Same thing, she said with a shrug. Because, either way, Kaia will win nothing.
Defeat growled.
Good boy.
Gideon had recently told Strider that it was possible for the demons to escape their bodies and enter othersnot permanently and not for long, but just long enough to destroy the persons mind. Strider would love for Defeat to ravage Juliette, to convince her of her weakness, that she could never hope to win anything.
Theyd have to try it. Later. Always later. He dared not risk messing with the unknown now.
When Kaia loses, Juliette went on, Ill expect you to come to me. And maybe, after you beg, Ill allow you to please me. And maybe, after you please me, if you can, Ill let you use my Rod.
Use my Rod. Thats what he said, Strider snickered.
She blinked at him. Thats what who said? When he offered no response, she demanded, What did he say?
Kaia would have understood the joke. Probably Kaia would have pretended a beer bottle was the Rod and jacked it off while laughing. Gods, he dug her sense of humor.
Well? Juliette prompted.
Nothing, he said on a sigh. One thing he knew. No matter what happened, he would beg this female for nothing. Were he to seduce her, even to distract her, Kaia would be hurt. Feel rejected all over again. Which was exactly what this vengeful female desired, and that was not a game he would play.
Well, I dont care who he is or what he said. She tossed her hair over one shoulder. Im far more beautiful than that redheaded harlot and you will beg for me.
Anger? No, that was too mild a word for the emotion suddenly sizzling inside his chest. Even Defeat snarled. Actually, youre not. Theres no one more beautiful than Kaia. And by the way, shes not a harlot. Shes mine. And no, I wont be begging you for anything but your departure.
Her nostrils flared at the insult. Is that so? Well, let me ask you a question, Strider, keeper of the demon of Defeat. You are one of the fabled Lords of the Underworld and I have researched you meticulously. You prize victory above all things. So why would you of all warriors choose to be the consort of Kaia the Disappointment?
That. Was. It. His wee Harpy was getting a new name, pronto. Kaia is many things to me, but a disappointment isnt one of them. But riddle me this. You coldhearted bitch. Did your consort choose to be with you? He motioned to the tattooed chains with a tilt of his chin. Cause Im betting hed shave your head from your neck without a seconds hesitation.
At last Lazarus attended to those at his table. You are correct, he said, and a minute amount of Striders hate dulled. Minute being the key word. Strider would still, gladly, shove a dagger through the guys heart.
You just shut your mouth, Juliette snapped at her consort.
Though glaring, his expression one of molten rage, Lazarus obeyed.
Juliettes narrowed eyes remained on Strider. Hes honored to be with me, I tell you.
Really? Defensive much?
Already sharp nails lengthened into claws and black bled into her eyes. Oh, goody. Her Harpy was about to come out and play.
Strider struck while he still could. Well, I really am honored to be with Kaia, and if you try another stunt like you did at the first game, siccing everyone on her at the same time, I will take it as a personal challenge. In your research, did you discover what happens to those who challenge me?
More black, the whites of her eyes nearly completely gone. Until Lazarus reached over and patted her hand. That was it. A single pat. The black gradually receded and her nails retracted.
Strider had watched Sabin calm Gwen multiple times, but for the first time he was floored by the power a consort truly had over his Harpy. Floored by how much a Harpy needed that consort.
But Lazarus was clearly a slave, here by force. So why had he calmed the very woman who had enslaved him? Shouldnt he revel in her upset? And furthermore, how had Juliette captured him? Not once, but twice? The man had once cut his way through a Harpy village and come out the winner. Hell, he was the son of Typhon and a Gorgon, which meant he had powers beyond imagining.
Had he allowed her to capture him? That seemed like the only explanation that made sense. But why would he have done such a thing?
So many questions and none of them could be answered. Strider made a mental note to call Torin and ask the keeper of Disease to work some computer magic, see what he could dig up. Beyond a doubt, something was going on here.
You cant do anything to me, warrior. In control of herself once more, Juliette smiled that smug smile. Not without casting blame on Kaia. Everyone will see her as the weak loser she really is. A dramatic pause before she continued in a singsong voice, Again.
