Boy, he looked so much better after a few days of no treats. His stomach didn’t drag on the floor.
“Juni, so you mean to tell me, you are hesitant, because you think the Fates have made a mistake because you believe you are a mistake? Is that what I’m getting here?”
I nodded. “Why should we be together if I’m not meant to be here?”
Mariah’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? You are not a mistake. No child born is a mistake,” she said reverently.
I shrugged. “The condom broke. No fifteen-year-old wants to have a baby. That isn’t how it’s done.”
Mariah stood from her chair and sat beside me, jostling Macaroni. He looked up at her and huffed and curled back up in my lap.
Mariah curled her arm around me, squeezing my shoulder. “Juni, you cannot think like that. Your soul is perfect for Thanatos. He’s waited so many years for someone as perfect as you to complete him.” She waves her hand around the room. “You being here, with us? This is not a mistake.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“What about those girls?” Mariah said sternly. “The ones you got stabbed for?”
“How did you kno—”
“Word travels fast around here. It's gossip central. You rescued those women. If you weren’t born, how would have they escaped? How would Thanatos be able to get more information about the place? Without you—none of that would have happened.”
I took in a shuttering breath. She was right. I think part of me knew that but needed the confirmation.
Maybe, just maybe. I was supposed to be here.
Maybe I was supposed to be found.
I let out another breath and nodded. “I’ve only been with you all for an afternoon and evening and you are more family and friends I’ve ever had. Thanatos is probably the only person I’ve truly cared for–ever. I just want to make sure it’s right and not because I’m so desperate to love someone.”
Shit I said love.
Mariah smiled, her fanged teeth shining in the firelight. “I’m glad you are seeing reason. I’m sure Thanatos will bang it into you some more when he gets back. I knew you had to be a badass, lasting four years at a strip club. You aren’t that timid of a thing, are you?”
I scoffed. “Not with in the last four years, anyway. I learned what I needed to. I had to adapt. I’ve always enjoyed dancing and would do it alone in my bedroom, so I had some sort of rhythm. Except I had to do it naked. In front of men.” I shivered.
“Still, you’ve done amazing. I don’t know how I would have handled that.” Mariah made a face. “But uh, the moves you learned—have you used them on Thanatos yet?”
My face turned red. Should I use my skills on him? What would he think? I usually went to a happy place, where I blocked out everyone watching me. I think I would be a blubbering mess if I did it for him.
“N-no.” I shifted on the couch. “I haven’t.”
Mariah’s eyes widened with mischief. “You should do it. In fact, I would love to learn, too.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “If you feel comfortable, that is?”
I tried not to smile. Teach her how to strip? How to dance to get her man off? After all she’s done for me today? I’d love to help her and, to be honest, I missed dancing.
I gave her a slight nod and Mariah squealed and jumped up from the couch.
Another loud crash echoed through the room as yet another wooden block tumbled down from the towering Jenga structure.Ares couldn’t contain his frustration any longer. He surged to his feet, his face contorted with anger. With a powerful motion, he hurled the table across the room, the sound of splintering wood hit my ears. It soared through the space, landing with a resounding thud in the crackling fireplace, sending a cloud of ash and smoke billowing into the room.
“Bad, Ares. Now Hades is going to have to conjure another,” Uriel chastised.
“You are cheating!” Ares pointed at her. “There is no way you can win every time!”
“Baby! Listen!” Mariah jumped over to her mate and kissed his cheek. “Juni is going to teach me and Uriel how to use a stripper pole!”
My face reddened.
“Or a striptease?” Mariah turned to look at me. “Which ever you are comfortable with? I can’t wait! What do you think, Uriel?”
