Page 10

Chapter

Eight

PRIDE

“ S he looks healthy for a human who was dead less than seventy-two hours ago,” my brother said.

He looked utterly bored, but that was Envy’s default expression, in order to belie his interest in everything around him.

We all had our coping mechanisms, and feigning utter disinterest was his.

He took a sip of his latte, eyeing my black coffee with distaste.

The cafe was pleasant, but crawling with humans.

Nevertheless, it was always best to meet surrounded by them.

Hidden among the crowd.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at my idiot brother.

“Yes, but what was she doing ?” I asked, struggling to hide my impatience.

He raised a dark, arched eyebrow at me, eyes sharp and assessing.

Envy and I favored each other heavily—both tall and lean, with broad shoulders that hinted at strength beneath the surface.

His hair was midnight, slightly tousled, a contrast to my own sleek, meticulously combed black hair.

His eyes—bright emerald—sparkled with mischief and secrets, always flickering with plans and schemes.

We shared a similar build and stature, but where I cultivated a polished, blending appearance to track and blend with humans, he embraced a more reckless, unpredictable look—his tousled hair and roguish grin marking him as the schemer he was.

Both of us, in our own ways, mirrored each other’s height and frame, but where I aimed for control and precision, Envy’s style and expression betrayed a hunger for chaos and secrets.

I had limited time I could be away from my duties down below , and had much to accomplish in that time—assigning Envy this task, and check-in with Gluttony.

No rest for the wicked.

Hades was preoccupied spending time with his new-found daughter, and entrusted me to look after things after a much-needed vacation.

I trusted Janine not to let things go to hell–literally–for a day or so while I snuck away. Hades would never need to know.

“What was she doing–human shit. Sleeping, eating, shitting, going to fucking work . Why is this taking up my precious time?” Envy demanded.

Not without cause.

“I–” Hesitation wrapped its fingers around my throat and squeezed.

My brother seized the moment like a wolf smelling fresh meat.

“I can smell your magick all over her; that and Hades’s death magick,” he declared. “Does he know you’ve reanimated the girl? Seems a bit...convenient, what with him away on his little family vacation.”

I had to act naturally. I’d already fucked it up by being too jumpy. I shrugged.

“It’s good to practice. Wouldn’t want to fuck up a reanimation with the boss breathing down my neck, would I?”

That damned eyebrow went higher. He stared and I met his gaze, but after a moment he pulled away.

“Well, aside from the magickal remnants just leaking from her, she appears to be like all the other humans–boring, nonsensical, and far too jumpy,” he finished.

Hmm. That seemed a little over-the-top, even for him. Usually he showed nothing but detachment for his targets.

"You can call it off then. I have what I need," I said succinctly, throwing out the bait. "I'm in the area for another target anyway," he quickly shot back. "Those trafficking reports have been keeping me busy."

I frowned. "Still no leads on the missing children?"

"A few. Trail's getting warmer." His jaw tightened slightly—the first genuine emotion I'd seen from him. "Whoever's behind it knows how to cover their tracks. But they're getting bolder."

That explained his restlessness. Envy took crimes against children personally, even if he'd never admit it.

"Seriously though. Wouldn't want...there to be ill effects you don't know about," he hurriedly went on, turning the coffee cup in his hand methodically, over and over, clearly wanting to change the subject back to Juniper.

Ridiculous.

“That’s awfully magnanimous of you,” I drawled, turning the tables on him.

Was he interested in keeping his tail on the girl simply because I was interested?

He was Envy after all...that in itself was enough of a reason.

Or, like me, had he noticed something about her that was different?

Had she piqued his interest like she had mine?

Did he feel drawn to her the same way I had?

I stared at his cup, which he continued to nervously spin. He froze, stopping his motion and glaring at me, his indifferent mask slamming back down into place.

“Not at all. I have other shit to do. Like I said, I’m in the area for another job. Keeping an eye on your little craft project isn’t even considered work,” he insisted.

Oh, so that’s how we were going to play it?

