“This conversation doesn’t really concern Erik, but I brought him here so nothing can be misconstrued,” Hunter explained. “And I have no doubt you would have told him the moment you left here.”
I shrugged in response. It was pointless denying what he knew to be a fact. Unless it put Erik in danger, he would know what happened in my life.
“There have been a string of minor Gods that have ceased to exist. Ten since we descended from Elysia to return here.”
My eyebrows raised in genuine shock. Ten Gods in the space of a few weeks was not something to joke about. Our kin were disappearing at a rate we weren’t accustomed to, which begged the question of how long Elysia would continue to be inhabited by Gods.
“How do you know this?” Erik asked. “Have you been back up there?”
“He knows because I told him.”
I inwardly winced at the saccharine voice that drifted from the doorway. Mabel leaned against the frame, arms folded across her chest, with a smug look across her face.
“So much for the conversation staying between the three of us,” I grumbled.
My dislike for Larkin remained, but I preferred her to Mabel. Larkin fought back and never hid who she was. We were similar in that characteristic. Mabel was someone who built a castle of sugary words and fake smiles while holding a dagger. I wouldn’t turn my back on Mabel—she didn’t hold the same morals as Larkin.
“Some people understand what loyalty is,” Hunter said, opening out an arm.
Mabel pushed herself away from the frame with feline agility and sauntered over to my brother like the perfect pet. It was a surprise that she didn’t drop to the floor and purr.
“You clearly don’t,” Erik snapped as Hunter’s arm wrapped around Mabel’s thighs and pulled her into him. “You have a wife who deserves your loyalty.”
“My relationship is none of your concern,” he replied smoothly.
I sniffed and leaned back in my seat. “Remember, that applies to more than just you.”
Hunter yanked Mabel down so that she sat in his lap, looking way too happy about what was unfolding in front of her. And people thought I revelled in others’ misery. Mabel, Goddess of vanity, could give me a run for my money.
“This project needs to work,” Hunter continued. “I suggest you tell Quentin that she needs to make good on those egotistical claims and start producing results.”
“Why don’t you just use her gift?” Mabel asked, running a hand up Hunter’s chest.
His fingers curled into her waist until she let out a small gasp, and I narrowed my eyes.
“He wouldn’t do that,” I answered. “Because it’s proving that she’s worth something. Hunter, there’s more than one scientist working on this. Quentin will do what she needs to, but you need to talk to Gareth so that he understands the importance of getting this done efficiently.”
“She can do that.”
Erik straightened. “You’re trying to force Quentin to tell them what she is? If she speaks to Gareth he’ll want to know how she knows so much about Elysia.”
“What are you playing at?” I asked, suspicion prickling through my body.
Quentin refused to tell Cassidy about her divinity. There was no way she was about to tell Gareth before her brother.
“I’m trying to ensure that the rest of our kin remain in Elysia for as long as possible. If she wants to prove her worth, this is the chance for her to do it. I imagine there won’t be many of the Gods who would deny her if she can save us.”
I shot up from my seat. “You’re setting her up to fail.”
“Hunter, you’re playing with more lives than just Quentin’s,” Erik argued. “You’re using Elysians as a chip to get what you want.”
“I’m not doing anything,” Hunter replied, fingers running circles on Mabel’s thigh. “I’m simply delivering you some unfortunate news and giving you a resolution. You’ll speak to your half-breed, won’t you, Grayson?”
“She has a name,” I gritted out through my teeth.
“Because if you don’t, I could always pay her a visit.”
I opened my mouth to reply when a deep voice boomed through the house. “Hunter!”
