The tension between us thickened. I wanted to argue, to push back, but I knew it would be useless. Ares was ruthless. And if I pushed too hard, he’d crush me without a second thought.
Still, there was one thing I knew for certain. I couldn’t let Ares destroy Tabitha. Not while I had breath in my body.
“I’ll do what I can,” I finally said. “But I won’t let her fall.”
Ares narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed, but he didn’t press the issue. “As long as you remember where your loyalties lie, you’ll be fine. Now, up the ante. The council is getting antsy, and we need Tabitha to crack.”
Without another word, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
I stood there in the silence. The echo of the door reverberated through the small space. My thoughts swirled like a storm. Ares wanted power. And he wouldn’t stop until he had it. But I wouldn’t let him destroy Tabitha.
I would move mountains if I had to. Whatever it took, I’d protect her. Even if it meant risking everything.
