He’d kill to have a mother so loyal.
Or anyone who wouldn’t stab him in the back. For that matter, he’d take a friend who wouldn’t trip him if they were being chased.
Damn, his life really was pathetic.
“If you’re expecting a hero cookie from me for your devotion to this sick world… don’t. I’m all out.”
Jaden snorted. “Interesting to hearyousay that.”
That dig hit home, as they both knew the sin he’d committed that stung him to this day. “Fuck you, Jaden.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not my type. I prefer my women to be more demure.”
“And I prefer mine to have a conscience and a heart.” And with that, Shadow left before he started a war that neither of them could afford right now.
But it was tempting. Damn Jaden and his mouth.
One day, he hoped someone gave that god what he deserved. More than that, he hoped it was him who did it.
For now…
Shadow had much to consider.
Were Valteri’s powers bound? That was an interesting question. Was the boy blessed enough to have been born human or had someone or something else intervened?
And if they had intervened, why?
The why was the disturbing thing. Because no one did that lightly.
Shadow flinched as he remembered when the Dark-Hunter Acheron’s powers had been unbound. It’d almost ended the world. Of course, a lot of that had to do with Shadow’s aunt Apollymi, Acheron’s mother. The goddess had been furious and intent on ending the world for what mankind had done to her son.
Still…
It’d taken Acheron years to learn to use and control his god powers. Some of them, he still had trouble with.
How would Valteri respond if his were suddenly unleashed?
Well, there was one way to find out.
CHAPTER16
Ariel stared out the window, her gaze following Valteri across the yard. She closed her eyes, savoring the image of his proud, handsome bearing, his hair loose and falling gently over his shoulders.
He really was edible.
The mere sight of him made her body burn as she imagined him again standing on the edge of the cliff, reaching to comfort her.
Of him naked in her bed, holding her close…
She clenched her teeth and cursed her weak human body. Why had that old bitch damned her to this?
Even now, that demanding need for him tore through her and robbed her of all sense. Made her not care about the consequences of staying with him.
How did humans stand this insatiable hunger? No wonder they risked life and limb, even eternal damnation, for a taste of each other’s flesh.
Opening her eyes, she shook her head and begged for strength.
As she stared up, she noted the intricate lines of the wooden rafters above her head. Strange to see their beauty there and how men had crafted them to protect themselves.
