows on his knees. “I need your help.”
Hypnos stiffened. He buried the small bit of pride at being needed beneath his usual indifference.“I don’t know how much help I can be. I don’t know how to interact with her. I’m only good at putting people to sleep, and she doesn’t want that.”
His twin rubbed his temples. “She might not. But this is about what she needs.” His hand landed on Hypnos’ shoulder. “Sleep will find her, with or without your help. You are the only one who can give us insight into this curse. It only affects her when she sleeps. You have to figure this out.”
He was curious about the curse. He’d sensed nothing off about her sleep before, but he hadn’t been looking either.If someone had used his domain, his power, to enact this curse, then that was a problem.
He shrugged. “I already told you I’d help.”
Thanatos studied him. “What if we need to leave the cave? I have a feeling we cannot keep her locked up here forever.”
Hypnos sensed it too.Keeping one human alive was supposed to be simple, but this? This was becoming something else.
Would he be able to leave when the time came? Or would he break a promise to his twin for the first time?
Chapter sixteen
ILIANA
Thanatos excused himself to speak with his brother, leaving Iliana alone in the kitchen with Anubis. She had no idea how to start a conversation with a god.
“Are you still hungry? There is plenty of stew left.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks at the memory of how quickly she’d devoured the first bowl. Embarrassed, she looked away. “I’m good for now.”
When he turned and headed into the living room, she followed. “Would you mind answering a question?”
Anubis stretched his long legs out as he sank into the couch, his golden eyes shining. “Ask me anything, and I’ll try to answer.”
She hesitated before sitting on the opposite end of the sofa. Despite her nervousness, she felt comfortable around him. It didn’t make sense.
“I know of you,” she said. “But you don’t look like the images I’ve seen.” When his brows lifted, she pointed at his head. “You know—the jackal head?”
A deep chuckle rumbled out of him, and she smiled despite everything.
“I have three forms,” he explained, smirking as he motioned to himself. “This one, and the full jackal—which you called handsome earlier.”
She went utterly still. The black dog? The one she’d woken up to? “Wait. That was you?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “I did not want to scare you when you woke. My other form seemed less terrifying. Had I known Hypnos would treat you so poorly, I never would have left you with him.” His eyes darkened.
Iliana tensed at the change in his tone. “I don’t think he meant to be cruel,” she admitted. She remembered how, during their interactions, his interest had felt more fascinated than threatening. “He seemed more curious and amused than anything.”
“Amused?” Anubis asked.
She nodded, despite her lingering wariness. Hypnos’ lips twitched in amusement when she’d threatened him with the dagger. His lazy indifference, even as she cussed him out.
Better luck next time, little human.
“Yeah, amused.” She shook her head, not wanting to dwell on Hypnos anymore. “So…your third form,” she prompted, leading the conversation elsewhere. “That’s the one with the jackal head and the human body?”
Anubis narrowed his eyes at the change in subject, but answered her question. “Yes, though I rarely use that form. It is mostly ceremonial.” His lips twitched. “Or if I need to scare some humans.”
