Awakening (Book One of the Eklektos Series)

Chapter Eighteen

When Kali woke up, warmth filled her at the realisation that Hades was still there. Her head was on his lap and he was playing gently with her hair. Blushing, she sat up slowly, averting her gaze. She felt a trickle of amusement from him as she looked away. She supposed it was a silly habit when she couldn't even see him in the first place. 

"Sleep well?"

She nodded quietly, still a little groggy from sleep. After a moment, she bit her lip, mumbling "I'm scared."

Hades sighed deeply, taking her hands. "I know." He whispered. He couldn't tell her that her fears were misplaced. Ares was volatile, unpredictable. Entitled, in the same way all the gods were. Her path was a difficult one, but it was hers. He could not sway her decisions, only be there to catch her if she fell. If she let him.

"Are you going to be there?"

He chuckled softly; it was like she could read his mind. "If that's what you want."

At her tentative nod, Hades took her hands and kissed her fingertips. As always, he was gone before she could respond. Burying her face in her hands, she went over what had happened last night. She had kissed him. Her only excuse was that the stress had fractured all common sense.

Aside from agonising over the feel of his lips, Kali felt dread creep across her skin at the thought of going back in that room. She knew there was no way she could touch the door handle. She had managed to conquer some of her fears, at least enough to muddle through and function. But clearly she still had a long way to go.

Relief flooded through her when she saw a pile of folded clothes on her table. Her boots were where she always left them, by the door. It was chilly, but she could make do without a jacket. She would have to use some of the gifts still sitting in Aphrodite's basket in the corner, but she could cope with that. She rooted around for some body spray and things to do her hair, glad that not everything was packed with glitter.

The clothes were black, Kali noted with a grin. They were also new. She felt a little self-conscious as she pulled on the tank top; it fit a little too well. Looking at herself in the mirror only highlighted how much weight she had lost. Or rather, how much she had toned up. But hiding away was something the old Kali did. The Kali who was never good enough, even for herself.

Kali could see the scars on her arms and throat clearly, but she forced herself to stand firm. One day, she hoped she could learn to see them as symbols of something positive. She wasn't there yet. But she no longer saw only failure and weakness in them. Kali twisted her long hair up into a bun so it couldn't be used against her and nodded firmly. She was ready.

Despite her determination, Kali found herself checking her boots and the corners of the room before she left. Her eyes darted around her every time she entered a new area, just to make sure. Thankfully, the first class was in the Colosseum. Large open spaces were easier to deal with. It also meant she didn't have to sit all day with her nerves. It would be over soon.

Ares had three groups at a time in the arena during all his classes. Every one of them would be assessed in that time, so he wouldn't be able to run the lesson. A list was posted on the wall with the order they would be seen in. It didn't take a genius to see it was just alphabetical order. They were expected to warm up before their turn came around, but otherwise they were welcome to watch.

Jem nudged her arm as they walked together into the stands. "You're way too stressed about this. It's not like you need to beat him, he's just seeing how you're doing."

Kali just nodded, keeping her mouth shut. Before she could think of a suitable reply, she felt a pebble bounce off her shoulder. A loud voice called "Hey, snake lover, how'd you sleep!"