into such a rage, causing the seasons. I’m enraged every time she returns to the surface.
Few people willingly give up their pretty things.
“Why would that be foolish?” I ask her, trying to keep my tone respectful.
She saunters through the room and comes to stand beside the doctor. “Because of what the fates told me.”
My entire body stiffens, and I lean forward in the throne. “You spoke with the fates? They advised you about this situation?”
She nods and gives a little giggle that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I told them of the witch with her unruly tongue whose powers you value so greatly. They said that one day she will have another child, and should we kill her just as the child is taken from her body, her baby will have all her powers. Then, and only then, can we raise someone to use as a tool and follow our every command.”
My heart sings. “We could finally be rid of the witch?”
She nods, and the doctor looks between us, his face shocked.
“Then we will give her any and everything she needs to ensure that the child that springs forth from her loins will be healthy and everything we could ever want.”
My dear wife gives a little bow. “You are always so wise, husband.”
I lean back in my throne and send for wine, and men and women for my bed. Tonight we celebrate. We celebrate the beginning of the end for Hecate.
She will be dead soon enough. And her child? Her child will be mine.
9
Orion
We’re loaded with packs of food and supplies as we finish the last leg of our journey to the passage to the Underworld. The ocean beneath us is strangely beautiful. For years, I haven’t found anything beautiful. I haven’t felt excited or happy about anything. But now that we are on a path to save Andros, the world is changing for me once more.
Memories come back to me of Andros and I fighting together, laughing together, and eating together. We were the other halves of each other's souls. Immortality didn’t seem so bad when I was in it with my best friend.
But for so long all I thought about was what Hades would do to a gargoyle in the Underworld. I woke up in a sweat, imagining the ways the bastard god would torture him. Even now, I feel a cold sweat on my body at just the thought of all he has endured since his “death.” I know he’ll never be the same again, but I hope one day he and I can have happiness together, with Blaise as the third in our Brotherhood. In our family.
“There’s the island!” Blaise points off in the distance.
We fly faster toward it, and I cast a look at the phoenix. His wings aren’t lit, since it’s mid-afternoon. But even so, the sun seems to light him in its glow. I have no idea how someone who has been through as much as he has still seems to see the good in everything. Sometimes it makes me feel weak, and yet, Blaise has a way of making me feel strong, like a hero. I suspect he does it on purpose, but I never can prove it. Still, it’s nice not to have to face this alone.
Suddenly, two figures drop from the clouds above us.
My sword is in my hand in an instant, and Blaise stands at the ready beside me.
The two phoenixes have their own swords out, but they look surprised as they glance between me and Blaise.
“We saw you in the distance and thought a gargoyle had taken a phoenix prisoner,” one of them says, his gaze narrowed.
The other smirks. “But now we see it’s only Blaise, the outcast.”
A growl rumbles in the back of my throat. “He is no outcast to me.”
The smirking one runs fingers through his dark hair. “It’s sad, really. The only one who would take him are the asshole gargoyles.”
“Shut up,” Blaise says, but his voice is barely louder than a whisper, and his head is downcast.
My heart races at the sight of him so demur. “I’m proud to have him fighting at my side,” I say, my hand tightening on the hilt of his sword.
“Proud?” the smirking one mocks. “No one could feel that way after what he did…”
“Shut up,” Blaise repeats, but his sword hand has dropped to his side.
I stare between them. Blaise never spoke of what led to him being outcast. I’ve always been curious, since he knows my deepest, darkest