Free Awakened (Eternal Guardians Book 8) by Elisabeth Naughton

her brow lowered. Bind herself? What in Hades did that mean?
    “I hope this isn’t your way of telling me I should worry.”
    Elysia looked over at Damon across the fire. A sexy half smirk toyed with the edge of his lips, distracting her from her thoughts. “What?”
    He lifted his brows, cueing her into his meaning.
    She frowned. “I’m not going to kill you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
    “Just making sure.” He patted the log beneath him. “Why don’t you come sit down?”
    Confusion clouded her thoughts. “Why are you still here?”
    “I’m not sure—”
    “You said you were only here so I could complete the fifth labor. If that’s true, then why haven’t you left?”
    “I thought you wanted me to stay.”
    She did. But she wasn’t entirely sure why. Yes, she was attracted to him, yes he was hot, but there were a hundred things she needed to focus on other than hot and attractive. And he’d even admitted there would be repercussions to his staying, so why the heck was he still here? Especially now when she couldn’t even string a thought together without flipping out?
    “ Oraios. ” He rose and crossed to her. “Come here.” Gently, he took her hand and led her around the fire. When they reached the log, he said, “Sit.”
    Elysia lowered to the log, her mind flipping between memories she couldn’t bring into focus, to thoughts of him, to the seventh labor she didn’t want to think about.
    His hands landed on her shoulders and began kneading the tight muscles. “You’re tense.”
    Of course she was tense. The Sirens wanted her to kill someone. Someone who’d never done a single thing to her.
    “I know you’re conflicted,” he said long minutes later. “If it helps at all, most of these recruits will not make it off this island.”
    “So, what, my killing them is a way to put them out of their misery?”
    “I didn’t say that. I—”
    “Could you do it? Kill someone you don’t know? Someone you’ve never even met?”
    “I have,” he said quietly.
    “You have?” Surprise rippled through Elysia, and she looked up at him. “When? Who?”
    Damon’s gaze met hers, and his hands paused their massaging. Something dark passed over his eyes. Something mysterious. “I’m not sure.”
    “How can you—”
    “I don’t remember it. But I know I’ve killed. Many times.”
    He was talking in riddles. She didn’t know what he was saying. And considering how scattered her mind was at the moment, she was almost too afraid to ask.
    Sighing, he let go and sat on the log beside her. Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on his knees and clasped his hands. Firelight flickered over his rugged skin and the rose tattoo that seemed to dance over his shoulder and biceps. “I was in some kind of accident in the human realm. The Sirens found me and brought me to Olympus. The gods nursed me back to health. When I awoke, I had no memory of my previous life.”
    Elysia studied his features. A thin layer of stubble had formed on his jaw, making him look darker and sexier than any male had the right to look. “How long ago was this?”
    “Twenty-five years ago.”
    “And you can’t remember a single thing?”
    He shook his head. “Everything was blank when I awoke. The only thing familiar was the blade. That’s how I know I’ve killed. My fighting skills are reflexive. I know I was some kind of warrior in the past, I just don’t know where or for whom.”
    “And the gods didn’t tell you?”
    “They didn’t know either. But they saved my life. That’s why I serve them.”
    “And you never had any desire to return to the human realm? To find out who you used to be?”
    He shook his head again.
    “What if people are looking for you, though? Your family?”
    “I don’t think I have a family.”
    “But if you can’t remember—”
    He turned to her. “I’d feel them, Elysia. If they were there, I’d know. I’ve never felt any connection to anyone or any place. No loss.