Accidentally in Love with…a God?(Accidentally Yours #1)(64)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

“No. They’ve set me free.” Tommaso tore open his shirt, forcing my hand to run down his chest. There were four raised scars running from side to side.

“What are those? What did they do to you?” I pulled away and backed up to the edge of the pool, holding my hands out defensibly. If he rushed me, I’d be over the edge in half a heartbeat.

“They showed me the truth, Emma. The Uchben and gods are pretending to protect the world. But it’s a hoax. The Uchben only care about keeping their power, their wealth. Guy only cares about controlling humans, manipulating them, and keeping them weak. He doesn’t care about any of us. He never has.”

“Emma, he’s lying. He’s one of the traitors. Don’t listen!” Guy screamed.

“You’ve lost it, Tommaso. I’ve seen the Maaskab and they’re monsters,” I said.

“Yes. They are. But they’re loyal soldiers. Ruthless. And that’s how wars are won.”

“Emma,” Guy’s voice plowed through the noise. “Do you remember when you asked me why I changed my name? It was because I wanted the one you gave me; you changed me.” His words were fast and desperate. “Or why I gave your grandmother my oath? I did it because I’d never seen a child with our blood. She was so beautiful, special. Just seeing Gabriela filled me with hope. To know that, perhaps, I might someday be able to create life instead of taking it.”

“Oh. I get it. Now you want me to believe you have a heart, that you care about anyone other than your high and mighty self?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m asking.”

“On the way here, you said your purpose is herding the sheep—that you use your pheromones to do it! You used them on me! And don’t forget, you told me it was only the bond that made you protect me and feel jealous.” The tears began streaming down my face.

“I felt jealous because there is nothing more important to me than you, and I didn’t want to share you. That’s why I tried to keep other men away. I wanted you for myself.”

I wrapped my arms around my waist and squeezed back the angry tears. “More of your lies, Guy.”

“I admit, I’ve lied to you. But that doesn’t mean I’m not saying the truth now. Please, believe what I’m saying, and if you can’t, at least believe that Tommaso is dangerous, and he’s going to kill you.”

What was with this man? He’d just raked my heart over the coals, but now that he’d discovered his competition—Tommaso—wasn’t dead, I guessed the bond was kicking in again. Making him feel jealous. It wasn’t real. He’d told me so.

I looked up at Tommaso who seemed to be patiently waiting for something. Perhaps for me to come to the same conclusion he already had? “Tommaso, if I leave with you now, what happens next?”

“First, I’ll get you the hell away from here. It’s not safe. The Maaskab and the Uchben will fight. And when we win, you’ll be able to go home to your family.”

“But don’t the Maaskab want to kill me?” I questioned, whisking away the tears.

“Emma, they want to rid the world from these dictators. If you come with me, they’ll leave you alone; they won’t see you as the enemy. You’ll be able to go home, back to your life. Please, Emma, step away from the edge and come with me. I promise to keep you safe. Always.” His voice was deep and sincere. He’d never betrayed me, and I had no reason to distrust him.

“Please, my sweet,” Guy said in that lulling voice, sending shivers down my core. “I know I’ve hurt you, but I’ll spend eternity making it up. I can fix this. I can fix this hole I’ve created between us, the damage I’ve caused your life. I can fix anything, but I can’t fix dead! Do you understand? He’ll kill you, Emma. You’ll end up just like your grandmother, and I can’t bring you back!”

“Don’t you dare bring her into this!”

“Everything I’ve said is the truth. I know you can feel it. I have bonds with others, Emma, like Gabrán. But why can’t they hear me when you can? Think about it! The bond didn’t create our connection or my love for you. Or my jealously. You and I, we are meant to be together. I know you feel the pull, too.”

“Pheromones.”

“That only works when we’re in the same room. Haven’t you felt something even when I’m away? It’s because I love you.”

“How dare you! You expect me to believe that? After what you said on the plane?”

“I said those things because I realized how dangerous my world is for you. If it weren’t for me, you’d be somewhere safe right now. And this situation will only repeat itself. You will never be safe with me. I will always be the God of Death and War. But I don’t want you to leave me, Em. I don’t want you to die.”

I wanted to believe him. Gods, I did. But actions always speak louder than words. His actions told me he couldn’t be trusted. And his words were too perfect to accept as the truth; they were exactly what I wanted to hear.

“Break the bond, Emma. Say the words, and end it right now. Free yourself,” Tommaso pushed.

“I don’t know what to do. I can’t think.” I grabbed the sides of my head; the voices vibrated painfully inside my skull.

“Did he tell you how he killed Rosa and Arturo? Did he?”

“Guy, what’s he talking about?”

Tommaso and Guy started screaming at the same time, and with the voices, I could only catch every other word, but it was enough for me to hear that Guy had savagely executed them.

“Guy? Is it true? You killed that sweet old couple? My grandmother’s sister and her husband?”

Yes, but….

I couldn’t make out what words came next, but I heard all I needed.

I clutched my temples. “Stop! My head! Stop!” The voices were like daggers in my ears, drowning out everything else. Or maybe it was the sound of my heart cracking in two.

The phrase, “Kaacha’al lu’um, tumben k’iin,” suddenly floated from my lips a second time, my mind seeking escape from the torturous noise.

Then there was silence. Sweet, sweet silence.

***

I crumbled to the ground, trembling. Tommaso’s arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me away from the edge of the pool. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

Christ. What had I just done? Maybe I didn’t trust Guy. In fact, I felt downright confused and livid. But there was no way in hell I’d join Team Scab. For-get-it. I still believed they’d killed my grandmother.