Copyright © 2012 by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Sale of the paperback edition of this book without its cover is unauthorized.
Spencer Hill Press
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
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First Edition: November 2012.
Armentrout, Jennifer L. 1980
Elixir : a novella / by Jennifer L. Armentrout 1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary:
Aiden will do anything to keep Alex safe, even if it means war against the gods.
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this fiction:
James Bond, Rain Man, Rambo, Pet Sematary, Three Stooges.
Cover design by K. Kaynak with artwork by Night Cat.
ISBN 978-1-937053-40-6 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-937053-41-3 (e-book)
Printed in the United States of America
Elixir
A Covenant Novella by
Jennifer L. Armentrout
SPENCER HILL PRESS
Pronunciation Guide for Elixir
Aether:
EE-ther
Ananke:
ah-NAN-key
Agapi:
ah-GAH-pee
Apollyon:
a-POL-ee-on
Atropos:
ah-TRO-poes
Clotho:
KLO-tho
Daimon:
DEE-mun
Hematoi:
HEM-a-toy
Khalkotauroi:
kal-koh-TOR-oy
CHAPTER 1
ALEX CLENCHED THE TITANIUM BARS HONED BY Hephaestus and Apollo, amber-colored eyes burning with hate. But those eyes they didnt belong to Alex.
Alexs eyes were warm and brown like good whiskey. Id memorized those eyes the first time I saw them in that warehouse in Atlanta. This was a different creature entirely.
When wed moved her to the safe house deep in Apple River, Illinois, wed almost lost her. None of us, including me, had been ready for the full display of her power. If Apollo hadnt finagled Hephaestusthe only god who could build something that could withstand the Apollyoninto creating a room to keep Alex in, we wouldnt have been able to control her.
If you dont let me out of here, Im going to rip your brothers ribs out and wear them as a crown.
I showed no emotion. Perhaps Id grown used to the intimidations over the last couple of days. Threatening to kill Deacon was one of Alexs favorites. Shed grow bored with it soon enough. It hadnt been like that at first. Shed been almost normal, except for her amber-colored eyes. Shed talked and sounded like Alex. Cracked jokes like Alex. Argued like Alex. And shed reasoned like Alex.
She clenched the titanium bars. Each bar had been encased with an unbreakable chain-link net that Hephaestus had used on Aphrodite once. Not even the Apollyon could break through it.
Above her, several marks had been carved into the cement, neutralizing most of her newly-discovered abilitiesnot fully stopping her, but enough that she wasnt a danger to herself or others.
For now.
My blood boiled at the memory of whatd happened after shed Awakened. Shed connected with the FirstSethand there was no doubt in anyones mind that shed given up her location. Id completely understood that she needed to be moved and quickly, but I didnt agree with how Apollo had done it.
Hed hit her with a god-bolt.
And Id punched him.
I was still surprised that I was alive.
Do you know how its going to feel when you stand there and watch me do it? she taunted. Just like you stood there and watched your parents get slaughtered by daimons, but this will be much, much sweeter.
I folded my arms.
Exhaling slowly, she lowered her head and blinked back tears. Please. Aiden please let me out of here.
I closed my eyes. A muscle spasmed along my jaw. This this tactic was the hardest.
Why are you treating me like this? I dont feel good. I hurt. Why did you let them hurt me like this?
My eyes flew open. Every muscle in my body went rigid. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and for a momentjust a momentI forgot that it wasnt really Alex in there, pleading and begging me.
I thought you loved me?
I moved so fast I startled
her. My hands shot through the bars, clasping the sides of her face. My forehead pressed against the cold bars and my lips were on hers. The kiss was hard and fast. Angry. Desperate. She went still, unsure of how to respond. Several times in the past forty-eight hours it had been the only way to shut her up.
I pulled back, releasing her. Because I love you, I wont release you.
Frustration rolled off her and threatened to tear the skin from my bones. The teary gaze was gone in an instant. Alex screamed and threw herself to the back of the cell. Ten feet away from the bars, she leaned against the wall, back bowed. You cant keep me in here forever.
I can try.
Hes coming for me.
Hell never find you, I said, sitting down in the metal chair placed before the cell. Id made sure she had everything she needed in therea small bathroom off the one room, a bed that shed destroyed and had been stripped down to just a mattress, and clothing.