Page 89 of Blood and Reign

“Moving on to what?” Axel asks, his flames still burning brightly along his arm.

Soren glances at Ivor before answering. “Power. True power. The kind that could create or destroy worlds.”

I share a look with the guys before nodding to Ivor to continue. “Why three trials?”

“You were all blocked emotionally, physically, and mentally. There was a trial for each. The first was to open up to each other on a deeper level. Channeling that bond is what powered the bracelets.”

“Channeling what?”

Ivor frowns with Soren before glancing back at us. “Your inner bond. By coming together and reaching deep within, you can channel your bond and create a stronger soul bond.” Ivor’s frown deepens, a look of confusion slashed across his face. “If you didn’t tap into the inner bond, then how did you charge the bracelets?”

I clear my throat as Jax chuckles. “Oh, we definitely tapped into something alright… Let’s just say we found an… alternative way.”

Ivor nods, his frown still in place. “Either way, you passed releasing the block that was stopping you from forming that connection. Once that was complete, you moved on to the arena. Each of you is extremely powerful, but you all have a deep-seated fear of not being strong enough to do what needs to be done.”

I share a look with the guys, the truth of Ivor’s words hitting me in the chest. We all fear not being able to protect one another. No matter how strong we are, there is always someone stronger out there.

“We needed you to prove to yourselves that even with a limited amount of your strength, you can do whatever you put your mind to. That no matter how much power you have, the only limitation is how you use it.”

Jax moves to go to Ivor. I stop him before he knocks him out, and we don’t get our answers to where Kiarra and Luka are. Jax starts pacing as Ivor keeps a watchful eye on him.

“And finally, you’ve all had traumatic pasts that needed to be healed.”

Jax’s eyes narrow on him. “Healed? You messed with our brains, fucking ripped out our hearts, and call it healing?”

Ivor’s gaze softens, but it looks more condescending than anything. “We needed you all to move past the barriers you had in place so you could access the true bond and power that comes with it.”

Rion narrows his eyes on them both. “For what? What was the point in all this? I have a feeling the Underworld doesn’t do therapy sessions for the broken. Besides, we’re already bonded.”

Soren sighs loudly, making my right eye twitch. “Yes, but as Ivor points out, you’re all special. Meaning you have something no one else has, or at least no one I’ve come across has. And I’ve been around a while.”

Jax mimics Soren’s sigh, making it louder and more obnoxious. “Okay,old man,then explain what super special stuff we have that no one else has?”

Soren rolls his eyes, mumbling about idiots. “Do you have any idea who your mate is created from?”

We all freeze.

Jax frowns. “Draven said she was created from the power of the pits of Hell.”

Soren scrubs a hand down his face, nodding. “Yes, she was created from its core, but did you never think aboutwherethat power came from? The very core of the Underworld? The power that contains the Underworld itself?”

With my fists clenched at my side, it takes everything in me not to go over and rip the answers from his throat. Anything to do with my mate’s safety would not be taken lightly.

“Why don’t you tell us instead of talking in circles?”

Soren’s eyes find mine. “Erebus.”

One word and we all freeze. Axel’s flames die out, and Jax drops his arms as he looks at Soren in shock. “A God?”

“Yes. Kiarra was created from the power of the God of Darkness himself, and if you think you’ve seen even the tip of her powers, you’d be sorely mistaken.”

Axel frowns. “But what has that got to do with us?”

Soren and Ivor share a look, but it’s Soren who answers. “Kiarra is the closest thing to what’s left of the Gods. She might even be as powerful as Erebus himself, and you all share her blood. Technically, youallare the closest thing to Gods, if not as powerful as them. We need you all to be able to access that power, but to do that, you needed to let go of your doubts and fears.”

“Why? Why now?” Although I’m glad to feel the relief from realizing some hard truths, we could’ve spent this time looking for King together. Instead of chasing demons and fucking nightmares.

I glare at Ivor as he looks at us all before focusing on me, completely oblivious to my rising temper.

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