“She is my daughter.”
With a roar, Isten slammed Gyth into the wall, watched him fall to his knees. “It was a direct command! And with Jaiden dead, it was imperative that those orders were to be followed through.”
“At the time, I wasn’t aware she would be connected to me, I didn’t know she was going to be my daughter. She doesn’t deserve to be mated to that abomination!”
“Abomination? What right do you have to call him such? His presence in this world was predetermined, his destiny intertwined with Chanta’s.” Isten turned on his heel, his fists at his sides. “It is with great reserve that I don’t blast you into oblivion.”
“As you said, Jaiden is dead. How was I to know? I did what had to be done or he would have killed her out of his hatred for me.” Gyth bowed his head. “I come only to consult with you.”
“A hatred that you created.” Isten slammed his fist into the wall, the stones cracking under the force. “He never would have harmed her. His destiny was to father a child with her and that child would keep the balance. If that balance isn’t maintained, the world will fall.”
“Damon is true evil, he doesn’t know the meaning of being a father. Look what he did to Payne!” Gyth stood, dusted off his robes. “I refuse to allow my daughter to go through a living hell with that demon.”
“This is an act of betrayal. My own blood-born descendant defying orders.” Isten whirled around, his eyes meeting Gyth’s with more rage than he intended. “You would give me more pleasure being staked to my mantle than pissing in the wind on my terrace.”
Gyth’s lips formed a thin hard line across his face. “I cannot undo what has been done, nor would I if I could. Treason or not, I won’t condemn my daughter to the confines of the Underworld, nor will I let that bastard ruin her.”
Isten laughed. Gyth was a fool. “That bastard, as you so lovingly refer to him, was to father the angel that was to take Elena’s place. And now, look at what you have done—meddled with fate and led Chanta straight into Payne’s arms. The odds of Payne fathering an angel are slim to none. If he gets Chanta pregnant during her Burning, the consequences could be disastrous.”
The grimace on Gyth’s face didn’t go unnoticed. “I took precautions. Payne is no longer a god, I stripped him of his powers long ago. There’s no chance of Damon’s evil taking over his soul.” Isten watched the tight smile form on Gyth’s face. “He’s nothing, but one of my Destroyers.”
“Really? Your Destroyers? You, of course, realize that Varick’s godhood has been returned and his destiny was to be leader of the Destroyers. You no longer control them or harness the powers you took from them. They are in Varick’s hands now.” Isten leaned onto the bannister surrounding the terrace. “If Payne wants his god powers back, do you honestly think that Varick won’t return them to him? And with Payne’s destiny unwritten, I fear he’ll destroy his father and the Underworld will lay claim to him.”
“Varick isn’t a fool. Even if he figures out how to return Payne’s powers to him, he won’t do it, he’ll realize just how evil his powers can be.”
“He damn well better.” Isten slammed his fists onto the black marble bannister sending debris flying across the dark sky. “I see two paths before Payne. If he chooses the wrong one, a war like nothing you’ve ever seen will come. A war with destruction of this universe at its end.”
• • •
Varick staggered and landed into the stonewall outside of Tortured Souls. His entire world was off-kilter and his new powers that be were throwing him for a loop. His white brows were knitted together as he tried to concentrate. A curse echoed around him as he looked down at his shaking hands.
Physically, he was in a lot of pain and mentally he was somewhere in fucksville. His six foot six frame, hard as steel and full of powers he still did not understand, was on a slow burn to exhaustion. His muscles ached, his face was bloody, and his lips cracked. He ran his hands through his long white hair, his index finger tangling in the red braid that now hung from his temple.
He turned, pressing his back to the cool stone wall. One deep breath after another, his body relaxed as he turned over the latest situation in his mind.
He had a sister and she was innocent. Gyth had agreed to release Payne, but now would only confirm that he was missing. And on top of that, his body was not tolerating his new powers very well. He could not control them very long at a time and damn sure didn’t understand them. Every time he used them, he crashed hard.
