Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
APHRODITE
A res locked eyes with me, and reality finally sank in. I tried to shake the fear creeping into my bones, knowing we would soon risk our lives.
Hephaestus and I argued intensely after my visit to Ares in the hospital, and the tension between us had become thick and suffocating. His anger was a force, and his eyes burned with fury. No matter how hard I denied it, he sensed the forbidden connection that lingered between Ares and me.
“Should I tell Artie?” I asked, placing my hands on his chest and looking deeply into his eyes. Fear and determination waged a fierce battle inside me.
“I’ll talk to her,” Ares assured me, his brows furrowing as if darkness was creeping in, draining the world of its colors. Adrenaline surged through my veins.
He gently lifted my chin, and our eyes locked once more. In that moment, it was like a revelation—he was the one I’d needed all along. Our lips met, and it felt like a breath of freedom.
The kiss was slow and searing, a dance of passion that spoke of unspoken desires and dark promises. It swept away the chaos and desperation, replacing them with a profound, consuming connection. I held him tightly, feeling the heat of his body against mine, his hands exploring my curves with a tenderness that only heightened the intensity of our embrace.
The kiss deepened, igniting the flame that had been kindling since we first met. Our hearts beat in sync, an intimate rhythm that bound us together. In that moment, every touch and caress whispered of the future we could build—a future where nothing could stand between us.
“Go get ready.” Ares murmured against my lips, “I will meet you downstairs in an hour.” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead. I nodded, giving his hand a squeeze before slipping out of the office. I made my way back into the bar, pretending everything was normal.
I smoothed my hair and dress. I knew my lips were raw from his rough beard. I was unsure of what time Hephaestus would be back, but I needed to act swiftly.
Approaching Artie, I said quietly, “Artie, I need to go.”
“What’s happening? Are you okay?” Her voice was filled with concern as she tilted her head to see past me. I followed her eyes, looking over my shoulder to see Ares nod at her before slipping through the crowd.
“I can’t say,” I confessed, then bit my bottom lip. “Ares will tell you more when he can.”
Artie tugged me toward the side of the room where it was quieter. “What is going on, Aphrodite? You need to tell me,” She whispered as she surveyed our surroundings.
I swallowed hard, knowing I wasn’t supposed to tell her, but she was the only real friend that I had made throughout my time here at the compound.
“We’re running,” I said, my voice heavy with urgency.
“Running? Where to?” she asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
“I don’t know exactly,” I admitted, shrugging as anxiety clawed at me. “But we have to leave now. Ares has picked up on something serious—there’s danger brewing, and I can’t stand the thought of him getting hurt anymore. I love him.”
Artie took a deep breath, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. “Hephaestus won’t stop until he finds you both. He’s ruthless—he’ll use every resource at his disposal to destroy you.” Her voice carried an edge, a mix of irritation and something deeper, more troubling. I could sense her anxiety; if my own brother were involved, I’d feel the same. No one leaves Olympus Syndicate; They die first.
“I know. Ares is set on this. We’re leaving in an hour. I need your help. If you see Hephaestus, please cover for us.” I pleaded with her, desperation in my eyes.
She rubbed her face. “Fine. Go ahead, and hurry.” Artie pulled me into a hug. “Please be safe, Aphrodite, and contact me when you’re able to talk.”
“Of course.” I rested my head on her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. With that, I turned and walked away. Time was not my friend.
I rushed toward the exit at the back of the building which led straight to the clubhouse.
Grabbing my jacket, I slipped into the alley's darkness, trying to make myself inconspicuous as people lingered about.
The cold night air hit my body like icy daggers.
The silver light of the moon broke free from the night clouds and illuminated the clubhouse stairs. I kept glancing over my shoulder, my heart racing with every step, making sure no one was watching where I was going. The shadows played tricks on my mind, and every distant noise sounded like footsteps approaching. My hands trembled slightly, and I clenched them into fists, trying to calm my nerves.
I glanced to my right, and through the dim light of the street, I noticed the soft glow of lights in Ares's apartment. Relief washed over me. He was there, just as planned. I knew he must have been preparing for our escape—gathering the few things we needed, making sure everything was ready.
Every movement was deliberate as I hurried up the metal stairs, my footsteps echoing as I crossed the catwalk that led to the apartment I shared with Hephaestus.
The clubhouse felt heavy and devoid of Zeus’s presence. The usual energy and lively atmosphere had vanished, replaced by an eerie stillness that settled over everything like a thick blanket.
Darting inside the apartment, I rushed toward the closet and pulled out a backpack. I grabbed practical clothing and every single pair of underwear I owned. Since I didn’t know where we were going, I wasn’t sure what weather to pack for.
In the bathroom, I snatched my toiletries and wedged them into the opening of my bag, camouflaging them as best I could. I switched into black jeans, a matching hoodie, and a pair of Converse.
