Chapter 31

Apollo Castrel

I told the children where to find actual food. As Greg left with Lucifer, the others followed them. Ares snapped. He threw my book.

"How could you?" Ares's voice broke. Lip quivering. It was strange, I haven't seen him this emotional since he was four. Mother had tried to drown him in the ocean. It took years for him to even have a bath.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. Ares, it was for you and Lyola's safety. I wanted you to grow up safe with a chance at a childhood," I said. Ares was frustrated, clear to see as he yanked his hair with his only hand. Ares was yelling at me, not sure anymore what about. I watched to see if he would reach for anything to harm me. He broke a table. He held one of its legs toward me.

"I don't even remember my childhood," Ares snapped. I heard a baby's cry. Lucifer's humming is a German lullaby. I bit off the dry skin of my chapped lips. I didn't want to lie, but it was clear he was not gonna believe me.