“What’s going on?” Klyn asks me, nodding at Legion.

  “Don’t know,” I say.

  He watches but makes no move to join them.

  Finally, he turns back to me. “You’re good for him, you know.”

  “Are you trying to say I make him a better person?” I joke.

  “Nah. He’s a grumpy asshole lately,” Klyn says, and I can’t help but laugh. “But he’s starting to wish for more for himself. And that’s a first.” He is somber as he says, “Thank you.”

  His gratitude rattles me, but I manage to nod before he glances back to where Legion and the soldier are talking. I look over just as Legion breaks off from the soldier. The young male heads back the way he came as Legion rejoins us. He looks troubled, and my stress instantly skyrockets.

  “What is it?” I ask, trying to prepare for something as equally horrific as feral bears.

  He looks at Klyn as he answers. “Caius thinks the incident at the wall warrants a bigger solution.”

  Klyn glances at me like he’s not sure whether to speak freely. “I see,” he says. “And does he have a suggestion for that solution?”

  Legion scowls. “Paintball.”

  “Excuse me?” Klyn asks.

  “He’s ordered a mandatory week of war games. Thinks it’ll help the men blow off steam. We’re starting with paintball.”

  Klyn shakes his head. “Does he remember what happened last time we did this?”

  Legion grins. “He says Styx is banned from playing, so we’re fine.”

  Klyn cackles. “In that case, put me in, coach.”

  “Who’s Styx?” I ask.

  Legion’s gaze swings to mine. “A friend. One I’d like you to meet, actually.”

  “Boss, you’re supposed to be on leave,” Klyn points out. “You can sit this one out.”

  “And let you win?” Legion snorts. “Not a fucking chance.”

  Klyn laughs.

  “Are we going to play games, Dad?” Bron asks hopefully. Blue icing is smeared across both cheeks and his nose. It’s adorable.

  “Dad has to go to work, son, sorry,” Klyn says. And it’s clear from his expression that he really is sorry to have to leave Bron.

  Legion motions to someone over my shoulder, and I turn to see Chaya and Kendall returning, both with a bag in each hand. Kendall gives me a look that says, “See, I’m safe.” My gaze zeroes in immediately on her shoes, which are mysteriously soaked despite the clear blue skies.

  “Ferth is getting stingy with his apples,” Chaya complains to no one in particular. “He keeps this up and I might have to send a few more rainstorms his way.”

  “What happened to your shoes?” I ask.

  “What?” Kendall looks down. “Oh.”

  “Whoops,” Chaya says, wincing. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” Kendall says, laughing, and then to me, “Chaya showed me her gift of negotiating.”

  At my expression, Chaya says, “I have a way with the weather.” As if to illustrate, there’s a rumble of thunder overhead, though no clouds mark the sky. A second later, a bolt of lightning cracks against a rock nearby. It splits in two, leaving only a puff of black smoke in its wake where the electricity burned the stone.

  “Wow,” I say, my gaze swinging back to Chaya. “That’s incredible aim.”

  And a deadly gift if necessary.

  “Thanks.” She ducks her head but not before I see her cheeks go pink at my compliment.

  “Chaya, Klyn and I have to go in to work,” Legion tells her, clearly used to her threats. “Can you take Bron home with you?”

  “Sure.” Chaya perks up at the subject change. “He looks like he could use an apple to balance out the dessert.” She winks at Bron.

  “Oh man, I never get to do anything fun,” Bron whines.

  “Hey, I’m fun,” Kendall protests.

  “I mean playing games and stuff,” Bron says, obviously unconvinced.

  “How about hide and seek?” Kendall says, eyes gleaming.

  Bron looks her up and down then scoffs. “I’m a wolf. I’ll find you so fast.”

  “Oh, we’ll see about that. Fae are very stealthy hunters.”

  “You’re on,” Bron says, grinning.

  “Thanks, Chaya, I owe you one,” Klyn tells her. He chases Bron down and plants a kiss on his son’s forehead despite the boy trying to wriggle away. “Be good,” Klyn warns him.

