Honestly, when Derivius confirmed that he and his counterparts get together around a table to chat, I figured that’s the sort of layout we’d be walking into.
Of course it isn’t.
The room is formed in a grand semicircle, and the Beginning Gods’ seats ascend in a deliberate tier. Below them and their wall of judgment, a single podium sits in the center.
It’s very clear that’s where you stand to receive your reckoning.
Amick’s—and whoever else of us has to speak—our voice will carry upward, while their verdict comes down.
Derivius holds his hand out to stop Creed, Kyzen, Riven, myself, Yemi, and Nero, then he rests it on Amick’s shoulder. He guides him to the podium, then in a blink, he starshoots to one of the seats above us.
The silence has me picking at my cuticles and gritting my teeth as I peel a piece of the skin on one too far back. I let the pain ground me as we wait for the others to arrive.
This game of anticipation has every nasty scenario I can come up with blaring through my mind. My body is coiled, waiting for them to pounce on us at any given second.
“Son.”
I hold back my flinch at the unfamiliar voice behind me. Creed’s scowl deepens as he pivots his body.
“Father. What are you doing here?”
My eyes widen, but I keep them firmly on Amick’s back.
“I’ll ask you the same.”
“My presence was requested.”
“You must be mistaken. I received a decree from the Beginning Gods asking specifically for me.”
“The sons requested my presence.”
“And you accepted? Without consulting me?”
“I did.”
The conviction in Nero’s tone takes me by more surprise than his father’s sudden appearance. My narrowed gaze flicks to Derivius, but he genuinely looks as shocked as I am.
“Mr. Valadi, who signed your decree?” Derivius asks.
Nero’s father steps past us and bows. “The Goddess of Accord, sir.”
“Of course she did,” Riven grumbles, and Kyzen immediately leans into him.
“Very well. Given the Valadi family’s reputation, I have great confidence that the two of you can remain impartial although you find yourselves on opposing sides today.”
“Absolutely. I do apologize for our miscommunication.”
“No apology necessary. Amick has as much of a right to a Mediator as we do.”
Mr. Valadi bows to Derivius once again before making his way to the stairs that lead up to the Beginning Gods tier. I don’t miss the look of disappointment he gives Nero before he fixes his face.
Fuck…I’m sure that’s not good.
Light flares through the room and ice runs through my blood as Yemi fails to hold in her gasp. My men straighten their spines as the room falls deadly silent.
From left to right, the God of Obliteration, the Goddess of Seduction, the Goddess of Accord, and the Goddess of Creation stand, staring down at us before taking their seats.
How can I identify the Goddesses I’ve never met?