Exactly what Kaia had once told him. He had believed her, but had discarded the importance of her feelings in light of his own goals. He still didlife and death trumped bruised emotions every time. But now, he was pissed.
Win, Defeat said on a low snarl.
Strider knew what his demon wanted. My pleasure. Before the games ended, Strider was going to do anything to Juliette, without having blame cast on Kaia. Challenge issued, challenge accepted.
That was the very reason hed needed to stay away from the woman, but he wasnt sorry hed approached. He was glad. The bitch would pay for everything shed said today, as well as everything shed done in the past.
Well see, he said with a grin of his own. His list of accepted challenges was adding up. Protecting Kaia from other Harpiesa challenge hed nearly lost, would have lost, if she hadnt recovered from her injuries. Because she had, because of his blood, he was still in the running. Acquiring the Paring Roda work in progress. And now this, destroying Juliette.
Yes, we will see, Juliette replied. Oh, and warrior. You should know something. If the Rod is stolen from me, or if Im injured before the games end, Kaia will be killed. My clan is very eager to act.
Trying to tie his hands, and damn, she was doing a good job. How could he keep Kaia safe from an entire Harpy army? A cold sweat broke out over his skin at the thought.
The singing stopped, at last.
Absolute silence suddenly reigned, as if everyone was too afraid to even breathe for fear the noise would jump-start another tune. But, no. Footsteps echoed, and then Kaia was tugging a chair to the table.
Strider, she said tightly.
Baby doll, he replied, hoping his fear was masked.
Thank the gods, Juliette said, amusement never wavering. Your singing was terrible. My eardrums needed a break.
Strider cupped Kaias nape and massaged. Steady. I thought she sounded lovely.
Kaias chin lifted. Thank you.
Seriously, baby doll. I could listen to you for hours more. But please dont make me.
Defeat might have whimpered.
Thats because youre a man of good taste. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
The imprint her mouth left behind burned deliciously and he barely restrained the urge to reach up and stroke the mark. When she began to pull away, he tightened his grip on her and held her in place. He liked having her nearby. Especially now, with Juliettes threat ringing in his already suffering ears.
Kaia watched him for a moment, confusion curtaining her delicate features. Then she schooled her expression to reveal only bored expectancy and turned back to her nemeses. He was happy to note Juliette had watched the tender exchange, fury building in her lavender eyes.
I second the motion. Listening to that was pure pleasure, Lazarus said, speaking up for only the second time. Before, his voice had been deep, almost unremarkable. Now it was hypnotic. Sexual. Kaia theStrongest, isnt it?
Strider gripped the hilt of the dagger sheathed at his side. Bye-bye, minute dulling. Hello, renewed, even more powerful hate. Talk to her like that again. I dare you.
Juliette laughed. Is that what she called herself? The Strongest?
Twin spots of pink painted Kaias cheeks. And youre Lazarus the Tampon, arent you? Juliette sputtered.
Lazarus merely blinked. I had heard that is how you and your sisters speak of me, and for so very long I have wanted to ask why you refer to me as a womans hygiene product. Because I made you bleed?
Now Kaia was the one to sputter. Justyoulearn to take an insult the right way, damn it!
He inclined his head in agreement. I will endeavor to please you, of course.
Strider and Juliette experienced the same reaction to the bastards words. Irritation. As evidenced by the fact that they both jumped to their feet. Her chair skidded out behind her. His remained between his legs. Amun and Sabin drew closer to him. Kaiastill perched in her chairshoved them backward, clearly intent on being Striders shield. And sword.
Lazarus rose, too. So. This is go time, as the humans say? No concern had entered his tone.
This Juliette began harshly.
Ive been meaning to chat with you about something important, Julie, Kaia said, cutting her off.
Juliette. Lavender eyes darkened to a deep violet. My name is Juliette the Eradicator. You will address me with the proper respect.
Whatever. Its a shame you cant fight in the games. One would almost think you accepted the leadership position because you feared competing.