  Bron waves, grinning mischievously and agreeing to no such thing. “Bye, Dad.”

  “I guess I’ll see you guys later,” I say, moving to follow Chaya and the others.

  “Come with us,” Legion says, stopping me.

  After being so secretive and hell-bent on locking me in his house, his invitation surprises me. “What?”

  Klyn looks between us uncertainly. “Uh, I hate to state the obvious, but I don’t think she’s a viable option for war games, boss. Poisoned hands and all.”

  “She can watch from the box,” Legion says, still looking at me. “Come.”

  “Why?” I can’t help but ask.

  “I want you there,” Legion says, “And…”

  “And,” I prompt.

  “Reagan asked to meet you.”

  My eyes widen. “Reagan as in the queen of Tartarus?”

  “Yes.”

  I look at Klyn, trying to gauge how worried I should be about this summons. But he merely shrugs. Legion’s expression gives nothing away either.

  Still, I hesitate, unsure about letting Kendall go off alone on that road, but Chaya speaks up before I can say anything.

  “I’ll protect her,” she tells me firmly, and any doubt I had is squashed at the hardness that flashes in her gaze. Underneath the shy, self-conscious exterior is a warrior willing to fight and defend. I think of what Legion said about her past and know my assessment is right. This girl is a fighter. That, at least, I can trust.

  “Thank you,” I tell her.

  She nods.

  Kendall grins and waves at me from where Bron has already fallen into step beside her.

  Even knowing Kendall is in good hands, no one’s more surprised than me when I turn to Legion and say, “Okay. Let’s go play some paintball.”

  Chapter 24

  Tori

  It turns out the walk from town to their military base is fairly short. When we get close, I see the crowd converging on what looks like a large stadium and instantly tense up at the idea of moving through so many bodies. But Legion takes my gloved hand and guides me to a side entrance. Klyn follows us inside but then peels off in another direction with some comment about making sure he and Legion are team captains.

  Legion leads me through a series of halls, up a flight of stairs, and out another door where I find myself standing on a balcony overlooking the large arena. It’s crowded on the turf below, but where we stand, its nice and open. And we’re alone.

  “Thank you,” I say, pulling off my scarf to enjoy the fresh, open air.

  “For what?”

  “Bringing me up here.”

  “Oh, this isn’t for you. It’s the best view of the arena, and I want a witness for when I mercilessly destroy Klyn and his team.”

  I lift a brow. “I didn’t realize you were so competitive.”

  “Didn’t you?”

  I shake my head, but the door opens behind us before I can answer. An attractive female steps out. Her gorgeous brunette hair is piled high in a bun, and her pretty eyes are fixed on Legion.

  “There you are.” She smirks. “Klyn said you were hiding like a little bitch because you didn’t want him to beat you again.”

  “Liar,” Legion tosses back easily. “You’re just pouting because Caius said you can’t play.”

  “Caius knows I’m too much for these assholes anyway,” she says before swinging her gaze to me. “Hello. You must be the one driving Legion to drink.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Really?” Legion says.

  She ignores him and extends her hand. “I’m Styx. Legion’s most badass friend.”

  “Most annoying,” he mutters, but she only smiles wider at me.

  “Hi.” I take her hand with my gloved one and find myself caught in a firm grip. “Tori.”

  “Well, Tori, it’s apparently you and me in the peanut gallery.” She arches a brow at Legion. “Unless you’re punking out after all.”

  Legion looks at me uncertainly.

  “Don’t use me as an excuse to punk out,” I tell him.

  “I’ll be back to get you when it’s over,” he tells me, still warily eyeing Styx.

  “Don’t worry, friend. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” he grumbles as he leaves.

  When we’re alone, Styx turns to me and says, “What did they bench you for?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “They won’t let me play because I electrocuted a full platoon last time. It was an accident, well, mostly, but everyone’s so sensitive in the workplace these days.”

