Page 150 of Stars in Aura

His presence twisted the air, his eyes the heart of a maelstrom.

‘The God of the Sea,’ Issa murmured, unfazed. ‘As you can imagine, the god of tsunamis, earthquakes, and destruction.’

Ki’Remi muttered a curse. ‘This isfokked.’

Another deific creature raised a golden goblet, grinning with a wicked smirk before taking a long sip.

A moment later, a ripple of lunacy swept through the hall.

Some gods erupted into laughter, others howled, shrieking like unhinged beasts, while some slumped in absolute despair.

One deity leaped onto the table, knocking over entire platters as he sang in a voice thick with madness.

Issa shook her head. ‘Ssisfet. God of revelry, indulgence, and chaos. Also infamous as the one who inspires either ecstasy or complete insanity.’

Sammit, the controller of the Sullied, eyed it all with a cruel smirk.

His hand shot out, grabbing one of the female goddesses beside him.

She shrieked as the reality around them fractured, an invisible rift ripping open behind them.

With a single movement, he dragged her through it.

The sound of hell clawed through the air, screams, howls, whispers that slithered under the skin.

The goddess reappeared moments later, stumbling back into her seat, shaking violently, her hands covering her ears.

Ki’Remi stiffened.

Issa’s expression was neutral. ‘Sammit controls the veil betwixt heaven and Hades.’

Ki’Remi’s lips pressed into a hard line.

A stunning creature whose form flickered from flesh and light and whose golden eyes were bright with mirth and cruelty turned her eyes to the couple.

Issa leaned into her man. ‘Tis Solange, the divinity of attraction, is also a jealous witch, so secure your junk around her.’

The female deity in question sashayed over, hips swinging. She inclined toward Ki’Remi, her voice honeyed.

‘You are new among us, mortal. It’s a rare treat. Perhaps you could teach me a few new tricks?’

‘No chance,’ The Rider drawled, disinterested.

Issa snorted. ‘He’s not buying Solange.’

The goddess smirked, unfazed. ‘Love is fickle, you know. So am I.’

Issa’s expression turned wry. ‘Ain’t that the truth.’

‘Find me, mortal, when you get bored of her,’ Solange smiled and twisted away from the pair, sashaying as she searched for easier prey.

Ki’Remi exhaled, shaking his head. ‘This entire feast is a joke.’

Just then, a more brutish Athena leaned toward Issa, her countenance devoid of humor, her voice like steel wrapped in velvet.

‘We expected you,’ she murmured.

Issa’s spine stiffened. ‘Why do you say so, Somayeh?’

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