Chapter 24

Bellona curled around Rafaels warm back and thought maybe days off were a good thing to have in the future. The sun was up, but she didnt know what time it was and didnt care. They wouldnt make a move on Ritas properties until nightfall, so she had all day to stay exactly where she was. She had spent the night showing Rafael how much he meant to her in the best way she knew how and was still feeling lust-drunk and hazy with contentment. She kissed the back of his neck just because she could.

A phone buzzed on the nightstand, and Bellona fought the urge to break it in half. Rafael roused enough to look at the screen.

Looks like our groceries are here, he said, sitting up and looking around for his clothes.

Leave them and stay here with me, Bellona mumbled sleepily.

Rafael kissed her cheek and nuzzled her warm neck, sending a ripple of lust through her. If I do that, how will I make you breakfast?

Good point. Come back when youve got them. Bring espresso with you, she said, making him laugh. Bellona didnt hear the door shut behind him before she drifted off to sleep again. She didnt know how long she dozed, but she finally woke again to someone banging on a door somewhere.

Rafael? she murmured, sitting up.

The front door to the apartment opened with a bang. Bells! You up? Set called.

Hang on! Bellona got out of bed and pulled on a robe. Downstairs, Set was holding a ripped bag of groceries.

Whats wrong? she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

I found these in the foyer with Rafaels phone, Set said, placing them on the counter.

Bellonas stomach plummeted, and her heart sped up. T-They took him? How? Theres no way they could track his phone here. I have signal scramblers in the apartment.

Set grabbed her arm as she began to sway. Its okay, Bells. They wont hurt him. Rita wants him alive, remember? Medusa is already pulling up the security. Just breathe.

Bellona took Rafaels phone and ran her fingers over the smashed screen. They took him from her own territory. No, no, no.

Sets phone started ringing, and he put it on speaker. Hey, Susa. What did you find?

Three men in a white van with bags of groceries pulled up thirty minutes ago. Rafael answered the door, and as he was taking the bags, they tased him in the chest, she replied, the clicking of computer keys in the background. Im trying to trace the van.

How the fuck did they even find us? The scramblers I have are your design, Bellona demanded. They are meant to be the best.

They are the best! They dont work when someone sends an online order and gives them the fucking address, Bells. He ordered food and led them right to you, Medusa snapped back. Look, I know youre upset, but we will find him. Just let me do what Im good at.

She hung up without a goodbye, and Bellona would have felt guilty for yelling if panic wasnt starting to drown her. Magic spiked in her veins, thrumming out of her as she spiraled into all the horrible fucking things Rita could be doing to her beautiful Rafael. The image of Rafael tied onto another cross flashed through her mind, and she groaned in agony. Power lashed through the apartment and pulsed out into the streets below. Cars crashed into each other as people got out to start fighting.

Bellona! Stop, or youll cause a riot! Set commanded. He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. His ancient power smothered hers, containing it as much as possible and locking it down.

They have him, Set. I keep failing... she gasped. Hot tears slid down her face. I love him, Set. I love him, and they have him.

I know. I know, he said, pulling her into a hug. You need to take a breath and think clearly. Bring the power back under control, Bells. Lock it up, and then we can figure out what to do next.

Bellona closed her eyes and tried to reel her fury and battle lust back in. It wouldnt help save Rafael until she had somewhere to direct it.

There we go. Thats it, Set said, loosening his grip on her. Now, lets think this through. They tased him. They didnt shoot him, so Rita wants him alive.

Shes going to hurt him. Torture him until he gives her what she wants, Bellona whispered, fighting down the panic again.

We have a raid planned for all of her properties tonight. We hit them all at once. He will be in one of them, which means one of us will find him.

Bellona took a shaky breath, tears still dripping down her face. She wiped at them, and a new horror clawed at her. I dont understand... I dont cry.

You love him, Bells. Its natural, I think, Set said uncertainly.

You never cried over Ayla?

No. I shot myself in the head and followed her to the Duat. There was no time for tears, Set replied. He gave her back a comforting rub. Ayla was dead, and Rafael is not. Remember that. Hes been kidnapped and tortured more than once and never gave in. Hes tougher than he looks, Bellona.

Bellona nodded. I know, but hes so mortal, Set. I cant lose him like this.

You wont. Hes smart. He knows you love him and how protective of him you are. He knows youre coming for him.

Bellona tried to calm her breathing and let the war goddess come to the foreground, pushing down the lovesick, panicking woman. She would level Rome to get him back. There would be nowhere she wouldnt go, no place she wouldnt look.

I have tried to do it the nicest way I could. Bellona opened her now golden eyes. Armor slid over her body, her blades appearing on her back, summoned by her silent call. Rita wants a war. So war it is.