Chapter 45: Chapter 45

This was my chance to prove that I can fit in, as well. As much as Persephone talked to me about being confident, I was still nervous. I was not undermining her struggle in any way, but she had an advantage on her side. Unlike me, she was a Greek goddess. The demons are wise enough to not mess with them.

It was not the same for me because I was just a mortal being for them. Most of them hated my kind, so it was difficult. No matter how hard I try to bond with them they will always consider me their enemy. If winning this tournament was a way to go, I had to prove myself. So when I noticed the number of games and contests I did not hesitate to enrol in almost half of them.

Lukas was hesitant about some of them considering my situation, but I was against it.

Some of them were extreme, which I would never be able to do so I let them slide. But the ones which were my thing I enrolled in them.

I took a sharp breath, my eyes shifting around the ground. The host was allowed to participate, but Hades chose not to because of his wife. I tried not the smile as they were sitting under huge umbrella fanning themselves with the notepad. It was so funny to me because I never thought Greek Gods would be judging my running skills.

As if on cue, the sound of the gun going off echoed around the ground. Lukas and I started as soon as it went off, our legs  working together naturally, effortlessly. A smile stretched across my lips as wind blew past us. Winning was always my goal but beating everyone else felt even more amazing.

For a second, my eyes averted towards the other players, and I noticed that we were in the lead. Was it pretty impressive for a human and demon couple, huh?

They won't even know what hit them after we win. Not that I was going to celebrate my victory in front of them, but my shiny trophy would be enough. My eyes widened when I spotted the finish line. We were close.

I could feel the burn in my lungs as I let my legs work faster. Sweat dripped down the side of my face, but I blinked it away, the line being my only focus.

Just as I thought we were about to cross the line things took a turn. Lukas staggered back, fumbling over something which made me flail. I tried not to lose my footing, but he was heavy enough and took me down along with him. I squeaked, expecting to crash onto the ground but landed on Lukas side instead, his arm under my waist.

I huffed, slapping his arm, "I told you not to trip. I told you I wouldn't be able to balance you!"

Lukas laughed.

I did not care that I was screaming at this point. All I wanted to do was win that race and do a victory dance with the trophy. Was it too much to ask? Besides, Lukas was the demon for hell's sake! How could he lose like that?

Thinking about it made my cheeks go warm. They probably recorded our fall because everything was being filmed. It was my first year, and I managed to embarrass myself in front of everyone. Just when I thought I had hope into turning things around.

I hit my fists against Luka's chest, trying to pound the laughter out of him.

"Cara" He softly said, still laughing, as his arms came around my side. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as he grabbed my waist. Why was he so happy about losing?

When his dirty fingers dug into my waist, I shrieked loudly and hit him harder.

"I am so sorry but are you okay?"

I was not. Can't he see that from the look on my face? I was going to give him a piece of his mind the second we were back in the room. As we were still on the ground, sprawled out awkwardly, people were staring at us. I tilted my head only to see Hades and Persephone rushing towards us. They might have seen everything.

As I tried to stand up, I fell back in Lukas's arms. He pointed towards our legs. They were still tied together - the only thing we can do is watch as literally everyone raced past us. Someone might have already won the race.

I moved closer to him, sunrays burning my skin. He won't get a sunburn, so I hid my face in his arm.

"I feel so embarrassed" I quietly mumbled into his shirt. He was staring down at me, listening intently. I got more comfortable at his attention and continued, "The one thing I wanted was to win this race, and now you’ve destroyed that. They are going to laugh on me for eternity."

Lukas was quiet for a while, his fingers softly running down my waist. If that was his way of soothing me, I was going to prank him as soon as we go back to the room. The least he could do was apologise for falling over.

Lukas let out a breath, "I am sorry about that but trust me no one will remember this. Besides this is just part of the game. Have fun"

"I am not having fun like this" I pointed to the way our sweaty backs were pressed against the wet, muddy ground.

"We will get out of here. Just wait"

I made a face, staring back at him, "How did you fall?"

"There was a rock" He shrugged, chewing on his lips.

As if that was going to make me feel better. Before I could say anything, I felt a shadow hovering above us. Hades freed our legs and helped us back on feet. I winced while standing back up so suddenly. My leg had gone numb.

Persephone came by my side, "Are you okay? That was one heck of a fall."

I pressed my lips together while getting the mud off my hair. It felt sticky and gross. I wanted to kill Lukas just for that.

"Don't remind me" Lukas huffed, rubbing his arms.

Hades helped him clean up, "How did you trip?"

Lukas pointed at the rock in the corner. I narrowed my eyes at the direction only to notice nothing. Maybe it was my eyesight.

Lukas chuckled, "Guess you can say we are off to a rocky start."

I shot him an unimpressed look.

"No? It was punny!"

"Not at all" I rolled my eyes and walked towards the washroom. Hades and his wife had to return so that they can announce the winner.

My clothes were fine because I landed on Lukas, but my hair was a bit messy, so I washed them. It was easy because the bathroom had everything. After drying my hair, I washed my face once again and exited.

The minute I stepped near the bleachers stand, Lukas was sitting on the height. Hades saved us both some space. I dragged myself to the top and slumped down beside Lukas.

He turned to me, "Hey I'm sorry about the race"

I thought about it for a while. Maybe I was overreacting about it because no one was laughing on me yet. They were not as bad as I imagined them to be. It was a good thing because I was ready to participate in the next contest.

"Don't worry, it's fine."

Lukas narrowed his eyes at me for a few seconds before he turned towards the game. The winners were going to be crowned in front of everyone. It was a whole thing.

"I can redeem myself in the next event" I mumbled to him.

He turned towards me and shook his head, "I don't think you should participate in the next one."

"Why? What is it?"

He forwarded the notepad Hades was holding, and I blinked at the bold text. Why was he freaking out about that? It's not like a challenging game or something.

"It's just a hot dog contest."

Hades looked over his shoulder in my direction. Did I say something wrong? Why was he giving me a weird look?

"It's not just a contest, Miss Talia."

"Uhh..." I trailed, waiting for him to continue. Was he building suspense? Besides, I could eat. Maybe it was because of my pregnancy, but my appetite was increased by tenfold. It's some dumb hotdogs I could quickly eat them.

"You didn't tell her?" Hades stared at Lukas, who shook his head. It wasn't funny at all.

"Tell me what?" I crossed my arms together against my chest. All this build-up and for whom? I was curious to know.

Hades took a sharp breath, "Lord Yama is participating in the contest and let me tell you something. He doesn't like to lose."

"Well, he is about to lose this year" I sweetly said and made my way to enrol my name.

***