Page 62 of Hell’s Weapon

Chapter 21

Tacita

“You changed the challenge.”

I’d lain in waiting for Garrick in his office and feel a rush of satisfaction as he jumps back a foot at my unexpected presence. Ever seen one of those cats leaping in the air from a cucumber? Yeah, that’s what this kitty was reenacting right now.

His eyes narrow as he recovers and prowls toward where I’m perched against his desk. “How the fuck are you still getting in here?”

“Tell me why you changed the game and I might tell you,” I lie. I have no intention of revealing that secret just yet. I’ll let it eat at him for a while longer.

“I know you saw the plans. Can’t be giving you an advantage.” He watches me closely for a reaction to his confession.

“Advantage? You don’t think the fact I’ve worked for Hades for three centuries far outweighs any knowledge I have of the games. Or the fact I am a demon, stronger than all those humans combined.”

“No, but you might skew the chances of some others in the games. Two in particular if my guards' reports can be trusted.” He stares more intensely at me, expecting me to be surprised that his team has noticed how much time I’m spending with Milo and Wyatt. They could extend that to Seffy as well at this point but I’m guessing Garrick left her out on purpose, especially after he quizzed me about sleeping with Wyatt previously.

“You bringing that up only confirms one thing, Garrick,” I say, folding my arms under my chest.

“You aren’t going to deny that you’re close with two of the contestants?”

“Why would I? I’ve not hidden it. The fact you’re bringing it up, though, says that you care about who my allies are in here.”

“I couldn’t care less.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He scowls down at me, taking another step so he’s nearly towering over me.

“So why are we talking about Wyatt and Milo when I came here to discuss the game?”

“Because you’re being distracted by Thirty-Nine and Nineteen.”

“Fuck off!” I do react now, unfolding my arms and getting in his face. He can accuse me of whatever he likes but I am taking this mission seriously.

“Hit a nerve, Goddess?”

“If you’re questioning my professional integrity, then yes. Fuck you, and fuck this.” I try to move past him, deciding that getting something useful about the wild goose chase they’re sending us on with this second task is pointless.

He steps to the side, blocking my exit.

“Let me go.”

“No. Tell me now. Do I have to tell Hades that you’re falling for not one but two of the suspects on our list?”

My fists clench as I reign in my demon. The burn under my skin as my body wants to shift is hard to dampen down. “One, Hades was there when we discussed one of those sexual encounters, so he’s well aware. Two, how I conduct this mission is none of your concern.”

“It is if you’ve been compromised. From what I’ve heard, once has turned into a regular thing.”

I shift then. Well, I let my horns, tail, and talons out. I manage to not shift fully, keeping my wings from bursting from my back. I shove Garrick so hard he stumbles back, my sharpened nails catching the material of his shirt, tearing the fabric.

“Be very aware of who you’re speaking to, Garrick,” I seethe at him.

He retaliates by coming at me, grabbing my wrists and pushing them back against my chest. He uses the supernatural strength granted to him by his panther to force me back until the backs of my thighs hit his desk.

Expecting him to stop there, I’m put on the disadvantage when he keeps going, folding me back until I lose stability and my back hits the desk. Trying to get my legs folded enough to deliver a powerful kick to this asshole, preferably to the balls, backfires when he uses his hips to push my thighs wide enough for him to press between them.

I snarl and he growls right back, leaning over me, his weight going onto my wrists pinned to my chest.