A hiss sounded behind her.
“You’re late,” she muttered without looking over her shoulder.
He appeared at her side, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. “Nice to see you too.”
His attire was more modern than what she was used to—a crewneck t-shirt and open black jacket with cargo pants and combat boots. His dark hair was covered by a baseball cap, his frosted tips curling into his eyes. While gods and goddesses were immortal, they tended to evolve with the times, let the zeitgeist shape them.
Marina’s gaze lingered on the mask concealing the bottom portion of his face. She hated how Acacius popped into her mind and all the times she’d stared at his animalistic skull mask, attempting to burn holes through the bone to see his appearance.
Soren stared at her, a smug glimmer gracing his eyes. “Nina, is it?” He playfully flicked the ends of her blonde hair. “You look dazzling, as always.”
The name plucked at her nostalgia. It was given to her by Viviana, the first time they disguised themselves as mortals with Mansi to enter the village of Tenebris. Mansi went by Genevieve, and Viviana was Aurora. Back when Soren and Viviana were in a lopsided relationship, he’d meet them in theirmortal alter egosall the time.
Marina pulled at the beanie over her hair, making sure it covered her forehead. “Stop flirting and get to the point.”
“You’d think I’d get a better greeting for helping out a friend.” He crossed his arm and tipped his frame, lightly caressing her skin with his fingers.
Tempted to punch him off the building and into the busy street below, she squeezed her fist at her side. It would only prolong him from updating her, even if she could savor his panicked face.
She pinned him back with a sharp look. “When have you ever known me to hand out a warm greeting?”
“Always a viper.” Soren chuckled, shaking his head.
“I am about to fucking bite if you don’t tell me?—”
“The Heraldic Olethros are in Hollow City.”
Marina’s blood drained from her face.
Shit.
She massaged her temples.
What was Acacius’s plan? He was a part of the Council. Would he directly harm Ash? Surely not, given he was already on thin ice with his siblings for what he’d pulled with Ruelle.
But then again, he was also insane and ran off the flare of emotions.
Marina dug the tips of her fingers deeper into her temples.
The High God’s unpredictability would be the death of her.
She grumbled and dropped her arm, looking at Soren. “Tell me everything.”
He peered out at the crimson overcast and exhaled. “Each day, the crime rate escalates on the magical side. It always fluctuates, but never like this. It’s exponential growth, ever rising toward insanity.”
“Have you come across the Blood Heretics?”
“Yes. They are more perceptive than I’d hoped, making it difficult for me to move about freely without the risk of getting caught.” He glanced at her, the playfulness in his gaze replaced with gravitas. “The Chaos is attracting foreign witches, and they are slowly infiltrating the city. Ash is their target. I presume they have been chosen by deities who wish the child dead, but Acacius’s influence is only elevating their bloodlust.”
Marina’s pulse flickered with dread. “Body count?”
“I’ve assassinated three before the Blood Heretics made note of their presence—and absence. Their deaths will surely cause even more unrest among those who sent them.”
Marina’s stomach twisted. She had been right to hire Soren. Her faith in mortals was low, no matter how strong Ronin and his Blood Heretics were. Ash’s life was not to be gambled with.
Her only mistake was assuming that she’d done enough to divert Acacius’s attention. If she didn’t try harder, Ash would surely end up in the jaws of his Ruin.
“This is how his divine power works.” She pressed her thumb against her curling lips. “Like a contagion, it slips underneath the skin and multiplies, building until the brain only has one action left: destroy.”
