Page 11 of Crimson Skies

She was mediating talks between the leaders of the various Lucifugous clans across the nation in a bid to secure places in their territories where humans could be safe from the coming war. They were all banking on the hope that the Nymph’s status as the wife of the former king of the Shadow Empire would help persuade the normally hostile Lucifugous to at least listen to their proposal.

Tisiphone had gone along not only as her guard and aide, but to emphasize that the Goddesses who would lead the battle alongside Earth’s most powerful otherworldly would not stand for anything less than their total cooperation.

“If human leaders agree for their military bases and bunkers to be used in a similar fashion, we should be able to protect over fifty percent of the population of this planet,” Orena observed.

“Let’s hope Icarus convinces them,” Tisiphone said darkly.

“Have you heard from Bostrof?” Tenebra asked Lilaia.

“Not yet.”

The Nymph sat next to her with her drowsy daughter and gently patted the little girl to sleep. The only thing that gave away her unease was her eyes.

It had been a week since Bostrof had left on the vital mission Cassius and Atropos had assigned him. Cassius would have gone himself were it not for the fact that he knew he would be needed in New York. It was imperative he convince the U.N. Security Council that the war with Elios would have Earth as its stage and that they should collaborate with the otherworldly to minimize the damage to this realm.

Orena furrowed her brow. “Elios should start making his opening moves any day now. I hope the others return soon.”

The apprehension swirling inside the youngest Black Fate was reflected in Tisiphone’s gaze and across the bond that linked them. Their sisters had traveled to the other realms to gather the armies who had pledged their alliance to their cause. And it wasn’t just them doing the rallying. Boreas and Pan were also searching the realms for allies they had not seen in centuries.

Tenebra frowned.I hope our sisters find the one we’re seeking soon.

They had yet to tell Icarus and their brothers of the deity they hoped Lachesis and the others might find in one of the fractured realms, and the trump card that had eluded Elios for centuries.

A disturbance in the fabric of space close by had her tensing a moment later. Gold flashed in Orena and Tisiphone’s eyes.

“What is it?” Lilaia said in a strained voice.

Tenebra relaxed. “Atropos has returned.”

6

The sharp smellsof San Francisco Bay and the salty balm of the nearby ocean danced over Cassius when he emerged onto the terrace with Victor and Atropos. The Moira’s portal closed silently behind them. With the date of the impending war now fixed, they couldn’t waste time with normal human travel means.

The silence that greeted him when he entered his apartment made his chest tighten. Even though it had been mere days since they’d parted ways, he missed Morgan and Loki.

“They’ll be back soon,” Atropos promised gently at his forlorn expression.

“How about I make us some coffee?” Victor suggested.

Cassius nodded, grateful. The disquiet that had been gnawing at his insides ever since Atropos had uttered her warning abated a little. Unlike the previous centuries he’d spent walking the Earth, he wasn’t alone anymore.

The divine cores of the Goddesses who’d recently taken up residence in the building brushed across his senses. Tenebra, Orena, and Tisiphone came through the front door a moment later, Lilaia trailing behind with a sleeping Phebei.

Orena quickened her steps and hugged a smiling Atropos. “Attie.”

Victor’s hand froze on the coffee pot. He arched an eyebrow at Cassius. “Did you give them keys to your place?”

Cassius rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “No.”

Victor frowned. “Morgan’s going to go apeshit if he finds out they’re using your apartment like a revolving door. Remember how he threatened to pull Pan’s horns out when he did the same? You’d better change the locks.”

“They’re Gods, Victor,” Cassius said in a resigned tone. “Locks don’t exactly work on them.”

Atropos leveled an admonishing stare at her sisters at this exchange. “You need to learn to respect other people’s privacy.”

“It’s not like we’re peeping on them when they’re making out,” Tisiphone protested.

“The way Ivmir goes at it, it’s a wonder Icarus can walk most days,” Tenebra remarked.

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