Page 30 of Devastation
Holding up a finger, Eros exclaims, "But, what is different in your ties with having a goddess in the mix is that you have an uneven exchange of power, which does not typically occur amongst same species mates."
I'm confused again.
"Her soul is constantly pouring powers into all of yours, filling you to the brim of what each of you can take. This seems to balance out her own soul, which would not be able to absorb all the power itself. It's peculiar to say the least, and I can't place my finger on why your dynamic would work this way. Gods and goddesses are created to be able to take on their full power alone."
Hale cuts in, trying to change the subject, "So what you're saying is, her power resides in us? How would this affect our own powers and do we hold immortality through it?"
With a shrug Eros speculates, "That is something I can only guess at. I believe that the power she does hold will probably give you all a natural boost to whatever you already have. But, I also wouldn't be surprised if you find yourselves with new powers."
Shockingly, Lana asks, "What about my immortality? Does this extend to them?"
I have to act as if this is something I know I possess, so he doesn’t suspect the truth.
Eros' eyes narrow and glance over all of us once more, with a million questions clearly burning in his mind. "Their souls are so securely fused to yours, that if you die, they will die. I can only assume that their natural lifespans have lengthened with your immortal power feeding them."
Honestly, that's a relief. I wouldn't want to live without her. However, Lana begins trembling, and I worry that she's going to find this to be the worst burden she could carry on her shoulders.
Our lives in the palm of her hands, literally.
But when we get her alone later, I'm going to reaffirm to her that none of us would want it any other way until she gets it through her thick skull.
Zedd pipes up softly, "If one of us is killed, what happens to her?"
"Once again, this is just a guess, but from what I can see in the exchange of power, I think she would slowly start to become overloaded with her own power. Perhaps she could handle one of you dying and not sharing her power to one, but if multiple died, I believe she'd end up being destroyed from the inside. Obliterated." For emphasis he motions a bomb exploding between his hands.
Shifting uncomfortably, I can't help but hate that this arrogant fuck knows how to harm Lana now because of our questions. If anyone wants to kill her, all they need to do is pick us off slowly.
That type of information cannot leave this place.
My temper flares at the thought of him running his mouth and, before I know it, my hand is wrapped around his throat, my palm burning with barely restrained power. Seething as I stand eye-to-eye with him, and threaten him, "If anyone tries to start picking us off one by one, I will knowexactlywhere they got their information. I will find you, and I will burn your organs one by one with my hand wrapped around them as you die an agonizing death, feeling every shred of pain that I can deliver."
Something akin to respect crosses his face and he simply nods in response. Backing up, I release his throat and feel Lana's small hand threading with my own and squeezing.
"It's time for us to be going. Thank you for your time and assistance," Hale, ever the diplomat and leader of the group announces.
Eros simply stares at us as we turn to leave the room, and I feel the heat of his eyes on my back. His voice calls out, veiled with an emotion I can't quite place. "I'll be seeing you soon, little goddess."
In typical Lana fashion, she yells back, "A hundred years would be too soon, so let's make it about five hundred thousand before you call on me for your deal."
A portal flashes to life before us and without halting, Lana walks directly into it, with us trailing after her. Once through to the other side, I hear it suction close and flash out of existence.
I sigh deeply in relief when Eros doesn't try to follow us through.
Lana's portal takes us directly into her room, and I can't help but want to toss her on that large bed and remind her that we aren't average men, like Eros said.
Sitting gently on the edge of the bed, she pulls her legs up beside her and looks up at us with wide eyes. "Well, we got our answers. Now that we know, we need to head out for me to start alerting the queens in each realm to my new title and getting them ready for war against Erebus."
Hale kneels in front of her and takes her hand gently. "We've been training non stop with Serenity and her mates while you've been gone. We're ready to stand by your side in battle as equals. You do not need to be concerned for us. We can hold our own."
Lana nibbles on her lower lip as her eyes dart to Ash, who has his arms crossed and apparently can read her mind as he adds in, "I'm not quite sure what my powers are or even what I am, but Eros confirmed that I'm not human by saying we had equal power. I will train in every spare moment to catch up and not be a liability for our family."
Rising from the floor, Hale stands and claps Ash on the arm, "We'll all train with you. Each of us can always be stronger and more in tune with our individual powers. We will figure out how to fight as a unit with Lana and you in the mix now that we are all together."
Zedd starts to head for the door and announces, "I'll make us lunch before we head out for the realms."
Luke sits on the bed with Lana and whispers something into her ear that makes her giggle and flush. As I move to sit on her other side, Hale and Ash announce they're going to train and start tapping into Ash's powers.
Leaving us alone with our beautiful mate between us.
