AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hopitles?” Ares asked surprised.
“Is that her name?” I crouched down, studying its behavior without getting in its face. I knew nothing about snakes and didn’t want to end up with a bite.
“It’s a boy,” Ares gruffly explained. “But yes, that’s his name.”
“What does it mean?” I tilted my hand, watching how the snake reacted to me gently petting its body. “May I?”
Ares nodded, almost astonished.
It was quiet for a while before the rest started talking again, joking and teasing each other. But I was so fascinated with the reptile that I was curious to learn the answer wo y previous question. “What does Hopitles mean?” I looked up to see Ares’ grimace. He looked a little forlorn.
He swallowed, and cleared his throat before adjusting himself in his chair. “It means ‘soldier’ in Greek.”
“Of course, it does,” I whispered, putting my hands back in my lap before I stressed the snake out too much. It seemed so at ease in Ares’ company, I wondered what made it trust him.
“Thank you for letting me touch you,” I cooed at the snake and turned serious towards Ares. “You too.”
He choked.
My eyes widened. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I think you can touch his snake anytime, sis,” Rio chimed in.
I stood upright and flipped Rio off. “Very funny, Orion.”
“Hey!” He sounded insulted, and murmured, “Hate my full name.”
I interrupted Misha and Steph’s conversation. “You coming? With the bottle of wine, please.”
“Comin’ up!”
She followed me and set the bottle down onto one of the flat corners. She pulled us down onto the steps while asking Misha to take a picture.
“Get huddled together, girls”!” Misha ordered. Our voices echoing his demand with giggles. “Now, show me those juicy, plump—”
“Misha!” Steph scolded, “Did you take a shot or not?”
“I sure did!”
Steph went to inspect the picture and put her thumbs up. She stepped out of her sandals and swung her cover up over her head before crawling into the tub. I struggled a bit to undo mine.
“You’re so cute. The world leaders are going to launch their rockets any moment now.”
I frowned. “What are you even talking about?”
“War,” she said in a dark voice as she dipped herself into the water. “Doomsday is going to come around soon.”
I chuckled. “Now I know why you’re clinging onto the new girl. You’re weird.”
“Too late to get rid of me now. I’m like a parasite.” She winked.
I removed my tunic, gladly wanting to join Steph. I settled my hands onto the edge, not wanting to slip. The sound of a beer bottle dropping and a strangled cough made me look at where it came from.
Ares’ face reddened with every short intake of breath. Misha and Rio were both laughing their asses off. I wasn’t sure what was happening. And less so when he stormed off.
12
ARES
