Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Hearing Osiris say my name sends a chill down my spine. “Thank you.” There’s no warmth in his touch, reminding me of Lucas. “We, um…we wanted to destroy the Horsemen too. I saw the carnage they could bring if they were left to roam free on Earth.” I step back and his hand slides off my shoulder. “Which is why I find it hard to believe you won’t use them to your advantage.”
“I’m afraid I am not the villain you want to make me out to be,” he says slowly. “I understand why. Your vampire lover is technically a captive of mine, but it is not my wish to keep him from you.”
“Then let him go.”
“It’s not that simple,” he says apologetically. “The horses need a rider, so to speak. Eventually, they will bond and the only way to separate them is through death.”
His words once again jar me. “So, you’re saying Lucas isn’t bonded or whatever to the demon?”
“No.” Osiris’s lips curve into a half smile. “His love for you has kept him rather resilient. And being in a state of suspension has temporarily halted the demons’ grasp. The timing of it all was impeccable, though I know it wasn’t ideal for you.”
He starts walking again and I follow. “What happens if there are no riders?”
“The demons are much harder to contain. They’ll become noncorporeal and will bleed into the world, spreading like poison in a wound.”
“Oh, that’s, uh…that’s not good.”
“How long one can go without a rider is yet to be determined.” Osiris comes to a sudden halt and turns toward me. “You called yourself a nephilim, but you’re more than that.”
I shake my head, not following. “That’s what someone with one human parent and one angel parent is called.”
He holds out his hand again, fingertips brushing over the flesh on my hand. Goosebumps break out along my arms and he steps close, brown eyes zeroed in on mine. “It wasn’t any ordinary angel.”
“No,” I say, not seeing the point in denying it. “My father is an archangel.”
“A child born with archangel blood is unheard of, yet here you are.” He steps back and runs his fingers over his beard. “I wouldn’t call you a nephilim.”
“What would you call me then?” I hold up a finger. “If you say half-breed, I swear to god…” I shake my head and Osiris chuckles.
“A goddess.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh, and I can only imagine the over-the-top reaction Eliza will have when I tell her I’m not only the savior of humanity but a fucking goddess.
“Trust me, I’m a hot fucking mess and I just want my husband back.” I switch the torch to the other hand and let out a defeated sigh. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed that the world is teetering on the edge of going to shit thanks to some powerful demons and family drama on my dad’s side and…and…” I trail off as the thought occurs to me. “And it’s not fucking fair they can fuck things up so much.” I sweep my hand out to my surroundings. “They’re not the only ones with power.”
The sound of wind whipping through trees surrounds us, and the flames on the torch start to dance. Osiris stands there unfazed, still looking at me with interest.
“Be at the place I first appeared at your witching hour. I’ll show you what I can do.” He takes the torch from me and gives me another bow. “It was nice to officially meet you, Callista.”
“No,” I shout, reaching for him. “I’m not leaving without—”
“Callie?” Evander’s voice rings out around me and I feel his hand on my shoulder. “Can you hear me?”
Taking in a sharp breath, I open my eyes. I’m back in the office, and blue hellfire sparks from my fingers. I snatch my hands back, taking my fingers off the oracle, and ball them into fists, putting the flames out.
“Yeah, I can hear you.” I close my eyes, waiting for the moment of disorientation to pass. The world is spinning a bit right now, like how it does when I’m transported via archangel.
“Well, what happened?”
“I went to the Underworld and talked to Osiris.” Opening my eyes, I look up at Evander. “He said he’s going to help but I don’t really know what he means. And I…I didn’t see Lucas.”
“I’m sorry, sister.”
“Thanks. He told me that Lucas is okay though, and he’s still him.” A tear rolls down my cheek but a small smile pulls up my lips. “He’s still Lucas and is in a suspended state that’s keeping the demon from getting to him or something.”
“That’s promising.”
“Yeah. I think.” I get to my feet and shake my head. “The whole thing was almost confusing. I think Osiris is…” I don’t even know how to finish that sentence. He’s the God of the Underworld yet seemed so human and normal. “…trustworthy,” I finish. “I did find out the terms of the deal Julian made. Basically, he just wanted Osiris to take the Horsemen off our hands and was able to negotiate three hundred years of them being locked up. And then Osiris is free to do what he wants with them.”