The Games Gods Play

“I see the same person you saw in Persephone. A soft heart that cares too much. More than the world sees, because you make sure of it. Because the world should never know, or they’ll take advantage of you.”

“If I could kill the god of death, I would.”

“You can do this, Lyra…because you’re mine.”

“So, you’re the asshole who put Lyra’s life in jeopardy by making her play in these fucked-up games.”

“And to answer your earlier question…maybe I enjoy gazing at you, my star.”

“I picked you because when we met, despite being afraid, you didn’t back down or cower, even from a god. Especially from the god of death.”

“I’m warning you that nothing is ever as it seems with my brother. And when he wants something, he can be the most ruthless of us all.”

“Twenty-three years ago, when I was still in my mother’s womb, she and my father came here to make an offering and pray for blessings on the birth. Her water broke, and your brother apparently took offense at her defiling his sacred sanctuary. As punishment, he cursed her baby—me, as it happens—that no one would ever love me. There. End of story.”

“She can Medusa me, for all I care. At least then I can turn assholes like you to stone with a single glance.”

“Seems to me that love can calm storms, end wars, make fools of smart people, and bridge the gap between life and death. Doesn’t that make it the most powerful?”

“This is all I was thinking about during that farce of a meeting. Tasting you again. Making you light up for me.”

“A father who is looking down the barrel of being returned to the Overworld like a relic that no longer works. You need me to win to keep you here, living in the manner to which you’ve grown accustomed.”

“A dark king and queen, ruling Olympus and the Underworld side by side. This could be interesting.”

“I called Athena a mean word and the wittle, baby goddess got her feewings huwt.”

“If you really meant that, you wouldn’t kiss me for him. To show him. You’d kiss me because you can’t not kiss me. Because I am the only thing you can see.”

“I will never force you into something you don’t want. But make no mistake, Lyra. I want you to be mine. Not a champion. Not a thief. Not a mortal. Mine. And no one else’s.”

“You have your entire life to be an asshole, Chance. Why not take a night off?”

“I’m not someone you thank, Lyra. I’m someone you fear.”