Page 31 of Wicked Savior
“I believe Daire has tried, but Lucifer refuses to use money. He says gold is universally accepted, and it’s a waste of time to learn a system that will be obsolete in another thousand years,” Theron replies dryly.
Arden thinks about it for a second, then gives a resigned shrug. “I can see you’re dying to get started, so we’ll leave you alone. Let us know if you need anything. The elevator will take you to the main floor with just a thought.”
I wave a hand bye and immediately get to work. It takes me almost an hour to get everything in place, but when I do, I know I’m ready. Excitement thrums in my veins. I know exactly what I’m going to do first. Replicate my mother’s experiment. The best way to prove my theory is to test it. Unfortunately, John’s blood won’t work, because I’ve already given him Druid blood.
I need new test subjects. Healthy humans. Based on the bard’s account, my mother picked someone physically strong and healthy in order to give them a better chance of surviving the transfusion. One might be too small of a sample for me, though. Five is a better option.
Biting my cheek, I sit down at my computer and craft an ad to place in the paper. With a magical plea creatively woven in its words, it should draw my subjects to me. I wonder how Theron and the others will feel about housing more humans.
ChapterSeventeen
EVREN
The elevator doors close behind me, but nothing happens. What did Arden say about using the elevator? It moves with a single thought.
“Bottom floor,” I both think and say the words.
The elevator pauses for a long second, but then moves swiftly down.
For some reason, I’m incredibly nervous about telling them I’ve invited five more humans to the sanctuary. Well, invited is a bit of a stretch, but it’s not like I can tell them I put out a spell to call for specimens. Who might die. Or change into something… magical.
I deliberately bump my head on the back wall of the elevator a couple of times. This was so much easier when I was in my own lab without anyone else around to question me.
The doors open, but when I step out, I’m not in the place I expected. There’s a cave in front of me, not a dance floor. My brain tries to figure out what I did wrong, and I realize I used the words “bottom floor” and not “main floor.”
Shit.
“Main floor,” I say, but nothing happens.
Something pulses in the darkness of the cave.
“Main floor,” I repeat, visualizing the dance floor and bar in case it needs a picture to help it along.
A beautiful woman with long blond hair and the darkest of eyes steps into my line of vision. “Hello, Evren of Viridian. Granddaughter of Creatus, daughter of Viridis and man. I was wondering when you might visit me. I’m Theia, daughter of Gaea and granddaughter of Chaos. Welcome.”
Main floor.
“The elevator will not go until I wish it,” she says, with a tinkling laugh. “Walk with me. Tell me why you are here, and I may decide to let you stay.”
With a long sigh, I step out of the elevator and walk over to her. “Forgive me.” I dip my head in respect. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, just hidden from the creator above. And to be honest, I didn’t expect to see another goddess here. My mother told me he banned all gods and goddesses from Earth ages ago.” My eyes slide to her curiously.
She gives a delicate shrug. “He cannot banish what was here before him. Since the primordial gods and goddesses rarely intervene in the affairs of this world or the humans who live in it, he leaves us be. Besides, with few worshippers, most of us are but residue compared to our previously powerful selves.” Her eyes are twinkling when they meet mine. “There are a few exceptions, of course. The sanctuary and protection I provide is necessary for the survival of all. For those who find themselves here, I see a different path for them than the fates envisioned. If I didn’t save them, terrible things could come to pass.”
I stop walking. “Lucifer brought me here. I didn’t come on my own. What does that mean for me?” I doubt I’m a danger to anyone, despite what they may think. Well, except those who attack me first. Maybe I should return to the warehouse so I can be closer to my portal. The humans I brought with me will be safe at The Abbey.
She lightly lays a cool hand on my arm. “I’m not sure. It’s strange. Your path is hidden from me. Maybe because you’re not in your true form.”
My eyes drift down to the body below me. “This is my true human form, the one I used from birth until I was around a hundred years old. It’s also pretty close to my Viridian form.”
She tilts her head. “You’re not a demi-goddess?”
I think about it for a second. “Viridian blood is dominant. While the two exist inside me, my inherent genetics are those of my mother, the goddess. The human part of me is more or less a shell I can wear when I wish to, but I don’t have the usual frailties or needs that exists in their genetic code, like eating or sleeping.”
Her eyes change from dark to white for a few seconds, then return to their original color. She shakes her head and removes the hand on my arm. “I thought touching you might help, but I still can’t see a clear path. I will say this: a goddess’ will is more powerful than fate. Be careful of the choices you make here. There is a delicate balance to it all, and one wrong move can lead to its destruction.” She smiles. “But you found your way to sanctuary, and I trust in the ancient magic that brought you here.”
She takes a step back, and her body starts to fade. “Sanctuary welcomes and protects you. Come back and see me again.”
Between one blink and the next, she’s gone.
