Goddess Of The Underworld (Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 141

Chapter 141

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The house smelled like salt and lemon oil, the kind of clean you only get when the wind does half the work. We crowded around the long kitchen table, pale wood, scuffed in the spots a family always sits. George set out cups with hands that still shook and Reina slid into the chair across from me, never taking her eyes off the doorway where the kids‘

voices echoed.

“I’ll give you the short truth,” I said, palms flat to the table. “Marcus took Elliot when he

was small, obviously you know that. He kept him in a stasis cell, fed him souls to keep that spell alive and used him. We found him in one of Marcus’s holds but we couldn’t pull

him out as he was basically holding the veil between The dead, living and Devine. I’m sure you heard, or more saw when that dropped, when chaos started riddling this realm. That

was the moment Elliot was set free and he found his way to us. He’s been with us ever since: Underworld at night, packhouse by day. He’s… more than just a boy now. Some of

that is what Marcus did. Some is what the Underworld made him.”

George’s jaw tightened. Reina’s fingers curled into her shirt.

“He saved us,” I went on. “In so many ways. He stopped a rogue push at our orphanage, saved so many children and us, he took the souls out of the ones who wouldn’t stop and he ended Marcus in our dungeon when Marcus tried to play god one last time. He also helpped me build a new veil. He literally saved the world. Since then, the attacks haven’t stopped. Witches, calling themselves the Hands, led by one named Salira, the same line that hurt me as a newborn and stood with Marcus while Elliot was used. They’re back, organized, and they’ve started getting bold. They want the baby I’m carrying. I think they think they’ve perfected whatever ritual failed on me.”

George swore under his breath. Reina reached across and covered my hand with hers, simple and fierce. From the hall a small tangle of feet thumped closer. Elias hovered in the doorway, torn between listening and doing what he’d been told. Reina caught his eye. “Take Elliot and Macey,” she said gently. “Show them his room, the house. No going outside alone. We’ll talk about that later.”

“Yes, Mama,” he said and then he did something that told me exactly who he’d be when he grew up. He walked straight to my mates first.

He offered his hand to Xavier, to Haiden, to Noah, to Levi, one by one, grip sure, chin up. “Thank you for keeping my brother safe,” he said, as if he understood the weight of the

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Chapter 141

words.

“It’s an honor,” Xavier told him.

“Anytime,” Haiden added, eyes a little brighter than usual.

“Always,” from Noah.

Levi squeezed his shoulder. “We’ll keep doing it.”

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When Elias turned to me, my chest just… moved. I didn’t think. I stood and wrapped him up. He went stiff for a heartbeat, then melted into it like he’d been waiting for someone to hold the both of them together all this time.

“No thanks needed here,” I murmured into his hair. “He’s safe. That’s what matters.”

He nodded against me, then backed toward the hall. “Come on,” he told Elliot and Macey. “I’ve got a window that looks at the sea. And a jar of shells Dad hates because they stick to your

your feet.”

“Do you have snacks?” Macey asked, already trailing him.

“Obviously,” Elias said, scandalized, and the three of them vanished, their voices tumbling

“That’s what I want,” I said, relief loosening something I hadn’t even known I’d locked. “And when we start splitting time, Elias is welcome with him. If being apart is hard on them and it will be, then we make the path easy.”

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“Dangerous concept,” Haiden said, deadpan. “Might start a trend.” He smirked at me.

Reina’s smile cracked and then held. “We’ll take turns on school, on training, on holidays,” she said, quick now that the picture made sense. “We’ll argue and adjust. We’ll keep the doors open.”

escorted. No cliff paths without an adult. If Elliot’s power spikes, he sits, breathes, counts, he knows the drill. If he leaks… glitter…” Haiden coughed, grinning. “….you call us. If anything feels wrong, you call us.”

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