She swallowed. “Are they dangerous?”
Hypnos leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “No,” he said. “They won’t harm you.” That should’ve made her feel better, but then he added, “They’ll give you just enough information to confuse you.”
Iliana scowled. “That’s…not comforting.”
Hypnos shrugged. “It wasn’t meant to be.”
She gritted her teeth.Asshole.
Anubis’ deep voice rumbled, pulling her attention away from the grumpy god of sleep. “We will be with you. You will not face them alone.”
The gods moved on quickly, talking strategy as they grouped around a table conjured between them. What they’d teach her, where the Fates planned to meet them, what to do if things went wrong—plans spiraled faster than she could track.
She tried to join in and make her opinion heard, but their voices faded as her attention waned. She barely processed their words. More than one pantheon watched her, with sets of expectations she couldn’t meet.
Anubis remained next to her throughout. He methodically sharpened a knife as he spoke with the others about training her. Something about combat lessons and self-defense.
She tried to focus on learning to protect herself. It was something she’d always wanted but never pursued. The uncertainty and knowledge that the Fates were watching her forced her further down into the cushions. Her thoughts were focused on one thing.Why me?
She had no answer.
Looking at Thanatos, she thought of their kiss. Gentle. No pressure or expectations. She hadn’t pulled away, leaning in and taking what she wanted. Thanatos held her, and she melted into him. Maybe it was the near-death experiences or the curse tricking her mind.
Or maybe it was just him.
She was only vaguely aware of Anubis moving near her as she closed her eyes, trying to sort through her emotions. Her body gave in before her mind could protest.
She slipped—quiet, unnoticed—into sleep.
Chapter twenty-three
HYPNOS
“Teaching her to fight won’t matter,” Hypnos said. “Even with proper technique, if a god comes for her, she won’t stand a chance.”
Anubis got up from the couch. “I disagree. Mortal warriors need training, especially those called by the Fates. We do not know why she was cursed or who is after her. What if it is another mortal? A monster? She needs to hold her own long enough for one of us to reach her.”
Hypnos kept Iliana in his periphery, noting how her fingers, which had been tapping on her thigh, had stopped moving. He was about to check on her when Thanatos’ hand rested on his shoulder.
“Anubis is right,” Thanatos said. “Until we know who cursed her, we give her every advantage. A few seconds of self-defense could be the difference between life and death.”
Before Hypnos could argue, a sharp gasp cut through the room.
His head whipped toward the couch. Iliana sat upright, eyes alert. Blood darkened her lips. A dagger jutted from her chest, the hilt trembling.
For a stunned moment, no one moved—then there was chaos.
Hypnos was by her side without a thought, reaching her as she fell sideways.
“Healer—now!” he shouted, helping her lie down on the floor.
Hermes disappeared in an instant, off to find Asclepius or one of his daughters.
Anubis cupped Iliana’s face. “Stay with us. Help is coming.”
Thanatos shoved the coffee table aside and knelt next to her, putting a hand on her forehead. “Not yet,” he said.
The rare hint of distress sent unease through Hypnos.