  I stare at her, trying to decide whether she’s serious. The metal sticks holding her hair in place make me think she probably is. Especially when I put that with Klyn’s earlier reaction about her being banned today.

  “My touch kills people,” I say.

  “Nice one,” she says.

  “So, you and Legion,” I begin. “Are you guys close? I mean have you…?”

  She immediately holds up a hand. “Whoa, let me just stop you right there, Twenty Questions. Me and Legion are friends. That’s it.”

  “Right, sorry.”

  “Seriously. I’ve known that dude for five fucking millennia. In all that time, we’ve gotten into many a drunken brawl, not to mention the brawls where we were sober. My point is, if we haven’t boned before now, I think it’s safe to say you have nothing to worry about.”

  “Point taken,” I say, feeling awkward for even broaching the topic and wondering when it might be polite to bolt.

  But she continues like we weren’t just talking about hers—or Legion’s—sex life, nodding down at the field. “Legion and Klyn are assholes about war games by the way. Don’t be fooled by the name of the game being paintball. This is going to get ugly, especially if Klyn wins.”

  “Nothing about that surprises me. Legion’s terrible about not getting his way. Why should a game be any different.”

  Styx snorts. “I think I like you.”

  I smile, and we both spend the next few minutes watching the two teams assemble on the field. Legion and Klyn are, apparently, team captains, and make a huge show about who they pick for their sides. Styx points out some of the men, naming them, but mostly so she can tell me who she almost paralyzed last time they did this.

  She’s kind of scary—and fun.

  The door opens, and another female joins us. Her dark brown hair hangs loose around her shoulders, and hazel eyes are quick to assess me. I’ve never met her in person before, but her family is known well enough in the Crossroads that I recognize her anyway. Reagan Santiago. Queen of Tartarus. Looking strangely normal in her jeans and tank top.

  “Mind if I join you?” she asks.

  “Nope. You’re right on time,” Styx tells her. “They’re just about to start.”

  “Perfect.” She closes the door behind her and walks right up to me. “I’m Reagan. You must be Tori. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Hi.” I start to shake her hand, but nerves have me yanking it away again despite the gloves protecting us both.

  Reagan doesn’t seem to mind though. In fact, she says, “Sorry, I totally forgot about your situation. Handshakes are probably not a great idea, huh.”

  “No need to apologize. I’m still getting the hang of being this close to people.”

  I glance at Styx whose hand I shook without a thought earlier. She shoots me a wink as Reagan answers, “I’m sure. And then you’re forced into Tartarus on top of it.” She doesn’t wait for me to respond before adding, “I know what it’s like, believe me.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I heard about your Februlune adventure,” she says. “How are you? Sounded like a close call.”

  I tense, but there’s no trace of teasing or lecturing in her tone. Only concern.

  “Wait, what was a close call?” Styx asks.

  “My sister and I decided to go for a walk and ran into a bear with moon fever,” I say. “Apparently, he decided we were in his way and dealt with us accordingly.”

  “Shit, why didn’t Legion warn you?” Styx demands.

  “Good question,” I say.

  “Well, at least he was there to intervene on your behalf,” Reagan says.

  I hesitate. Clearly, she didn’t realize I’d been the one to stop the bear. I’m just about to clarify that fact when Styx speaks up.

  “Good thing he was the one to make the kill.”

  I tense. “Why is that?”

  “Tartarus has strict laws about outsiders killing our own,” Styx says. “And I doubt Legion would have enjoyed having your head on his chopping block.”

  At that, I go still, struck silent by the reality of what she’s saying. Legion knew what I’d risked by poisoning that bear. That’s why he’d finished it himself. So he’d be the killer, not me.

  He’d saved me. Again.

  No wonder he’d been furious.

  It hadn’t just been about the bear nearly killing me. If anyone found out what I’d done, he’d have to kill me too.

  The realization sends shockwaves through me, but I do my best to shove it aside. When I look up again, Reagan and Styx are both watching me carefully.

