The Grey God

"Rough night," she murmured. "I survived, as usual. Whatever it takes."

"The funny thing about Jonny stripping your powers: we're on even ground. You can't lie, and I can tell when you're trying to get a rise out of me."

"You call that even?"

"Compared to a normal day, yes."

Jenn couldn't stop her small smile.

"What happened, Jenn?"

Her smile faded. "I failed to keep the portal a secret. He knows about where it is but not exactly. It's only a matter of time before he finds it now. Admittedly, it's hard to keep anything from a jackhammer like the Black God going through your memories. At least he doesn't know about us." Too late, she realized what she'd said. Her eyes flew up to meet his.

"So you mean I wasn't the very last person to know?"

"Son of a bitch!" She yanked her hands free and stumbled around him, wanting to flee. "Just couldn't shut up, could you, Jenn?"

"Too late for that."

Jenn faced him, one cold hand across her mouth to keep any other stupid secrets from spilling out. Darian remained seated, watching her with intensity that made her feel edgy.

"Why did Jonny send you after me?" he asked.

Jenn lowered her hand. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah."

"He wants to know the answer to a question."

"And you planned on getting it for him how?"

"Fuck you, Darian," she replied, anger rising once again. "How have I ever treated you?"

"Before or after you kept secrets from me about our fates?"

Jenn glared at him. She tried to grip the necklace around her neck with hands still too cold to function.

"Don't." There was anger in his sharp voice this time, and his golden eyes flashed. "There is no fucking rock on this planet you could hide under where I wouldn't find you."

Jenn dropped it. "If there is any part of you that thinks I'd do anything less than ask you what he wanted to know, take it back. I want nothing to do with you."

The silence stretched between them at the stalemate.

"I'm sorry," Darian said at last.

Jenn couldn't remember any other time in her life when a man apologized to her. She stood where she was as Darian swept past her to the kitchen. When he didn't return immediately, her gaze fell to the warm bowl of water. Her hands hurt from cold. She returned to the couch and dipped her hands in the water.