Page 43 of His Eternal Claim

And the worst part?

He doesn’t look surprised. He looks… amused. Like he’s been waiting for this. Like this, this sick fucking nightmare, was part of the plan. But Hannah… Hannah isn’t expecting me.

Her eyes widen. Her lips part.

Her body jerks like I’ve fired a bullet straight through her chest.

“Z-Zagreus—”

Her voice breaks.

For one sick second, I enjoy it.

My mouth opens. Nothing comes out.

Because what the fuck do you say when the woman your girl cried over… the woman your girl thought was in danger… is sitting half-naked in your Father’s office?

My voice, when it finally comes, doesn’t even sound human. “…why?”

One word. Barely a whisper.

Hannah swallows hard. Actually nervous.

Actually scared.

And for a brief, beautiful moment, I think maybe she has a soul after all. I want her to tell me my Father forced her into this. But when she smiles, no, she’s just as rotten as the rest of us. She slowly fixes the strap of her dress.

“Zagreus…” She says my name softly. Almost tenderly. Like she didn’t just set my entire life on fire.

My fury locks. I take one step forward. Then another. The gun at my waist feels too merciful.

“You lied to her.” My voice cracks with something darker than rage. “You made her think I was dangerous.”

Another step. “You let her cry for you.” Another. “You’re such a bitch, Hannah.”

Hannah’s throat moves. And I see the guilt.

But it disappears as quickly as it came.

Because then she looks at my Father. And smiles. My blood turns to acid.

“Love…” she whispers.

Her fingers trail lazily across my Father’s chest. “…makes us do terrible things.”

I stop moving. My vision blurs.

My Father chuckles.

Actually, fucking chuckles. And something inside me… snaps.

“I couldn’t let Selene marry you.” My heartbeat returns.

My brows pull together.

“…what?”

She exhales shakily.