Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe Page B

bloodshot, and her lids hung heavy. She hadn’t slept well in days. “Mandarin?” he prompted.
    “Known to have a hypnotic effect that reduces anxiety and nerves. It offers a sense of calmness.”
    “Bookworm.”
    She sighed. “This has to work, Justin.”
    He knew that just as much as she did. Already he was feeling more fatigued than normal, and it wasn’t only because of the long hours searching for Theo or finding different ways to hack into Yvonne’s mind for answers. No, this was because Theo was being tortured, and no doubt Sadie felt Theo’s pain as well.
    Justin settled his hand over hers. “We’ll figure this out.”
    She nodded, but a tear slid down her cheek. “Yvonne’s more determined than ever.”
    That she was. It was strange to think that Yvonne was a former demon, considering how selfless she’d been searching for Theo. Offering to see anyone and try anything to remember.
    Sadie dropped her phone into her side pocket and leaned toward him. “I see you two haven’t furthered your bond.”
    Running his fingers through his hair, he sat up. “Coffee?” He nodded toward the one-cup coffeemaker in the corner of the waiting room. This was a conversation he did not want to have right now.
    “Why haven’t you?” she asked, completely ignoring his deflection. “It’s obvious you’re into her and she’s into you.”
    “It’s not that easy, Sadie.”
    “Explain it to me, then.”
    “Great, putting on the shrink hat now?”
    She smacked his arm, and it wasn’t exactly a gentle tap considering her strength.
    “Remember how you resisted Theo at first? Didn’t want to give up your life?”
    She nodded.
    “But you still felt something for him? Well, it’s the same here. Even before I knew she was my Mate, I felt something for her. But the whole former demon thing is tripping me up.”
    “She’s not a demon.”
    “But she was , and we don’t know exactly how that changed. What if…she turns back? And you can’t forget she’s hurt people, including you, Theo, and me. My brain…can’t shut that off so easily.”
    Sadie sagged into her chair again and closed her eyes. “With all this searching and running around to try to find a way into her brain…have you even had a chance to get to know her?”
    Besides his constant desire to touch and protect her, he knew little about her other than that she was a selfless, kind woman to endure visits such as these for Theo, after having only met him for a few minutes before he’d tackled her into a cage.
    It took quite a woman to overlook that.
    “She doesn’t do this only for Theo, Justin.”
    “Get out of my head.”
    “Then quit screaming your thoughts.” She rested her head back, eyes still closed. “She does this for you.”
    Again demonstrating exactly how amazing this woman was. Strong, dedicated, and… not a demon. And he couldn’t dismiss how patient she was. They’d been close a few more times, but she never forced a kiss to further the bond. Not once.
    “Have you found anything more on my mystery Mate?” he asked. “Like what the hell she is now?”
    “Not a thing. When I was in that cave with her in Hades, she only mentioned she was tricked into becoming a demon. It was obvious she didn’t fit in there. I bet you she’s never even killed anyone or harvested a soul. Yeah, she was strong, but it felt more like a front. That she was just doing what she needed to do to survive. To be around Aggie.”
    He stood and stretched toward the ceiling. His neck cracked at least three times as he rolled his shoulders. The long days and nights searching for his Gatekeeper were starting to take their toll.
    “You should take her out,” Sadie said.
    He laughed as he went to the coffeemaker. Might as well try a jolt of caffeine to wake up his tired body.
    “I’m serious. Get to know her more. Have some fun. You need a break.”
    “No.” Not that he didn’t want to, but he couldn’t afford it. If Theo weren’t found soon, he