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Antonio Payne
She thinks she’s leaving me today.
Standing beside Sophia’s cot, Antonio watched as she slept. She was cocooned within several blankets, her gentle snores letting him know she slumbered on peacefully. Gods, how he wished she was cocooned in his arms instead.
Today marked the first day of individual battles and Sophia incorrectly assumed it also marked the end of the deal Antonio had with Casper. Even if it did mark the end of their deal Sophia wasn’t going anywhere. Separating a werewolf from his mate was no easy feat. Did Sophia really believe he’d allow her to simply walk away? She hadn’t a clue what lengths he’d go through to keep her.
She thinks she’s leaving me today? She couldn’t be more wrong.
Unable to help himself, he grazed the tips of his fingers along the side of her face, craving the touch of her soft skin - a touch he had been denied the last two days.
From the moment Sophia realized Antonio still intended to revive Giselle, she had been incredibly distant. Truthfully, he hadn’t made as many attempts to communicate with her as he could have, growing distant himself. They only spoke to oneanother when necessary - like whenever their lives were on the line on the battlefield.
Honestly, he didn’t knowwhatto say. What could he say to ease her concerns? She already knew he had chosenherand not Giselle, so he didn’t see any reason to convince her of that again. She was most likely distant because she believed he would be taking her wish from her. This was partially true - once he used The Heart of Aphrodite to revive Giselle it couldn’t be used again.
He wanted to quell her apprehensions and assure her there was no reason to worry. But how could he give her that assurance when he remained worried himself?
Every time he opened his mouth to explain things to her he couldn’t utter a single word. He didn’t yet know how to save her parents. How could he assure her of something he was so unsure of himself?
He spent the last two days trying to figure out how to save her parents, ruminating over his conversation with Darius. Once Antonio figured out what steps needed to be taken to save them he would give Sophia the assurance he knew she was dying to hear.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t figured outanythingyet.He was lost.
Not only was Antonio lost, but he and Sophia had become more distant from one another than ever before. Craving her touch so damn much, he was resorting to brushing his fingers along her skin as she slept. At least she couldn’t dodge his touch while she slept.
How can I save them for you?Antonio thought, remembering his phone call with Darius.
“I believe I know where the Voivod keeps their fey slaves, but you’re not going to like it,” Darius’ tone didn’t do anything tosettle Antonio’s racing heart.
“Give it to me,” Antonio held his breath.
“Last I heard, they were in Tenebris, the Voivod’s capital city. It’s hidden beneath Athens and has been undergoing construction and growing for hundreds of years. Thousands of vampires from the Voivod reside there. Not only is it heavily fortified - there’s only one way in and one way out - it’s also overflowing with warriors ready to give their lives to protect that city. You’d need an army before you can even begin to consider making it past those warriors. And to find a way to get into that city? You’d have to pray to the gods for a miracle.”
“So you’re telling me it’s impossible.”
“It’s never been done.”
“Perhaps it’s never been done because no one has tried.” Antonio’s mind already started ticking, trying to solve the unthinkable puzzle Darius just presented to him.
“Most aren’t mad enough to try.”
“Most aren’t me.”
Click.
Antonio pressed the bottom of his palm against his forehead. He was beginning to believe Darius was right to believe this was impossible.
But how could Antonio accept defeat when this meant so much to Sophia?
The simple answer: he couldn’t.
Antonio sighed, making a mental note to add that worry to his rapidly growing list of worries, a list that didn’t seem like it would stop growing any time soon.
When Sophia rolled onto her side, Antonio lifted his hand from her with a sigh.
She fought bravely the past few days. In fact, the three of them had been unstoppable together, winning every game ofCapture The Flag in under five minutes. Antonio knew their greatest strength was Maya. An incredible amount of power flowed through her, and she wielded it flawlessly.
After winning the final team battle yesterday, Maya had surprised them by wishing them good luck. Of course, she grimaced the second after those words left her mouth, regret painting her features. Less surprisingly, she added, “But if we’re pitted against each other before this tournament is over, Iwon’thesitate to kill either of you.”
