Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
“You too, huh?”
It makes no noise, just stares up at me. I know what it’s saying, I know what everyone in this damn house wants.
They want her back just as I do.
But doing so would mean possibly losing. The end.
Apep will be out for blood.
The power between us will be matched for at least a year, because I spent myself in her. I shared my blood, my essence. I gave her my fire, which means Apep was taking it all along, wasn’t he? As if she was a vessel to store more and more. How could I be so stupid? How could I fail so gloriously?
He was planning this all along, wasn’t he? Warm her up, allow us to get caught up with each other, watch me fall in love.
I hang my head in my hands. What’s the use being an immortal when you can’t even save the one you love?
“Indeed,” a voice sounds from the fire.
“Go away.”
“You’re no fun.” The feminine voice giggles. “You know, brother, I expected more of you.”
“Not now.”
“She’s here, in my realm. The punishment of the underworld has been so very pathetically lonely.”
“You saw her?”
“Somewhere, I’m sure.”
“You’re just as bad as Apep.” I look away and flick my fingers toward the fireplace. It instantly cools. “Leave me.”
Her dark chuckle isn’t helpful. It’s the same one that haunts me whenever I’m weak or tempted. That’s what she does, pounces on the dark moments to relieve her own pain, or maybe cause more.
I edge the snake away and walk out the door and down to the kitchen.
Everyone’s sitting around the table, still in full armor.
“I can go,” Tyrell pipes up. “I’ve been a few times, not my favorite trip.”
“Can’t even fly first class.” Dag tries to joke.
Tyrell sighs. “I’m the weakest, I’ll go.”
“No.” I shove my chair back and stand. “I’ll go.”
Tyrell jumps to his feet. “You have no way of finding her!”
I ignore him. “But first, we’re going to Apep.”
“Are you insane!” Dag yells. “He’s on a power trip, and you really aren’t in the right mindset.”
“You all have five minutes. Prepare yourselves for the first phase of this war. Don’t lose, or I’ll kill you myself.”
CHAPTER 40
CYRUS
“When men encounter enemies in the fight, a robust heart is better than a sharp sword.” – Volsunga, ch.19.
It’s been ages.
The immortals have always cohesively lived on this plane but right now I have no idea if Apep has been busy grabbing more followers.
I don’t want to go where my power isn’t all consuming, but I know that’s exactly where he will be. Near the island, waiting.
Are Inti and Enki going with him?
Or will they fight for me?
My golden armor plates around my body, my boots come up to my thighs, my red cape drapes down my back, and without looking, I know I hold The Spear of Ra in my hand, heavy with the burden of life and death.
My eyes have never been more focused. I look away from the tree, though, as I walk outside. The sun of my helmet shines in the moonlight casting a glow across the grass and rocky cliffs.
A roar sounds as Ken lifts up his tentacles from the sea.
I know whose side he’s on.
And I know it’s mine, but will he fight?
Another thunderous roar escapes the sea and then nothing but silence. I feel him, though, his presence.
In all black armor, with spears sticking out of every single part of him, including his face, stands a man, his skin a beautiful black to match his armor, his hair pure white.
He holds his blue trident, the trident of the sea in his right hand.
“I thought I owed you a favor.”
He looks over at me. “I’ve been dying for a fight.”
“Once a kraken always a kraken.”
“You made me this way.”
“Are you complaining?”
“I’m in constant pain, but no, should I thank you?”
I smile for the first time that day. “It’s good to see you in human form.”
I wait for Tyrell, Kratos, and Daggon. Soon they appear next to us in their full armor.
So it’s four against the old gods just for today. Anubis and Cassius probably already returned to report on what happened. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?
Thunder booms overhead, clouds begin to part, then an eerie silence covers the space around us, thick with tension.
The air is heavy. It smells like honeysuckle and lilac.
“Well, shit.” Tyrell looks down. “That’s why you only text and never answer phone calls.”
“What?” I peer over at him.
“Best to ask forgiveness than permission.” He slams his hands together creating the sound of thunder. The skies open farther.
And a thousand fallen angels march out with silver and black armor, they form lines across the beach, followed by Cassius and Anubis, and standing next to them is Horus who I haven’t seen in ages—Mason a werewolf, King of the Earth, Ethan a vampire who hates everyone, and finally, one of my descendants from so very long ago, a male siren with just enough of my immortal blood within him to make him a serious threat to the world—Alex. Their wives, goddesses of the earth in their own rights, stand next to them, eyes full of fury.