Chapter 10
Chapter ten
HYPNOS
The human was relentless. This was the third time she’d woken from forced sleep. Twice before, she’d fought him. He should’ve been frustrated, but instead he felt entertained and curious about her next move. The emotions unsettled him.
She’d hurled curses, called him colorful names, and tried to run for the door. Each time, he stopped her. What waited outside would destroy her.
This time, however, she didn’t wake up raging at him. There was only silence.
His brow lifted.
He listened as her steps moved away from both the door and him. Was she looking for another way out? She’d be out of luck. There was only one door a human could use to enter or leave his home, and he had no intention of leaving it unattended.
She moved down the hallway. Past the guest room that Thanatos sometimes used. Continuing until she reached the last door. His bedroom.
He stiffened, fighting the urge to chase her down. Instead, he stayed on the couch, determined not to act on impulse.
A moment later, her footsteps reversed course, heading back toward him, but not to the door.
He cracked open an eye as she stopped next to his prone form. She held a dagger in an unsteady hand, blade leveled at his chest.
“What are you?” The question came out quietly.
He could hear the huskiness of sleep in her voice. Despite everything, he found it appealing.
“I am me.” He should’ve ignored her, not entertained this confrontation. But her persistence intrigued him.
She moved closer, the blade now within striking range. She set her lips into a firm line and steadied her hand, fingers flexing around the hilt.
“Don’t play dumb. You keep calling me ‘human’ as if you’re cataloguing a species.
Add that to the way your voice makes me want to sleep.
How you moved faster than should be possible.
How I keep falling unconscious when you want me to.
Normal people don’t do those things.” Her voice strengthened. “So I’ll ask again. What are you?”
Laughter burst from him before he could stop it. He’d laughed more in three days than in three centuries. The sound was strange, as if it belonged to someone else.
He sat up suddenly, too distracted to care about the blade aimed at him. The quick movement made her stumble back several steps.
“Are you seriously laughing at me right now?”
The sharp tone cut through his humor, dragging him back to the present. He pushed himself to his feet, straightening to his full height.
The moment she realized how much bigger and stronger he was, she took one small step back.
Only one. She showed courage.
“Why am I here?” she demanded.
Hypnos said nothing. It wasn’t his job to explain anything to her. Thanatos or Anubis could deal with that. He didn’t want her here. She was cracking the walls he’d devoted centuries to building, making him feel things he’d buried.
At his silence, she exploded—again.
“Let me go home, you fucking asshole! You don’t want me here, so just let me leave!”
He rolled his eyes, which only angered her further.
With a frustrated cry, she lunged at him, aiming the dagger at his chest.
He caught her wrist, his hold firm but gentle, halting her motion. Using his free hand, he pulled the dagger away from her and tossed it aside. Only then did he really look at her.
Fear shone in her eyes. The way she looked at him sickened him. He was supposed to protect her. Now, she’d see him as a threat.
His frown deepened. Frustrated, he took the easy way out and pushed his power into her once more. The compulsion rolled off him, dragging her under. It was invasive and controlling. A weapon.
And he’d just used it on someone he was meant to protect.
He winced as her body sagged and her eyes fluttered shut, fresh tears trailing down her cheeks.
Damn it.
He hadn’t needed to force her to sleep again. He could have explained, attempted honesty, but he’d made his decision.
He scooped her up, carried her back to the guest room, and laid her on the bed.
He brushed a loose lock of hair off her face.
A bead of moisture slid down her cheek. For reasons he didn’t want to acknowledge, he caught the last tear before it fell, lingering on her soft skin.
Feeling the tear on his fingertip stirred a distant memory of caring.
The memory vanished, leaving an ache he couldn’t brush off.
“Sleep, restless one.” He hated that it sounded tender.
This had to stop. From now on, he’d keep his distance. He’d let one of the other gods deal with her.
She was safer asleep.