Foolish Mortals

Chapter 18

de-to-na-tion

detnˈāSH(ə)n

noun

the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode

synonyms: explosion, discharge, eruption, ignition, blast, bang, boom, blowup, burst

"What do you think is in there?"

Jess huddled with me on a low couch across from the red door at Underworld. She had one arm wrapped around me tightly, and we were both staring at the door, tucked up under a blanket. The muffled voices of Liam and Ajax were emerging, but I couldn't make out any words.

"Ajax's office, maybe." And maybe a prison, with a bunch of other people who have offended Ajax over the years, all wasting away. I finished the thought in my mind, my memories flashing back over the sight of Alcide, broken and shivering on the ground.

Liam had wasted no time, allowing me only to grab my phone before hiring a car to take us both to Underworld. I was still barefoot, exhausted and dirty, but Liam didn't want to leave me alone. And to be frank, I didn't want to be left alone.

I couldn't stop thinking about Alcide. How much of his condition had Liam known about? How much had he been responsible for? If I ever offended him, would he hold a grudge against me that long? Until I died?

I sighed and dropped my head into my hands, glad in that instance I'd called Jess to come meet me at the club. Her arm wrapped around me was holding my pieces together, at the moment.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jess asked again in a whisper. "The kidnappers didn't hurt you? Do anything to you?"

"I'm sure," I replied, lifting my head to give her a wan smile. I'd told her the bare minimum, that I'd been kidnapped by Ajax and Liam's enemies and held for ransom, and Ajax was angry with Liam for paying the ransom to get me back. 

"I can't believe this shit happened," Jess continued, stroking her hand over my back. "You can't catch a freaking break lately, huh? Maybe you just need to take a couple of weeks off from everything and get away from Seattle, you know? Go relax somewhere."

I groaned and leaned my head on her shoulder. "You know I can't afford that. I have responsibilities. Anyway, I don't need to. I just need rest."

"I can't believe Liam rescued you like that," Jess continued in a low whisper. "So brave. And I can't believe Ajax is so mad about it. He must be a real mercenary asshole."

"Yeah, he's... something," I said dryly. "I just hope he doesn't fire Liam." Or kill him. Or something worse. I didn't know what a typical punishment might be for this kind of thing. Outside the realm of my experience. "But I think... I think you might have been right." 

"What do you mean? I'm right a lot." 

"That I shouldn't trust Liam." After last night, it almost hurt to say it, but Alcide's gaunt form flashed through my mind again. "I feel like even after everything he's told me, there's still too much he's keeping to himself. I think there might be a very... cruel side to him that he hides."

"You've been through a lot. You don't need to think about that yet. You're gonna stay with me, and we're going to figure all of this shit out together, right? Maybe you can't trust him. Maybe he is keeping secrets. But he just saved your life, so at least we can assume he doesn't mean you harm." Jess said quietly. She picked up her bottle of water, nudging it into my hand. "Does he make you feel safe?" 

"Yes. He does. That's the whole problem. I love how he makes me feel. I just... I just don't trust it." 

"You don't have to trust him right now. Just trust me. C'mon, drink."