His excitement dipped slightly. “Er, well, that may be an issue. It resides in Caelum, in a locked Realm only accessible if you, A.have access to the Realm and B. know what number door to look for. That’s something only she would know.”
“Hmm, I see…” I gazed into the fire in the stove, which roared as it consumed a new log Ambermourn had put inside. “We’ll need to think of something to use against her. She’s not going to give it to us over just anything.” I turned and patted his hair gently. “I need you to scout out and see what you can find. I will work on rebuilding what I can, so we are set and ready to do this.”
“That will be difficult. I’m pretty high on the shitlist at Valyce right now,” he grumbled, but the look on my face made him clear his throat. “I know a trick or two, so I can probably wiggle my way in there. I won’t be able to guarantee access to Seraphine, though. She’ll sniff out my shenanigans instantly.”
“She’s surrounded by many people who she deems close confidants. Someone is going to inevitably saysomethingthat will help us.”
Ambermourn paused the conversation to sit on the bed beside me and comb through my hair. I let him do this, as the feeling was soothing. It reminded me of the times Constantine would do this on the nights I was restless and unable to calm my inner demons. He would hold me and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. He never expected anything sexual, romantic… just for me to relax and be calmed by his love.
I craved that feeling now more than ever.
Ambermourn saw he was soothing me and smiled to himself. “Do you really think killing these Gods-to-be is the right thing to do? Do you truly want the responsibility to rule the universe once again? Can’t they do something to make you happier?”
“It’s not that simple,” I began, eyes closed as I leaned into his hand more. “The Successors… they are obstacles. Erasmus is who I have the biggest bone to pick with. He and his pipedreams have cost me so much, yet he does not consider the consequences of his actions whatsoever.”
“Did you ever consider that, maybe, those kids don’t want to be Successors? That they feel as trapped as you do because of Erasmus’s decisions?”
“Whose side are you on?” I barked, but he just laughed lightly. I exhaled softly and curled into a ball, tucking my face in between my knees to hide it from him. “The Successors are in my way to Erasmus. They hold the power, a power I was not ready to let go of, plain and simple. I do not want to hurt my family, but they have turned against me, so what choice do I have?”
“What will you do, when you destroy everyone you love, and are left with no one in this world? Will you be able to rule a universe alone? A place that was created by love and destroyed by chaos, hurt, and jealousy?”
I bit the tip of my tongue. “I… don’t know how to answer that question just yet.”
“You should think of an answer quickly, then.” He stood and pulled a scarf and hat on. “Your time is running out, and every decision you make is turning the world against you. Yes, you may have the ultimate power, but at what cost?”
“Go make yourself useful, please, and stop trying to guilt trip me.”
“I’m not, Pandora; I’m only trying to give you a reality check. Seems like you need it.” He opened the cabin door and disappeared into the cold night, leaving me to pout in front of the fireplace.
I stared at my own reflection, really stared at it, and watched the life leave my own eyes. “What will I do, when I am alone?” I whispered to myself before my head dropped between my legs, and a sea of tears rolled down my cheeks.
Chapter twenty-eight
Renegades
Nicodemus
The following morning, Odysseus and I emerged from the silk sheets we had abused the night before and brushed our faces clear. His shoulder length hair was sticking straight up from our, activities, and made him look like a chicken. I giggled and smoothed it down for him, which made his cheeks flush pink with embarrassment. “We sure caused a ruckus last night,” I commented as I gestured to the state of the room.
“It was worth it,” he replied as he sunk back into the bed and shimmied the covers over his naked body. He got them all the way up under his chin before he blinked and pointed to the sky above us. “Hey, what time is it? It’s still this dark outside?”
I fingered for my phone and unlocked the screen. “Um, it says it’s ten?”
“In the morning?” he scoffed.
“Er… yeah.” I noticed I had a slew of missed messages. “Looks like someone really wanted my attention last night.”
“Who?” he asked as he snuggled into my back, kissing my shoulder that he then peered over. I flicked the screen up and opened the first message thread, which was from a very pissed off set of Gods-to-be.
Sebastian: Um… anyone know what the actual fuck is going on with the sun?
Griffin: That would be a question for the God that rules over it. Squeaks, dude, what the heck is going on for real?
Praxis: It’s eight in the morning and pitch black!
Soren: Thanks for the news report, Praxis.
Praxis: Fuck you, Soren.
