“Will you tell us if it becomes relevant?” he asked, giving himself a compromise between respect and protection.
Iliana bit her lip, seeming to consider his words before finally nodding. “Yes.”
He’d hold her to that. For now, he could give her the space she needed.
Hypnos muttered something under his breath but didn’t argue further.
Before the tension could relax, Hermes appeared. His attention touched Iliana before his focus turned to Thanatos. “The safe house is compromised.”
Thanatos turned to face the other god. “How do you know?”
Hermes leaned in. “Because I just spent the last hour tracking ghosts. Each word I caught mentioned timing. ‘Before they realize.’ ‘When she’s vulnerable.’” He pulled back and raised his voice. “They’re planning to attack tonight.”
Iliana paled, her body tensing.
Anubis hauled her tight against his chest.
“I have more safe houses,” Thanatos said, as his eyes met Anubis’. They were darker than usual with banked fury, but the reluctance to leave Iliana shone through the icy anger.
Inside their minds, Thanatos said, “We should set a trap. But I cannot leave her.”
Hypnos spoke aloud before Anubis could. “I’ll go.”
“Go where?” Iliana asked. “Are the safe houses not secure?”
Thanatos reassured her. “The wards will hold against most threats, but if someone knows where youare…”
“You want me somewhere no one’s looking,” Iliana said quietly.
Anubis squeezed her a little tighter and answered. “Yes.”
“You’re setting a trap at the place they think I’ll be,” she said.
“Anubis and Hypnos will handle it,” Thanatos said steadily, despite the tightness in his body. “I am staying with you.”
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll go with you to the new safe house.”
Anubis turned her to face him. “Hypnos and I will not be far behind.”
Her frown deepened, but after a moment she nodded. “Be safe.”
The words were simple, but the fear and trust in them made him ache.He managed to smile past a grimace, the expression probably looking as unconvincing as it felt.“Always.”
Anubis looked at Thanatos, seeing his friend alert, his eyes determined and protective. The words that left Anubis felt unnecessary and inadequate, but he didn’t stop them from sounding in his head.
“Keep her safe.”
Thanatos’ hand moved to Iliana’s shoulder, both possessive and gentle. “You know I will.”
Anubis nodded. His protectiveness had made the words sound like doubt, and he knew Thanatos would hear it that way. He’d apologize later.
Thin mountain air replaced the heat of the desert as Anubis appeared back in Switzerland, troubled as he thought about the mystery surrounding Iliana.Whatever Iliana was hiding from them, she was struggling with her choice to keep it to herself. Terrified of it, even.He just hoped that when the truth came out, he could respect that choice, even if it cost him.
Hypnos arrived beside him a second later, his sword already drawn, its blade flashing in the moonlight. A fierce scowl twisted his features, the detachment he liked to wear stripped away. “So, we wait here for an attack that might not come?” Hypnos scanned the perimeter. “If they’re powerful enough to have found this place, Thanatos’ wards won’t stop them.”
“No,” Anubis agreed. “But they will announce their arrival.”
“Wonderful. A doorbell for our would-be assassins.”
