I slammed the book closed and flipped it over. A red-foiled snake shimmered. They all stared at it, and then, one by one, looked away.
Lucifer cleared his throat. “How did you find this?”
“Stop deflecting, Uncle. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Not deflecting when an outside force is interfering.”
I sucked in a breath. “God visited me.”
“TheGod, or a god?” Dave asked.
What difference did it make? “The.” I drummed my fingers on the serpent signal. “Interesting that of everyone who could represent the factions across the world, we are the chosen ones. All circling around White Castle, or more importantly, me.” I strolled around the table, my hand landing on Sophia’s shoulder. “What are the odds that my aunt is here for the elementals?” I shrug as I move to Dave and tilt my head. “And the shifter, who engineered situations to touch base with me, is the one I’ve known the longest.”
“I did not engineer the deaths,” Dave snapped.
“No, but you didn’t need me, not really. Not until my grandmother started her mission to take over the world.” I moved to Lucifer and bopped him on the nose. “And at the head of this team is a fallen angel who has stuck his nose into my business again and again.”
“Eloise was utilizing demons. My involvement stemmed from that, not any half-baked plans about soul collection.”
I smiled and shook my head as I moved to Aira. “The silent queen of the vampires, the one who goes unnoticed to the benefit of the information she collects.”
“You are friends with my son. It’s not unreasonable I have gotten to know you.”
“True, but what is interesting is that you sent your very capable son to study medicine at the same place and time as myself. The coincidences keep mounting, and mathematically, we are reaching impossibility.”
Harry held his hand up. “I must state for the record that I came to the Serpents rather late in the day.”
He didn’t deny he knew, though.
“I agree. You are a curveball. But I don’t doubt that you know the true meaning of the Serpents.” I planted both hands on the table and leaned forward to stare the devil in the eyes. “Howmany more lies am I expected to endure? From my family, my friends, even my mate?”
“We did that to protect you,” Dave said.
“Not the point. Every part of my life is tainted with deceit, and you all play with the facts to ensure I dance to your tune.” I shook my head. “It’s time to come clean, or I’m out of the Serpents.”
“Then you’ll never find out,” Aira said.
“But at least I won’t be sitting at the table, pretending to be an equal.”
“Who do you think you are?” Lucifer asked.
Oh, goodie, we were playing the guessing game. “With that family tree, I’m clearly a descendant or even the reincarnation of a goddess.”
Silence stretched and then they all laughed, the sound loud and mocking.
“How on earth did you reach that conclusion?” Aira said as they calmed down.
I narrowed my eyes. “I have a god of the underworld circling me. It would make sense that he believes me to be Persephone. If you are going to continue to lie and ignore me, then I’m done. I’m out.”
I spun on my heel, fully prepared to leave behind this group of people who thought they could play me like a puppet.
“Wait,” Lucifer drawled. I froze but kept my back to them. Nothing less than the facts would have me turning back to them. “It’s time.”
My jaw clenched, and I dragged in a breath before turning back and coming to the table. I still refused to sit. They could only secure me by exposing the entire truth. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
“Are you sure?” Dave asked.
“She’s right,” Lucifer answered. “She’s fighting a war with only half the facts. We already agreed it’s likely the reason Donn is circling her. Who do you think you are?”
