Chapter 0158
Athena
“What do you want?” I demand, glaring at the Rogue chained to the dungeon wall.
It responds with a low, guttural growl. I’ve been asking the same question for days. It still refuses to speak.
This is a terrible idea. We should have waited for Alexander. Nyx whispers nervously. She hates me being down here alone. Especially while pregnant.
They’re locked up. They can’t hurt us. I reply silently. Both Ethan and the Rogue are securely restrained. There’s nothing they can do.
“He won’t answer you.” Ethan calls out from his cell. “Shouldn’t you be protecting those precious twins instead of bothering us?”
The Rogue’s eyes drop to my stomach at the word ‘twins’. Its snout wrinkles tightly, baring its teeth. Every time Ethan says it, the creature focuses intensely on my belly. He’s clearly trying to provoke it.
“Growl all you want.” I snap at the Rogue. “You’re chained. You’ve only got one and a half legs. I’ll kill you before you even touch me.”
It tugs violently against its restraints.
I made sure the Rogue paid for what it did to Isabella. Nyx made certain of that.
Ethan chuckles behind me. I ignore him for now. He’ll be dead tomorrow. Finally.
The Rogue’s growling deepens. Ethan laughs louder.
I spin around to face the bastard in the cell. He always interferes. Always says things he shouldn’t. “Shut up.”
“Aren’t you worried about being down here alone?” Ethan asks.
“Your trial is tomorrow.” I spit back.
“Oh, sweet Athena.” His dark grey eyes lock onto mine.
“Don’t call me that.” I snap, cutting him off. “You don’t get to speak to me like that. Not after what you did to Sophia. Not after what you planned to do to my unborn pups.”
He grins, revealing missing teeth. “You think these chains can hold me?” He pulls against them, moving closer to the bars. “Do you think I’m the only one who wants those pups?”
The Rogue begins chuckling too. My confidence falters. I’m missing something. They’re both chained. There’s no way out.
My hands instinctively move to my small bump.
“What do you want?” I growl again, directing the question at both of them.
Alexander shouldn’t have put them so close together. They can talk. They can plan. They can plot. Two different enemies working together.
The Rogue’s beady eyes leave my stomach and meet mine. Another deep growl rumbles in its throat. For a moment, I don’t feel safe.
I know it can’t go anywhere. I know they can’t break free. But the unease doesn’t fade. It feels like I’m back in front of Victoria’s fist. Unable to understand what’s wrong. Unable to defend myself when it comes.
Shaking my head, I turn and leave the dungeon.
I press my back against the dungeon door and look up. The midday sun warms my skin.
It only lasts two seconds before I feel his crimson eyes on me.
“Again?” He mutters. “I told you not to go down there. Especially alone. You’re supposed to be resting. Especially while Isabella can’t check on you.”
“I wasn’t alone.” I protest, ignoring his comment about resting.
“Nyx doesn’t count. If something happens to you, it happens to her too.”
He holds out his hand and pulls me against his chest. His arms lock tightly around me. He whispers in my ear. “I don’t like you going down there.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really? Because I see that frown. I feel your frustration. What did Ethan say this time?”