“In her honor, we left her throne empty. Her steward carried on her duties as my dear mother would have wished.” Her head tilted to the other side. “But they have failed you of late.”
Someone new joined her on the stage—a nobleman in golden armor under an embroidered toga. My heart skipped a beat when I took in his choppy silver hair and matching eyes.
Icelus. His wretched piano notes hummed in my memories.
“Traitors hide among you,” Eris continued.
My eyes flashed around the crowd, waiting for Seraphim to move.
“Threatening our peaceful way of life. Threatening to upend everything you have labored for,” the lady said. “My father has appointed me to inherit Ma’at’s throne. To restore order to her beloved home.”
Sothatwas why Haimyx had been in the city.
“Perhaps you have heard the whispers.” Eris’ eyes drifted across the crowd. “The traitors seek the death of the gods. They would strip our blessings, our protections from you, for they understand little of the consequences. Life would drain for the very soul. Famine would strike. War would rage anew. But they would happily pay for their ‘freedom’ with the blood of your children.”
There. Seraphim slipped to the front of the crowd, the barest hint of a spark held between her fingers.
“But we will protect you,” Eris promised earnestly. “As we always have. From strife. Fromsuffering.”
A plume of smoke shot toward the sky. One of the ebony knights jerked forward as a flaming scythe spun around him and pierced through his throat. Blood streamed down his chest plate, a match for the scarlet cloak he wore.
Seraphim’s scythe vanished, and her smoke spread, covering both sides of the platform—perfect.
Raising my voice, I pointed my head down and shouted. “These so-called ‘gods’ have betrayed Lady Ma’at!”
Chaos broke out. Many in the crowd rose in a panic as the remaining knights drew their weapons. Others threw themselves back to the ground, afraid to rise in the presence of a goddess.
Two knights spun in my direction while the rest charged toward Seraphim. I remained kneeling, hoping they’d overlook me in their search.
Someone in front of me shot to their feet, intending to run. A woman, tall with light hair. Noticing the sudden movement, the Hades Knights locked eyes on her and pointed.
“Seize her!” The taller knight barked.
His comrade drew his glaive, but the taller man grabbed his arm, pushing the weapon down.
“What are you doing?” the shorter knight hissed, trying to pull his weapon out of the other man’s grip.
Phaedrus’ doing. They’d found a culprit—the wrong one—and we could slip away unseen.
Time to go. Rising, I searched for Eris across the chaotic square. Several knights flanked her closely, escorting her from the danger.
Someone slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. Dazed, I held my arms above my head as people stampeded past, fleeing. A pair of boots connected with my ribs as a man nearly trampled me.
Phaedrus grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. “Are you alright?”
Blinking the smog from my eyes, I stared up at the red-haired noble in surprise. “Fine,” I said.
All I could see in every direction was bodies and smoke. Locking eyes on the pillars rising above the rooftops, I took a step toward them.
A horrible shriek pierced the air. I froze. While the two Hades Knights wrestled with one another, Lord Icelus pushed through the crowd and seized the arm of the fair-haired woman they’d targeted.
“Let’s go,” Phaedrus ordered, pulling me away.
“But they’ll kill her,” I protested.
“Yes, that’s the point,” he whispered harshly. “Soweget away.”
Setting my jaw, I ripped from his grip. “The old you would have gone back for her.” Turning on my heel, I ran to her side.
