Héctor raised an eyebrow. “The pact was made before you were even born, and I’m not sure I want to keep it. My lamb will agree that I can have her all to myself.”
“The last thing Marigold wants is for war to break out between us because of her,” Zak said.
“Thank you, guys, for speaking for me while I stand right here,” I said.
“My Rosebud is right,” Zak continued. “We must work together instead of attacking each other. We won’t win this war if we’re divided. Isn’t that what Lucifer wants? And Héctor, you never thought the pact would come to fruition, since you never believed you’d find that one woman who could be a mate to us all.”
Mate to them all?
That was ridiculous! And didn’t he hear the sarcasm dripping from my words?
Then something clicked as the quarrel between Zak, Axel, and Paxton in the Hall of Olympia swirled back. They’d decided back then that they would share me.
I had never dated any man in my twenty years, and now all thedemigodswanted me. Even the demigod of sea, my sworn enemy, thought he could have a piece of me.
If I was being honest with myself, I had to admit that I was drawn to all of them, but letting them share me?
I didn’t live in the world of fantasy.
I might be ahead of my time now and then, but I wasn’t that advanced.
And what did they take me for?
I needed to get out of this hot mess.
I darted a glance at the open door. Zak and Axel had blasted it down to reach me. Suddenly, the idea of leaving them sent a sharp wave of pang to my gut, so I remained glued to where I stood instead of making my way to the exit.
“It’s not safe to leave the door open,” I admonished. “You said this building was warded, Héctor, so how could Axel destroy your door?”
Axel gave me a look. “I didn’t do it alone. Zak played a big part in blowing it up, too.”
“It’s warded against demons,” Héctor said, “not against my rude cousins. But I assure you, lamb, I’ll add ancient spells to fend off unwelcome demigods.”
He turned to Zak and Axel with a growl. “Fix your mess. My lamb doesn’t feel safe with the door hanging open like that.”
Zak stalked toward the entrance with a nod. “Rosebud’s safety is the priority.”
Lightning flew out of him and lifted the toppled door, shoving it back into its former place. Just like that, he fixed it.
My jaw dropped.
I’d thought his lightning had only one purpose: to strike down his foes or anyone who irritated him.
There was so much I needed to learn about the demigods and their powers. Just then, my stomach grumbled, reminding me how hungry I was.
“Cookie is starved,” Axel said, stretching a hand toward me. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
He didn’t wait for me to place a hand in his, but quickly took mine and led me toward the dining table, as if he was the one who had prepared all the food for me.
Héctor gritted his teeth, clearly not happy his cousin was taking credit.
He strode on my other side and held my elbow since that hand still gripped the towel.
“Let’s get you properly dressed, lamb,” he said.
“Okay,” I said and swept a glance at all three demigods. “I’d appreciate if you’d stop calling me Lamb, Cookie, or Rosebud. I have an image to keep in this hazardous world. I’d like to give people a tougher impression. An inaccurate pet name won’t help build me up, just damage my public image. You may all call me Marigold. But if you really feel the need to call me something else fondly, you can pick a name between Icy Steel, Silent Blade, or Iron Dagger.”
“You’re none of those cold, hard things,” Zak said in disapproval. “You’re my rose, my rosebud.”