It’s still ripping my chest apart.
I thrash my head from side to side as I try to grip reality, but it continues to flee me. My chest heaves, and my grunt transforms into a throaty shriek that erupts from my mouth as I bash my sword into another enemy.
My anguish grows louder, more desperate each time I swing the steel of death down on his already lifeless body.
“So, not only can you bring my sons to their knees, but your influence stretches into my army as well. Fascinating. You are truly remarkable, Thayla Godrun.”
I whip toward that voice that carries over all the mayhem.
There’s no controlling my breathing as I stare at the pleased smirk spread across the God of Obliteration’s lips.
My entire body vibrates with the desire to kill him where he stands.
“Give Riven back. Now.”
He tsks and laces his hands behind his back. The small step he takes toward me isn’t enough to make me step back, but I ready my body for whatever he may do.
“We both know I won’t be doing that, but you may join me. Us. Come with me, and I’ll give you all the access to my son that you wish.”
My eyes bounce from his outstretched hand to his victorious features. The fact that he believes he’s convinced me already has me seeing red.
“I won’t be doing that. Myself and…your sonswill destroy you and this wasteland you’ve created.”
His eyes narrow, and his power swells.
As does mine.
“Wrong choice.”
A war cry rings from my lips as my name rips from three throats behind me, but I’m already charging. My feet are swallowing the small distance between us.
His black whip of power lashes from his outstretched hand, and I swing my sword.
Both collide with an unseen force that vibrates through my arm.
The air ripples like waves between us, sending all the bodies within a twenty-foot radius of us scattering.
The mere-foot gap between us isn’t clear. It’s disorienting, blurry for a moment until the ripple-effect calms, then power pulses between us.
Kirabaddon’s eyebrows draw down low as he raises his palm, and my shoulders tense, waiting for his reaction.
I didn’t expect his eyes to flare wide when the momentum of his hand is halted.
Curiosity gets the best of me. It races down my spine, encouraging me on, and I mimic his gesture.
Unlike him, my hand passes through this barrier. The desire to stretch my arm a little farther and wrap my fingers around his throat has heat flaring down my back.
“Val,” he murmurs, tilting his head toward the sky.
The ground beneath my feet trembles from his power. The longer he sits with his head craned back, the madder he gets.
It’d be easy to slit his throat right now.
That’s exactly what I should do.
He drags his gaze back to mine, and despite the glare of death I’m giving him, I swallow subtly at the pure, unfiltered rage on his face. It’s gone in less than a second, and the smile that replaces the look has my stomach filling with wings and unease.
“It seems he’s finally picked a side. I look forward to our next encounter, Thayla Godrun. I’ll give my son your regards.”
