Chapter Thirteen

After taking care of the mad god and his wild women, I called Dominic. The situation was larger than my hurt feelings, and he needed to know about Michael. I told him what had happened. The part with Dionysus and Michael, at least. Not Darius.

“I'm on my way,” Dominic said.

“No,” I said. “There's no sense in coming now. He's gone, and Dionysus says he won't be coming back. But I think it's time that I met your team.”

Silence. Then, “All right. What time should I pick you up?”

“You don't have to do that.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm a big girl, Dom. I can drive to your house all by myself.”

“What's wrong?” his voice went worried.

“You mean beyond Michael coming into my bar to recruit followers, then jumping into Ralph and threatening me?”

“Yes, besides that.”

“Nothing. I'm fine. I'll see you around two a.m. Will you all be up?”

“Yeah, I'll make sure they stay up to meet you.” He rattled off an address.

“Okay. I gotta go.”

“Angel, are you sure you're okay?”

“I'm fine. See you later.” I hung up and then stared at the phone.

I had come up with a plan before the Michael thing happened. I was protected by my potion and had been ready to confront Darius and Dominic. But after seeing Michael in action, I wasn't sure. What if they really did need me? I had offered to help them, and Dominic had been so excited about it. He thought my help might be exactly what they needed to catch Michael. What if it was? If I walked out on them and Michael remained free, I'd feel as if I was to blame.

“This is not my responsibility,” I said to myself.

My Dad had always told me not to borrow trouble. I could hear him in my head, “Amélie, we all have got enough trouble to deal with. There's no need to borrow more from others. Focus on yourself and your family. Do that, and you'll be all right.”

If I focused on myself and did what was best for me, it would mean cutting ties with the Hounds of Hades. So, that's what I was going to do.