Page 4 of Gods of Prey
I take another sip of my drink. “And yet, here you found me. Hiding in a tavern like a truant.”
“I wouldn’t call it hiding. More like acclimating,” he supplies the excuse easily. His black eyes scan my face. “The mortal realm changes you. Every time.”
“Thirty-three deaths will do that to a goddess,” I joke with a sigh, then turn to face him fully. “What news of the Divine Council?”
Erebus accepts his drink—something darker than whispershade, smoking slightly at the edges. A black inferno, no doubt. “They’ve been watching the balance. It’s beginning to waver.”
“Already?” I frown. “We’ve only just completed the thirty-third life.”
The Divine Council will begin delaying our mortal lives if they sense that our absence is affecting things. Ironic, considering the punishment is for this exact thing. But I don’t want any more delays. Seventeen more mortal lives—that’s all that stands between me and complete freedom. I’d rather get them over with as soon as possible.
“No,” Erebus says, his voice dropping lower. “You’vecompleted the thirty-third life. Your brother has not returned to Aurelys.”
Although I already suspected as much, hearing it confirmed sends a chill through me colder than any whispershade. “How long has the council known?”
“They don’t. Yet.” Erebus studies me over the rim of his glass. “I’ve been diverting their attention, as I’m sure Revel is, too. If he’s smart. But it won’t last. The balance between Life and Death requires both of you.”
I scowl into my drink at the mention of the interim God of Life and my brother’s best friend. If I didn’t know any better, I’d guess he’s doing the opposite of covering for Sebastian. He’s too much of a sycophant to think of anyone but himself.
Sebastian and I have been paying for our crime for centuries now. Born as twins into each life, suffering together, dying together, then returning to our respective realms to recover before the next incarnation.
But now Sebastian has broken the pattern.
He’s still with the mortal he fell in love with, Jovie. But I can’t tell Erebus that small detail, because then I’d have to tell him everything else. Like how Sebastian has already altered timelines to be with her. That would only get him into more trouble, which would mean I’d get into more trouble with him.
I’d like to speak with him directly about whatever crimes we’ve supposedly done together before we start touting about it.
Then again, Erebus has always been trustworthy. It’s possible that together we can form a plan to fix this without it getting back to his friends in the Divine Council.
My thoughts are always so scattered each time I return—somortal. I can’t stand it.
I finish my drink in one swallow, then decide to dive in. What more do I have to lose?
“He fell in love with a mortal in this life. When she died, he was out of his mind. Then he found her again. I should have known he wouldn’t let her go.”
“Found her again?” Erebus’s voice sharpens. “That’s not possible unless?—”
“Unless he manipulated the timeline.” I meet his gaze steadily. “Which is exactly what he did.”
Erebus goes very still. Even in a tavern full of the dead and undead, he suddenly seems the most otherworldly thing in the room. “That’s forbidden. Especially for gods under punishment,” he mutters, so low I can hardly hear.
“I know.”
“If the council discovers?—”
“They won’t,” I cut him off, my voice resolute.A warning.They won’t find out because he won’t tell. “Not yet. I’ll handle Sebastian.”
Erebus leans closer. “How? He’s clearly chosen the mortal over his divine responsibilities. Over you.”
The words sting more than they should. Sebastian and I have always been two halves of a whole. Even under punishment, we had each other. Until now.
“I’ll go to him,” I say, mind racing. “I’ll remind him of what’s at stake.”
“You can’t return to the mortal realm so soon after death,” Erebus points out. “Your essence won’t stabilize for at least a divine year.”
“I can return as a spirit. Not corporeal, but present enough.” I’ve already done it once before.
“And if he refuses to listen? If he truly doesn’t want to return?” Erebus’s eyes bore into mine. “What then, Siennara?”
