Page 35 of Left Hand of the Divine
I wasn’t a God.
I’d never survive.
Hera smiled down at me with a knowing glint in her eyes. Shit. Did she figure out my possible connection with Nyx?
Either she did, and she was throwing me into the Games to pull Nyx to the surface—which I didn’t even know if that was possible—orshe didn’t think that, and she was hoping I’d be fun to watchdie!
I was totally going to die. I was going to be pulled apart by Ares or burnt to a crisp by some other fire-breathing deity or—
“She cannot take part,” Hades said, projecting his voice above the chaos of the crowd. The noise instantly died down as he started to speak and I was a little impressed at the picture of authority as he dragged his gaze around the Council. Shame I was too panicked about the whole being ripped apart thing to thoroughly enjoy his presence.
“Do you dare challenge me, Hades?” Hera said, a haughty eyebrow raised. There was a challenge in the depths of warm brown eyes but also amusement. As if she were happy that Hades had spoken up for me.
“It is not a challenge when this isn’t just madness; it’s against the rules.” Hades came to stand next to me, and I could feel the heat radiating from him as he tried to keep his temper under control. At least he hadn’t burst into flames yet, but it was concerning that the air seemed to shimmer around him like a mirage.
“They’re not really rules,” Zeus added, a playfulness lacing his tone that wasn’t there earlier. “More like guidelines. They aren’t set in stone.”
I scoffed at that because the Gods didn't have to follow actual rules.
“She’s a Reaper,” Hades protested, throwing his arms up in frustration. “She’s not a God or Deity. Shewon’t survive this.”
His voice cracked as he spoke, and I didn’t think I’d ever heard him sound so raw.
Hera looked down at him, her expression bored. “I have spoken, and this is my wish. Roux will be my Champion, but as a concession for her being a Reaper and not a Deity, she will be granted permission for her Hounds to accompany her, and I will also allow her to ask for three boons from any of the present Gods on the Council here.”
Well, that certainly improved my chances a little, and judging by the confused look on the faces of the Gods, this was something out of the ordinary.
“That is generous of you,” Zeus commented, and I couldn’t tell if he was happy with his wife’s interference or not. He wasn’t quite smiling, but he didn’t appear angry. I guess he didn’t know what to make of it either.
I had no idea what to think about it either. The fact that the twins could join me was definitely a blessing. But what about the boons? “Are there any caveats to the boons?”
The smile on Hera’s face widened. “A wise question. The only caveat I will impose is that you may ask three separate Gods for one boon each, and they have the option to refuse you. So, choose wisely.”
Okay, I could work with that. I wouldn’t know what the trials were until the opening ceremony, which was some ridiculously pompous ball I’d have to attend. Hopefully, once I knew what I’d be facing, I’d have a better idea of the boon I’d need to ask for andfrom whom.
“Thank you,” I said, hoping that my courtesy found favour.
Hera inclined her head gracefully. “You are welcome. Now, I think that will be all for today. Don’t you, darling?”
Zeus stood from his throne and let his voice boom around the chamber. “The Council has spoken, and the case against Roux, Reaper, is closed and satisfied. You are dismissed.”
A weight lifted from my shoulders as the Gods started to disappear from the chamber. I was grateful that none of the others had suffered because of me. We’d all survived to live another day but we had a task that would probably take years to complete—if ever—and I had to somehow magically figure out how to survive a series of games meant for Gods. I’d be lucky if I survived five minutes. Maybe I should start planning my funeral now?
Chapter Twelve
Roux
The sun beat down on my face as we walked back to the portal. There was a bitter taste in my mouth and a sinking feeling dragging my stomach down until it was somewhere beneath my feet, being trampled in the dirt. The others were walking ahead of me, but they kept glancing back to check on me. I appreciated that they were giving me space to wallow in my own misery, but when we got home, we all needed to talk.
We needed to figure out what to do with everything that was going on. Not to mention how we were supposed to wrangle all those creatures back into the Vaultandfigure out this God Killer fiasco.
I needed a drink. Or to run away. Maybe bury my head in the sand and hope for the best.
“Roux, wait up!”
I turned around to follow the sound of the shout and saw Raevyn floating to the ground with Apollo in tow. They landed softly, their large black wings folding neatly behind them beforedisappearing. Raevyn scooped me up into a large hug and pulled me in tight. She’d come a long way from the shy, lost girl I’d first met. Now she was a freaking Demi-God with necromancy skills and a group of guys that worshipped the ground she walked on.
I knew the Deathwatch pretty well, as they were always around Hades, but the two new guys I didn’t know well at all. One was aMoroiwho were like vampires but darker and more powerful—but I wouldn’t tell Magnus that—and then there was Apollo, who was pretty intimidating up close. He had dark black hair that hung in his eyes, a face full of angular lines and an expression that made him look like he found the world wanting. Except for when he looked at Raevyn, and all those harsh edges softened. If it weren’t for that, I’d think the guy was a total cockgobbler, but he seemed to love Raevyn, so he couldn’t be all bad.
