My fingers twitched, energy flowing to their tips in reaction to Seth bending Aaron to his will. Hieroglyphs swarmed angrily around me.
Seth was the only one standing in the ballroom apart from me, and his eyes darted about, noting how the rest had bowed in deference. Aaron was caught half bent over, but his eyes flashed hatefully at Seth.
I tilted my head at Seth in a silent challenge. With the entire ballroom showing me respect and obedience, he had a choice to make.
Many in the room who bowed may not actually share the respect Bianca had exemplified, but they stayed in line to keep in favor. Would Seth do the same? Or openly challenge me?
With great reluctance, Seth finally bent over, a grimace plastered on his face. Aaron gasped as he was suddenly released from Seth’s invisible hold so he could complete his own bow.
Realizing this moment was one to take advantage of, I gathered my power to my fingertips, flooding them before throwing out my arms. Ribbons of glowing hieroglyphs sprayed out from my hands, extending to gently tap each god or goddess on the shoulder in acknowledgement before they swirled upward. After receiving my touch, everyone rose to watch the churning swirl of my magic weave between the floating planets in a web that showered sparks.
Closing my eyes, I considered pulling the power of souls I reaped to further show my power. I decided against it, instead allowing my power to fade and rest.
I opened my eyes, and after a beat of stillness, the entire ballroom resumed motion and the dull roar of conversation.
Seth simply curled his lip at me before turning and walking away, presumably to get another drink and lick his wounded pride.
Aaron stared at me with such open wonder and lust that heat curled in my stomach before dropping lower.
He jerked, his chain yanked by Seth to come along. The sensual heat I felt twisted and sharpened to the point of a knife, piercing my heart as I watched Aaron disappear into the throng.
A hand on my shoulder drew my attention to Fallon.
“Well done,” he said with a nod of approval.
“Verywell done,” Xander added with a smirk.
Bianca simply clasped her hands together with a sweet, delighted smile.
“Well, is this a party or not?” Miranda asked sharply. “Where are the snacks? Where is the dancing?”
“Right away, my love,” Xander said, kissing the back of her hand before guiding her through the crowd toward the tiered displays of crystallized fruits and carved meats.
“You’re doing so well,” Bianca said quietly with a pleased smile before it faltered. “But the night is far from over.” Her irises disappeared behind a white film as if she were seeing a vision. “Too many doubt. They do not think you are powerful enough.” The white faded away. Her eyes returned to normal as her brows knitted in concern.
“You need to find your power,” she said, gently touching my lapel, right over my heart.
I nodded, my throat suddenly thick.
As I parted ways with them, Fallon leading Bianca by the arm, I knew she was right. But it was hard to logically think how I’d find my power when all I wanted to do was turn over everything I was to the collared, indentured man bonded to my nemesis.
But I had to put Aaron aside and do what I came here to do.
Show the others I was in every respect, the God of the Dead.
10
AARON
Seth was angry. Even as he smiled and schmoozed the room, I could feel it coursing in my veins, a pulsating poison through our blood-bond. Occasionally, I’d catch an angry mutter about Bianca or humans before he once again donned his charming persona. And here I was, stuck at his side. His dog.
My instructions were to just stand by and look pretty. He said I made him look good, though I had a suspicion Seth had an ulterior motive in showing me off. Not that he’d tell me.
While I had no problem showing up as a wingman or plus one to help a friend at the occasional wedding or night out, this was nothing like that. I was unmistakably Seth’s pet. The same as the reaper dog I now saw at Timothy’s side most days. Though I had a sneaking suspicion that the reaper dog was allowed far more dignity and agency than I was.
As if on cue, the creature trotted by, and I couldn’t help but look at him with jealous longing, which really hit home how messed up my life had become.
The dog paused its canter to swing its head up and meet my gaze. I was struck by the strong sense this creature possessed a great deal of intelligence, calm, and maturity.
