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Thus, Sorin had no choice but to do the talking himself.
“We did as you bid. We will take the lyre and leave with Andros’ soul. That was the bargain.”
“Bargains can be renegotiated,” the god said silkily.
“No.”
Hades tilted his head in consideration, his intense dark eyes raking Sorin from head to toe. Wherever his gaze touched, Sorin felt that part of his body freeze and numb. Only warming and regaining feeling again when the god’s eyes roved on.
“Those runes on your left side won’t protect you forever,” Hades murmured quietly, almost to himself.
Said runes began to burn beneath Sorin’s skin like newly kindled flames.
The markings used to be visible on the surface, all up and down the left side of his body from ankle to temple. They were carved there by a witch’s spell thousands of years ago. They kept him alive when he would have perished a number of times.
You cannot cheat death, warrior, Hades’ voice echoed in Sorin’s head, though his lips did not move.
The god was communicating only to him, Sorin knew. He held Hades’ stare boldly, though an icy unease froze the blood in his veins.
As if sensing his Mate’s inner struggle, Ere stood closer beside him, their shoulders and arms touching. He could feel Ere’s intent gaze on the side of his face. Scrutinizing him for answers.
He had none.
He didn’t know what Hades wanted from him.
Your soul, phoenix, the god said in his head.
Your beautiful, singular, flaming soul. I am not the only one who covets it. But I promise you, I am the only one who will treat it with care.
You will never get it,Sorin communicated back, narrowing his eyes.
Everything I am, my heart, body and soul—they all belong to my Mate. I am his and no one else’s. Even if I die, my ghost will still be his.
Hades eyes slid to regard Ere by Sorin’s side, hackles still raised, fists still clenched.
That trouble-making dragon,the god mused, his tone both annoyed and just the tiniest bit amused.
Abruptly, Hades blinked and looked away, ending the private dialogue in Sorin’s head. He caught Chewie’s eye at his side and flicked his hand.
“Fetch.”
The pup obediently bounded down the steps of the throne, wagging his fluffy tail. But instead of picking up the fleece where Sorin had thrown it, he came to Sorin’s side and sniffed Divina’s hand that dangled lifelessly from the cradle of her protector’s arms.
The Mastiff whimpered pitifully in his throat, then delicately licked the tips of her fingers where they protruded from the swathe of bandages.
“Come, lion-dog,” Hades commanded.
Chewie continued to whimper and lick, moving to Divina’s other hand. He looked back at the god of death and barked sharply once.
In reaction, Hades’ heavy black brows slammed down in a forbidding frown.
The dog stopped wagging his tail, standing still, hardly breathing. Simply staring back at the god.
Then, a long,longsilence stretched between them, so intense, it weighed upon Sorin’s shoulders like an invisible force.
Finally—Sorin would never have believed it if he hadn’t witnessed it himself—the god rolled his eyes upward and heaved a small, put-upon sigh.
He flicked his hand again as if batting away an annoying fly.
