Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
I grimaced when Sloan cut a small, clean gash into his skin, suddenly understanding the scars he wore, and his earlier words about them representing his attempts at life. He’d literally shed blood for a decade for his father, and it hadn’t been enough.
Sloan touched two fingertips to the wound before handing the knife back to Christos, who then placed gauze and tape on Sloan’s wound. They had this act down to a science.
Sloan’s fingers glistened with red liquid, which he pressed onto the pendant around his neck. The blood immediately seeped into the stone, and after just a moment, a dark red word sketched across the surface in a language I couldn’t read.
“What does it say?”
Sloan and Christos shared a smile before answering together, “Worthy.”
Chapter Six
Sloan
Lyric gasped when a tiny, wispy white cloud appeared before us. My heart pounded in my chest as the mist stretched and spread until it filled most of the room. Christos patted my back, but didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to; I understood the excitement in his heart, because I felt it, too. We had been waiting so long for this moment. I was blessed to share it with my best friend and eternal mate.
I looked at Lyric, who was staring at the cloud with both wonder and apprehension in his eyes. I took his hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze as I promised him, “I am with you always.” With me by his side, my mate had nothing to fear. He smiled and gave a subtle nod, and the three of us stepped into the mist together.
The carpet beneath our feet disappeared, and was replaced by a path of golden bricks. The road was lined with opulent homes, each adorned with the finest decor. Each star in the sky glittered like a diamond, as if placed by hand to highlight the riches below. My father, obsessed with status, would accept nothing less in his realm. His lands rivaled the kingdom of Zeus himself.
“It’s beautiful,” Lyric whispered as his eyes roamed the scene before him, taking in the grandeur. His hand jerked in mine at the sound of a bell striking three times. I remembered the sound from my childhood; every time a warrior returned home, Ares was alerted by the bells.
Another mist appeared before us, though this one was black and opaque. As a god, my father possessed special powers, such as teleportation. He refused to walk like a mere mortal. I stood up straighter as his intimidating figure emerged from the cloud.
He towered above me at nearly seven feet tall, and my own broad frame was no match for his. Muscles billowed over his nude torso, which he never covered. He considered himself to be a work of art, and he would not deprive anyone the chance to witness him. I could only be grateful he typically wore pants.
He looked down his nose at me and addressed simply, “Sloan.”
“Father,” I replied, and Christos and I bowed our heads.
I spoke in English so that Lyric could understand our conversation, and my father followed suit. “It has been a decade.”
His words were laced with disappointment; not because a father was grieving the years apart from his son, but because he was ashamed it took so long for me to prove myself.
I raised my head to apologize and try to explain myself, but found that my father was staring at Lyric, who appeared terrified beneath the titan’s furrowed gaze. “Who is this?”
“This is my mate, Lyric,” I replied proudly.
“It is good you found him.” My heart swelled at my father’s praise, but shattered when he added, “It will give you a reason not to embarrass yourself in a few hours.”
“Sir?”
His black eyes snapped back to mine. “Every one of your brothers who left after you, returned before you, and have earned their powers. You may have defeated humans, but I'm not convinced you could stand against your own. You have one chance to prove me wrong. Tomorrow, you will face Alexander, to whom I have granted all abilities. Last three rounds with him, and I will grant yours as well.”
I suddenly wished the conversation hadn’t been in English, and that my sweet Lyric hadn’t heard my shortcomings being put on display. I didn’t know how to respond, and I didn’t have time to before my father added, “You fight at dawn,” before disappearing again into the black cloud.
Christos stepped in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders as he said, “Don’t worry. I’ve seen you fight, and I know you can do this. Three rounds is nothing, my friend.”
“Yeah, you took that guy out in one punch last night,” Lyric agreed. It was hard to believe so much had happened since our meeting just a few short hours ago.