Chapter 69. Unusual Things

When Giovanna glimpsed the fortress, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt like she was coming home, and she thought it was wrong and inappropriate. It wasn't her home. Her home was with her father's people, next to Calleb, but she couldn't help thinking that it was also part of her life. Her mother, her brother and sister, Hecate and Hovar lived there and as much as she would never admit it to Hovar, she loved them. She didn't show much concern for their well-being, because she knew that not only Hovar, but any of the gods who escaped from the forest, would use her love for those people against her. Giovanna needed to keep her distance. To protect them and herself.

She felt Hovar's impatient push behind her and forced herself to walk again.

Hovar was pensive and that frightened her. She preferred it when he was spewing his hatred, because he always seemed human at those moments. In silence, he seemed dangerous.

"Did you