Page 138 of Vengeance of the Gods

“She what?” Arlet barked.

Khort stumbled forward, finally leaving the entryway. “She can do that?”

“Apparently, which means she’s going to do it to you two as well. Especially if she thinks you don’t know she’s capable of it.” Bridger didn’t have to explain Vega to them. They knew exactly who she was.

“You think she’ll break the bond the second she gets the chance?” Khort asked.

Bridger shook his head. “No, but I also don’t think me calling her out on it is going to stop her from trying eventually.”

“Gods, Vega.” Khort sighed.

“She’s done exactly what she promised she would. We can’t be too surprised,” Bridger added. “This started because she wanted to kill her sister—to save our people.”

Hesitantly, Bridger told them everything he knew about Death, giving them an insight on the Dimico family’s lore and what he suspected it meant for Vega.

They were missing something. Bridger knew it. “I just can’t stop thinking about the things Romulus said, about the tie Vega’s had to death since the night of our summoning.”

Arlet shook her head, staring at a spot on the floor like it might spring a head and jump out at her. “Isn’t the whole point of her breaking the curse so she doesn’t die anymore?” She looked up, waiting for Bridger to have an answer to a question he knew nothing about.

He shrugged again. “We can go back and forth questioning technicalities all night, but that’s not going to get us anywhere. The fact is, Vega sold her soul. Her curse has nothing to do with what happens to her now. Immortal or not, a soul can still be bartered, and there are worse things in life than death…” Bridger slid off the counter, his boots hitting the ground with a soft thud.

The room was quiet, nothing but the high-pitched hiss of electronics filling the silence.

“I’m assuming you have a plan.” Khort was the first to speak. “Or we wouldn’t be here.”

Bridger’s crooked smile pulled at his lips. “I’m the commander of Tolevarre. I always have a plan.”

Arlet rolled her eyes. One of Khort’s twitched.

“How much do you know about Pluto?” Bridger asked.

“You mean, the god of the underworld?” Arlet asked with confusion fusing her brows to the middle of her forehead.

Bridger nodded. “That’s the one.”

“Do not let her get her hands on you for too long. I’m not telling you to avoid her, but don’t give her the opportunity to browse around if you can avoid it,” Bridger mentioned before the elevator rolled to a stop and the doors opened.

Standing there was a freshly washed Vega dressed in the oversized black sweater and lounge pants Bridger had delivered while she showered. Her hair was still unbound and damp, only starting to dry at her roots.

Arlet threw herself through the doors and into Vega’s open arms. “Hi! Ugh, you smell so good.” She pulled out of the hug quickly, playing it off like she was looking down at her dingy clothes. “Bridger promised warm showers. It’s the only reason I followed around on his long, boring tour.” Arlet spoke the last part out of the side of her mouth like she was trying to keep a secret.

He stepped beside Arlet, exiting the elevator after Khort. “Hilarious.” He didn’t laugh.

Khort scanned the hallway. “Has Nora come to you yet?”

He’d known his nieces for less than twenty-four hours and he was already overbearing and annoying. “She’s showering. I was headed to find someone who could find her some clean clothes.”

“I’ll send some down. Let me show you to your rooms.” Bridger nodded to the end of the hall.

“They’re small, and we conserve most of the energy for the common areas of Vincere, so don’t expect luxury,” Bridger said over his shoulder.

“Better than a cave,” Arlet mumbled as Bridger opened the first door and then reached for the other directly across the hall.

“Two bunks in each. Bathrooms are at the end of the hall. If you’d like to keep your current clothes, feel free to use the laundry facilities on the bottom floor. Otherwise, I’ll have some clean ones brought down with Nora’s for now.” Bridger knew he was missing a lot, but they could figure the rest out tomorrow.

Everyone was exhausted, their bond piling it on extra heavy.

Khort nodded and slipped into the room on the right, leaving Bridger alone with Arlet and Vega.