It was as if they were rejecting him, as if they truly didn’t belong to him.
Sweat beaded his forehead as visions swamped his mind. Images of Payne being tortured, broken, and bleeding flashed before his eyes. Payne being chained and humiliated and his most inner secrets revealed.
Something inside his mind popped, careened around his skull, and came to a skidding halt before his eyes. Payne’s godhood, Payne’s powers were inside him demanding to be set free, were punching his eyes out of his skull screaming in utter rage. The power was refusing to be controlled, refusing anyone’s demands except for Payne’s.
Varick’s fangs punched out of his gums, his rage boiling his blood by degrees. A scream, a curse ripped out of his throat as he looked upward to the star filled sky. Gyth had taken Payne’s powers as well as countless other Destroyers when he converted them. And they were all inside Varick now, all of them swirling faster and faster out of control.
All this power, all this rage and he could do nothing!
Black smoke misted from nowhere, surrounding Varick. He crouched as the smoke grew darker and the smell of sandalwood and vanilla filled his lungs. From out of the obsidian depths, a female stepped forward. Her solid black eyes boring into his, she cocked her head to the side and pointed at him.
When she spoke, Varick wanted to shield his ears from the toxicity in her voice “I am Ania, an envoy from Lord Isten. If you want Payne, come with me.”
Turning her hand over, palm up, she offered her hand with an evil grin. “I must warn you Varick Ta Farg, my touch won’t be pleasant, at least not for you.”
His guts twisted as he recognized her face from the visions he had of Payne. She was one of his torturers. One of the Algea, she was one of Gyth’s hounds of misery.
Lunging forward, he grabbed her hand and a vicious roar left his mouth as his past slammed into his backbone. As she pulled him into the smoke, her unmistakable laughter brought a chill to his bones.
She was misery personified.
Even though seconds passed, it felt like an eternity in his mind as the years of his life whipped through his thoughts. He clung to her hand, refusing to give in to the over whelming emotions.
“Such strength,” she whispered on a sigh. “I would love to spend more time with you, but alas, we are here.”
Varick winced as her voice filled his mind. “You must learn how to control yourself Varick Ta Farg. There are so many lives dependent on you and so many enemies equally dependent on your not controlling yourself.”
Varick stepped from the smoke and swallowed hard. What did she mean? Things were already bad and what he was seeing before him could only mean it had gotten worse.
In the dark chamber, seated on a throne of black marble and silver, Isten stared straight at him. Gyth was to his left and Charon was to his right. Clenching his teeth, Varick listened in silence as they spoke unemotionally about the oncoming destruction if things weren’t righted. They spoke of Payne and of Damon’s rule of the Underworld. And they spoke of the books of knowledge and their power over the universe.
Their voices rattled his bones. Like dinosaurs feasting on the weaker ones, they spoke of sacrifice and the impending disasters ahead. All the while, Isten sat staring at Varick.
His patience was wearing thin, their chatter blurring into nonsense.
He stepped forward, his mouth open to insist on the subject of Payne’s location.
“Tread carefully.” Isten warned. “I would take great offense if vampire god b
lood were dripping on my marble should you open your mouth and piss me off.”
His fangs slid from their sheaths as his eyes burned white. “Where. Is. Payne?”
Gyth turned to Varick. “Silence!”
Varick’s shoulders rolled, his neck cracking. “Where is he?”
Isten stood, his armor catching a stream of light. “You cannot even control your god-born powers. Like a pup still suckling its mother, yet you would offend me in my own walls?”
Varick didn’t stop until he stood toe to toe with the silver-eyed god. “Where is Payne?”
“Do you have a death wish? Do you wish Angelica to no longer have her mate by her side?” Isten grinned slightly as Varick growled and Gyth stepped forward. “You’re in my domain Varick and you will play my game. Or have you forgotten who gave your powers back to you?” He looked at Gyth. “And who took them from you to begin with?”
