He shut his eyes as an example.
I followed it and closed my eyes. One of the best things for me was to fuck Héctor and then sleep in his arms.
I felt incredibly warm, safe, and cherished.
“We must train her harder.” Paxton’s voice drifted down to the basement. If I were a human, I wouldn’t be able to hear their whispers. But I had superpowers now, and no whisper could escape my superior hearing. “We saw what happened today. If we think we can always be there to protect her, we’re fools!”
“We’re the shields around her,” Axel argued. “I’m not saying not to train Cookie, but one of us needs to be with her twenty-four seven.”
“We’re her armor, yes,” Paxton said. “But our armor now has a crack created by your father. The four of us can’t fend off both Lucifer and Ares. If they appear at the same place to fight us, we won’t stand a chance. Marigold is powerful. Only when she fully comes into her power will the five of us be able to hold our ground.”
“I agree with Paxton, especially now that we have this huge problem,” Zak said. “Unfortunately, we can’t declare that the God of War has turned on Earth. The world still worships him. He’s the earthlings’ fucking religion! If they learn that he’s the ultimate betrayer, their faith will collapse, and when it does, all order in our half of Earth will be gone and our territories will sink into utter chaos. Don’t underestimate the foibles of humans and supernaturals in nature.”
“At some point, we’ll need to announce that Ares is our enemy and declare war on him officially,” Axel said in defeat, “before he declares us the traitors.”
“If push comes to shove, we’ll have to abandon Earth and take Marigold on the run,” Paxton said.
“To preserve one woman and let the rest of the world fall and burn?” Zak sighed.
“She’s our mate,” Axel said. “She tops everything and everyone.”
All the demigods fell into silence.
Héctor tugged me tighter to him as if I was his lifeline.
The demigods didn’t realize that they were my lifeline, too, all of them.
As long as Ares and Lucifer were out there, we’d never be safe. Running away wasn’t the answer—or even a viable option. We had a duty to protect Earth. The demigods had vowed to defend it and all those who couldn’t protect themselves.
I wouldn’t let them forsake their vows because of me.
One woman wasn’t supposed to be considered above all else, and this woman wasn’t some helpless damsel at all.
There was a way to take care of this crisis: I must gain control of my powers—all of them—at lightning speed. Strenuous training wouldn’t help my brand of magic, especially when we were running out of time.
Only one being could help me and teach me how to effectively merge my hellfire and the Flame of the Rainbows.
I dreaded what it would turn me into by merging them, but I had to become the Living Flame—the ultimate weapon against both Lucifer and Ares—for my mates, for my friends, and for the Earth.
I’d first bring down the God of War, ridding us of our biggest threat, and then I’d come clean to my mates about my dark secret. I would tell them about my half-demon heritage. They could judge me and reject me—all except Paxton—and I would accept whatever came next.
I snapped open my eyes, my decision made.
My breath was even and my heart steady. Nothing in the world was more important than protecting my men. For them, I’d walk barefoot over a sea of burning coals.
I hadn’t expected my feelings for them to grow so strong, but when I’d nearly lost them, something primal in me had snapped.
I would always protect my own.
Héctor dozed off, a well-earned rest after the day’s battle, exhaustion, and demon venom, followed up by amazing sex. He looked young, gorgeous, and unguarded in his sleep, yet his lethalness still rolled off him in spades.
I kissed his lips, and he smiled.
I had to go to the elemental now before everyone found out and followed me. I wouldn’t be gone for long. I’d return before the demigods even knew I’d left.
I’d get quick tips from the elemental and return to the house.
I disentangled myself from Héctor.