Anger flares through me, seeing through her games.
The only thing Need is sad about is losing access to more power.
“Let us return to peace. Spirits will be returned to their rightful owners, and the Underworld will be given a seat on the Council,” she states, turning to look at Hades.
He narrows his eyes at her from where he stands before his army of undead.
She gives him a forced smile before continuing, “Queen Rosenthal,” she stiffens even further at using the title, “you will, of course, be given your mother’s seat on the Council. Ragna, you will be given a fair trial to determine whether you are fit to rule the Beast Realm.” She nods at each of them before finally turning to me.
“And if Vivian agrees to having her powers drained, then we will spare the Mortal and Shadow Realms, despite their treason,” she pauses to give me a victorious smile, “Now, if I’m not mistaken, Vivian, you were elected interim Council leader. As such, you must be the one to accept or reject the truce. So, what will it be? Will you save your friends? Or are you sopower-hungry that you would send millions to their deaths?”
She holds out her hands, waiting for the agreement she’s certain I’ll give. And for a heartbeat, I feel the weight of guilt that she’s using to force my hand.
It’s the same trap she’s laid, over and over – and every time, I’ve immediately folded.
A deep and consuming loathing fills me as I glare at the woman who has manipulated me from day one – the woman who orchestrated the enslavement of millions of spirits and committed countless atrocities against the living.
I suck in a slow, measured breath as I turn to look at Sin, still standing by my side.
But it’s not Sin, not really.
It’s his ghost.
Theykilledhim.
A searing heat crackles through my veins.
Sin isdeadbecause of them.
More of my Creator and Reaper energies combine, but rather than pulsing off my body in random bursts, I draw them inward and hold them there, welcoming the burn. The pain sharpens my focus, and I wrench open the wells of power, letting them spill without restraint.
A lavender haze starts to form over the field.
The skies darken as dark purple clouds build overhead, occasionally illuminated by electric charges that thread through them. Shadows fall over the field, and the fine hairs along my arms lift, pulled by the static in the air.
Somewhere in the distance, Hades yells to retreat. Rosie’s voice cuts through the chaos as well, orderingthe fae army to bring the shifters with them. Thousands of figures start to blink out of sight, while others vanish into black, shadowy holes that open over the ground.
Their commotion fades to background noise.
All I can see are the two figures before me, and the ghost at my side.
“Leon,” Need drawls, sounding beyond bored as she takes in the storm, “I do believe this little light show has gone on long enough. Stop her power and incapacitate her.”
Leon grins. “Gladly.”
My breathing grows more ragged as he approaches, but I don’t say a word.
Every scrap of my attention is focused on holding the power inside me for just a little longer.
His tattoos glow a brilliant blue, but he doesn’t attack right away. “You know, when they remove your powers, I’m going to keep you, anyway. You’ll be my little pet, chained to my bed, and exist solely for my pleasure.”
I smile, and Leon tilts his head, surprise flickering across his face. It’s only there for a second before it’s replaced by hunger.
“You look excited,” he murmurs. “Are you finally ready to accept that I own you? Because that’s what you are – mine.” His pupils dilate like he’s already aroused and thinking about it.
“Ready, kitten?”Sin asks in my mind with a growl.
“Ready,”I answer.
