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Tears streaain He felt so warm and real Alive "Gods, I really am dead"

"Yeah, you sort of are"

I sniffled "How can I be sort of dead?"

Caleb pulled back and tipped his chin down A ed at his lips "Well, there’s this really big, blond god raising all kinds of hell with Hades right now Apparently you’re still in lirabs"

My insides knotted, and I blinked "What?"

He nodded "You’re not going to be dead for very long"

I wiped under my eyes "I’ve been here for hours I’m so dead"

"Hours here is only seconds there," he explained "When I came up here I orried it was too late, that Hades had already released you"

"I’… to stay dead?"

"No" Caleb s I need to tell you"

"Okay" A twinge of pain in ainst him "Caleb?"

"It’s okay" His lanky arms held me still "We don’t have much tis down here… about what is going on up there It’s about Seth"

A burning kindled deep inside me "What… what about Seth?"

"He doesn’t really know, Alex He thinks he’s in control, but he’s not Don’t… don’t believe everything you hear There’s still hope"

I tried to laugh, but the burning was turning into a full-blown fire "You’re still… such a Seth fanboy"

Calebserious, Alex"

"Okay," I breathed, clutching ’s wrong, Alex Just remember what I said So after these kinds of things Alex, can you do me a favor?"

"Yes"

"Tell Olivia that I would’ve picked Los Angeles" Caleb placed his lips against my forehead "She’ll understand, okay?"

I nodded although I didn’t understand why as I held onto his shirt for dear life "I’ll… I’ll tell her I promise"

"I love you, Alex," Caleb said "You’re like the sister I never wanted, you know?"

My laugh was cut off by the fire tearing apart e who you are, Alex It’s your passion--your reckless faith--that will save you, save both of you" He held et this"

As the pain grew and my vision clouded, I held onto Caleb "I promise I promise I promise I prom--"

I was ripped away fro and spinning, co It swas burned

"Breathe, Alexandria Breathe"

I gulped in air as my eyelids fluttered open Two all-white eyes--no pupil or irises--stared back at ods," I whispered, and then I lost consciousness

Chapter 17

PEOPLE MOVED AROUND ME I COULDN’T SEE THEM, but I could hear their feet s on the tile, their voices hushed So was even and steady, lulling I caught the scent of burning leaves and sea salt

A door opened, and the person besideback into the pleasant haze When I opened my eyes finally, they felt like they’d been sewn shut, and it took a few tries to getwhite walls I recognized the med rooht or day There were faint ht and a feeling of falling After that, things were hazy I remembered a musty smell and there was hts

My mouth felt as dry as cloth, my limbs wooden A dull ache throbbed in my sternum I drew in a deep breath and winced

"Alex?" There was movement on the other side of my bed, and then Aiden came into view Dark shadows bloo every which way He sat on the bed, careful not to ht…"

I frowned and reached over to take his hand, but thea sharp sting I gasped

"Alex, don’t move around too much" Aiden placed his hand on mine "He patched you up, but you need to take it easy"

I stared at Aiden, and when I spoke, my throat felt raw "Linard stabbed me, didn’t he? With damn Titan blood?"

Aiden’s eyes flashed to a dark, thunderous gray He nodded

"Rat bastard," I croaked