Who does she think I am? Her servant?
I give her a ‘you wish’ expression, twirl around, toss my hair and walk off.
I am not about to take any dumb pictures for anyone!
“Where’s Holden?” Allie asks.
I don’t really know, nor do I care,I write and then cross my arms. She frowns, her eyes glimmering red.
“What did he do?”
Relax, it’s no big deal; he’s just an asshole.
Allie raises an eyebrow. “Right, I agree with that, but if you need me to tear him apart, I’m all for it. His face could do with some roughening up.”
I nod, then tilt my head up, gazing at the moon. We need to go soon. I know where we need to go, a place where the veil is thin, and with the help of Hades’ amulets, we’ll be able to pass through. I’m nervous, although I don’t show it.
This is it.
We are about to do the craziest thing that shouldn’t evenbe possible. We are actually going to go to the Realm of the Gods.
I exchange looks with Allie.
It’s time.
She nods, and we both split up. We will signal the others, grab our things, and then head to the exit, where Ahren will be waiting for us.
Theo is still taking pictures, and I shake my head. What a show-off.
He spots me before I can even get his attention, and he arches a brow. “Want a picture, Blondie?”
I shake my head and tap my wrist instead. His eyes seem to sharpen before he nods. “Alright, ladies, I have to get going.”
“Oh, come on! Please stay!” One of the girl’s pouts.
“I would, but see that scary witch over there? She might hex me or something,” he jokes.
The girls look at me before they begin asking him for a final picture. Shaking my head, I walk off, deciding to get my things instead.
I pause, spotting Holden talking to a girl from our year. They’re laughing over something, and it does sting a little, but you know what, he isn’t worth my time.
“Dump him before he hurts you. He’s no Mr Superhero,” Theo says from behind me. My heart skips a beat. I didn’t even realise he had approached. I tilt my head, observing him with an arched brow.
And you are?I write, raising a brow. He steps closer, close enough that I can smell him, his voice a deep velvety murmur.
“Na. I’m the one they send in when the hero fails. The one who doesn’t wear a cape or carry an elaborate title, the one who doesn’t pretend he’s saving anyone. I simply live with blood on my hands while the likes of you rest your heads on your pillows every night knowing your moral compasses are intact. I know what kind of girl you are; is that really your standard?”
You can’t say that… you don’t know me that well.
“Oh, I see you.” Then he steps back, a smirk on his painted face. “I see more than you’ll ever know.” And for a heartbeat, maybe longer, I swear he’s not just looking at me. He’s looking right through me, looking straight into my soul, to the parts of myself I’ve buried and prayed no one would ever find.
Whatever. Come on, we need to go,I write, leading the way. But he isn’t wrong… Holden isn’t worth my time. When we get back, I’m dumping the loser.
I smile slightly at the thought. I don’t feel sad at all. I have better things to do with my life, and I’m not going to tolerate someone who makes me feel like that.
Now, let’s go save Sienna!
“We are notgoing to hear the end of this when we return,” Jayce murmurs as we slip past him to the entrance. Once we’re there, they will realise we’ve left. He was saying we should tell some of the elders so they don’t worry, but he was outvoted on that. They would probably try to stop us. They’ll get the news from Tatum, who will tell Uncle Rayhan, Grandpa Alejandro and Uncle Liam first, as they will be the first to feel their pack-links snap. The plan is to tell them roughly a minute or two before we leave.