“Whatever you decide to do. It doesn’t matter to me,” I ended with, swiping my empty cup and standing. Our chairs squeaked in unison as we pushed them back, giving each other curt nods.

“Gluttony is asking about you,” he continued casually, though the statement was anything but.

“I know,” I bit back. I hated being nagged like a child. “I’m on my way to see him next, actually.”

Envy put a hand behind his head. “Right. Good.”

The awkwardness grew. We each hated public displays. I held out my hand as a peace offering.

He snorted and grabbed me for an embrace, bending me forward and mussing my hair.

“Loosen up. Hades is making you too serious. Hell, have a fucking party down there if you can. I’d come.”

I straightened, a snarl on my face. He only pulled this shit when we were surrounded by humans, because he knew I wouldn’t retaliate. He was physically superior as a trained assassin and tracker, but my magick was well above his. If we all seriously went at it, we’d destroy a city.

We’d done so before.

“Goodbye.”

I turned around curtly and walked out of the shop, trying to regulate my emotions. I’d been a mess lately–ever since I’d laid eyes on her...on Hazel . I’d snooped her notes from Janine, greedily taking in everything I could about her.

Which wasn’t much.

It was tempting to send Envy on a mission to check out the werewolf pack she’d been staying with, and even the ass who’d try to do her in. Yet, I didn’t want to push too much, or be too obvious. But if I did, Envy might take the initiative to do it all himself.

Envy was such a bitch.

So was I.

Our sins were our greatest joys and our greatest sorrows.

Regardless, I had eyes on Hazel. Envy was hooked, I was sure of it. If only to simply sniff around what I was interested in, I knew he’d stay around for a little while longer.

A man bumped into my shoulder, not noticing as he was so engrossed in his mobile device. Glancing around, the crowd around me standing at the corner had every nose buried in their phones. This time I did roll my eyes, since there was no one to notice.

I disappeared in plain sight.

Humans .

I rematerialized in a manor that was something out of a fever dream. The parlor I stood in could have been lifted straight from Versailles, complete with Baroque-style art and period correct furniture.

Leaving behind ‘La Révolution,’’ I stepped into a hallway in stark contrast to the stuffy parlor with its art deco decor.

The black and white tiles under my feet marked my progress.

I knew from childhood how many of those tiny tiles would take me to Gluttony’s office, and his private parlor.

As the eldest brother, it had fallen to him to shoulder not only our father’s sin, but also managing the rest of us.

Forty-one thousand, three hundred and seventeen in total.

It seemed like a lot, but each tile mattered when you were on your way to have your ass chewed out.

Not this time. Stop it.

Just a friendly visit...a check-in.

Forty-one thousand, two hundred and sixteen.

I hesitated, my hand hovering over the door.

“Enter.”

Show off.

Pushing the door open, it creaked loudly as it opened into a darkened room, the only light coming from a merrily crackling fire in the hearth. Two overlarge, plush lounge chairs sat in front of it.

I allowed the heavy door to slam shut behind me.

BAM.

“A bit overdramatic, don’t you think?” I asked.

A hand appeared, curling around the armrest of the chair. My brother’s face appeared, bald head gleaming as he leaned over the armrest to glare at me. His eyes were a deep amethyst today instead of their normal cornflower blue, the reddish hue of his vampiric nature beginning to cloud the irises.

That meant he was busy. And bothered. And likely in no mood for my dumbass.

His eyes flicked to the door which I had just purposefully slammed. He said nothing, but the intent was clear.

“Right. I am checking in,” I began diplomatically, slumping down into the second chair to the right of the fireplace.

Gluttony’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”

There never was any beating around the bush with Gluttony—or G, as he liked to be called. He once nearly took out my kneecaps with a cane for calling him his full name when I was sixteen.

"Every time a major god or goddess goes away, everything goes to shit, and who has to pick up the pieces?

" Gluttony asked me, practically hissing with anger.

"Us. The lessers. The sins, the muses, the demigods and fucking random deities down the street.

" He paced, agitation visible in every line of his body.

"And lately, the earth itself feels...restless. You've felt it too, haven't you?”

I hadn't, but I wasn't about to admit it.

