Chapter 24: Tension Between GodsRyderDemi and I followed Tanner upstairs to our allotted rooms. Luca, Demi and I all three had rooms next to each other. Passing by I knocked on Luca’s door. “Go away! I don’t want you to see me like this. I’ll be damned if I give you another thing to use against me, you asshole. I know you swerved and stopped fast to make me sicker. Don’t think I don’t know!” I laughed because he’s right. Though I didn’t know it would turn around and bite me in the ass when it took double the time for us to get here. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, damn. I was just checking on you. How did you even know it was me?” I asked. He probably sensed my strong presence or something like that. “You’re the only arrogant friend I have that will purposefully knock harder on my door than necessary when you know I have a headache. You act like you love me, but I’m starting to think you feed off my suffering. Like the little devil you ar
Chapter 25: Hard to AdmitDemiMy heartrate starts to slow, but the feeling of dread washed over me with such a force that I feel like I can’t breathe. Does this mean I can’t go back to Olympus? That thought is instantly followed by the question of Do I want to go back to Olympus? The answer to that question is no, not really. It never felt like home to me. Maybe it could have if Ares wasn’t there. The only thing I will miss is Selene and Typhon. Honestly, they felt like family to me, and I am forever grateful to have them in my life. I walk into my bathroom feeling the need to wash the touch of Ares off me. Without looking in the mirror, I strip off my clothes and step into my shower. I adjust the water temperature to be as hot as I can handle.After washing and scrubbing my body so hard that my skin is chapped, I turn off the water and grab a towel to dry off. Reluctantly, I walk over to the mirror and rub my hand over its smooth surface. Beads of water gathered together as the mist
Chapter 26: MemoriesRyderDemi paused. She’s gaging my reaction to what she is telling me. I can see it in her eyes. My mind feels strange as the want… no, the need to know what happened to her burns like an inferno deep inside my soul. My fingers tingle and I sense that my instincts are trying to guide me to do something, but I’m not sure what it could be. I brush the urge aside and focus on Demi.“Selene and Typhon saw what was happening and stepped in to help me. Typhon told me not to come back until they call for me. I’m stopping there, Ryder. There’s no need to go into further detail.” “What are you not telling me Demi? There’s more to it than that. What did Selene and Typhon stop? What was he doing to you?” I am unable to control my anger, and my voice came out in a demanding tone. “He was assaulting me, Ryder. What else would they have to step in for?” Demi raised her voice to meet the tone of mine. Her eyebrows were pressed together, and I could tell t
Chapter 27: BloodlustRyderShe hits the pavement hard when she goes down. The next few seconds seem like minutes as I watch him hold her there. He put his hands on her without her permission, groping and violating her body as she cries. The feeling of helplessness is overtaking me as I walk towards where he has her held against the ground.“You are a fucking coward! She’s innocent, you are disgusting piece of shit. You’re an abomination, unworthy to be called a god!” I punch at his body, but again my fists just pass right through him. “Ares!” I hear a male voice call out. “Take your fucking hands off her. You and I will be going to speak with Zeus right now.” I turn to see who I assume is Typhon. His expression reflects mine looking like he is ready to peel the skin from Ares’ bones. I recognize Selene and watch her rip Ares off Demi. I move to help Demi up, but I can’t grab hold of her. I stand to watch what happens as Typhon instructs Demi to leave. Selene
Chapter 28: TrappedRyderAres and his accomplices are at the opposite end of the factory walking towards Demi and I. I keep my eyes trained on them. “Ryder, I think Ares has done something to stop interference from outside sources. This means Selene and Typhon can’t help us. Ares has Aphrodite and a half blood god with him. We are outnumbered and outmatched.” “Demi, the only thing I am worried about is you.” I turn towards her. I let my words spill from my mouth quickly because I don’t know when this battle is going to begin. “I need you to find somewhere and hide, Demi. Stay away from this Psycho. Let me handle this.” “Ryder, if you think that I am going to tuck my tail between my legs and run you are wrong. I can’t physically attack them, but maybe I can be a destrac-”Demi didn’t have the chance to finish what she was trying to say. Aphrodite, Ares, and the half blood was right upon us now. I repositioned myself back in front of Demi, ready to
Chapter 29: Worlds Between UsRyder “Zeus! It’s not what it looks like!” Demi runs in the man’s direction. She’s begging him to listen to her. “Restrain her!” His voice echoed through the building. I let out a loud growl and moved to stop the half blood from touching her, but thick black chains burst from the earth and encircled my arms, legs, waist, and neck. I clenched my teeth still trying to get to Demi. “Get your fucking hands off her!” She’s struggling to get out of the mans grasp while still pleading with Zeus to listen to her.He pins his intense gaze on me, and I glare back at him with one of my own. I won’t cower to anyone, not even the god of thunder and lightning.“Bow, Ryder! Prove to me that you are capable to being tamed.” I laughed out loud.“You could strike me dead right now, still I will never submit. I may not be a god, but I wasn’t born to bow down to you!” I spat the words at him. Anger and rage evident with every word that lef
Chapter 30: NO God to Pray toDemiI guess I should be thankful that Selene and Typhon saw everything that happened with Ryder. They were waiting to intercept me when Ares and I returned to Olympus. We are all situated in the main meeting hall as they discuss who I will be assigned to next. Will it be with Ares, or will I remain assigned to Selene and Typhon? I don’t care to listen to the arguments being tossed over the table regarding me. All I can think of is the way Ryder looked as he let himself fall into hell. My heart squeezed in my chest and a new flood of tears threatened to spill from my eyes. He’s, my mate. This entire time, Ryder Layden and I have been mated. It is unheard of for a Keres to have a mate. Wait a second, if I am Ryder’s mate doesn’t that mean Selene was the one who gave me to him? This is something I will ask her about when and if I ever get the chance. I raise my head to look at the pathetic excuse of a god sitting across the table from me. He too
Chapter 31: Lunar SwordNarratorAphrodite walked through the doors of the meeting room. Her usual seductive walk was replaced with a stiff unnatural looking gate. Aphrodite had no plans of admitting what she had been an accomplice to. Selene knew right away that Aphrodite knew exactly what had happened, and it was in this moment that she remembered something that Demi had said to Ares. ‘You want me so bad, don’t you? Well now you can have me, but I promise you this. You will regret ever separating me from my mate.’ This could only mean one thing. Aphrodite released the mate bond that was restricting Ryder and Demi from recognizing that they were fated mates! Selene’s heart broke as she realized what Ares had done in the moments before sending Ryder to hell. He let Ryder and Demi realize that they were bonded then separated them from each other. What better way to really break someone? There are no words to describe such a pain that they must have felt. Truly there is nothing worse t