“Who recruited you for this plan?”
“I did.”
Once again, the woman offered Zeus a curt nod. I smiled, my teeth stained red from the blood he drew. Zeus lifted an eyebrow, edging closer with a smirk. He crouched down, supporting his elbows on his knees.
“It is possible that my questions weren’t properly phrased.” He tilted his head, and the look on his face was victorious.
“Who else is involved in this undertaking?”
I bit my lip, shoving their names out of my mind. He couldn’t find out.
The emissary frowned. Zeus glanced at her.
“F-f-f—” I began, struggling to keep the answer within the depths of me.
Their eyes widened slightly, anticipating the reveal.
“—uck y-y-ou.”
He laughed.Laughed.
“Repeat the question, my King.” As the woman spoke, her features settled into a concentrated expression. My head throbbed with a rhythmic pulse as tears welled in my eyes.
“Who else is involved in this undertaking?”
I took a deep breath to stop the words from escaping, my teeth grinding as they fought to be released.
“Impossible,” she breathed.
“Leave,” Zeus’s voice thundered.
The emissary’s eyebrows lifted as she took in her king. “My King,” she began, but before she could finish, a violent gust of wind from Zeus threw her against a wall.
She dropped to the ground with a thud. Zeus didn’t need to repeat himself—the woman disappeared as soon as her body met the floor.
“You seem determined to make me work for the responses I need.” Zeus nodded to himself, pacing inside of the room and grabbing a chair. He returned, planting it in front of me. “As you wish; though I doubt the experience shall be pleasant for you.” Zeus leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as if he had all the time in the world. “Provide an answer to this one question, and I might perhaps consider using a more lenient approach.”
I let my head hit the cold, rough wall behind me. My limbs and eyelids were heavy, demanding rest, but the beast in front of me wouldn’t stop trying to force the information out.
“It is evident that you agreed to join this plan to return to your family, and I harbor no judgment regarding this matter.” He planted a hand on his heart—as if he had one. “I, too, would make any sacrifice for my family.”
A huff rolled past my tongue. “If it fits your purpose.”
The son of a bitch didn’t even try to hide his smile. “Correct. I am, however, rather confused that someone of your intelligence would have faith in a god. Whoever you have made an agreement with will not risk my discovery of their actions to protectyou. You are doomed, Charisma Sinclair. You are, of course, conscious of this, correct?”
“Is that your question?”
“Indeed.”
My lips formed a straight line. Yes, I was aware of it, and I was glad no one was foolish enough to jeopardize their cover to save me. I wanted them to succeed, and with the guarantee that Zeus wouldn’t kill me, I didn’t care how long it took them to negate his powers and stop the games.
Instead, I said, “I know no one is going to save me, but not because I plotted with anyone else, as you presume. But because no one knows I’ve been planning this.” I flicked my gaze to the side, biting my already ripped lip. “So, you see, since no one knows, nobody can come after me. It’s pretty simple to understand, actually.”
Zeus puffed. “Your intellect is quite impressive, mortal, though it is not enough to accomplish such a feat. Attempt to mislead and deceive me as you wish, yet the truth will be revealed.” He brought his face closer to mine. “Had I not known better, I would have suspected your lover, Eros, of being responsible. Yet, I am aware he does not possess the darkness necessary to have done this.”
I kept my face blank.
“Though I was indeed surprised to learn he bonded with you. Quite unexpected for someone who grieved for centuries, wouldn’t you say?”
