by Amy Sumida
“Mmmmm... mojitos,” Sin murmured distractedly.
“I can't leave.” I shrugged. “The entire God World is after me. I'm in forced isolation.”
“And I don't want to leave her by herself,” Sin added. “It wouldn't be gentlemanly.”
“Since when did you become a gentleman?” Ninkasi asked with an expression of astonishment.
“You go.” I pushed at Sin's knee. “Get some fresh, non-Vervain-tainted air. I'll be fine. Go out with Ninkasi. Go dancing or something. And take the trash out with you; that might help with the pineapple smell.”
“Thank you, Vervain,” Ninkasi huffed. “Come on, Sin, it's been over a week since I've hung out with you outside this apartment.”
“I'm good here.” Sin slid further down into the couch.
“Sin!” Ninkasi snapped.
“I'm fine,” I assured him. “No one can get past your wards except for Ninkasi.” I waved at her. “Go have a night out.”
Sin sighed and frowned. “Are you sure? I feel bad for just leaving you here by yourself.”
“I'm not by myself. I have Paul.” I waved at the screen and waggled my brows. “The silver fox with the chilling stare.”
Sin chuckled. “All right. I won't be gone long.”
“But don't wait up for him.” Ninkasi winked at me as she grabbed Sin's arm and pulled him out of the apartment.
I grinned after them but then the door shut, and I heard the slide of the lock. The sound brought home the fact that I was all alone. For the first time since I'd lost everything. My first instinct was a pathetic one; I wanted to burst into tears. With Sin gone, I could relax into my melancholy and really mourn without worrying that he might hear me. But then the stronger part of me slapped the weaker part and told it to grow a damn spine.
I managed to stop my tears but I needed a little more fortification than my inner voice. So, I decided to drink more than Sin would approve of, watch another episode of the Great British Bake Off, and cry only when one of the nice people got booted off the show.
I did pretty well with that plan. Crying for strangers felt better than crying for myself and it gave me an excuse to give in to the waterworks. I made it through a whole episode and only drank one glass of wine. I was barely tipsy and had only cried once, which I took as a win. See? I can be left to my own devices and not crumble. I'm still the Godhunter, no matter what they take from me.
“Oh, sweetie!” I whined sympathetically when frosting started to melt off a contestant's cake. “Oh, no. Don't cry. Someone help her!”
The other contestants rushed to help, and I breathed a sigh of relief. There were still good people in the world. Damn, that was comforting. I poured myself another glass of wine but a knock at Sin's front door made me flinch and spill a little. My heart started pounding rapidly. I set the bottle down and clutched my throw blanket to my chest as I stared at the living room doorway. The front door was just down the hall, next to the kitchen.
The pounding came again.
“Just ignore it. They'll go away,” I whispered to myself. “They're not here for you; no one knows you're here.”
“Dragon bitch!” Marduk's voice came with the next knock. “Open up; I need to talk to you!”
I leapt off the couch and backed into a corner, holding my blanky like a toddler. That bastard must have been watching Sin's place. He knew I was there and he knew I was alone.
“Shit!” I hissed to myself. “Stop it, Vervain, you're stronger than this.” I straightened and took a deep breath. “Find a weapon and stand your damn ground.”
“You're going to want to hear this!” Marduk shouted. “I can give you back everything.” He paused and then amended. “Nearly everything.”
I froze as my mind raced. Why would Marduk help me now? I stepped hesitantly toward the front door. The pounding kept coming as I approached. Every knock sent shivers through Sin's ward, making it ripple and shine like the surface of a lake. I had to remind myself that he couldn't come in. I could open that door and Marduk wouldn't be able to cross the threshold, just as it had been with Cephissus at my place. I had nothing to worry about. Except, if Marduk was still there when Sin returned, he might hurt Sin.
“What do you want?” I growled through the door.
The knocking stopped.
“Your territory,” he snarled.
“Well, you can't have it,” I said snidely. “Didn't think that one through, did you?”
“You could still give it to me.”
“Not anymore, I can't. It's not mine to give.”
“Yes, that's where our bargain would come into play,” his voice went sinister.
“What bargain?” I leaned closer to the door.
“The one you're going to make with me to get your life back.”
