Firebird (The Fire That Binds, #1)

by Juliette Cross

You will punish evil men and damn them.” Medusa, no longer smothered in dark despair, lifted her face to the goddess. “When will we be done? When is our job finished?” Minerva smiled, her teeth razor-sharp. “When evil men no longer roam this world.”

“Both, sweet firebird.” His voice was a velvety, dark caress. “We might both burn for what’s to come.”

“Keep going, Malina.” His words vibrated against my skin. “Tell me what the demons cannot see.” The demons were Romans. The demons were him.

I knew she felt attraction for me as well as disdain. If I wanted her to understand, I’d have to be the braver one. That meant risking my life. And I would. For her, it was a risk worth taking.

I was mostly surprised at what I witnessed. Soldiers working together alongside slaves to build tents and fire pits. They’d even laughed together over a meal around a fire. One of the younger soldiers passed his water flask to the slave he’d been working with the whole day.

“I haven’t had as hard a road as yours, Malina, but lately … the path has become more difficult.”

“Before you came, all of this was easier,” I admitted. “What do you mean?” “I never cared about losing my life.” “But now you do?” “No.” I hugged her close. “I care about losing yours.”