Page 71 of Gods of Prey
I materialize again, unable to help myself. “You mean they haven’t told you how terrible the Goddess of Death is? How horrible my home is?”
Jovie startles at my sudden appearance, but her expression quickly shifts to curiosity rather than fear. “I was wondering when you’d be back. I didn’t see you leave.”
“Oh, I’ve been here the whole time,” I say, drifting closer to the group. “Listening to them marvel about the wonders of Aurelys.”
Revel’s jaw tightens. “Sienna?—”
“What? Isn’t that what you were doing?” I turn to Jovie, who’s watching our exchange with growing interest. “Let me paint you a more balanced picture of the divine realms, shall I?”
“Sienna, don’t,” Sebastian warns in a low growl, but I ignore him.
“Aurelys,” I begin, my voice dripping with false sweetness, “is indeed full of light. Blinding, inescapable light that burns your eyes if you’re not used to it. The music never stops.Ever.Which means you can never have a moment of true quiet or peace. There’s not a single soul who enters Umbraeth for their retirement and doesn’t breathe out a sigh of relief at the peace it provides compared to Aurelys. And all those ‘luminous beings’ Revel was rhapsodizing about? They spend their days writhing on top of one another and look down on anyone who doesn’t radiate pure life energy.”
“That’s not—” Revel starts.
“Isn’t it?” I whirl on him. “I accidentally walked in on Revel with one of the lovely servants of Aurelys when he summoned me for help.Lyra.”
Her name feels sour in my mouth, only because I’ve attached so much jealousy to it.
Revel’s silence is answer enough.
“Now, Umbraeth,” I continue, turning back to Jovie, “is quiet. Peaceful. The light is soft and silver, easy on the eyes. The beings there understand that death isn’t something to be feared—it’s a natural part of the cycle. They’re contemplative, wise, and they don’t judge you based on how much light you emit.”
“It sounds lovely,” Jovie says gently. “I’d like to see it sometime.”
Her genuine interest catches me off guard. Sebastian and Revel exchange glances, but Jovie seems completely sincere.
“You would?”
“Of course. If I’m going to be part of this world, I want to understand all of it. Not just the seemingly pretty parts.”
Something warm unfurls in my chest. Before I can respond, Revel clears his throat.
“The life-shapers aren’t prejudiced, Sienna. They’re just focused on their own domain.”
“Focused,” I repeat flatly. “Is that what you call it?”
Sebastian is watching us like we’re a particularly volatile chemistry experiment. “Maybe we should?—”
“No, let’s keep going,” I interrupt, floating closer to Revel. “Tell us about your role in Aurelys, Revel.”
Revel’s jaw tightens. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Really? Because a moment ago you had a lot to say.” I spit out, my voice mocking.
“You’re being ridiculous,” he says, but there’s color rising in his cheeks.
“Am I? Or are you just realizing how your fond reminiscing sounds to someone who has been stuck listening to it?”
The room falls silent except for the sound of Seattle rain against the windows. Jovie looks between us with growing understanding, while Sebastian appears to be wishing he could disappear.
“I think,” Jovie says carefully, “that maybe we should talk about something else.”
But I’m too angry to let it go. The image of Revel surrounded by luminous, beautiful beings while I languished in punishment burns in my mind.
“By all means,” I say to Revel, my voice deadly quiet. “Tell us more about your professional relationships with all the beings in Aurelys. Specifically the ones with a hole for you to stick your?—”
Revel stands abruptly. “That’s enough.”