I went still again. Marduk wanted my territory and was willing to barter for it. Could it be this simple? Could I really get my life back this easily?
“I'm listening,” I finally spoke.
“I'll undo everything I did to you, and then you will take me to your territory and transfer its magic to me.”
“Why would either of us trust the other?” I asked warily. “I could run as soon as you gave me back my life. Or you could betray me seconds after I gave you my territory and wreck my destiny all over again.”
“We will swear a blood oath to each other,” he said grimly. “If either of us breaks our vow, the magic will curse us.”
“I have no magic to make an oath with,” I snarled.
“Yes, you do. It's just suppressed,” he insisted. “I will release it first and then we will make our oath.”
I considered it. A territory in exchange for my family, friends, and magic. It was a no-brainer. But I still hesitated. If it seems too good to be true...
“I'll release it now as a show of good faith,” Marduk said.
Something burst inside me with such power that I could practically hear it explode. I fell to the floor as magic rushed through me, emerging from my very cells. Gasping and clawing at the floor, I reveled in the release of my Fey essence. It exploded from the bonds imposed on it and my body suddenly remembered what it was. Power raged inside me. Fire. I burned but in the sweetest way possible. Scales lifted from beneath my skin, bringing with them a feeling of invincibility. I was strong again! A dragon roared inside me, gathering herself from the hidden magic within my blood. She filled my body and stretched as if she'd been asleep for too long. My limbs thrummed the floor. Flames filled my vision. Immortality poured through me and yanked a sound up my throat. A triumphant, exultant sound.
I roared.
“Feel better?” Marduk asked snidely.
I'd never felt this before, not even when I'd first reached for the magic of Faerie and felt my true self emerge. This was different. Pure. There were no other magics to dampen the dragon and hold her back. She was everything; a massive presence inside me that extended beyond my skin. I felt her head lifting proudly above mine, her eyes scanning the world with shrewd anticipation. The air around me shivered as if it knew a magnificent predator had arrived. Sounds of primal satisfaction rumbled past my lips, and I had to stop myself from shifting right there. I wanted to fly! To burn! To conquer! I was Dragon and the world should tremble in fear of me!
“No, no, no, no,” I whispered as I reined her back. “That's a little too close to Dark Star territory. We're not going there again. We've got to get our family back.”
I felt her curl up inside me with an arrogant but agreeing huff. Whether we went there or not, she knew we were born to rule. I chuckled and climbed to my feet, feeling better than I had in weeks. Utterly refreshed, no muscle aches or exhaustion. I was back, baby!
“You have your deal,” I growled as I swung open the door. “Give me back my life, you fucking bastard!”
Marduk smirked and stepped backward, giving me space to enter the hallway. “I'll need to touch you again.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and didn't move. “You didn't before.”<
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“For the oath, you foolish woman,” he snapped. “Get a knife; we'll need to cut ourselves.”
“I have built-in knives,” my voice went low and menacing as my pointer fingernail extended into a talon.
“I'm not letting you cut me,” Marduk refused. “Now, get a damn knife.”
“Fine.” I glanced over at the kitchen as I shifted my fingernail back then went to the knife block. I selected a tiny paring knife and returned to the doorway. After staring Marduk down a moment, I stepped through Sin's ward. “All right, let's do this.”
“Cut your finger.” He waved at my hand and waited.
I watched him cautiously as I sliced the pad of my pointer finger. I was just inches outside the apartment. If Marduk tried anything, I could jump back in. I was strong enough now to pull away, even if he grabbed me. Hell, I could probably kill the bastard. I considered it, but that wouldn't get me back my life.
Marduk rolled his eyes as if he could hear my inner argument then made a gimme motion toward the knife. I handed it over and he cut his finger. Blood welled and our stares collided. My dragon licked her lips. She had a taste for blood, but this man's blood, in particular, would satisfy her beyond any other. Despite the temptation, she held herself back; her mate was worth more than vengeance. We'd get that later. Right now, we needed what Marduk was offering.
Magic wove around us, and I sighed into it like slipping into a hot bath. Being cut off from magic had been akin to being swathed in cotton or held underwater. Everything had felt dulled and hollow. Now, the world filled in, plumped up with color and sound and scent. No, that wasn't it. I was the one who had been dull and empty; a dried-up sponge, hard and thin, but now soaked full of magic. With power racing through my veins once more, I felt confident. I felt alive!
