Omega Series: Omega Part 35

Unless it was worse than the other three.

"Is that even possible at this point?"

Perhaps.

"And you. What's your angle in all this?"

I have none.

"That's not true. You work for Lantos. You should want what he wants."

He has not the mind for strategic thinking. I do his thinking, and he manipulates. I've always known I could be where he is but never cared for the position. I had no purpose but to serve the man who saved my life until the courtyard when I began to remember.

"What became your purpose then?"

You.

My heart fluttered.

Protecting you. Ensuring Lantos doesn't go to Phase Two. Trying to understand what you're struggling with who to trust. Who can offer you safety. Who won't turn on you. How you can survive this.

"What's Phase Two?"

You don't want to know suffice to say it's not ideal.

"Okay. So you're the strategic thinker. What do you see when you look out on all of this mess?"

What do you see? He challenged.

"My mind doesn't work that way. I can't get over what my next move should be."

I held my breath, waiting for him to answer. I see why you bear the double omega.

It was another of his vague almost-riddles, another sign he was likely toying with me, at least a little, unless he was truly uncomfortable saying the words. Herakles wasn't preparing me for Armageddon. He was preparing me to be Armageddon.

We reached the top of the wall. The air was fresher, the night sky sparkling with stars. I was hurting from the climb and pretty sure the warmth sliding down my leg was from a soaked bandage.

You need to see the doctor first thing.

I rolled my eyes. "Like Cleon's not going to wonder how I ended up stabbed?"

I forgot you couldn't lie to save your life.

"You say it like it's a bad thing."

His wings flared out on either side of his grotesque body, and I hesitated. He was absolutely incredible in a really freaky way.

Mismatch held out his hand. I took it, and he drew me to him then released me. I didn't move, not wanting to breach whatever sort of protocol involved in flying with him. And just a little unnerved by the excitement and heat in my blood.

It's a rough ride with someone else, he warned.

"I'm good with heights. Generally okay with flying."

Generally?

"You probably don't want to do any quick ascensions or loops again," I replied.

You'd rather walk?

I sighed. "Don't be cranky. Just get me home. I'll warn you if I'm going to throw up."

Much obliged. He slid an arm around me and pulled me into his hard body.

My breath caught in my throat. Staring at his chest, I ordered my face not to turn pink.

Not used to men touching you. He was amused.

"Stop it. Fly me home, you stupid oversized bat."

His other arm went around me, and I lifted my arms to circle his neck. Mismatch lifted me first then sprung into the air. I squeezed my eyes closed, half expecting him to mess with me and twirl or dive or something, and breathed in his calming scent.

He didn't. He didn't fly too high and kept us steady, my legs between his and his arms firmly around me. I ventured a look over my shoulder once and not again, equally amazed and horrified to be flying.

His grip around me loosened, and I clutched at him tighter.

We're there.

I risked a peek over my shoulder and saw the balcony overlooking my gardens. He flew as close to it as possible then released my legs and lowered me to the marble flooring. The horizon was lightening, and I began to hope no one had plans for me so I could sleep for a day.

My dangling feet met the balcony, and I slid down his arms until I was standing on two feet. "Are you leaving?" I asked without thinking.

Unless I'm invited to stay.

"No!" I replied too quickly and moved back. "Stupid question. Thanks for the ride." Even so, I wasn't able to look away. I also had the distinct sense of disappointment that he was leaving. As if the bond between us was becoming stronger or at least, more insistent than it had been.

Mismatch said nothing more. One gravity defying stroke of his wings sent him into the sky. Rather than retreat for what little sleep I could get, I stood at the balcony and watched him. He soared overhead, wings dipping and form circling, floating on invisible currents briefly before he twirled and tucked his wings for a steep dive towards the side of the city where his compound was. He disappeared from sight, and I returned to my bed. Seconds after my head hit the pillow, I was out.

Chapter Twenty Three.

... any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed.

You will never be lovelier than you are now.

We will never be here again.

Homer "You were here all night."

I was a terrible liar, and the Magistrate wasn't buying anything I said. "I told you already, yes." Tired and bruised, I was trying not to move too much because it hurt to breathe.

"And this?" He indicated the cut in my thigh the doctor was st.i.tching up after it tore when I fell out of bed. I'd forgotten it and made too quick an attempt to stand.

