Page 35 of Power Shift
Power swept over the shop, making us all freeze. This wasn’t Caelan’s wild power, nor was it my mother’s colder power.
Neit stood in the doorway, his crimson runes glowing as his eyes swept the shop.
“Evie,” he greeted in his deep voice.
I stared for a beat. “You’re going to scare the customers if you keep standing in the doorway like you’re going to murder us all.”
Neit blinked. “How have you not been killed yet?” he muttered to himself.
“I keep people on their toes, and all you ancient fuckers like being surprised. Don’t deny it.”
Everyone froze. Moira sucked in a breath. “Evie.”
But Neit burst out laughing. “True, daughter of Cliona. Time does seem to freeze when you’re as old as me.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?” I asked.
Neit nodded and stepped all the way into the store.
“There’s a seating area to your right. You’re welcome to have a seat.” I made his tea and brought it over, tamping down my smile at the absurd sight of him on the couch in his armor.
His large hands wrapped around the china cup and saucer.
“Yesterday, you looked like you either wanted to kill me or talk. Which one are you here for today?”
He sipped his tea. “Only to chat.”
Neit’s magic made the shop feel like a pressure cooker. My chest was tight and my Floromancy struggled to stay contained, but even worse was the crimson magic flowing through my veins. The god was a threat, and he was in my territory. The overwhelming urge to get him out made my skin itch.
“Alright then. Normally chats come with a purchase, but I’ll bite. What do you want?”
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes missing nothing. “Why do you diminish yourself so, demi-god?”
I’d been asked this question a few times, and it annoyed me every single time. “I’m happy with the way I am.” The answer was the best I could give him. Not quite a truth, but not a lie either. I was happy with myself, even if the Chimera magic flooding my veins kept trying to take more and more from me every day.
“Few are happy with who they are,” Neit answered. “Gods amass power. It keeps them from ennui. Humans amass things.” His eyes roamed over my shelving snagging on the knick-knacksand masses of plants scattered around. “You amass flora. But that’s too easy. What do you want?”
“I want to go home each day knowing I’ve helped someone.”
Neit snorted.
Annoyance filled me. “Are you one of the gods who seek to bloat themselves with power?”
Neit waved a hand. “I am not like the others. My power came to me early and remains mine. As long as there is war, I never have to refill my well.”
“That’s a little sad, don’t you think?” For your lifeforce to be directly connected with the worst thing on the planet seemed a horrible way to exist.
“War is as inevitable as the changing seasons,” Neit said simply. “It is nothing I can control. I do not seek it out, but neither do I run.”
“Could you stop them if you wanted to?”
A flash of teeth belied his amusement at my frank question. “Why would I when conflict is the source of my power?”
I stared at the crimson runes covering his skin and his armor. “Even if you’re bloated with magic?”
He chuckled. “Such a frank and direct child you are. I bet it makes your mother crazy.”
“My mother doesn’t need any help there,” I muttered.
