We climb a peak, and the land below reveals a horrific scene. Damned souls nailed to crosses, impaled by spears, and hung from nooses line our path. Whimpers of pain and pleas for mercy have Natia fisting her hands. “This is their punishment?”
“No, this is Zeus exerting his power. He’s a twisted prick,” Lucifer answers.
“Should we get them down?” Natia asks, glancing up at a man squirming on a pole. The nails in his palms weep blood, which splashes onto the barren floor and sinks beneath the dry land in a macabre offering.
“No, we don’t have time. I will send some people back to take care of them.”
The next mile is walked in silence. Nathan darts looks at Natia, then me, like he’s trying to figure something out. Whatever he knows, it won’t be shared with us.
The truth circle comes into view. A series of large rocks form a rough circle, crude runes etched into them glowing blue with power as we approach.
“I hope you are ready,” Lucifer utters.
Natia squares her shoulders and stares off into the distance. For a woman that wears her heart on her sleeve, she’s keeping a lot of secrets and I prepare myself for the worst. There’s a niggling doubt that she hasn’t truly forgiven me.
“Hold hands and form a circle,” Lucifer instructs as he clasps Natia’s. I take her other side and the rest of the group follows until we are connected.
“You want to start?” Lucifer asks Natia.
She shakes her head. “You first, I’ll go last.”
Lucifer’s jaw ticks. It doesn’t escape my notice that he doesn’t have to partake in this ritual. This is his playground. He can go wherever he wants. But he’s committed to putting himself through the same torture as the rest of us. My brother is learning what friendship is. Opportunities to form these bonds have presented themselves over the years, but he’s never cared to put the effort in—until now—until Natia.
“I am exhausted,” he starts. “Hell has sucked the life from my soul and I no longer want the weight of responsibility. Hell is a lonely place and being surrounded by the damned eats at my heart. I forgot I had one until Natia came along. Then I tasted the love she offers, and I saw the color she brings into my life. I want more, I deserve more. My debt is long paid for. It’s someone else’s turn to control the evil in this world.”
Silence rings through the circle before the runes flare with power, accepting his truth.
Zee grimaces before he sets his shoulders back. “I have resigned from the SIP.” Natia sucks in a breath. “They paint a black and white world I can no longer fight in, and the shit I’ve seen can’t be undone.” He looks around the circle, each of us connected by more than just our hands. “I have outgrown their narrow views and no longer feel at home with them. I have found my people.” The runes flare brightly again.
Zac glances at Natia. “I hate Pandora.”
Natia rolls her eyes. “Hardly a secret, Zacy.”
His eyes tighten. “But I’ve never told you why. She was a selfish, sanctimonious bitch who wallowed in self-pity. Power brimmed at her fingertips, she had the means to control any god she wanted to. Instead, she hid behind guilt and let the world go to shit. My father waged a war, and she just sat back and let it happen.”
Natia blinks at him. It’s news to her, but not all of us. I glance at him, wondering where he is going with this. He thins his lips. “But the truth is, you are nothing like her. When the storm descends, you draw your sword and match it with your will alone. I am in awe of your determination and strength. If I was a betting man, I would put every dollar I own on you beating Zeus. You are the perfect match for Archan. You’ve passed every test and smashed every barrier. I would be proud to call you my sister.”
The runes glow once more, accepting his truth as Natia stares at him open-mouthed. Zac may not have spoken this aloud before, but his actions have demonstrated his feelings towards her for a while now.
Duncan swallows as he looks around for somewhere to hide. “I am terrified of what I’ve become. The power inside of me feels tainted, oily—evil. It comes from a place of sin and clings to my soul. The souls I ate are pushing against my own. I feel the pull of Greed, the weight of the damned, and the crush of immortality.” He pins Natia with his gaze. “I know why you did what you did, and I thought I could forgive you but I don’t have it in me.”
Natia lurches forward as the runes hum in power. Myself and Lucifer grip her tighter. “Don’t break the circle,” Lucifer warns.
Natia shakes her head as tears stream down her face. “I’m sorry.”
Duncan nods. “I know, Locks, but your remorse doesn’t ease the weight of what you have done to me.” He glances at Marsha next to him. “Your turn.”
She stares into Duncan’s eyes like they hold all the answers. “I’m in love,” she starts. “With Duncan.” The runes stay silent, awaiting the big revelation. She arches her brow. “What does it want? I have never told anyone that before.”
Lucifer sighs. “It wants something we don’t already know. Just because you haven’t spoken the words aloud doesn’t mean we haven’t all noticed how you look at him.”
Marsha’s eyes collide with Natia’s. Natia shakes her head. “No.”
I tense. Here it comes, spilled from Marsha’s lips, not Natia’s. “I’m sorry. I have to give them something,” Marsha states. “Natia’s blood, when ingested, won’t control her. It will allow her to control whoever ingested it.”
Stunned silence stretches around us like an elastic band. “Does Zeus know this?” Zac asks.
Marsha shakes her head. “No, only myself, Natia, and The Duchess.”