"I fell. Into my nightstand," I replied.

He pursed his lips, managing to judge me without losing his pleasant expression. Herakles' story played through my thoughts as I studied the regal politician. I didn't know how anyone could torture another to the extent Herakles had been tortured. Nothing not all the fame, honor and money ten Olympics brought would tempt me.

I was also all too aware the people around me didn't have the same moral boundaries. Not Niko, not Adonis, not Lantos or the Silent Queen, who gave off vibes of being able to do so much more than I cared to imagine. I didn't know where Dosy stood.

"We have a luncheon planned for you at one," the Magistrate said.

"Sounds good," I replied with no enthusiasm.

"My apologies for doubting you."

I searched his face. He had relaxed. Either he believed me or was willing to move past it, a reaction I wasn't certain how to take. "It's okay. I was up partying too late last night. I should've answered your calls."

"No hard feelings. There are amba.s.sadors here to see you at lunch. The world is quite abuzz with you." He appeared pleased.

"Yeah." I didn't trust myself to say more.

The doctor placed a bandage on my thigh. I watched him clean up the area, dreading standing up for fear of pain. He handed me a small bottle of painkillers, and I rose, testing my leg. My thigh was completely numb, though nothing was helping my bruised ribs. I joined Cleon at the door of the small medical clinic on the compound.

He led me away. Leandra and two security guards trailed. Dressed in workout clothing, I suspected I'd probably spend the rest of the day in a dress again.

We crossed the compound to my villa, and the Magistrate paused at the entrance. "Niko is beefing up security in antic.i.p.ation of the amba.s.sadors and politicians who will be in attendance. I'll leave my personal guard here for you."

I tensed. He made it sound like he was doing me a favor, but I had a feeling he no longer trusted me. "Thanks," I said and walked in the front door. "I'll be ready before one."

Which was in about forty minutes. I groaned internally.

"What the h.e.l.l happened last night?" Leandra demanded the moment she closed the door.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You completely disappeared and show up torn up!"

I sighed. With Cleon gone, I wasn't afraid to limp or hold my bandaged ribs. "I got no sleep. Please, please can I lay down? I promise to tell you but I gotta do it horizontally."

"Fine." Leandra stalked angrily back to my bedroom.

I stretched out across the bed and sighed deeply. "You have a gown picked out?"

"Don't try to change the subject!"

I rolled my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I told her in as few words as possible about my adventure. The bed beside me sank beneath her weight. She perched and listened intently, frowning.

When I finished, I waited for her reaction, not completely sure I understood everything that happened.

"Glad to hear Herakles is okay. We knew where he was but not how he was," she said, pensive. "What is this between you and ... Adonis? He's a monster at night?"

"Yeah. Long story. He's a nice monster who helps me."

"And an a.s.shole human butcher during daylight who was supposed to kill or crucify you, if I recall."

"It's complicated."

"I wish ..."

I twisted my head to gaze at her. "What?"

"I wish we'd had more time to establish our network. I get nothing about the intentions of the Triumvirate in my reports."

"I still can't believe you nymphs are spies."

"Good ones. We should know something."

"Look, Leandra." I grimaced as I sat up. "I don't think it's possible to know what members of the Triumvirate are planning. Did you have any idea there was a secret city beneath this one?"

"None."

"Exactly. They hide their secrets too well even from the other members."

"Still. We owe it to you and the priests to know more."

"You'll figure it out." I pushed myself off the bed. A platter of bakery items was on the breakfast nook table. Brightening, I went to them. I always ate too much when I didn't get enough sleep. "OmiG.o.ds these are amazing!"

"If you eat too many you won't fit into your dress."

I ignored her and stuffed the rest of the croissant into my mouth before double fisting a fresh raspberry scone in one hand and Danish in the other. Trailing her into the ma.s.sive closet, I chewed and looked around tiredly.

"The Magistrate insisted you wear something the traditional colors today," Leandra said. "I don't like it." She held up a cream colored dress with a high waist tied by a sunny yellow silk sash.

"It's pretty," I said through mouthfuls of pastry.

"Not the dress, idiot," she said with a noisy sigh. "I don't like that he wants you dolled up more than usual."

"Amba.s.sadors."

"Amba.s.sadors attended the soiree. He wants this occasion to be special."

I was too fatigued to really care. "He won't do anything to me yet," I said. "Right?"