If their bloodline died out, Apollymi could rise up and strike down the primal gods to exact her revenge on them for what they’d done to her and her husband. It was something they’d all been trying to avoid since the dawn of time.
Damn his sister for her bitchy ways. But that pact had enabled him to save the life of his own grandson, so he couldn’t really complain.
Yet one corner of Cam’s crimson lips lifted into an evil, quirky grin. “Adarian has a son … or it might even be his brother. The point is, there is another Malachai.”
Jaden shook his head. It wasn’t possible. If anyone else had that kind of malevolent power, they’d all know it. “How? Who?”
“He lives as a cursed god. Deprived of his emotions by Zeus.”
He froze for a moment to digest her words. “You’re serious?”
“Indeed.” She smiled widely with that. “So you see, we can kill Adarian and not break our pact. He has a replacement.”
Aye, but there was still one not-so-small problem.
“The last god who went up against Adarian was swallowed whole.”
“Then I suggest you pick one you don’t like.” Patting him on the cheek, she wrinkled her nose and vanished.
Jaden growled low in his throat. “You’re a menace, Cam.”
Menyara, she whispered in the air around him.
Whatever she wanted to call herself, it changed naught. This was a fool’s quest they were about.
Although …
His gaze shifted down to Nibo’s cup. If anyone stood a chance to stop Adarian, Nibo might work.
After all, raising the dead was what the psychopomp did best.
We’re doomed.
Ignoring the echoing sound of reason in his head, Jaden went for the door. Either to fetch Nibo or run for the hills.
He still wasn’t completely sure which course was the wisest.
Valynda paced the small cell where she and Marcelina had been tossed. And with every step, her fury mounted. Not just because their enemies had violently seized them from theSea Witch IIthat was part of Marcelina’s Deruvian body, and brought them into this dark, dismal hell against their wills, but because … well, Mara was just so damned tranquil about it.
As crazy as it sounded, that made her feel betrayed.
She paused in her pacing to glare at the taller woman. “Why aren’t you angry?”
Mara lifted her amber gaze to arch a perfect brow. Her white-blond hair shimmered in the darkness. As did her unblemished, porcelain skin. That combination made her appear like some elfin queen holding court. The woman was absolutely flawless in composure. Not that Valynda should be surprised, given that Marcelina was born to the fey Deruvian race. They were known for their poise, grace, and beauty. It rather went with the fact that the Deruvians were a unique tree species that were able to bond with wood and become any wooden object. Therefore, Mara sat all stiff and so elegant.
Rigid. And it was starting to seriously piss her off.
“Anger would be counterproductive.” Mara gently smoothed her lace cuff.
Valynda glared at her. “As one motivated by its fiery force, I completely disagree. It gives me clarity.”
“Your clarity gives me agita.”
In spite of their dire situation, Valynda laughed at her dry tone that caught her off guard. As did the rat that started chewing on the straw that made up her right leg. Growling, she shooed her skirts at the furry little beast. “Off with you! Find something else for your nest!”
She turned to catch the sadness in Mara’s eyes as she watched her. Dropping her skirts, Valynda felt the twinge of pain that would have once been in her chest. Only she didn’t have a chest anymore. Just a hollowed-out husk of braided straw, thanks to the curse that had been laid upon her by a hate-filled rogering bastabule with nothing better to do than ruin her life for no apparent reason, other than he was a rank arseling.
I’m repugnant.
