Chained Souls: Night Twelve {Book Two of the Chained Duet}
Night Twelve
In my room Helios and Death waited along with all the others who'd been at my house. It was a shock to see all of them in one place, so close together.
"Where's the baby?" Aphrodite asked giddily as they wheeled my bed into place. The beds had been switched on the way here so there was no more blood and I was very thankful of the fact, now. "Are they still cleaning it up?"
"Actually," I said, chewing on my bottom lip. "It's babies There's more than one."
The entire room fell dead silent and I sank back into the bed. The room slowly settled into surprise before erupting into chaos.
"Is this even possible?" someone said. "i mean--for twins? Then again, this is different given the father."
Several hateful looks were thrown at Pain every once in a while as everyone spoke at once--save the evils and Helios.
Pain came to my side and held my hand in his, tracing his thumb over the visible veins in my hand.
'"It'll all be okay," he murmured. "They'll be strong like you."
"Would you like me to bring in your twins?" a nurse asked, popping her head into the room. Everyone grew immediately silent and I smiled. "Or...is now a bad time?"
"Go ahead," I replied. "Now's as good a time as any."
The nurse gave me a wary look but nodded.
About ten minutes later she came back in. It took an hour to finish up all of the paper work for them but, when it was done, the room had calmed down considerably.
"She's so cute!!" Aphrodite squealed, holding onto Evie. "I could just eat her all up!!"
Ares gave Tribute a glare before turning his attention to Evie with a curious glance.
The gods and goddesses stayed huddled around Evie while I held Tribute in my arms. He was looking at the group with sad eyes and looked like he was hurt.
"It's okay," I whispered. "I'll make sure you're special too."
Pain and Death stood on either side of the bed as Aphrodite passed Evie around, careful to stay away from the evils.
"Can I hold him?" he asked getly, one hand on my shoulder.
I handed Tribute to Pain and I met Death's gaze for the first time all day. I regretted it instantly.
He looked at me with a torn expression of hurt and anguish torn with acceptance and resolve. it nearly brought tears to my eyes.
"I'm happy for you," he whispered.
He turned on his heel and left.
I wanted nothing more than to run after him and scream for him to stop, to hold onto me and never let me go--ever again.
But I stayed where I was, knowing running after him would only make matters worse. For both gods and goddesses and evils.
"He's beautiful," he said quietly. "They both are."
Before I knew it, the others were gone and only Pain and Helios remained. It was awkward. Very much so.
Helios held Evie in his arms, entranced by her, and he didn't budge when I tried to get his attention.
"We have a problem," he said calmly, looking up at me.
Both Pain and I gave him a confused look in return.
"She's not Pandora."
