From Darkness (Hearts & Arrows Book 3)(53)

Perry pulled away and gave her a once-over. “You really do look terrible.”

Dita snorted a laugh. “Thanks.”

“I mean it. And you smell like you got hit by a bus full of Gouda cheese and gym socks.”

“Pretty sure Cockston Von Schmegma was driving.” Dita took a deep breath. “He cornered me last night.”

“What?” Perry gasped, more than a little uneasy. “Come here and sit.”

Once they were seated in the living room, Perry turned to her, face tight. “What did Ares say?”

“I don’t know anyone by that name. I do, however, know a Weiner Von Dicktrap.”

Perry’s face relaxed into a smile. “So, what did Dingus Frittercock want?”

Dita rubbed her eyes and fought to keep them open, resting her head against the back of the couch. “He wanted to talk.”

“He is such a dumb shit.”

“He wants what he wants, and he won’t take no for an answer. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he invented the phrase no means yes.”

Perry chuckled, but the sound wasn’t all that amused.

“He just…I don’t know. I was starving and he walked into the kitchen and I freaked out.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?”

Dita shrugged. “We’d just been in a huge fight.”

“I know, but you know that wouldn’t have mattered,” she chided.

“Still, I couldn’t bring myself to bother you. I somehow ended up in Heff’s apartment.”

“Like, not on purpose?”

“No, not on purpose, but I’m glad my brain took me there even if it wasn’t communicating with the rest of me.”

“I’m glad too. And I’m glad you came to talk to me today.”

“Same. Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about, which is nice since I haven’t slept in days, I was cornered by my ex who tried to kill me, and I’m basically out of the loop on the competition. My brain is functioning at, like, ten percent power. Although I did get Jon and Josie within a few feet of each other today.”

“I saw that. It was almost a lucky break. I hate to say you’re off your game, but you’re off your game. Using the same trick twice in one competition?” Perry jokingly tsked and folded her arms. “You’re better than that, Dita.”

“I’m lucky to even be functioning at this point, so can I get a pass?”

“I guess—this time.” Perry sat back. “I saw Jon and Josie’s fight last night too.”

“Don’t remind me,” Dita groaned. “At least he has some info on Rhodes now even though he committed a felony to get it.”

“He was awfully charming this morning. I thought he was going to kiss her for a second.”

Dita propped her feet on the coffee table. “Yeah, I don’t know how Josie would have taken that.”

“Yeah, me neither. Has Artemis even made any plays in the game?”

“Nothing I’ve seen. She’s still ahead at this point. Jon breaking into her house crossed the line. Josie was already annoyed with him, but that was beyond. It’s going to take her a minute to get over that.”

“Who knows? Maybe he’ll figure something out. You could always give Jon a clue.”

Dita sighed. “I don’t know what though. I’m too tired to think, let alone compose a master plan.”

Perry looked her over. “I’m worried about you.”

Dita rolled her head to look at Perry. “Aw, I’m touched, friend. I love you, too.”

“Don’t joke. I’m serious.”

“I know,” Dita said as she looked away again. “I’m worried about me, too. I’ve got to get some real sleep, just a couple of measly REM cycles instead of just dozing off. Every time I close my eyes, the nightmares come, and I wake up feeling worse than I did before. If things don’t change, I’m going to lose, which means Jon and Josie will lose.”

“We’ll figure something out.” Perry pulled a black cashmere throw off the back of the couch and laid it on her legs. “Tell me about some of your dreams.”

Dita shifted, bringing her knees up as she turned to face Perry, the leather squeaking when she hugged her calves. “In one, I’m with Adonis. We’re in Elysium, and I say something that makes him laugh, but then he can’t stop laughing, just laughs until he’s hysterical. And then…he starts to scream, falling to his knees as snakes crawl out of his mouth and eyes.” She shuddered and squeezed her legs tighter.

“In another, Ares and I are in old Greece. He kisses me, tender at first, but when I open my eyes, he’s in wrath, his eyes red, his hands around my neck. I can always feel his fingers when I wake. I can feel the bones in my throat like they’re being crushed, and I can’t breathe.” She blinked back her tears. “I don’t know what to do, Perry. I don’t know how to move forward.”

Perry bit her lip.

“What?”

“You don’t want to hear it.”

“Are you kidding me? I can barely see straight, I’m so exhausted. I’m sure I’ll hate it, but lay it on me. I’m desperate.”

Perry looked at her for a minute before answering, “You’ve got to talk to Ares.”