Page 83 of The Games Gods Play
“You don’t?” That’s all three.
“Are they dead when you—”
“What would be the fun in that?” Ber harrumphs.
I hold up a hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“Not to worry,” Cer says. “These are carnivorous cows and can fight back.”
I don’t even know what to say to that. “Everyone has a thing, I guess.”
Another woofy laugh blows more sulfur-scented breath all over me. “Can we keep her?” Rus asks Hades.
A small glow ignites in my chest. Is this how it feels to be wanted?
“Definitely not. I’d never know a day’s peace again,” Hades says. “Did you come here for a reason, mutt?”
Cerberus huffs—all three heads—then gracefully pushes to his feet to tower over me. I only come up to his shoulder. “You are needed,” the heads say in stereo.
I glance between them. Needed?
Hades’ lips press tight. This isn’t annoyance like a second ago, or even anger like when I came into the house. It’s…
What is it?
It can’t be guilt. I’m pretty sure gods don’t feel guilt. Especially this one.
He slides a look to me that I can’t interpret. “I’ll be there soon,” he says.
Cerberus nods, Rus gives me another nuzzle, and then the hellhound disappears the same way he arrived—in a cloud of smoke.
I shouldn’t ask. It’s none of my business.
I ask. “Not Isabel?”
“No.”
“Then who—”
“You should dress.”
It’s obvious he doesn’t want to tell me, but that only makes me want to find out more. “But it’s important?”
“Yes.” Curt and distant.
“All right…” I slowly turn on my heel.
“I won’t be here when you come out.”
I hesitate before I glance back. “I figured.”
Zero reaction. “We should talk when I return, work out a better strategy moving forward.”
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “Zai and I are meeting for lunch and talking strategy. I’ve got it covered.”
“The hells you are.”
I don’t bother to wait to hear his next words as I shut my bedroom door in the god of death’s face.
