Ten
Cyrus
The way she moved was fucking incredible. Graceful. Nothing like her sister, who had just fallen off the bed and was currently being helped back up by Aros. Willa was unique in her energy, the chaotic nature of it like no other. But Emmy … she held me captivated.
My head shot around when someone addressed me, and I realised that I’d been completely focused on my female and hadn’t heard a word.
“What?” I snapped at Coen, who was standing right in front of me.
He shot me an amused stare, not at all intimidated by the pissed off vibe I was currently rocking. He should have been at least a little cautious. I mean, I was here right now and not inside of Emmy, so I wasn’t exactly in the best mood.
“I said, what are we going to do about the servers? Can we figure out if this is a direct attack from Staviti … or maybe there’s something deeper going on?”
“Deeper like…?” I pressed, wondering if he was thinking the same thing as me.
“Like Topia has finally had enough of the bastards destroying this world, and the ancient energy here is fighting back,” Siret drawled from where he was sprawled across the end of the bed.
An unfamiliar, and not at all welcomed emotion started to make itself known deep in my chest. My eyes went to Emmy again, and I almost lost focus when I realised that she was looking at me. Not just looking, but devouring me with her gaze. There was so much heat there that for a moment, I completely forgot what we were talking about again.
She was going to be the death of me.
Mine. The thought rang clearly in my head, and I quickly glanced away before I could read her reaction to it. I knew that she would have heard it, but I didn’t want to scare her off with the knowledge that we were now unequivocally tied—bound by a power that was beyond us. Bound by the simple flick of fate that we were each other’s perfect equal, and we had found each other. There might have been an even chance of me finding another that could have been my perfect equal, but I foundher. And now it would be only her. For both of our eternities.
That thought didn’t scare me as much as it should have, but I knew better than to think it wouldn’t frighten her.
“If Topia is the one corrupting those animated with their ancient energy, then we really should check the panteras,” I murmured, almost as an afterthought as I realised that Coen was still waiting for a response.
And if we went to the panteras, and found that they were acting out of character, then everyone should be afraid. Because I was created from the deep magic of Topia. The oldest of energies, and if they lost control of me … if I lost control of myself …
All hell would break loose.
Emmy was off the bed and at my side in an instant. “I want to see them,” she said, without preamble. “I’ve been dreaming about meeting them ever since Willa first told me of them.”
“I’m going as well,” Willa declared, jumping up to stand beside her sister. “I’m sick of being trapped in here. I’ll go crazy. I’ll do it. Don’t think I won’t!”
No one doubted that; Willa was halfway there already. When she pressed closer to Emmy, I realised that the two of them actually looked like blood relatives. Willa was a little more petite, her features somehow cute and beautiful at the same time. Emmy was beautiful and refined, the arch of her eyebrows defined, the cut of her cheekbones sharp.
Stunning.
I was too fucking distracted to be dealing with end-of-the-worlds dramas.
“If we’re going to do this, we should leave straight away,” I said, resigned. I needed to know more than anyone. “And if you two insist on coming as well, despite the fact that this might be a dangerous mission, then I insist that at least three of Abil’s sons get their asses there as well, because I’m not taking responsibility for Willa.”
Rome scoffed, lifting himself up from where he was propped against a wall. “Firstly, Willa can take care of herself. Don’t underestimate her. Secondly, of course we’ll be there. Why the hell would you think we wouldn’t be?”
“Good morning!” A cheery, sickly sweet voice intoned from the doorway. “Look at my place, filled with so many lovely gods.” Pica dragged the word lovely out, because she loved it so much.
“Because of that,” I muttered. “Someone has to distract the crazy bitch.”
The five of Abil’s sons exchanged a glance, and I could see that they were trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation. I enjoyed watching those blessed bastards sweat a little, so I just reached out and pulled Emmy into my side, stepping us away from Willa and her guys.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, pressing her curves into me. I fought back the urge to just disappear us back to my house.
“Watching the show,” I returned, giving her a wink.
She tilted her lips in a slow smile, and I almost kissed her. Right there. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that if I kissed her, I would then need to find the closest soft surface.
“What’s happening in here, Willy, my little love boo,” Pica chirped, dancing closer. She appeared to be dusting the walls, even though she had a block of soap in her hand. It scraped across the furniture as she glided it over the edges. “You’re not planning on leaving me, are you? Because that would be very dangerous.”
