Page 86 of Gods of Prey
“When do we leave?” I ask Seraphina, forcing myself to look away from him.
“Now,” she replies, opening her arms. Light begins to pour from her body, filling the room. “Say your goodbyes.”
Sebastian pulls Jovie into a desperate embrace, whispering promises into her hair. I want to give them privacy, but there’s no time.
I turn to Revel. “Did you mean it? About ruling Umbraeth together?”
His soft, smoky eyes hold mine steadily. “Every word.”
“Why?” I need to know, even as the light grows brighter around us.
A small smile plays at his lips. “You know why, Sienna.”
I do know. Even if we’ve both been too stubborn to say it properly. Even if he only admitted it while drunk and we both pretended it never happened the next day.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For standing with us.”
He reaches out, his hand passing through my spectral form, but I feel it anyway—a warmth that penetrates the cold essence of death I’ve carried for millennia.
“I’ll see you soon,” he promises.
The light engulfs us completely. The last thing I see is Jovie’s determined face and Revel’s eyes, fixed on mine as reality tears apart around us.
Then I’m standing in Umbraeth, my true form restored. The familiar shadows embrace me, whispering welcome to their goddess. Erebus appears at my side, surprised but pleased by my return.
“My lady,” he bows. “We’ve missed you.”
I look around at my realm—the soft darkness, the quiet waters of Shadowmere Lake, the peaceful fields where souls rest after their final journey. It’s beautiful in its way, this kingdom of endings. Yet for the first time in all my existence, I find myself longing for something else. Something new.
“The Divine Council will summon you shortly,” Erebus informs me. “All the gods have been advised to attend.”
I nod, already dreading the coming battle. “I’ll be ready.”
As I move toward my throne room, I feel a strange confidence rising within me. For centuries, I’ve accepted mypunishment, my duty, my isolation. I’ve been the obedient daughter of divine law.
But no more. If Sebastian can fight for his love, so can I—for him, for Jovie, for my niece or nephew, for Revel, and perhaps most surprisingly, for myself.
The Divine Council wants to test us? Fine. Let them see what the Goddess of Death is truly capable of when she has something worth fighting for.
24
Revel
The Divine Council’s chamber feels charged with ancient power. I’ve been here before, but never as a subject of their scrutiny. Usually, I stand behind Sebastian, a loyal second. Not the one being judged.
The seven councilors hover on their thrones of pure energy. I catch my mother’s eyes before she quickly turns away, her face twisted in shame.
“The balance of existence has been compromised,” the seven of them intone. “Tests must be passed to prove the new order can sustain itself.”
I glance at Sienna standing beside me. To my surprise, we were all summoned at the same time. Three divine days after we were sent to our realms.
It doesn't sound like a long time when you put it that way, but spending that time beside Sebastian as he obsessed over the state of his mortal lover made it feel like weeks.
Which means Seraphina was only trying to scare us before. We arrived alongside every other god who resides in Nytheris.They surround us in concrete, stadium style seating that’s been arranged in a full circle above us, their whispers hushed as they lean forward on the edge of their seats.
Sienna’s face is a mask of cool determination, but I catch the slight tremble in her hands. I move my palm through the small space separating us and wrap my fingers around hers, steadying them. She jumps at the contact, but instead of pulling away, I feel a gentle squeeze.
It’s odd, being able to touch her like this. No cold chills or noncorperal mist. She's as solid as she was when I was with her on the rooftop—a night we still haven’t had the chance to acknowledge. Regardless how this turns out, I look forward to a time where I’m solely responsible for my own mistakes and no one else’s.
