Page 60 of Fallen Gods

I jog back to my room, ready to plan or plot, or possibly take a quick power nap before classes, but when I jerk open my door, something goes whizzing by my face.

I snatch it out of the air and slam the door shut behind me to assess my attacker.

“A rock, Rowen? Really?” Only when I look, it’s not a rock. It’s a marble chess piece. The one missing from the photo Father texted me earlier.

The queen.

I set it down on the nightstand.

“A gift from your father,” he says.

But we both know it’s not a present. It’s a warning.

“You didn’t have to throw it at me.”

“I knew you’d catch it,” he says, as if that makes up for it. He stands from my bed and looks me over, so I do the same. His blond hair is pulled back into a tight man bun, and he’s still in his black suit. “You look like shit, by the way.”

“I really wish people would stop stating the obvious.”

The corners of his mouth reveal his dimples. I’ve missed his easy smile. I hate it when he’s always on guard.

“I need to go shower and possibly fit in a nap before my first class. Everything good? Where’s your little texting shadow?Does she even look up from her phone when she speaks?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Where else? She’s putting on a face mask in front of her phone. You know, to prep for class and the rest of the opening week activities, all while delivering content to the masses. I see a lot of peopling in my future.”

I burst out laughing. God, it feels good to relax, even just a bit. “Your absolute favorite thing to do. Lucky you.”

“I don’t think she understands that I’m not a paid friend but a bodyguard because her father’s a paranoid board member who thinks someone’s out to get him.” He rolls his eyes, but then his face goes grave. “Odin’s mostly placating him, but there have been more threats lately, so…”

I yawn. “Who did my father piss off this time?”

“I didn’t ask. Don’t want to know.” His gaze darts between the door and me. I don’t like the look he’s sending my way or how he takes a breath like he’s preparing to drop some seriously bad news. “Odin had another rage-fueled episode today. They’re getting worse, Rey.”

“What happened?”

“Hell if I know. Something set him off. He broke four chessboards. Four people dead without batting an eye.”

“Gods.”

He shrugs. “Most of his inner circle, they aren’t saints by any stretch. But within the corporation, there are hundreds of employees. Inevitably, innocent people are going to get hurt. Not only is it bad for business, but it brings unwanted attention at a very critical time.”

My thoughts drift to the other students. They have families, friends. I just met Eira, and even though she isn’t one of my favorite people, I wouldn’t want harm to come to her or to her dad. And then there’s Ziva. She’s already had my back more than once. Can I really live with putting her in danger?

“The more his power wanes, the more he loses his grip onreality.”

I’ve always suspected it was getting worse, but to hear Rowen state it so bluntly…

Odin’s life force is tied to Asgard. Being cut off from the source for so long, of course he’s growing weaker and lashing out at people. Power is just like time—eventually, it runs out.

“How is Laufey?” I prod. I haven’t texted her, knowing that my father will be monitoring her phone, and the last thing I want is to get her into trouble.

Rowen lets out a sigh. “You know how she is. She loves baking and her garden. She’s been outside a lot more recently. I think it’s to get some breathing room from Odin, but he always checks in on her.”

“Checks in on his prisoner, you mean?” I let out a snort. “It’s good that he’s not hurting her—”

“He will, though. Soon. If her illness doesn’t take her first. Odin doesn’t make empty threats.” He sighs. “He does care for her…in his own way.”

But that’s the whole of it really. What little emotion my fatheriscapable of will not sway him.