Sin & Lightning Page 42
“Hey,” he replied softly, no longer as cool and confident as he’d been in battle. The training had fallen away and now he was just a guy again, maybe not quite sure where he stood or what he wanted.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I’m not hurt, if that’s what you mean.” He pointed toward Thane without looking. “Did I hear that right—he got struck by lightning and didn’t go Berserk?”
“Yeah. Crazy, right? The hole in his vest was pretty big.”
He let out a slow breath. “I have never, in my life, heard of a Berserker who could take a hit like that without tearing the whole place apart. That’s incredible.”
“Kieran has gathered a pretty incredible team.” I chewed my lip as I stood beside him, both of us watching the others. “Look, I’m really sorry. We tried to be careful. I fucked up your life, and I realize that. I’m in your debt.”
“I checked your house this morning, to make sure you’d gone.”
“So did Flora’s people, apparently.”
“Biggest mistake they ever made.”
A glance revealed his lopsided smile. “Bria isn’t subtle when she takes care of business. Poor Jerry probably doesn’t know what he’s in for, hanging out with her.”
“How’d you know Demigod Flora had found out about me?”
“They passed us on the road. They weren’t subtle about who they were.”
“That’s the funny thing—Demigods usually aren’t. They’re so used to being on a pedestal that they never think to hide their talent or their status. Even the Demigods sitting over failing territories puff up like peacocks. A level-five leader of a prosperous territory is still just a level-five leader. It isn’t specifically called out, but they are deemed lesser than.”
“Yes, well, thank God, right? Because it helped Kieran and his people identify her.”
He turned just a little so he could look at me. “My point is, your outfit didn’t come in that way. You tried to fit in, and you accomplished that goal perfectly. I didn’t even know you were in town until I physically saw your mark. I’d heard about the Hammermil house selling, but that was it. No one knew anything else. The names on the paperwork didn’t lead anywhere—I checked.”
“Kieran is good.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think you realize how strange Demigod Kieran’s outfit is. When you came back, I figured it was some sort of trick…until you started ripping souls out.”
“Right.” I tightened my lips, feeling like he was making a point that I just wasn’t getting. I said as much.
He huffed out a laugh. “Something isn’t adding up, that’s my point. I don’t understand this, and I don’t trust what I don’t understand.”
“Fair enough. For the record, I’m the one that’s not adding up. I’m sure Kieran’s situation would make a lot more sense if he didn’t pander to me. My life has always been a mess. He probably thinks it’s easier to just go with it than try to fight it.”
“That’s the thing. Demigods don’t just go with things.”
“Most of the Demigods you’ve known probably weren’t sequestered on small islands with their tortured and slowly dying mothers, either. We all have bad crap in our lives. Sometimes you just have to make the best of it and push on. Anyway, look, I know you have a lot to think about”—his expression closed down—“but we both know you can’t stay here. Kieran can help you disappear again, if you want. You can start over. That doesn’t cover the debt I owe you, obviously, but it’s something. It’s an apology.”
He was staring at me again, perplexed. “I thought you guys wanted me in your crew?”
I frowned. “I thought you didn’t want to work for a Demigod again?”
“I don’t.”
“Right, well… Sorry, I’m confused. What’s the problem?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “It’s just…I was in the magical world for a while. I took an immortality blood oath, so I’m older than I look…”
“Most people seem to be, yeah.”
“I’ve never run across someone like you. I might not have left if I had.”
I rolled my eyes. “First, you were chained to a bed by a psycho half the time. How could you have met someone like me? That’s not my jam. Second, you were chained to a bed by a psycho. No one would’ve decided to hang around after that. No way.”
Bria walked past before doubling back and spreading her arms at me. The hair at her temple was matted with blood and a dribble had dried down the side of her cheek. “I heard you killed my lookalike? What a bitch, seriously. That could’ve been me.”
“Imagine my disappointment when I learned it wasn’t. What’s up with your head?”
“Yeah.” She fingered the wound. “I’d just taken out one of theirs, and I look in the trees and see my face staring back at me. It was a trip! I jumped out at myself, clubbed me in the head, and took off running. I’m not going to lie, I could’ve killed her, but I hesitated. It’s a weird damn situation trying to kill yourself. What a trip!” she repeated, and then laughed. “Hey, Dylan, what are we doing with your Chesters? Do they need a ride back? I don’t want to ask them myself—the old guy keeps aiming shotguns at everyone. I don’t have fast healing powers, as you see, so I’m not trying to get shot.”
“I’ll be right there.” He turned to face me and then enveloped me in a tight hug. I could feel him shaking, as if the touch was an unwelcome feeling but the act of a hug was worth it. It probably had something to do with that psycho. I accepted it gladly. “Thanks for coming back. You evened the score. No debt to repay.” He held both of my shoulders. “Tell Kieran thanks, but no thanks. I’ll make my own way.”
I nodded at him, feeling a tinge of sadness at parting. I hardly knew the guy, but I felt for him. “If you ever need anything, look us up. We have a place to stay if you ever want to slip back into the magical world.”
He winked. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that, someday.”
I watched him stride away before glancing off in the direction of the cabin. I needed to check on the kids. They were probably worried sick. Then we needed to get out of here before the townspeople went for their pitchforks.
It wasn’t until I turned to join the others that I noticed Harding sitting off to the side, his lurking well past creepy at this point.
“Don’t go telling me about some other rando that needs saving,” I said, striding past him. Weariness dragged at my bones. “This was not worth the risk.”
“Are you so sure?”
“Yes. Yes, I am so sure. Bugger off, Harding, would ya? I could do with a few days without you.”
He put a hand to his chest, his customary smirk never far away. “That’s hurtful.”
I shook my head and kept going, thinking over the battle. One Demigod down, one more to navigate before we even made it to the Summit. I just hoped the next one was a little nicer. I was tired of fighting for the right to freedom.
Fear coiled in my gut. Dare to dream.