A gasp of outrage. Black bleeding in that gaze, removing any hint of color. I accepted the leadership position so that I could finally
No, Lazarus said with so much force the bars walls actually shook. Enough.
Finally. A glimpse of his power. And oh, yes. Something was definitely up there.
Juliette paled, cleared her throat. What I meant to say was that something can be arranged. You want to fight me, well fight. But really, even if you dont want to, youll end up doing so. You challenged me all those years ago, but I was never allowed to respond.
Because you were too chicken?
First, the bitch growled, we had to recover from the damage you caused.
Me? What about him? She jerked her thumb at Lazarus.
You know the answer to that. He acted only because of your actions. Now zip your mouth and listen. Second, we had to replenish our numbers, so killing another Harpy outside the games was forbidden. Third, your mother would have declared war against my people. Fury faded, replaced by more of that smug superiority. But none of those things stand in our way anymore.
Kaia flinched at the reminder of her mothers denunciation.
Juliette pulled a necklace from her shirt and fingering the wooden medallion hanging on the chain. Pretty, isnt it?
There was no hiding the trembling of Kaias chin as she eyed the medallion. Ive seen better.
Thats my girl. Clearly, seeing the necklace hurt her and Juliette knew why. Now he wanted to know why. Still, that was his baby doll. Always had to have the last word, no matter what. He couldnt fault her for that, was actually proud of her. Aroused by her.
Hed always thought this aspect of her personality was dangerous to him, and it wasbut damn, when she turned it on other people, he wanted to pound on his chest like a Neanderthal. Maybe carry her back to his cave and have his wicked way with her.
Maybe? Ha! He wanted to dominate this female no one else could control. The female who scratched everyone else, but treated him to the tenderest of caresses.
Before Juliette could work up a stinging response, every Harpy in the building, even Kaia, stopped what she was doing and frowned.
What? Strider asked, concerned.
No answer was forthcoming. In unison, the females withdrew their cell phones. Kaia read the backlit screen and stiffened.
The next location has been revealed, she said, her tone devoid of emotion. We have twenty-four hours to get there.
Juliette chuckled. Though she was leader, shed checked her phone, too. Shouldnt she already know where they were headed? Poor Kaia has a very tough decision to make, doesnt she? she murmured, and then called, Lets move out, team.
At long last, the Eagleshields and their consorts, Lazarus included, stomped out of the bar. Juliette lingered in the doorway, smiling over at Kaia. Too bad you wont be able to hide behind your men this time, huh? With that, she slipped into the sunlight.
Whats going on? Strider demanded, forcing her to face him. Why did Juliette seem to think he couldnt go?
We have to leave, she whispered, agonized.
We. Good. Ill get my things.
No. She shook her head, hair gliding over her shoulders, his hands, her gaze never quite meeting his. We. Meaning me and my sisters. Juliette was right. You and your friends cant come.
Like hell. Why? Where are youwegoing?
A sigh shuddered from her. The Odynia. Better known as Heras Garden of Goodbyes, since she used the place to get rid of her opposition without ever having to raise a hand against them. Of course, Rheas in charge of it now, so I guess shell be our hostess there.
Rhea, the Titan god queen and true leader of the Hunters. Far more dangerous, far more powerful, than Galen could ever hope to be. If Strider attended this portion of the games hed most likely walk right into a trap. If he stayed behind, Kaia could be hurt, and hed be unable to reach her and help her heal.
No way in hell, he thought.
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE STUPID MAN WOULDNT stop following her!
Getting away from Strider had been easy. Letting his demon win hadnt. After dropping the Rhea bombshell, Kaia had requested a private moment to talk with him. And by talk, shed let him assume she meant to kiss him senseless.
Theyd stepped outside the bar, the cool air wrapping around her and freezing her already chilled blood. Then, before Strider could utter a word, shed planted a swift kiss on his gorgeous lipsunfortunately not leaving him senselessand challenged him to stay put for one hour. Oh, and he had to keep Sabin and Lysander by his side.
The savage fury he had radiated as she collected Bianka and Gwen and walked awaythe way hed tackled Sabin and Lysander when the two tried to followthe feral way hed fought them