Page 77 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Chapter Twenty-Two

The OneCreator unfoldedfrom a high-backed chair and shot to his feet, pissed at the interruption and his assassin’s tone. “Excuse me?” He waved off the Scourges who had gathered around him with one petition or another.

Harmony escorted them out the door but returned to stand beside him, a palm on his shoulder.

When he’d arrived earlier and seen her, loneliness had shoved into his heart. Briefly, he’d entertained thoughts of bedding her. Instead, with a sigh, he’d said, “The fiery ardor we once had is gone. What is left is enough, a friendship. But it is not what it once was.”

She’d faced him, an angelic smile spreading on her lips. “True. We are older. Perhaps wiser. Too many millennia. Too many occurrences. What we have is good and welcome, though.”

“It is.”

Harmony, though she had chosen to remain here, had been in Angor too long. As always, he’d begged her to return to Vast.

She refused his plea again, sauntering to him, rising onto her toes, and kissing his lips. “You are the most magnificent male in existence, and I always want you. I’m just not what I once was. You are not what you once were.”

He had nodded. Lately, the great burden of emptiness weighed on him. He was alone in the galaxy, in OneWorld. Chaos had chosen extinction for both himself and Kalia, the female he and his brother had loved and shared on many occasions.

She had given them much. Those pieces of her were treasured, though often difficult to manage. Then Kalia became the first Scourge among Immortals. Blaming himself, Chaos released a deadly spark, obliterating them both rather than allow the ailment to exist.

But it had been too late. The malady had spread to other Immortals, not like an infectious disease.No. It was as if it had been planted in their collective DNA, seeking life, waiting for an opportunity to attack. Ultimately, Chaos’s selfless act was for naught.

And the OneCreator’s sisters were gone. He was alone, despondent, and at odds with his existence. He had looked forward to a visit with Harmony to cheer him up. So far it hadn’t.

Enough with dwelling on the past. He turned his attention to the Feard and the human who accompanied them.

Interesting.

The OneCreator flopped back onto his chair, frowning at Dom while he rearranged his purple velvet robe, smoothing the wrinkles. Harmony remained at his side, a calming influence, while the human stared at him, star-struck. He realized he was an imposing figure, his purple eyes brightening at her adoration. Aah, vanity.

The human clasped a hand to her heart, which pounded as he radiated energy so intense she fought crashing to her knees in front of him.

Dom interrupted the pleasant moment, the other assassins at his back. “I pathed you.”

He folded arms across his chest and slumped into his chair, having decided to let Dom live despite his impertinence. “What’d I say?”

“Busy.”

“Seems as if I answered the question. That should be enough. Don’t bore me, asshole. And I caution you to watch your tone.” His eyes flicked elsewhere. “Indigo, hey, girl.”

“Right back at you, O magical one.”

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