Page 51 of The Blood of Gods and Monsters

Chapter 21

Ruen

Istare at the woman seated across from me at the breakfast table. She refuses to meet my gaze and that only serves to make me more suspicious. Terra surround us, laying silver-topped trays down in front of us, and quickly pull away the covers, leaving a feast of meats, breads, and cheeses. They gather the tops and leave, hurrying away as more Mortal Gods enter the dining hall. Kiera immediately sets to work filling her plate and diving in to eat. I continue to watch her with caution and interest even as Theos nudges me to begin eating.

Once again, when we woke this morning, Kalix was gone. The difference today is that Kiera was as well. Though Theos hadn’t bothered to go searching for Kalix, I had, and his room had smelled of blood and sex. Knowing how obsessive Kalix has become with the girl—with Kiera—in the last few months, I’m sure it was she he spent the night with. I’m curious to know why the ripe, raw scent of blood had filled his chambers though.

My eyes scan her throat and collarbone revealed at the parting of her tunic. Of course, there’s nothing to be seen though. She’s a Mortal God and therefore has extraordinary healing ability. Her brimstone shackle is gone now as well, which only means she heals even faster.

Kalix’s disappearance is still a conundrum though. Her blood hadn’t been the only one spilled in his room. The sharp, acrid scent of his had also permeated the space. The lack of broken furniture, though, speaks of consent. Even before her secrets had been revealed, Kiera Nezerac was not one to sit back and allow herself to be used and harmed against her will.

That knowledge is what finally allows me to direct my focus on the food in front of me. I select a few choice cuts of meat and cheeses and eat methodically as the morning wanes. By the time I finish my meal, the first warning bell of the day chimes across the Academy, ringing into the dining hall and hurrying along students who fear tardiness.

Together, the three of us—Theos, Kiera, and I—push our seats back and start to make our way towards the exit. As we leave the dining hall behind, though, a rather harried looking Terra male stumbles right into our path. His brown eyes are blown wide, the pupils dilated as the scent of terror wafts off him. Kiera frowns as he comes to a bumbling halt before us, but Theos goes rigid as if he recognizes the scent underlying the fear.

“M-Master Ruen,” the Terra bows deep. “Y-your presence has been requested by?—”

“I know who sent you,” I snap, cutting him off. I don’t want to hear my father’s name.

Kiera glances at me, finally looking at me for the first time since we left the North Tower.

The Terra peeks up through his shaggy hair. “H-he’s requested y-you, sir.”

I wave him off. “Fine.” Ice fills my veins, fueled by my rage. The arrogance of Azai to call me out. I knew he would do this—which is why I’d gone to Caedmon all those months ago to demand to know if the God Council would be called here.

That bastard can never resist calling his most hated son before him. My whole face tenses and the skin around my scar pulls tight. I close my eyes and try to ease the tightness in my chest by sheer force of will as I sense Theos move closer.

“I can go in your place.”

My eyes shoot open at that offer. “No.” The word is a brand against the inside of my throat. I would rather relive Kiera’s whipping in real time, every inch of my flesh shredding from my own back, than allow my brothers to stand before the monster that sired us.

I jerk my chin to the girl. “Take her to class, and if you find Kalix, keep him close. Let him know where I’ve gone. I will return.”

Theos’ mouth firms and his expression hardens, but I’m already striding away before he can argue. The sound of the Terra scrambling after me, his footsteps uneven but agile despite his obvious ungainliness catching up within seconds as he takes the lead, a necessary allowance since I don’t know where Azai resides within the Academy … or what he plans for me.

The Terra leads me away from the classroom buildings of the Academy and closer to the section reserved only for the Gods. Each step closer to my tormentor brings back old memories. Every little scar that lines my arms and on my back tightens and tenses as my muscles jump beneath my flesh.

It’s been so long. Too long, some might say. I’ve almost forgotten what punishment feels like. Air saws in and out of my chest as the Terra leads me up a familiar set of stairs, but instead of stopping before the room where Kiera met the God Council, the Terra leads me right past the double ornate doors. Sweat beads on the back of my neck and slides down over the ridges of my spine beneath my tunic.

The human’s steps finally slow as we near the end of the final corridor. A much smaller set of double doors awaits with a similarly ornate style. A knocker shaped like that of a monster of old—spikes along the side of its head and within its mouth a circular ring of metal that the Terra takes and uses to rap upon the wood once, twice, three times. Each sound drives my mind further and further back as a familiar numbness descends.

The door creaks open and, trembling, the Terra steps out of the way. I don’t bother to wait to be allowed entrance via a sound, but instead stride into the room, letting the heavy door close behind me, sealing me inside.

My eyes remain on the floor—a cool black marble with trails of gold and white moving through the glimmering mirror-like surface—for several moments. Then, slowly, I lift my head in incremental movements until I’m standing straight and staring across the vast space of what looks like a bedroom fit for a King of old.

My expression remains blank, devoid of any emotions as Azai ignores me and continues to sit with his back to me in a high-backed winged armchair. The top of his head is visible over the top of the chair; with his height that’s not surprising.

His bulky frame is an outline facing the window and it takes several moments for me to realize the noises coming from him. No, not from him … my upper lip curls back in disgust and as if I need to prove it to myself, I take several steps forward and around to the side.

I stop at the sight of the woman on her knees, the neckline of her gown open and pulled down beneath her bared breasts. Her mouth is locked around Azai’s cock and she chokes and gags as the man she’s currently sucking off, keeps hold of her head with a palm nearly double the size of her skull. A rumble of a groan unleashes from him as he forces her head down and holds her.

My hands tighten into fists as her eyes widen and then dart to me. Humiliation turns her face bright red as Azai unleashes his seed into her mouth and throat. Tears gather at the corners of her eyes and drip down her face. Once Azai’s done, though, that’s it. He releases the woman and flicks his hand at her as if dismissing an animal. Quickly gathering herself, the woman yanks her neckline up over her breasts and covers her mouth with the back of her hand as she stands on shaky legs and hurries past me. Her footsteps are the only sound in the room until the click of the door shutting leaves the space in silence.

I close my eyes, trying to rid myself of the scene I just witnessed. I shouldn’t be surprised, and I’m not. What I am is sickened and weary.

The creak of the chair as my father shifts and stands has my eyes shooting open. I keep my eyes fixed on his face, but in my periphery, I know he’s tucking his saliva covered cock back into his trousers and lacing them shut.

“You’re here,” he states with a nod. “Good. We have much to discuss.”

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