“Lomasi!” someone shouted.
I turned, heart racing at the sound of Braxen's voice. And there they were, running across the beach toward me. The staff tried to stop them and got mowed down for their efforts.
“No,” I whispered. Then I shouted, “No! Don't come any closer! Turn back!”
But Hermes was already emerging from the water, his expression one of pure hatred. His arms spread, hands sparking with magic as water sluiced from him, turning the magic into rainbows.
“No!” I screamed and jumped in front of Hermes.
Just as he released his attack.
The blast hit me, sending me tumbling. I rolled to a stop before the Hounds. They cried out and dove for me.
“I'm fine,” I said breathlessly. I wasn't fine, but I would be. The wound in my back was bad. I could tell by the pain and blood gushing around me. But I'd heal. If Hermes got a hold of them, they would not. “Go! You have to go! He'll kill you!”
“Get away from her!” Hermes roared and sent another blast of magic at Rune.
“Rune!” I screamed as he flew backward, away from me.
Braxen and Merrick rose slowly to their feet, teeth bared.
Hermes drew back a hand.
“Hurt them, and I will never forgive you!” I shouted at Hermes.
Hermes glanced at me, eyes narrowing. Magic gathered around his hand. Rune groaned, but I couldn't look away from Hermes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brax and Merrick prepare to pounce.
“I will cut your fucking head off while you sleep, Hermes!” I snarled, trying to claw my way upright.
Everyone went still.
“What did you just say to me?” Hermes whispered.
Groaning, I sat up. Braxen hurried to help me.
“I said, stay away from her!” Hermes was suddenly beside me and shoved both men away. Just a push from his hands, and they flew even further than Rune had.
“Damn you!” I punched Hermes in the face even as he bent to pick me up.
His head turned with the blow, but he didn't drop me. In fact, his hand on my back healed me instantly. “Do not fight me, Lomasi.”
“Oh, I'll fight you until the day you're forced to kill me if you hurt those men. You'll never be able to spend a single night with me without worrying about whether I'll attack you while you sleep. No peace, Hermes. Not with me. Not ever again. We will be enemies.”
“Lora,” Rune called weakly.
I glanced at him, just long enough to assure myself that he would live, then steadied myself and looked at Hermes. “But if you let them go, I'll be yours again.”
Hermes blinked. “As we were before? You will not hold back?”
“Yes.”
“No!” Brax snarled as he climbed to his feet. He stumbled, then collected himself, preparing to charge us like a fucking bull.
“Take us back to the ship. Now,” I said, knowing better than to ask him to take me to Fira. If my hounds had found me on that beach, they could find me in Hermes's home. I had to get onto the water.
Hermes lifted his head and looked at the humans who were still standing. They were gaping at us. I knew they knew about Hermes, most of them had been with him for years, but this was probably the first time they'd seen immortals fight.
“Help the wounded into the boats and get back to the ship,” he said to them. “Leave everything else.”