Zipping the bag closed felt final.
I looked down at my wedding band, the cold weight of it suddenly unbearable. I didn’t need it anymore. I didn’t want it. Slowly, I slipped the ring off my finger, feeling a sense of bitter satisfaction as I placed it on Hephaestus’s bedside table.
I was never truly his wife.
The gods had turned a blind eye when he trapped me in this life, but now I begged them, whispered my prayers to the shadows—keep me far from his path, no matter what he becomes. Let him burn in his own fires. I would be free.
The buzz of my phone made me jump.
Slipping it out of my pocket, I saw that Artie had texted me.
Artie
Hephaestus is here at the compound.
My stomach dropped. I rushed to grab my backpack off the bed and headed for the door, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. The hanging pendant lights cast eerie spotlights along the catwalk, creating unsettling pools of light in the darkness.
I moved as silently as possible, knowing Hephaestus was on his way. The mere thought of facing his wrath sent a chill down my spine. If he didn’t find me at the bar, he’d come straight to our apartment. There was another way out, but it was risky—desperate, even. The fire escape stairway clung to the building’s exterior like a metal skeleton hidden in the shadows.
A cacophony of noise made me hurry toward the back exit.
“Where the fuck is she?” Hephaestus’s voice roared through the building as I concealed myself against the wall.
“Listen,” Artie said, her voice strained with concern, “Can you calm down? She’s probably just sleeping. She mentioned she wasn’t feeling well.”
I approached the fire escape window, my breath shallow as I gripped the edge of the frame. With a steadying exhale, I slid open the heavy pane of glass, the groan of the metal faint but sharp in the stillness. Cold air rushed in, biting against my skin, but I welcomed it—it felt like a step toward freedom.
With caution, I placed the backpack on the windowsill, making sure it was secure. Swinging my leg up and over, I straddled the ledge, feeling the bitter cold bite into my skin.
The fire escape platform outside was unstable, and a single set of rickety stairs led down. Half of them were missing, making the descent even more treacherous. Each step I took sent a rattling sound through the metal structure, amplifying the tension in the air. I clenched the railing, my hands growing numb from the chill.
Time was of the essence. I needed to move faster, but I knew I couldn’t be too loud. Hephaestus, always vigilant, would notice the open window. My heart pounded as I forced myself to quicken my pace, despite the fear clawing at my gut.
Reaching the last rung, I glanced down. It was an eight-foot drop to the ground below. I kneeled on the last step, feeling the rough texture of the metal beneath my knees. I summoned all my courage and leaped into the darkness.
Bad idea.
I gasped as a sharp, searing pain shot through my back. The backpack had done its job to cushion the fall, but the jolt still rattled me, leaving me breathless and disoriented.
I could feel the sting of a bruise beginning to form, the kind of ache that would linger and throb. But I pushed the pain aside, forcing myself to focus on the bigger picture. A bruised back was a small price to pay for what I was gaining. Pain might linger, but freedom—true, lasting freedom—was worth far more.
Taking a deep breath, I rolled onto my side, pushing through the lingering pain to get up. As I moved, a rush of blood to my head made me momentarily dizzy, but I steadied myself and sprinted down the narrow alley behind the building. My phone buzzed with a new message, and I quickly checked it, my heart racing even faster.
Ares
Meet on the far side of the bar. I’m there.
Ares was finally offering me the freedom I had been yearning for. Love was calling me with an urgency that I could feel in every corner of my being. I was answering that call with every ounce of strength and hope I had left. Our souls were intertwined, bound together in a connection so deep and unbreakable that nothing, no obstacle or no force, could sever it.
A pair of headlights flashed in my direction. I recognized the vehicle; it was Hades’s Mustang. It pulled up beside me, and Ares leaned over to open the door to the passenger's side.
“Get in! Hephaestus is here.” he shouted over the roaring engine.
“I know, hurry!” I slipped onto the leather seat and slammed the door shut as Ares peeled out of the lot and barreled down the street. The nerves in my body tingled with a mix of anticipation and relief as I leaned into Ares, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Ares’s eyes darted to me with sharp concern, his gaze quickly scanning my face as his hand instinctively tightened on my thigh.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice a blend of worry and urgency.
I met his gaze with a reassuring smile, trying to dispel his worry. “ I’m fine,” I said softly, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “I just took the emergency steps.”
“You did what?” Ares’ voice was a mixture of shock and awe as we sped down the main street, picking up speed. “There is a reason we blocked it, you know. It’s basically being held up by a thread.” He shook his head in annoyance, but a flicker of approval in his eyes betrayed his underlying admiration.
“Maybe someone helped me become a bit of a warrior myself.” I teased as I intertwined our fingers together. He lifted my hand to place a kiss on my knuckles.
With a tender smile, he uttered, “You were already a warrior.”