Page 125 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“Absolutely no,” I burst out and jump to my feet. “It is forbidden.” At his confused expression, I continue. “If I consume a soul, I will become the same as a Son of Tenebreis. My energy signature will change forever and I will be branded both a traitor and the enemy. And there is only one fate for that…” I squeeze my eyes shut as I remember the first execution I ever witnessed. “Death.”

“Death? Even for an immortal?”

I nod.

“I might be immortal as far as time goes, and I might even withstand most injuries. I might even die and be reborn if my energy is depleted to the point that my body fails me. But the type of death that awaits anyone who breaks the law is the permanent type. There is a sword in Aperion that has the power to exterminate a god’s essence. And the owner of that sword happens to be ruthless when it comes to meting out justice.”

“Who?”

“He is called Azerius, and he is my commander. But he is also…as scary as he is fascinating and strong.”

Mine’s features tighten.

“Fascinating? Strong?” he repeats.

“He is thought to be the strongest deity alive. Everyone looks up to him just as everyone is afraid of him.”

“Let me guess. You look up to him, too,” Mine adds drily.

“Of course. He might be ruthless, but he is just. And I’ve never seen someone with a more admirable work ethic than him.”

His nostrils flare.

“You seem to hold him inveryhigh esteem.”

I nod excitedly.

“And if this mission goes well, I’ll get a commendation from him. You have no idea how valuable that is in my world. And then I won’t have to mar—” I promptly stop myself when I realize I’ve said too much.

Mine narrows his eyes at me. In two thudding steps, he’s in front of me, towering over me with his impressive height.

“You won’t have to do what?” There is something different about him. It’s not just the chilling quality of his voice, but there’s also something else. Something that makes the hairs on my body stand up.

“Go ahead, Minnie. Finish what you were about to say.”

“Nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing.” His eyes glint dangerously. “Go on. Tell me.”

“Mine…”

“Tell. Me.”

“I won’t have to get married,” I whisper.

“And when were you planning on telling me about that marriage of yours?” he asks in a low voice as he moves closer to me.

My breathing intensifies from his nearness, drowned only by the incessant drum of my pulse.

“W-why should I have told you?” I muster in a shaky tone. “It does not concern you. We’re nothing to each other. I’m a goddess and y-you’re a puny human.”

“We arenothingto each other?” he sneers. “So it does not concern me that I am courting you while you’re promised to another?”

“I didn’t mean that. I just…” I take a deep breath. “It’s an arranged marriage, Mine,” I hurry to say. “I was not consulted about it.”

“I will ask you again, Minnie. Do you think it does not concern me that I am courting an engaged woman?”

He takes a step toward me. I take one back. Our bodies are in motion, but our gazes are stagnant.

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