“Humans, global warming, the usual,” I responded flatly, not seeing cause for alarm.

G huffed at me.

"Hades finding his little family might seem like divine romance, but power shifts like that have consequences,” G muttered, eyes darkening as he glanced toward the window. Storm clouds gathered.

A great fucking mood, indeed. Dare I add to his plate? Guilt seeped into my chest.

G continued, “And don’t think for a goddamn second that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for you. I simply wish to be efficient, so out with it.”

I wasn’t sure how to begin. I wasn’t eager to admit I’d done my first proper reanimation. There were protocols to follow after all, and I hadn’t. Not one little bit. But Hades couldn’t approve something he wasn’t here for, could he?

“I...have you ever had a mate?” I blanched. That wasn’t what I’d wanted to ask at all.

G went still–very still.

“Mates aren’t real,” he grumbled.

Indignation rose in my chest, but I fought it. G was older than all of us by a lot—he’d seen so much, and to ignore that wisdom or not allow him a chance to explain was foolish. I had the scars to prove it.

“You’re angry. You think you’ve found her then?” His voice was soft, but so, so dangerous. I tensed, unsure why he was angry. My mouth opened, but he silenced me with one hand.

“I will say my piece, then you are free to do what you want. You will not learn unless you fall flat on your face and smash all your teeth out.”

I winced at the imagery, but waited.

“Mates are a fairytale sold to give us all hope, but it’s more than a bit ludicrous for us.

It’s fine for humans; their lives are mere blips on the radar.

It’s an easy sell. It is more...attainable to find another to share your pathetic existence with when your life is over as fast as I snap my fingers.

His thumb and middle finger clicked in front of my face for emphasis.

“But us?” He leaned toward me, eyes shifting into a heavier crimson the closer he got.

“We are eternal. Well, our sin is. Whether or not we are, depends on a few .. . environmental factors. If nothing fucks with us, we’ll stick around.

Gods can end us. Bad physical wounds.” He waved his hands in the air.

“I’m getting off-topic. What is the likelihood there is one individual out there perfect for each one of us?

Eternity is a curse and a burden. Why would we chain ourselves to anyone in such a way? ”

G collapsed back against the cushions.

“It’s fine for humans. Eternity means nothing for them. It’s an abstract concept that isn’t real. But for us? We are different people from century to century. We must change and adapt, or we’d grow mad. To expect one to shackle themselves for all eternity...” He sighed. “We need options.”

I waited for the rest, but he fell silent.

“I...will take what you say into consideration,” I offered, thinking my tone quite diplomatic and measured, despite the pounding of my heart, and the traitorous resentment already building in my chest.

He doesn’t know. He doesn’t understand.

G snorted and snatched a decanter of brandy off the side table. He downed it one go, slamming the glass back onto the scratched wood.

“I am a glutton, but not for punishment,” he mumbled.

I stood, recognizing a clear dismissal when I heard it.

His hand shot out faster than I could see, gripping my wrist. “I know Envy is skulking around. That means we’ll be having family dinner on Sunday.”

A clear directive.

“Understood,” I confirmed.

He huffed, but I’d agreed, so he had nothing to complain about.

I took off down the hallway, frustrated but unable to do anything about it. G was the mother hen of our family: the sage, wizened veteran of life who had made a point to be available to any of us should we have any problems.

But this...this was a nerve that was clearly raw and bleeding. And I wasn’t sure what to do with it.

Out of respect for G, I could keep it to myself.

If the others knew, they’d be like a dog with a bone dangled in front of their faces—especially Envy. It was rare that any of us got anything up on G. It could be an opportunity that never presented itself again.

And yet...the vulnerability and pain was something he also never showed.

Dare I throw it in his face and disrespect our bond by betraying it to the others?

I desperately needed to confide in someone, but didn’t trust my other brothers.

Not because I didn't have faith in them.

I simply knew they were ruled by their sins, just as I was.

Our sins were our greatest joys and our greatest sorrows.

“See you Sunday,” I whispered to the geometric pattern on the wallpaper, straight out of The Great Gatsby.