Page 117 of Thanatos' Craving

We both had our motives.

If I was already bonded to Thanatos, I couldn't help them, and I believe that's the reason I haven't fully bonded with him yet. This way I can help. I could help find her then I can go bond with Thanatos. We can finish it in a day, tops.

Loki wasted no time, his grip on my wrist firm as he swiftly guided me through the dimly lit hallway. The distant echoes of Thanatos’ urgent voice reached my ears, spurring me to quicken my steps in a desperate attempt to escape through the door alongside Loki.

Loki’s mischievous laugh echoed to the halls, morphing into a song of a raven or a crow. He slapped his hand over his mouth to cease the noise.

“Juniper!” I heard Thanatos’ voice thunder through the palace and my heart instantly dropped to my stomach.

I didn’t want to hurt Thanatos, but I also didn’t want to leave those women suffering, either.

The massive palace doors, devoid of any vigilant guards, a deliberate ploy by Loki, I’m sure, swung open with a blinding flash, reverberating a thunderous bang against the ancient stone walls.

Again, my name rumbled through the palace, shaking the palace steps.

Feathers suddenly sprouted all around us, softly rustling against the air. Loki’s hand underwent a mysterious transformation and morphed into elegant, obsidian feathers, while his feet sprouted sharp talons. With a gentle release of my hands, his face contorted, now resembling a sleek onyx beak.

He was a giant freaking raven.

“Gods, what is happening?” I screamed, wanting to turn back and run into the palace.

“Caw mon!” he cawed, his wing flapped while he guided me toward a large archway.

The sky darkens. The sun that was created for Ember hides behind clouds and the lightning pierced the sky.

The black stone archway we came upon was actually a portal, I now realize. It was like a pool, rippling with each blow of the wind. “Say, Chicago, Illinois.” Loki flapped his wings violently.

I stared at him and the portal and then a large bolt of lightning cracks across the sky. The wind picked up and my hair twirls around my neck and blocked my vision.

“Juniper!” Thanatos’ voice was loud and commanding.

I clutched my pounding heart, and slowly pivoted to face the grand palace steps. The eerie silhouette of his shadow’s dances fervently, its scythe gleamed in hand. Piercing blue eyes fixate unwaveringly on me, as if peering into my soul.

“Get away from Loki!” he bellowed.

“I have to save them. Let me help!” I yelled back at him.

“We will figure it out! Get. Away. From. The. Portal!”

I stood up straight, rolling my shoulders back. “Let me help.”

“I will not put you in danger. No.”

I narrowed my eyes at Thanatos and feel Loki’s feathers brush against my body. “Now, Now!” he cawed.

“Chicago, Illinois,” I said only loud enough for Loki and me to hear. I grabbed Loki’s wing and hopped on his feathery back.

Because, why the hell not?

As the portal began to swirl and pull us in, the deafening sound of rushing wind filled my ears. Thanatos spread his massive ebony wings and lunged forward, his fingertips grazing against the edge of the vortex, but it’s too late. The air crackled with energy as we vanish into the swirling abyss, leaving him behind, a mix of desperation and defeat hanging in my heart.

The swirling sensation of the portal disorientates me, my body jolted with every turn and twist. Loki’s wings flap with strength and precision, guiding us through the chaotic void. My heart races, a mix of fear and anticipation making me sick.

Suddenly, the vortex spit us out, and we soared into the sky. My body gripped tightly to Loki, who was cawing into the air.

It didn’t take long for him to land in a park, away from prying eyes, and once his large talons hit the ground, I jumped off and lay on the soft grass.

“Oh my gods, never again.” I rubbed my cheek on the blades and sunk my fingers into the dirt. “I’m never riding on your back again.”

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