Page 52 of Becoming Monsterous

Gritting my teeth, I ride the waves of pain.

Until Morpheus returns. This time, he isn't alone.

"I've got you, Ellie." Angus slides to the ground and pulls me up so that my back is against his chest. "You can lean on me."

Shivers and shakes wrack my body, but he holds me steady through them. When the power tries to break me apart, I open my mouth and scream, kicking and fighting. He takes that too, until his strength is my strength, enveloping me and holding me close.

I know that he loves me. I don't need to see it. Powers be damned, Ifeelit.

"Don't shy away from the pain," Morpheus tells me in his calm voice, kneeling beside me. "The only way out is through, Ellie. Embrace it."

"I'm scared." Tears stream down my cheeks. "What if I don't survive?"

"You can't fight it forever." His cool voice slides into my consciousness like a river stream. "Go with the flow. Embrace the unknown."

Shuddering, I close my eyes and try to do just that.

Waves of pain and anger crash into me. Aphrodite lived a long life, and right now, she's doing everything she can to keep it.

I can feel her in the gorgon cave. Crushed beneath the rocks and fast asleep. My gorgon poison flows through her veins, and she's resisting it at every turn.

But by taking on the requirement to inherit her power, I tipped her towards death. If she accepted her fate, she'd simply be gone in the matter of moments.

Instead she claws on, determined to take me with her through the agonizing pain.

I refuse to let her make me bitter. Holding on to the image of young Aphrodite in my head, I decide to love her anyway. Even as she turns my whole body into wretched, miserable meat.

"That's it, Ellie." Aleron speaks now, his voice deep and decisive. "Show that old bitch that you're better than her. Take her powers and let her crumble and rot."

I shiver and shake like the world's worst flu is coursing through my veins. Angus rocks me and holds me tight. Morpheus lays his palm on my forehead and calms me down. And Aleron—Aleron drags me through it, dogged and determined as hell.

Eventually, slowly, Aphrodite breathes out her last breath.

And everything that was inside her flows into me.

Not just pain this time, but other kinds of love as well. The tender love of a mother towards a baby. The fierce, protective love she feels when that child is threatened.

I feel the love a spouse has for their partner, who they trust to see them through good times and bad. The excitement of teenage crushes. The exhilaration of sexual inhibition.

There's so much love in this world, in all its different forms. Lust. Desire. Worship. Devotion. Protection. Partnership.

Opening my eyes, I feel it all settle inside me.

And I sigh in relief as the waves of pain pass.

You did it.Medusa sounds full of wonder and joy.The power of two gods lives within you now.

Silently, I promise her,I'm going to find a way to get you into a new body. Even if it takes all I've got. Just so you can have the freedom you deserve for all the strength you've given me.

Warmth courses through me. I can feel Medusa's pleasure and appreciation—little forms of love.I'll wait, little warrior. Give it time. You've only just now received your new powers.

"It's done," I tell my men, gingerly stretching within Angus's strong arms. "Aphrodite's powers are mine now. I figured out what it took to meet her requirement, and now... now we're in the clear."

As I stretch, though, I spot Aleron shoot Morpheus a troubled look. Angus helps me up from the ground, the velvet curtain draped around my naked body, and I frown at the Mothman. The single light bulb in this room doesn't illuminate much, but I can tell he's keeping something from me.

"What is it?"

"It's the Magistrate. He's still determined to get Aphrodite's powers no matter what. Which means..."

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