Something stirred deep within me at the look on her face. Fuck, how did she do it? How could this little goddess wear down every wall I’d built to shut everyone out? For the first time in a long time…I wanted to believe she meant well, that someone could truly do something for unselfish reasons.
And a part of me—regardless of whether she wanted it—wanted to return the favor, help her in some way.
“You need assistance in the Godsrealm?”
She seemed to blink out of whatever thoughts had pulled her under. “What?”
“Micah told me you’re building a team to go to the Godsrealm. Something about fighting pits.”
She seemed hesitant. “We are. It’s a covert mission, though.”
“I want in,” I said. “Let me help.”
“I can’t guarantee your safety,” she said, and I huffed a laugh.
“That’s all the more reason to back you up,” I said. “If you can’t guarantee my safety, then you can’t guarantee yours either.”
She gave me a knowing smile. “Does that mean you care, Barrett?”
I shrugged. “Can’t exactly clear my name if you’re dead.”
She snickered and grabbed her dagger before turning from me. “Good attempt at hiding the truth from me, hothead.”
And as she walked away, I couldn’t stifle the smile curving my lips.
13
THALIA
Micah was to leave for the Godsrealm in less than a day. He had asked me to stay behind, nearly begged me not to mention it to Lucia or Damien.
How could I, though?
Recruits paced around in the training rings before me, the sun’s heat beating down on my skin. My mind had been lost in a haze all morning, unable to stay on task. What if it was true? Could they have really brought The Pits back? If so, who was responsible? How long had they been operating? How many more children had they stolen? How many more souls had they broken?
The beast bristled within my soul, feeding off my emotions like a pack of wolves devouring their prey.
Micah let out a grunt, and I lifted my eyes in time to see him hit the ground, the new recruit staring down at him, his chest heaving witheach labored breath.
Barrett Stratos.
I hadn’t unearthed any new information on him, hadn’t wanted to dig any further than what I’d overheard last week for fear of what I might find. Something deep in my chest left me wondering whether learning anything more would leave me further tangled up in the thoughts winding their way through my mind since I’d first laid eyes on him.
He was no better than a hunter’s trap.
Micah pushed himself up, brows shooting skyward as he blinked up at Barrett, who had just thrown him during their sparring match.
Barrett huffed a laugh and stuck his hand out for Micah to take before pulling him up from the dirt. Micah hadn’t spoken of Barrett much, but from what I’d seen, they seemed to have kindled some sort of friendship.
I frowned, my eyes lingering on Barrett for a moment too long and I froze the moment his gaze shifted to mine. Before I could give myself away further, I turned to the recruits, crossing my arms.
For a moment it almost felt as if the beast was laughing at me before its thoughts flitted across mine once more.So flustered.
You’re annoying.
The beast seemed to settle at the sight of them, and I tried to focus on the recruits before me instead of them.
You’ve always liked Micah, but I’ve never felt you fawn over him.
