Page 76 of To Ashes and Dust
“She claimed she was manipulating me when I killed Marcus to make me stronger for the battles to come. Was she talking about the war with the darklings?” I asked, glancing at Selene.
Damien pressed his knuckles to his lips as he sank deep into thought. “She’s never sided with us. Why would she care about our battle with the darklings now? And why do it after she had Marcus work with Melantha? Is she playing both sides?”
“Does she have any ties to the darklings?” I asked.
Damien shook his head. “There’s never been any signs, outside of Marcus. She’s never involved herself in our affairs, and the only time she’s ever been seen in the Mortalrealm was to cause trouble for mortals, which was a typical sport for her. I hadn’t heard of her actively interfering in the affairs of another god or goddess recently. She’s remained secluded in her kingdom for centuries.”
Selene’s eyes flickered as Damien spoke, but she remained silent for a long while before she glanced at me, her face unreadable. “Are you all right, Moira?”
The words clicked in my head, and I straightened, realizing she was talking to me. “I-I think I’m ok. I just feel a little weak, sore from the training accident...”
It almost seemed as if her shoulders relaxed, but only for a moment before she squared them, her head held high. “Good. Damien, you may take her. Report to me if you learn anything new of Eris’ involvement.”
Damien bowed his head. “Of course, Goddess.”
The Propylaea was cold and dark when we returned, which was strange. Normally, blue flames came to life the moment we entered. Thankfully, just enough light shined down the stairwell, just enough for me to see. I couldn’t ignore the exhaustion filling Damien’s eyes.
“Are you ok?” I asked, stopping him.
“Just a little worn. It takes a lot for me to pass to the Godsrealm without assistance from the Propylaea. It acts as a bridge between our worlds, but there was no time. I had to get you to Selene.”
“Is it dangerous to do that?” I asked, realizing the weight of what he’d done.
He smiled weakly. “I’ll be fine,mea luna.”
Why did I not believe that?
He led me toward the stairway, but I didn’t move, and he looked back when my fingers slipped from his grasp. I froze—listening, feeling, realizing. There was a resounding, peaceful silence in my mind. The doubt and dread that had clouded my every thought had faded. I stood there in a moment in disbelief, letting it all sink in. I was finally alone. The darkness that had lingered at my back every moment since Marcus held me in that chamber...
It was gone. I was finally alone with my own thoughts.
“Cas?” Damien asked, worry painting that beautiful face.
“I’m ok. I just feel... so light,” I breathed, my gaze falling to my hands. Was all the hate and fear nothing but Eris’ presence? Was that how badly she affected me? God, I could only imagine what Marcus must’ve gone through, what her presence had done to him for so many years.
Damien stepped closer, his hand lifting to brush through my hair. I smiled up at him, and a calm rush of relief washed over his face, his smile warming me. “How do your ribs feel? Johnson said you might’ve broken a few.”
“They’re a bit tender,” I admitted.
“Do you mind if we go back to The Complex? I’d feel much better if Johnson checked you out fully,” he asked.
While I wasn’t thrilled at the thought, it was probably for the best. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I don’t want you exhausting yourself with worry,” I said, smirking up at him.
Damien cocked a grin, pulling his phone from his pocket, and pressed a button before holding it to his ear. “Hey Zephyr, are you—easy, brother. She’s ok, don’t worry... Yeah, Selene and Erebus were able to stop Eris. She’s safe now.”
I could hear Zephyr’s frantic voice over the phone and guilt immediately sank into the pit of my stomach. He’d been with us when Eris attacked me. He’d probably feared the worst.
“I’m bringing her down to see Johnson... Yeah, she’s ok. I’ll tell you more about it when we get there... See you shortly.” Damien hung up and slid the phone into his pocket before extending his hand to me.
“I feel so horrible. Zephyr must’ve been freaking out,” I said, taking Damien’s hand. He pulled me in close, the temperature dropping as black mist rose and danced at our feet.
“Are you sure you can take us there?” I asked, worried about how much he’d exhausted himself already.
He smiled warmly. “I’ll be fine. I’ll rest easy when I know you’re ok.”
I gripped onto him as the darkness enveloped us. The floor vanished from beneath our feet for a moment before we settled onto tile, and the shadows dispersed, revealing Johnson’s office.
Zephyr rushed over to me. “Cas!”
