Page 99 of Immortal Sun

I like the scream, even with a heart that’s cold as ice. That’s what Kratos did, turned my heart to ice. I can’t feel love. It was the only choice I had left. I felt her bell like it was synced to my heart, I felt her. To feel means you can’t kill, to feel means you lose. I will not lose.

Any sort of love that could have somehow sprouted for this tiny individual is gone, and good riddance. Gods, it feels good to be free.

“Have you done your homework?” I ask, ignoring her outburst and walking toward her.

A tear slides down her cheek. How pathetic. It hits the ground to where she will return. I almost bend over and touch it in curiosity. What would it be like to cry so often? To be so weak?

People used to bow in my presence; this one yells and lets her tears decide her emotions.

We’ve gone backwards. Irritating, to say the least.

I lift her chin so she’s forced to look into my eyes, I show her my storm, I show her the flames as they lick toward the sky.

Her eyes glaze over.

“Your homework,” I press. “Is it done yet?”

“I had to sleep,” she whispers in a low voice that probably would have sent shivers down my spine had I not been frozen. The fact that I’m even aware of that makes me pause.

I get up and turn away, staring at the cave wall. “You have five days before the festival, where I’ll show you why you have to die. I need you to prepare yourself, and I need you to finish this. We’re running out of time, which is another story entirely. Finish your duty, get your name in the book.”

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that, writing my own obituary.”

I smile. “Yes. You do that.”

“Have you always been a monster?” She hugs herself, her breasts pressing tightly against her flimsy white T-shirt.

I may have lost my ability to love, but I most definitely have not lost my ability to seduce, which, I realize, is exactly what I need to do in order to prepare her for what’s to come.

My dick hardens at a rapid pace just staring at her.

Everyone knows I’ve never slept with a human.

I’ve never created that way. And I’ve never been curious enough to try.

It’s only ever been from the earth and sun, but it’s tempting with this one. It would feel so good to sink into her, to bite down her soft neck and hold her across that mattress, driving into her with a burning need.

I shake myself out of it and answer. “Monster? I’m the savior of the world.”

And of myself.

She laughs and walks in a small circle in the dirt. “Wow, really? This is how heroes work? Trapping girls in a tiny cave, making them write their own death sentences? Disney totally has it wrong, then!”

“They always do,” I say softly. At her annoyed expression, I yell, “Sacrifices always have to be made for the greater good!” I slam my hand against the cave wall. Bits of rocks fall to the ground. I glare, conscious that my eyes blaze bright white.

She stumbles back.

“You want to set the world free, allow people to live? This is what must happen!”

“Then why me!” Her fists clench.

“Don’t for one second”—I flick a bit of rock from my shirt and try to stay calm— “think it’s because you’re special, Cleo.”

Her lower lip trembles. “I hate you.”

“Hate is useful, more than love.” I nod toward the book. “Do your homework, princess. Oh, and if you start writing I’ll bring you more things to work on as a precious intern, since technically that’s your job. You just switched…offices.”

Tears stream down her cheeks. “Is this your kink? Kidnapping people?”

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