Free Lords of the Underworld Bundle by Gena Showalter Page A

to doing things Maddox didn’t even want to contemplate. Things that left the normally good-tempered man hunched over a toilet, heaving the contents of his stomach. Though Maddox’s envy abated at such moments, it always returned when Paris spoke of one of his lovers. The soft brush of a thigh…the meeting of hot skin…the groans of ecstasy…
    â€œAeron is…Prepare yourself,” Torin began, “because this is the main reason I hunted you down.”
    â€œDid something happen to him?” Maddox demanded as darkness shuttered over his thoughts and anger overtook him. Destroy, obliterate, Violence beseeched, clawing at the corners of his mind. “Is he hurt?”
    Immortal Aeron might be, but he could still be harmed. Even killed—a feat they had all discovered in the worst possible way.
    â€œNothing like that,” Torin assured him.
    Slowly, he relaxed and gradually Violence receded. “What, then? Cleaning a mess and throwing a fit?” Every warrior here had specific responsibilities. It was their way of maintaining some semblance of order amid the chaos of their own souls. Aeron’s task was maid service, something he complained about on a daily basis. Maddox took care of home repairs. Torin played with stocks and bonds, whatever those were, keeping them well-moneyed. Lucien did all the paperwork and Reyes supplied them with weapons.
    â€œThe gods…summoned him.”
    Maddox stumbled, shock momentarily blinding him. “What?” Surely he had misheard.
    â€œThe gods summoned him,” Torin repeated patiently.
    But the Greeks hadn’t spoken to any of them since the day of Pandora’s death. “What did they want? And why am I just now hearing about this?”
    â€œOne, no one knows. We were watching a movie when suddenly he straightened in his seat, expression dead, as if there were no one home. Then a few seconds later he tells us he’s been summoned. None of us even had time to react—one minute Aeron was with us, the next he was gone.
    â€œAnd two,” Torin added with barely a pause, “I tried to tell you. You said you didn’t care, remember?”
    A muscle ticked below his eye. “You should have told me anyway.”
    â€œWhile you had barbells within your reach? Please. I’m Disease, not Stupid.”
    This was…this was…Maddox did not want to contemplate what this was, but could not stop the thoughts from forming. Sometimes Aeron, keeper of Wrath, lost total control of his spirit and embarked on a vengeance rampage, punishing mortals for their perceived sins. Was he now to be given a second curse for his actions, as Maddox had been all those centuries ago?
    â€œIf he does not return in the same shape he left, I will find a way to storm the heavens and slaughter every godly being I encounter.”
    â€œYour eyes are glowing bright red,” Torin said. “Look, we’re all confused, but Aeron will return soon and tell us what’s going on.”
    Fair enough. He forced himself to relax. Again. “Was anyone else summoned?”
    â€œNo. Lucien is out collecting souls. Reyes is gods-know-where, probably cutting himself.”
    He should have known. Even though Maddox suffered unbearably each night, he pitied Reyes, who could not live a single hour without self-inflicted torture.
    â€œWhat else did you have to tell me?” Maddox brushed his fingertips over the two towering columns that flanked the staircase before beginning to climb.
    â€œI think it will be better if I show you.”
    Would it be worse than the announcement about Aeron? Maddox wondered, striding past the entertainment room. Their sanctuary. The chamber they’d spared no expense creating was filled with plush furniture and all the comforts a warrior could desire. There was a refrigerator crammed with special wines and beers. A pool table. A basketball hoop. A large plasma screen that was even now