“Varick is yet new to godhood, forgive him for his insolence.” Gyth gritted his teeth, his jaw flexing. “He does not know the protocol of the ancients.”
“He will learn protocol and he will abide by my rules and you will, too.” Isten nostrils flared. “Or you will have one less son.”
Gyth tightened his fists, but said nothing.
Turning to Varick, Isten stated loudly. “Payne, the son of Damon is here.”
“You’ll find those books and they will be returned to me.” Isten stood, stepped down from the throne. “And I want to know who has them and how they are changing the future.”
“And you’re sure they are in the Heavens?” Gyth asked.
Isten cracked his neck. “There are seven books in your domain. Find them or it will cost you the throne just as it did your father.”
Varick stepped back. Isten wore the power of time like a gods be damned shield. It was unmistakable, unbreakable. His entire presence harnessed raw blinding power. From the top of his head to the tip of his war boots, he was the god of all gods. But he was undaunted, perhaps suicidal at this point.
“Nothing charming about you. And your lack of humility is disgusting,” Varick stated dangerously as Gyth disappeared. “All that power and you strut around cocked and loaded.”
Isten’s eerie eyes met Varick’s. “All this power and yet I have not taken control of this universe, even though I could do so without so much as a snap of my fingers.”
Varick noticed the apprehensive expression on Isten’s face.
“Then why don’t you? Why don’t you use all that power and fix the universe, erase the evil, and right all the wrongs?” Varick didn’t hesitate to add, “Why not take control of the Heavens? Why not take the throne from Gyth?”
Isten laughed. “You have balls, son of Gyth.” He raised his eyebrow. “Truth is, I don’t want the throne even though I did create it. I want the books of knowledge, every single one of them.”
“Why?”
Isten turned on his heel. “As it is with every creation, destruction will always be a lingering, hanging possibility. It’s the reason that everything has to have balance in this universe. If that precious balance is not maintained, destruction is but a single heartbeat away. Those books keep the balance.”
“What’s that got to do with Payne?”
“Straight to the point.” Isten sat down on his throne. “Someone erased his destiny.”
“And?” Varick asked, “What does that even mean?”
“It means Payne holds the destruction of this universe in the palm of his hand.” Isten leaned forward. “Prepare yourself Varick because if you want him back, you’ll do as I say.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I will send your remains to your mate in very small pieces over the next thousand years and the Algea will feast upon her pain and misery all the while.” The Algea appeared to Isten’s right as he continued. “And Payne will live in a tortured state of mental arrest the entirety of his long life.”
Varick said nothing, just looked down at his shaking hands.
Isten took a deep breath through his nostrils. “You and I have much to discuss Varick; time is on our sides. You must learn to use it wisely and for the right purposes. Pledge yourself to me and I’ll release Payne to you.”
Varick laughed. “Another pact with a god? Seems I already have one of those with Gyth and one with Charon.”
“It wasn’t a pact with you and Gyth. He did it so that his only son would be safe from his grandmother and would not have to endure the torments of being a god. And so that no one would know that you’re one of his weaknesses.” Isten ran his hand down the front of his armor. “He took your god powers from you and used them to create the Destroyers. He can’t create another Destroyer, but you can. You, Varick, are the true lord of the Destroyers.”
Silence hung in the dark room as Varick nodded slowly. His knees suddenly felt weak with the knowledge that his own father had stripped him of his powers and had used them for his own purposes. He looked down at his hands, felt the electrical pulses jumping from one finger to the next. He could feel and sense all the Destroyers, he knew where they were, what they were doing, and the reasons behind becoming a Destroyer.
“And you need not worry about the one with Charon. Charon is mine to command.” Isten narrowed his eyes. “Come forward Varick Ta Farg and swear your allegiance to me. In so doing, I will aide you in controlling your powers and return unto your keeping Payne, son of Damon. And swear that as long as there is power in your blood, you’ll do everything you can to keep balance in my universe.”
