A wicked gleam lit Hermes’ eyes, clearly enjoying riling them up, though something softer twinkled beneath it as he placed a hand on top of her head. He smoothed the knots with a touch of power. His hand trailed down the strands, leaving her hair soft and shining—lingering at the ends as if he didn’t want to let go.
“Thank you,” she said. As soon as the god released her, she moved away from Thanatos’ side, skirting past Hermes.
“You are most welcome,” he said, his eyes following her as she walked away, joining Anubis, who’d taken up the center of the couch once more.
Thanatos pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hermes, the message.”
“Oh yes, that.” Hermes sat on the coffee table and leaned toward Iliana, his face growing serious. “The Fates request your presence.”
Iliana stared at him. “The Fates want to seeme?”
Chapter twenty-two
ILIANA
Hermes laughed softly and covered her hand with his. “Yes, sweet girl. The Fates. Are you familiar with them, or have these gods neglected to explain how things work?”
Iliana frowned. She didn’t appreciate his mocking tone. “I know of the Fates. And no, there hasn’t been any time for lessons.”
Anubis placed a hand on her leg, his warmth calming her as she focused on the question.
“The Fates are three sisters. The weavers of destiny?” She had a vague memory of an animated movie from when she was a kid. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Hermes nodded. “Yes. And they’ve requested your presence. Which means they plan to discuss your fate.”
She struggled to keep up as each answer only raised more questions.
“Like I said before you ran off,” Hermes continued, “you’re attracting the attention of many gods. The Fates are just the latest. And when they get involved, it usually means someone’s been tampering with destiny. Or you’re going to change something big.” His sharp blue eyes studied her. “That makes you very interesting to us.”
She half expected the others to agree. Instead, their looks only darkened while Hermes all but vibrated with curiosity.
“A goddess wants you protected, the Fates summon you, and someone went to great lengths to curse your bloodline,” Hermes mused, cocking his head as though attempting to solve a riddle. “So, little human, why aren’t you longing to understand what’s so remarkable about you?”
He was wrong. She’d never been special, and she didn’t want to be. Being noticed meant being vulnerable—and she’d already lost too much. She couldn’t lose anyone else.
Anubis’ grip on her leg tightened slightly. “You said the Fates requested her presence. Did they say why?”
Hermes turned his gaze to the god, smirking. “They never say why, Jackal. You know that.”
Anubis didn’t return the smile. “If the Fates are involved, this is bigger than just a curse. They do not summon humans unless there is a reason.”
Iliana swallowed. “You make it sound ominous.”
“Because it might be.”
She shivered, the reassurance she’d hoped for vanishing instantly.She looked to Thanatos; his face was just as serious. Turning back to Hermes, she asked, “When am I supposed to meet them?”
“A few days, maybe a week.” He stretched lazily. “They didn’t specify a time, but if you make them wait too long…” He grinned. “The Fates will come for you.”
She grew queasy. “What does that mean, exactly?”
Hypnos cleared his throat. “It means they’ll take you, whether you want them to or not.”
She hated being left with no control, with no say in her life or her decisions, but she forced herself to think past the panic.This differed from her parents’ deaths or being taken from her apartment. This time, she had a warning. She could choose how she faced it.
Her voice steadied, even if she didn’t. “Okay. I’ll be ready for them.” She looked past Anubis and caught Thanatos’ eye. “Will that give us enough time for a quick lesson or two about them? I’d rather not walk in completely blind. I want to be prepared.”
Thanatos looked surprised by her request. “We will teach you about their customs and prepare you. But Iliana, do not take this invitation lightly.”
