“What a magnificent beast,” a deep voice like a rumble of summer thunder sounded behind me, and I froze at the sound, all of my muscles locking tight at once.
The pressure abated on my chest, but I still felt the looming, all-encompassing presence of a powerful individual to my rear.
Fear ticked my heart as sweat beaded against my brow. I refused to give in to it, refused to let it take root fully.
Slowly, I forced my body back under my command as I turned to regard the newcomer’s presence. I knew before even laying eyes upon him that Kaos was in the stables.
It was hard to see him in the darkness of the stables, the shadows engulfing and disguising his obsidian form nearly completely. I squinted as my eyes adjusted, searching for the edges of his body. He leaned against the wooden wall, arms crossed and one leg propped as if he had not a care in the world.
The tightness in his face and rigidity of his posture told a different story.
“Kaos,” I greeted, proud that my voice held none of the tremble that wanted to work its way out.
“General,” Kaos said in return. It was unnerving not being able to see where his eyes were looking, but I felt his gaze, nonetheless.
“I have a . . . mission for you.”
I was shaking my head before the words were even fully out of his mouth.
“No. I’m done playing the gods’ games.” My voice was a harsh whip in the quiet night, and I felt rather than saw Kaos raise his eyebrows.
“Is that so? What happened, Rohak d’Alvey? You were once so . . . pious.” The teasing lilt to his tone had fire racing in my veins, and I reached for magic that I knew wasn’t there.
Nearly a year later, and I’m still reaching for my magic.
“Not anymore,” I said, turning back to Balios.
“Come now, you haven’t even heard what my request entails.”
My hand froze on Balios’ nose, and I clenched my jaw in irritation.
“Nothing you have to say would interest me in helping the gods.”
“Hmm, pity,” he said, that telltale pressure returning once more as his voice began to fade. “It had to do with your Rune Master . . .”
“WAIT!” I yelled, whirling in place so my cloak whipped Balios in the chest. My hand was outstretched and eyes wild as I searched for the god that just disappeared into the night. “No! I take it back!”
I was panicked, calling for a god who could no longer hear me as I thought about the potential danger that awaited Faylinn.
She needs me.
The Bond thrashed wildly in my chest as my heart threatened to beat through my throat as I scanned the dark stables for the even darker god.
“I thought so,” he said straight into my ear. I hollered as I jumped straight in the air, scrambling backward until my back hit the wall of Balios’ stable.
My heart thumped so loud I could hear it.
“What thefuck?” I screamed as Kaos chuckled.
“What’s the point of being a god that can walk through realms if I can’t have abit of fun every now and then?” he practically pouted, and I blinked incredulously at him.
“Fun? That wasfun?”
Kaos waved away my question with one extremely large hand.
“Not important. You accept, then?” the god asked, seriousness returning to both his tone and posture.
“I—I, yes. If it has to do with Faylinn, then yes,” I stuttered, utterly bewildered at the turn of events.
