Page 58 of A Reign of Malice
“Where are we?” Isla demands, her voice strong and laced with alpha energy.
“We’re outside her home,” the man I believe Sloane called Asher answers. “And we shouldn’t keep her waiting.”
Aurora glances back at us, her smirk almost vile. “Oh, Asher,” she croons, her voice dripping with affection. “I’m so glad you remember our time together.”
Her word eliciting a deep rumble from the alpha.
Reluctantly, or so it seems, the six of us follow the goddess into her home. There’s no front door, just an open entry, leading into a white home. Everything is free of color. The floors, the furniture, the walls. All of it.
After years of darkness, it’s overwhelming, but I do my best to adjust, knowing I can’t lose focus here.
These gods can’t be trusted.
“Good thing I’m agoddess, huh?” Aurora taunts, making me grimace.
Of course she can read minds.
“And much more,” she adds with a sultry voice as she reaches for Asher.
He’s already pulling away, but Isla jerks him back quicker, her fingers curling possessively around his wrist. “Watch yourself, goddess,” she warns, her voice like ice, canines extending. “He’s mine.”
Aurora’s smile hardens. “Yes, darling, I knowexactlywho he belongs to. That’s why I need him.” Without warning, she tugs Asher forward, ignoring the snarl Isla doesn’t bother to hide. Aurora drags him toward the pristine couch placed at the center of the room.
“Bite me,” she orders, her tone all business, though there’s an undercurrent of something far darker. “Like before.” Shetwists her head to the side, exposing her neck. The golden glow of her skin shifts, runes flickering just beneath the surface, ancient symbols older than language itself.
“I don’t fucking think so.” Isla growls, her body already coiling to lunge.
Estee grabs her waist, yanking her back before she can do something foolish.
“Let me go,” Isla snarls, but Estee holds firm.
“How about we try to play nice first?” Estee suggests through clenched teeth. “Aurora, what are you doing?”
The goddess sighs, her fingers tracing the line of her own throat with idle curiosity. “I’m temporarily binding your powers to me,” she says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “The six of you owe me, and I intend to collect. I need to put some of the other gods back in check. You’re going to help me do that.”
“Like hell we are,” Theo snaps. “We’re not helping you start a war with them just so it can bleed through to our world.”
“Remember, you wouldn’t have that world without me,” Aurora counters. “So, you’ll do as I request, or you won’t have a home to return to.”
I expect more arguments, but everyone remains quiet, making the goddess grin. “As I was saying. There are forces within this realm that have gotten out of hand.” She pauses, her gaze landing on Theo and Estee’s hardened faces. “Much like Orix. I intend to beat them by taking the power of your alpha bloodlines and infusing it with my divine magic. Simple yet effective and completely unexpected.”
Theo steps forward, placing himself protectively in front of Estee. “You’ve been using us.”
“Using?” Aurora feigns offense, her violet eyes widening. “No, Alpha King. I’ve been saving your asses, and it’s not asthough I’m asking you to go to battle against beings who could chew you up in seconds. All you have to do is bite a few people and give over some of your blood.” She grabs Asher’s chin and squeezes. “Now, let’s show your friends what I mean.”
His jaw tightens, and I sense his wolf rising. “And if we refuse?”
Aurora shrugs. “I’ll still get what I want in the end, but you six, I’ll set you loose in the god realm and blow you a kiss goodbye as I leave you for dead.”
I’ve left one hell for another.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
SLOANE
The bond with Julian thrums within me like a livewire. His essence is nearly all I can focus on. At least until I hear Aurora’s threat.
Not only does that have me straightening, but I can sense the shift in Julian. He’s just escaped one hell and, because I asked for this goddess’s help, he’s now in another.
