Khalida sighs and goes to her room. She falls on her bed face first. “I can’t let him win. I’m not going to let him win. He’s not going to have that satisfaction. I can hold out, I’m tough. Yeah, I can do this. But shit he has the power of love as Aphrodite’s son! Ugh, if he’d get over himself enough to use it, I’m screwed.”

Asa grins, having heard every word Khalida muttered into her pillow. Then she nods thoughtfully. She smiles at Ben. “Hi! Have I seen you before? I don’t think I have.”

Sorcha bites her lip. “Are you sure now is the best time? We’re supposed to be training to fight a darkness,” she says quietly, trying to hide the regret in her voice.