There was pain lacing her words, even with the hope still lingering in her question.
Anubis’ hand twitched on the countertop, his body moving closer to her, as if he wanted to comfort Iliana. “We cannot. It would disrupt the natural order of life and death. The spirits need to remain where they rest.”
“Oh, okay.” Iliana’s face fell.
She wasn’t asking about just any dead. She wanted her parents.
Chapter eighteen
ANUBIS
The silence at dinner grated on his nerves.
Iliana was still processing their refusal to let her speak with her parents. Every question raised by Anubis earned a clipped, one-word reply. She wasn’t angry—just disappointed. He hadn’t wanted to say no, but some things were beyond even the gods. They were guides and judges, not necromancers.
Thanatos avoided Iliana’s gaze, focusing on the curse instead of dwelling on her silence, occasionally offering suggestions about whom they could contact.
Hypnos sat brooding. At first glance, he seemed indifferent, but Anubis saw through it. His gaze kept moving toward Iliana—attentive. Interest he would never admit to.
Anubis usually preferred the silence, but with Iliana, he wanted to talk and learn more about her.
After dinner, she helped him clear the table and wash the dishes. She smiled shyly, her face turning a pretty pink when their hands touched. Heat slid through him, making him want to linger. But the intensity of it overwhelmed him, and he looked away, forcing himself to focus.
They finished the dishes too soon and headed to the living room. Iliana sat beside Thanatos. Hypnos reclined in an uncomfortable chair, looking ready to doze off.
Anubis hesitated before moving to the open seat beside Iliana. He waited for her nod before settling in, trying not to crowd her. Even so, he was keenly aware of how small she was beside him.
Thanatos spoke first. “We know little about your curse—only what I witnessed and what you shared. Something takes over when you sleep, pushing you toward death. It’s not random. It will not stop until you are dead.” His voice was measured as he looked at Iliana. “We are blind here. We could call in favors, but without knowing what we are fighting…” he paused, combing a hand through his hair. “Hypnos needs to watch you sleep to see what’s controlling you.”
Iliana tensed. “Okay. But only when I fall asleep on my own.” She didn’t look at Hypnos. “I’m not tired.”
“No pressure,” Anubis said tenderly.
She exhaled. “I know. I’m just glad to know I’m not losing my mind. People thought I wanted to hurt myself.”
At that, Hypnos stilled. Anubis saw his friend’s hands clench, the mask of indifference cracking. Without a word, Hypnos strode out of the room.
Iliana blinked, turning to look between Thanatos and Anubis. “Did I…did I say something wrong?”
Thanatos shook his head. “No. He’s working through some things.”
He considered going after him, but Thanatos didn’t move. If Hypnos’ own brother wasn’t worried, neither was Anubis. “What would you like to do?” he asked.
She blushed. “Other than falling asleep so you can study me, is there anything I can do to help? I feel useless.”
Before Anubis could respond, a smooth voice answered. “I could take you out to dinner.”
Iliana jumped. Anubis and Thanatos didn’t move.
“I already ate, but…thank you?” Her response was hesitant.
Hermes smirked and perched himself on the coffee table. “Then what would you like to do, beautiful?”
She didn’t startle this time, though Anubis caught the way her hands clenched in her lap.He placed a hand on her knee, keeping his touch light and non-threatening. When she didn’t pull away, satisfaction burned through him.
“What’s your message, Hermes?” Thanatos asked.
The messenger god grinned, unrepentant. “Do I need a reason to visit?”