Isten stood, his large hand held out. “I offer my hand to seal the pact. No untruth can be spoken between us from this moment on. You’ll serve this pantheon and only this one regardless of any interests in Gyth’s creations or reign. And you will take leadership of the Destroyers.”
“And Payne will be handed over to me?” Varick narrowed his eyes. “Unharmed?”
“Yes.”
Varick grabbed his hand, pain streaking up his arm and straight to his heart. The pain intensifying and blood gushing from his eyes and nose, he screamed as cold metal surrounded his beating heart and interlaced with his blood veins.
• • •
Deep laughter filled the chamber as Payne appeared to Varick’s right on bended knee. Through the blood and tears, Varick and Payne stared at each other. A silent thank you hung between them as lightning danced on the marble floor and Isten’s voice boomed around them. Varick roared in outrage as the lightning struck him, streaked through his body, and jumped to Payne striking him full force in the chest.
“This was not part of the deal!” Payne roared as he watched Varick’s body arch as the same cold metal interlaced with his heart.
Isten’s voice thundered in Payne’s mind. “Our deal is simple Payne, son of Damon. You’ll do as I command and swear your allegiance to me and in return, I’ll deliver you unto your father.”
“What must I do?” Payne gritted his teeth as the god came forward and placed his hand on Payne’s cranium.
“You will find who has unwritten Chanta Timber’s destiny.”
“How am I supposed to do that? I’m just a Destroyer. I gave up my god powers when Gyth turned me into a Destroyer.”
“You have never been just a Destroyer. You console yourself with thinking you’re strong, but you’re weak. Letting your emotions rule your every move has led you to every failure in your life.”
With Isten’s hand on his skull, Payne was immobile, his limbs as useless as a butterfly net trying to catch a dragon.
“I suggest you figure out how to get your god powers back.” Isten released Payne’s head. “First and foremost, do as Gyth has commanded, take Chanta through the Burning. She must survive.”
“Gyth won’t relinquish them. It gave him too much pleasure to take them from me.” Payne tried to stand, his legs shaking. “Why is she so important to you and to Gyth?”
“Different reasons, but we both desire the same outcome. Her destiny was cut short, the events in her life have not
gone as planned. As it is, now you’re the only one that can save her from the Burning.”
“And if I do this, you’ll give me the chance to face my father? I have your spoken word?”
“Yes, you have my spoken word.” Isten laughed, his voice thundering through the lightning. “Welcome Varick, son of Gyth, and Payne, son of Damon, to my pantheon.”
Chapter 8
Payne gritted his teeth as Chanta wiped her hands on the towel hanging from her black apron. She was quite the beauty, except for the gothic red and black garb she was dressed in. She had changed since he had first met her. Her cotton blonde, almost white, hair was no longer long, but cropped to her shoulders in a mass of curls. Her once innocent face was now tight, hard. Even her eyes had changed, deepened and appeared darker gray than he remembered.
The extreme difference between her and Bastilla was shocking to say the least.
He sneered as her nametag flashed in the dim light. His sneer grew deeper as he carefully examined her clothes. Baggy black carpenter pants with red-laced pockets hung from her hips and did nothing to reveal what should be shapely legs. Her lacy black shirt was unbuttoned and underneath it she wore a red tank top. He could simply not fathom why a woman of her beauty would dress like that.
He had no doubt that her skin was as soft as velvet and her touch would be as hot as the breath of a dragon. The kiss he had given her lingered in his thoughts. Never had he hungered for the touch of a woman until that night.
Against his will, he stared at the face that had haunted him for the last eight years. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he envisioned his thumb running across her full lips, down her jaw, and along her shoulder. He knew he could easily have his way with her by overpowering her small frame, but there was something about her that made that thought seem dirty and barbaric. Who was he trying to kid? He was nothing if not barbaric and sinister.
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