Archan’s face tightens. “In and out, Lucifer, if she’s not willing to give you Natia’s blood, make it known I consider it an act of war against my future wife and therefore me.”
“You are very confident in our future,” I mutter.
Lucifer gives him a sharp nod and the world twists. Zee’s mouth pops open as he experiences teleporting god style. We arrive on the cloud-formed ground, the little cherub with an attitude launching himself down the steps with a crossbow aimed at us.
My hand twitches, and I fight my instinct to grab the blade attached to my left thigh. The last time we were here, I was dressed to the nines. This time I’m dressed to kill—literally.
John’s baby face relaxes when he spots who it is. He sinks into a deep bow, his gaze darting to me with a frown. “Sire, mistress, welcome back.”
I arch a brow and glance at Lucifer as we stride past him and jog up the steps. “Your goddess is showing,” Lucifer mumbles.
I bristle. “It’s not like I can help who I am,” I mumble.
“Nope, you are rocking powerful goddess vibes right now, tone it down or you’ll scare everyone off.”
I take a deep breath and try to center myself. “Better?” I check.
Lucifer shakes his head as we cross the empty room, the previously busy crystal pool now reflecting the ceiling like a mirror. “Where is everyone?”
“Hiding out somewhere, the ramifications of the breach will have been felt across the universe. Even your Earth will have an unusual amount of earthquakes and high tides, possibly tsunamis.”
I glance at Zee, whose silence echoes his shock at being in Olympus. I warned him, but nothing could prepare him for the reality.
“You okay there, big guy?”
He blinks and slams his mouth closed, his stride not faltering as we round the corner into Lysa’s room. I brace myself for the clogging smoke, but the room is as clear as the water in the pool, the Queen of Poisons perched alone on her throne, her gold dress showing more than it covers. Her lips tilt as she scans our trio.
“Ah, I wondered how long it would take the newest goddess to come knocking at my door.” She takes in Zee with hungry eyes. “And I see you’ve brought me a tasty morsel.”
“Didn’t take you for an Ursula fan,” I mutter.
We come to a stop in front of her, Lucifer tensing as she looks me over. “I think I prefer you like this, baby goddess.” She runs her hand through the air. “Leather and weapons seem more your style than silk and heels.”
“We are here to retrieve Natia’s blood,” Lucifer states.
Lysa’s smile drops. “In return for what?”
“My gratitude,” I try, thinking it’s best to leave the threats until we need them. “I am aware of the power it holds over me, and I am sure you have felt the oncoming war. We would count it as a show of good faith to us and therefore the winning side.”
She leans back on her throne. “What makes you think you are the winning side?” she asks.
I park my hands on my hips. “I have four primordials and multiple powerful friends at my back.”
“Maybe, but that won’t matter because what’s coming for you, for the world, will destroy everything in their path. It took an army to put these beasts one by one into their prison; they’ve had eons of time to plot how they, as an army united, will obliterate the world. Hell, Heaven, the mortal world. Nowhere is safe.”
I grit my teeth. “Then give me my blood so it’s one less thing dividing my attention.”
She shakes her head. “I cannot do that, Pandora.”
“Why not?” Zee hollers.
She studies him like an insect under a microscope. “Because I no longer have it.”
I reel back. Lucifer spits out some colorful curses. “Then who does?” I ask.
“The winning side, of course. When The Duchess comes knocking at your door, you don’t refuse the widow of the King of Monsters.”
My brain joins up the dots. “Ty had a wife?”
