Page 125 of Until the End of Ever
"Fucking hell, are we sure that was a good idea?" Lucian screamed, staring at Zazel, who thoroughly ignored him.
And to my complete and utter surprise, despite the ashes of the mortals who'd just been destroyed before my eyes, despite the fear still in my belly…I smiled.
Zeus lifted his lightning bolt to strike, and this time, instead of summoning a golden shield, I willed a golden javelin into my waiting palm, my right foot stepping back in order to balance myself for the throw.
I would not miss.
I never had, in thousands of years, and I wouldn't start today.
Energy cursed through me, the useless, infinite pool of magic I never knew what to do with and usually drained coursing through my body, my flesh.
"Go on," I taunted, my voice full of mirth as I stepped away from Lucian. I wanted him to aim at me, always me, not Lucian. "Throw. I dare you."
The god was dumb and proud enough to do so.
Yes, Zeus was so fast I could barely see him move moments ago. But now, I could detect all his movements. And I was much faster.
The moment his hand was bare, I took my shot, the lightweight blade quicker than his unwieldly bolt. Zazel used the opening to lunge, clawing at the god's throwing arm, until golden ichor marred his skin. Meanwhile, with a catlike grace I'd never possessed, I lowered to a crouch, evading the heavenly weapon that lodged itself behind me.
I reeled to face my enemy, two light javelins in hand this time.
And I smiled. I missed this game. Fightingfeltright.
"So you remember, huh? Good. It's a pity to destroy a weak little victim who doesn't know anything." He tossed two bolts, one with each hand, to not give me the time to riposte.
Seeing their trajectory, my one option was to roll, to avoid the most lethal, and only get grazed by the second. But the moment it touched my skin, searing pain travelled through my entire body. If I'd been completely mortal, I would no doubt have been burned to nothing.But I really wasn’t, so I just grit my teeth.
"Weak, still," Zeus said, with a cruel smile. "Pathetic. It's almost a shame to get rid of you. If you beg, I could tie you up and send you to a brothel. You do your best work on your back, after all. Have you fucked a dozen dark elves for a pretty necklace this time around?"
"It was nine," I replied, tossing one javelin.
Zeus blocked it, moving his arm in a way that showed an opening between his breastplate and shoulder. I struck with the second, faster. Not pausing to watch the god reel from the wound, though I could smell ichor coat the air, thick as honey, I started to run again, incredibly faster, grabbing Lucian's hand as I moved.
"Where do you need me?" Lucian yelled over the screams and the loud explosions that seemed to resound all around us.“I’m getting in the way. Eventually, the dick will realize the best way to get to you is my slow ass, beautiful.”
I nodded quickly.
Seven to rise as all the walls fall.
"At the walls!" I screamed back. "You can't let them destroy them. If they're gone, the gods can take over the entire world again."
He hesitated just one second, before bringing his mouth to mine, and nodding. "Stay alive.The moment you sink, I let go, remember?"
55
LUCIAN
Ibarely paid any mind to the terrified crowd in the main hall, racing for the doors, until one voice pulled me out of my focus.
"Lucian!"I turned to my mother just as she leapt into my arms, pressing me hard against her.Before I could warn her, she let go, barely ever wincing at the way my power lashed out at the first source of life.
One quick glance behind her showned me that my father and brother were herding frightened, confused valers to the lift leading to our side of town.
"Where's Kleos?" she demanded.
I didn't know how to start explaining what I'd witnessed, and I didn't have time. "Kicking Zeus's ass. Long story. Listen," I said intently, "I need you to get home, warn the underside, prepare defenses. The gods are attempting to break the walls and the shields. If they do it, we'll all be vulnerable."
"It sounds like we'd be of more use here, then!"
