Sin looks at my shattered expression and steps in front of me protectively. “Then we’ll kill him, kitten. We’ll kill him, and you’ll be free.”
I think of the armies likely headed to the Shadow Realm already, just to get me back. There’s no way the Council will make it easy to kill Leon.
I sidestep him, frowning at the man in the wall. “What if I die?”
Sin’s breathing stops, and he whirls on me, but I ignore him. I need this answer.
The man in the wall smiles like he’s impressed. “Very clever. With your Reaper and Creator energies, you probably won’t die for good. Ending your mortal life would likely sever the Keeper bond and allow the Creator energy to fully take hold. It’s struggling now, fighting against your other energies, looking for the proper place to take root.”
Sin growls next to me, “Probablyisn’t good enough. We don’t know that you’ll come back if you die.”
I hum, thinking through the dark god’s words.
Sin takes my chin, ensuring he has my full attention. “Tell me you aren’t considering it. Don’t you dare tell me you’re thinking of gambling on your life.”
His expression is devastated, and it kills me that I’m causing him pain. “It’s my freedom,” I answer honestly.
Sin lets me go and paces away, running his hands through his hair.
“Are you quite certain of your relationship with the Destroyer? Once I reclaim my realm, I’ll be needing a queen,” the man in the wall drawls out. “You’re more powerful than anything I’ve seen outside of the God Realm, Vivian, and you’d make a lovely goddess.”
I blink at his proposition and pretend I don’t hear Sin’s muttered cuss.
“I’m flattered, but yes, I’m certain of him,” I answer, hoping to not offend a literal god.
Sin’s mutters stop.
The knowing look on the man in the wall’s face makes me think he already knew my answer. “Verywell. Allies then? Send me more souls, Reaper, and I will aid you in bringing down the Council.”
“Allies,” I agree. “So, what should I call you then if you have so many names?”
He looks thoughtful for a moment, throwing an amused look at Sin before answering, “Go ahead and call me Hades. It seems the immortals have forgotten that which made them.”
I smile. If there was ever a moment when being part-way through a history degree had real-life applications, this is it.
More proof that a history degree can work as more than an expensive decoration in your house!
“Well, now that we’ve settled things, I suggest you both take your leave,” Hades says, dismissing us. “The guards you evaded earlier are on their way down here. Might I suggest you find a place to shelter and then take the East exit? It will be less painful for the Destroyer.”
Sin and I exchange glances, and he nods.
East it is!
I turn to Hades. “Thank you for the information. And you’re certain that Sin’s powers will return in a few hours?”
Hades smiles, and this time, it holds warmth. “It has been a pleasure, Vivian. And yes, I assure you, he’ll be as good as new in another six or seven hours.”
I blanch. That’s a long time to wait in a hostile realm.
Sin takes my hand. “Time to go, kitten,” he says, his tone gentle.
I nod, waving at Hades. “I’ll see you when you loosen up a bit more.”
The god of death cackles as we close the door behind us.
Sin and I have no time to process everything we’ve just learned because as soon as we hear the lock click into place, we hear guards coming our way.
Chapter 39
