Page 52 of Gods of Prey
The words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. Once again, I see clearly how much Jovie remembers—not just facts, but feelings. The friendship we built. The trust we shared.
Bash turns to Voss, his expression hardening. He steps closer, and I notice something change in my brother’s bearing. A subtle shift, almost imperceptible to mortal eyes, but unmistakable to me. The God of Life stirring beneath the human facade.
“Sebastian,” Revel says warningly, also sensing the change.
Bash ignores him, just as I had, placing a hand on Voss’s forehead.
Before any of us can react, a pulse of golden light emanates from Bash’s palm. Voss gasps, his body arching against the restraints. I feel the surge of life energy—raw, unfiltered divine power—flowing into the mortal’s body.
“Sebastian, stop!” Revel moves forward, but I step between them to hold him back.
“Let him finish,” I say quietly. The last thing the interim god needs is to piss off the awakening one when he’s not used to controlling himself.
The light fades, and Bash steps back. Voss slumps against the pipe lifelessly.
“What did you do to him?” Jovie’s voice comes out as a squeaky whisper, her eyes wide.
A cold smile crosses Bash’s face. “I ensured he won’t be continuing on with any plans to revive The Order.”
“That’s cruel,” Revel says, his face twisted in horror. “And an inappropriate use of energy from the God of Life. We’ll have to pay for this.”
“It’s justice,” Bash replies, his voice carrying an echo of divine authority that tells Revel to back down from his high horse. “The justice of Life and Death.”
That would be true, ifDeathhad delivered the fatal blow. But Sebastian is living in some sort of upside down world. Once where he encroaches on my domain without consequence.
Revel shakes his head, but his lips tighten into a thin line. I want him to say more. To berate my brother the same way he does to me at every turn. To challenge his commitment and question his authority.
The brutal use of divine magic was inexcusable. Unacceptable. Unnatural.
Instead, he cowers.
Why does Sebastian deserve all this respect as the God of Life when what he’s doing is so clearly wrong?
Bash turns to me, unconcerned with Revel’s irritated growl. “You’ve been busy,” he says, his voice softer.
Breaking eye contact with Revel, I jut my chin out and cross my arms. “As have you. Playing mortal. Crossing boundaries and breaking cosmic laws.”
“For love,” he says simply, taking Jovie’s hand. “Wouldn’t you do the same?”
My gaze flickers involuntarily to Revel again, then jumps back to my brother. “I wouldn’t know.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrow slightly, catching the glance. A small smile plays at the corner of his mouth.
Before I can respond, the building’s alarm system activates, wailing through the previously quiet space.
“We need to go,” Revel says urgently, stepping toward me. “Now.”
Bash nods, making a quick decision. “We’ll get rid of him,” he says, nodding to Voss.
Revel and I share a look. Neither of us wants to know what that entails.
He and Jovie quickly untie Voss’s lifeless form from the pipe, keeping his hands bound. I float ahead, checking the path is clear as we make our escape through the service entrance.
Outside in the predawn darkness, we split up—Bash and Jovie taking Voss in their car, Revel and I heading back to his apartment.
As we walk through the quiet streets, Revel finally breaks the silence. “He’s remembering easier than we expected.”
“Yes,” I agree. “And using his powers.”
