Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You could shave it off,” Carrick suggests as I continue to cut at the undergrowth.
Yeah, I know I could.
Not sure why I haven’t.
It’s a reminder I certainly don’t need or want.
“Again… what are you doing here?” I ask, refusing to acknowledge his more than sensible solution although it would eventually grow back the same silvery white, I’m sure.
“Why does any brother visit another?” he asks, more cryptically than necessary.
I stop my weed whacking and spin on him. “Why indeed?”
Carrick shrugs. “Finley and I are worried about you.”
“What’s to worry about?” I demand. “I’m alive, healthy and doing what demigods do best… serve the gods.”
“You jetted out of Micah’s realm pretty quickly.”
“Should I have stayed? Were you going to do a celebratory barbecue or something?”
“No,” Carrick drawls, tucking his hands in his pockets. I notice he’s wearing dress pants and a dress shirt. “But you could’ve talked to Zora. Find out why she did what she did to you.”
I scoff at the absurdity. “I know why she did it. She felt guilty so she brought me back. Big fucking deal.”
“It’s probably a bit deeper than that.” His tone is chastising and it’s clear he’s disappointed in me.
I don’t care because I don’t answer to him. The only one I answer to right now is Veda since she’s given me a job to do. And once I bring these people to safety, I’ll seek another job from one of the other gods.
Well, one of the other gods who’s not Zora. I’ll be keeping my distance from her unless she specifically commands me to do something.
“There’re a few things I thought you’d like to know,” Carrick continues as I turn back to my job.
“What’s that?”
“The Council is in turmoil.”
“So,” I reply. Not my business or concern.
“They’re not happy Zora brought you back.”
“Let me guess,” I say dryly. “No consensus?”
“I think Zora’s exact words were Fuck your consensus when Onyx told her not to do it. She hasn’t joined them since.”
Don’t ask, Maddox. Don’t ask.
Fuck, I’m weak. “Where is she?”
“Her house. She comes to visit me and Finley. Disappears to do other things. But she’s clearly thumbing her nose at her brethren.”
“Well, hasn’t she become the little rule breaker?”
“I think you should go see her,” Carrick says.
“I think you should mind your own business.”
“Just a suggestion,” he says breezily. “Will you come visit me and Finley sometime? You know you’re always welcome. We always want to see you.”
A twinge of guilt hits me square in the chest. “Yeah… sure. When I’m done with this.”
He doesn’t reply, and he’s so quiet I turn, expecting to see he’s left. He hasn’t, still there with hands casually tucked in his pockets. I see in his eyes he’s going to try one more time with regard to Zora.
“You should give her a bit of grace, Maddox. She’s a confused young woman between spending her formative years in Hell and then becoming a deity.”
I step toward my brother, anger bubbling. “I was with her for a year in case you forgot. A year when I gave her patience and care. I’m more aware than even her twin sister of just how confused she is. But there came a time when I needed her to give back. There was a time when I told her my feelings and she clearly didn’t return them. Her words, not mine. There’s no more grace to give. I’m done with her and moving on with my life. I certainly hope she does the same.”
Carrick considers my words, his silence uncomfortable.
Finally, he inclines his head. “I see your point and I agree with you.”
I blink at him, then become suspicious. “You do?”
“Yeah… some things aren’t meant to be. You did all you could.”
Fuck if that doesn’t rankle and I turn away to whack at the dense forest again. Part of me expects—maybe even wants—him to continue to argue with me about it. Perhaps show me some wisdom I hadn’t considered.
But Carrick doesn’t see anything there between me and Zora and it confirms what I already knew.
I’m doing the right thing by moving on.
I turn back to tell him so, that he needs to let it be because I’m going to do the same.
Except he’s gone, and that irritates me even further.
CHAPTER 23
Zora
Another summons comes, stronger than the last. It’s Cato’s power I feel particularly, almost as if I’m getting zapped with his lightning bolt. It’s full of exasperation, which I suppose is preferable to his ire.
Since the big calamity—when Rune escaped prison, stole the Blood Stone, and used it in an attempt to return to power, followed by my subsequent destruction of said stone (with a minor shout-out to Carrick for killing Rune)—things have been strained with the other gods.
They all woke up from their venom-induced comas and once we were back in our godly realm with warm breezes and fluffy clouds, I told them the entire story. The only thing they remember is Ariman appearing in that realm—shocking them so thoroughly he was able to stun them with the Blood Stone. They each remember with vivid detail the snake sinking fangs into their flesh, delivering a venom that completely incapacitated.