My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy, #1)

Between a Rockman and a hard place (Part 4)

I gnawed on my thumbnail. The thought that humankind's existence was dependent on me was terrifying. Yes, I had some new memories and yes, I could do wonderful/awful things, but fundamentally, I didn't feel any different. "It's not like I suddenly feel this deep sense of purpose or destiny or anything."

"You will," Theo assured me. "As more of your memories return."

"Am I going to have to face those ... things again?"

"Probably. "

"Things?" Hannah's eyes lit up at the mention of new, potentially deadly creatures. She fell onto her bed, crossed her legs, and got comfy. "Do tell."

Theo flopped himself along the foot of her bed and clued her in. "The Pyrosim are courtesy of Hades."

"I called it an Infernorator." I added my impression. "It reminds me of the dude from 'The Scream' except flying and on fire. Power specialty, shooting fireballs." I squished in between the two of them. I could have sat on my own bed, but I wanted the contact.

"Pyros, from the Greek for 'fire,'" Theo added in a helpful manner. "Villain number two was a Photokia. You know. Photo. Light."

"Gold Crusher. It must play for Zeus?" I glanced over at Theo and got a confirming nod. "Looks like a biker with an overly active growth hormone. Freaky mutation of choice, gold glowing eyes that shoot electricity. Also, thunderbolts tattooed on its head. In case you forget how it's going to destroy you." I shook my head. "Despite the fact Zeus and Hades hate each other, the one thing they can agree on is that they want me dead. Yay me."

"Think I could get a blood sample from one?" Hannah mused, clasping her hands under her chin.

"No," Theo and I chorused together.

She was not to be put off. She slitted her eyes and regarded me craftily.

"You are not dissecting me." I shoved Theo between us.

"One little blood sample." She threw me her most winning smile. "For science. I bet it would prove very interesting."

"Stand down, Dr. Frankenstein," Theo replied. "Her DNA is human."

I massaged my temples. "What now?"

Theo thought about it. "The important thing is to stay within the school grounds at all times. You're back on the radars of Hades and Zeus. We need to keep you safe until you've got all your memories and powers in top form. Don't want you killed before we even get started."

"Look at me, all welcomed back into the bosom of my family." I thought about Bethany and smiled. "No matter. Plenty to make me happy right here."

Hannah peered at me. "That look ... I've seen it before."

Theo glanced at me and snorted. "Yeah. In the mirror. It's bloodlust. Magoo," he warned, "whatever you're thinking. No. You don't just get to Godzilla your enemies. You can't let anyone else know who you are. Much as you'd like to, no killing Bethany."

I rolled onto my back and peered at the ceiling thoughtfully. "What if I just gave her a little anti-face lift? Say in the sixty-to-eighty-five-year-old wrinkle range?"

Hannah shook her head. "Bethany is at least a quarter human and therefore you're bound to protect her."

"But it's okay for a leopard to rip into her."

"Give me that blood sample. If I find any leopard DNA, she's all yours."

"Come on!" I protested. "There've got to be some perks to this stupid destiny."