Evans, Gabrielle - Reckoning [Fatefully Yours 9] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans

can’t think about incest.”
    Echo’s eyes went wide, and he slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle some of his laughter. Oh, the demon was too much. “Well, I hope not, either, but you never know with gods and goddess.”
    “I’d guess Helios,” Syx said without a hint of amusement. “Because he’s a Titan, it just makes more sense—especially with the strength you have.”
    Echo didn’t see how it made more sense, but he agreed with Syx. “You’d think I would feel a little more divine with immortal deities as parents. Not sure how I could die if I’m supposed to be a full-blown god.”
    “That’s something you’ll have to ask your mother.” Syx started pacing again. “I think it’s possible that you had your immortality stripped before you were sent away. After you were dipped in the Lethe River, you’d have no recollection of life before the lab.”
    Echo still wasn’t sure how he felt about that piece of information. Maybe it was better that way. How could he miss what he never knew existed? “So, I guess the main questions right now are what does One-seventeen have to do with all of this, and what exactly is Ares after?”
    Syx’s gaze swung to Hex, and Echo mimicked him. Whatever was going on, Hex was at the center of it. Echo didn’t blame the demon, though. It wasn’t as though he asked for Ares’ attention. Somehow, Echo had an idea there was a much bigger reason behind the war that none of them had figured out yet, and they were all just pawns.
    “I’ll help however I can,” Hex said after a pregnant pause. “I honestly don’t know what it is that I’m supposed to remember, though. Ares and I messed around a little when he was training us. He came once after we’d escaped Tartarus, but he left easily enough. I have no idea what he wants with me.”
    Slipping out of his seat, Echo moved around the table to crawl up into Hex’s lap. The man was shaking, but trying damn hard not to let it show. The bags under his eyes attested to the lack of sleep he’d received during the night. “No one is blaming you, love. We’ll get through this together, and we’ll be stronger for it.” Echo cradled Hex’s face in his palms. “I love you, yeah?”
    Hex kissed his lips and rubbed their noses together. “Yeah.” Something in his eyes scared Echo, though. They weren’t exactly vacant, but though he looked into Echo’s eyes, it was like he couldn’t really see him.
    “What are you thinking?”
    “Nothing.” Hex shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “We’ll figure it out.” He didn’t sound convincing in the least.
    “Syx, could you guys please give us a minute without making it obvious?”
    “We need to take a look at the whiteboard and add some things,” Syx said aloud. “If you guys have any questions, they need to go up there.” He gave the demons a meaningful look and started out of the kitchen. Hex didn’t seem to notice them.
    Everyone rose and followed Syx without question. Hex patted Echo’s hip to get him up, but Echo wasn’t moving. He waited for everyone to leave the room before grabbing Hex’s face and pushing up so that they were eye to eye. “Don’t hide from me, Hex. Tell me what’s going on inside that head of yours.”
    “I’m not hiding anything.”
    “If you try to leave again, I won’t let you back.” Of course, he didn’t mean that, but he had to get Hex’s attention somehow.
    Hex’s eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together in a thin line. He looked angry for all of a minute, and then he sighed and slumped back in his seat. “It would be safer for everyone if I met Ares on my own and found out what he wants.”
    “No it won’t. Everything we’ve faced, we’ve done it together. This isn’t going to be any different. If you love us, you have to trust us. You can’t beat him on your own.”
    Hex’s arms wound behind Echo and pulled him close. “You’re right. It makes me sick to think of anything happening to you guys.