Chapter 30
Hestia
Iwake up wet and sticky, starfished across my mattress, surrounded by discarded blankets.
Why is the fire so goddamnhot.
Sleeping alphas are all around me, bundled up in their blankets. How are they sleeping so peacefully when I’m being burned alive?
I tug on my top, considering taking off my clothes, but it’s so damp it clings to me.
I don’t think lying here tits out is going to be enough anyway.
I struggle onto my hands and knees and crawl out of the nest of mattresses. I bump into the doorframe and pull myself up, eyes bleary.
It’s hardly any cooler in the hallway. I go searching in the dark for relief, wandering until I hit the kitchen.
It’s only a little better in here. As I turn to leave, I bang against the counter.Thatfeels cold. I press my face against the marble countertop, sighing as the freezing stone offers relief.
I can think again.
I could just climb on the counter and sleep here.
I frown as the heat returns, blazing even hotter than before.
I shift to a different spot, fresh cold stone, but it doesn’t help.
I whimper, my skin burning. How is the fireplace making it so hot in here?
I push off the counter and return to the hallway, sliding against the wall to keep myself upright as I look for a cure.
I squint as a white glow appears ahead and pick up my pace, aiming for the cold light.
My hands hit a window, nice frigid glass. It’s still not enough, but outside…outside issnow.
That will quench this fire.
Conveniently, the window is by a door, so all I have to do is open it and then I’m saved. I’ll lie in the snow until I feel better.
I push on the door, but it doesn’t budge.
I put my shoulder against it and push harder.
Why won’t it open??
I let out a whine.
I’m burning up. Ineedto get outside. I’m so wet and sticky, and I can’t breathe with the sickly-sweet fruit scent overwhelming my senses.
I shake the handle and thump against the door to no avail.
In blind frustration, I yank on the handle, jerking it up and down, until suddenly it pops open and the door swings in.
The rush of snowy air offers immediate relief, and I inhale deeply. The freezing cold hurts, but it clears out the almost drugging scent clogging my nose.
In response, the heat inside blazes hotter, the snow on my face already melted and dripping.
I step toward the alluring snowdrifts piled just outside the door.