  “I’m really sorry,” I say. “I had no idea.”

  “It’s fine,” Reagan assures me, reading some of my panic. “Legion explained everything. It’s all behind you now. I think Caius read him the riot act for not telling you about the moon fever sooner. If anything, it’s his fault.”

  “Oh, I bet adding that guilt to the pile has made him such a peach to deal with,” Styx says with a snort.

  At my expression, she adds, “Though nothing will top his first millennia in Tartarus. Gods, he was a bastard to deal with.”

  “Were you two friends then?” I ask.

  She barks out a laugh. “Uh, no. We made it a hobby to try to kill each other. But we sort of bonded over it and became friends. When he finally got over his pouting, anyway.”

  Down on the field, a whistle sounds.

  Reagan walks to the railing, glancing at the assembling teams. “Who are the captains?”

  “Legion and Klyn,” Styx tells her.

  “I figured you’d be down there with them,” Reagan says.

  “Caius banned me,” she says haughtily.

  Reagan laughs. “For good reason from what I’ve heard.”

  Styx looks offended. “Whose side are you on, my queen?”

  “Yours,” Reagan says, grinning, “Always.”

  “Good choice.”

  We all go back to watching the game, which is a much more organized and intense battle than I first imagined. Even from up here, I can tell Legion is brutal. And Klyn is no less competitive. It might be just a game, but none of the soldiers seem to be holding back as they tackle and pummel one another in between shots.

  “What’s the occasion, anyway?” I ask the two females beside me. “For the war games? Legion said Caius decided to do a week of them. Is this an annual thing?”

  Styx shoots Reagan a questioning glance.

  “There was an attack on the castle wall recently,” Reagan tells me.

  “Oh. I didn’t know. Was anyone hurt?”

  “Yes,” she says quietly. “Several people were killed.”

  “That’s awful, did they catch who did it?”

  “Oh yeah, Legion made sure to get a name from the asshole who set it off,” Styx says.

  “Legion got the name?”

  “He’s in charge of interrogation,” Reagan explains.

  “He’s almost as good as I am at it too,” Styx adds.

  Reagan smirks. “Anyway, they just brought in the guy who set it all up,” she finishes.

  “That’s great. But… how does a game of paintball help?”

  This time, Styx is the one who answers. “It’s not just the attack on the wall. Sorry, Reagan.”

  “No, please.” Reagan waves at her to keep going.

  “The Tartarus army has spent the last several thousand years preparing for battle,” Styx explains. “The guardian who held the king’s soul was the ultimate target.” Reagan smiles ruefully at that. “But we were always preparing for a full assault. Whatever it took to get his soul back. That kind of prep builds tension. The thirst for battle and blood. But, turns out the situation has resolved another way.”

  Reagan snorts, and I realize she’s much cooler about finding herself mated to a god than I feel about being mated to a death dragon. But the sharpness in her gaze tells me she wasn’t always this chill.

  Styx grins at her before adding, “The peaceful turn of events left our army with a lot of pent-up fight in them and nowhere to put it.”

  “And they need to blow off steam,” I finish.

  “Bingo. Oh.” She leans forward, her gaze completely caught up on one of the men down below.

  I watch as someone fires a shot at him, but by the time it hits the male’s skin, the paint slides right off what looks like a stone bicep. The soldier who fired complains, but the male yells out, “The shot is only good if it sticks!”

  The male glances up at our balcony, his gaze aimed right at Styx.

  “Is that…?” Reagan starts, following the direction of Styx’s stare.

  “That’s Corvin,” Styx says without taking her eyes off the male.

  “Is he your mate?” I ask.

  She grimaces. “It’s complicated.”

  “Welcome to the club,” I say, instantly wishing I could take back the words. These are Legion’s friends, after all. Not mine.

  But Reagan and Styx both shoot me a small, knowing grin, and before I know it, I find myself grinning right back.

  Chapter 25

  Tori