“I swear that I shall return your life to the way it was before I altered it and once you transfer your territory to me, I shall never attack you again,” Marduk intoned ceremoniously.
“Or any of my loved ones,” I added.
Marduk grimaced but amended his vow, “Or any of your loved ones.”
“I swear that once my destiny is restored, I shall transfer my territory to you. The Pride lands will be yours in exchange for the return of everything else that you have taken from me.”
“Agreed.” Marduk held out his finger.
Magic crackled in the air and our blood sparked as I tapped my finger to his. The oath surged down my pointer to settle in my chest. I clenched my teeth at the cold, sharp stab of it, and my dragon drew back with a growl, but we let the vow take root. When it was settled into us both, Marduk nodded in satisfaction and handed me back the knife. I took it as I absently blew a tiny stream of fire over my cut, healing it in an instant.
Marduk unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the Tablet.
“Do you wear that thing everywhere?” I grumbled.
“I assumed that I'd need it today,” Marduk said pointedly as he set his palm to the stone. “Give me your hand, it'll go smoother and faster if I touch you.”
I grimaced.
“Touching you brings me no pleasure either,” Marduk sneered. “But I want this done properly.”
I held out my hand, and he snatched it. Instantly, Marduk's eyes filled with light and power surged down his hand and into mine. I ground my teeth together to keep from crying out. The reversal of my fate hurt nearly as much as the initial alteration. Destiny speared me to its dissection tray like a dead frog. She cut me apart, jostled things around a bit, and sewed me back together. I started to tremble but desperately held on to Marduk. I wouldn't screw this up no matter how much it hurt.
Images flashed through my mind as my magic was siphoned through Marduk, back from where he'd sent it, and into me. First to return was the magic I'd been born with; my witch magic. A simple thing of watered-down faerie essence, but I hugged it to myself like a beloved childhood toy. I didn't use my witch power often, but it was still a major part of me—more me than the magic I had taken from other gods—and I had missed it dearly.
Then another part of me came running home. I felt a tremor of Ishtar's shock and then her roaring fury as Marduk reclaimed Love and passed it on to me. The butterflies flew into my body with a vibrant explosion and the rushing rumble of thousands of delicate wings. Although it took the form of fragile insects, Love is one of the Great Nine Magics and its power revived and strengthened me nearly as much as my Dragon-Sidhe essence had. My heartache vanished within the glow of butterfly wings and Love rose to rule in my chest. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks; joy as well as humble gratitude and relief. The magnificence of love flowed gently into every piece of me; both the blessings it could bring and the destruction. The healing and the heartache. The unbreakable bonds and indescribable freedom.
On the heels of Love came its sub-magics. First was Lust and my whole body clenched as it drenched me in physical pleasure. I flung my head back with the power of my climax, a scream of ecstasy clawing up my throat. Red sparks burst inside me and then settled into place beneath the butterflies. Next came War; another type of high. The strength of a soldier filled my muscles and my hands ached for the hilt of a sword. A thousand battle plans rolled open inside my mind like an unfurled parchment. Weapons clanged in my ears and warriors shouted their battle cries. I clearly saw the path to glory and started down it. That's when Victory hit, the power of a conqueror blasting through me like a blown trumpet. I could bestow triumph like kisses and grant success to any human I wished. I opened my eyes and grinned at Marduk.
But Marduk's eyes were closed; his focus still on the flow of magic running through him, his spell holding him tightly within its grasp. I sensed it between us as if it were a physical thing; a twisting, churning mass. A spiral spun in the other direction. Destiny turning on an axis. Then the Moon started to shine down that magical spring.
I sighed and closed my eyes to bask in its welcome glow. The tides churned beneath it, rising and falling to its power. I laid back and floated within those waters then let them lift me into the light. Around me came the cry of the night beasts; howling, growling, and roaring. All bowing to my Dominion. They formed around me; the deadly creatures and the prey all shifting in shape and color as Illusion took hold of them. The shimmering magic settled into the moonlight, all of the creatures blending into a blur, and the Moon brightened briefly before settling inside me.
Finally, my lioness came roaring back, running through Marduk and into me as if she couldn't wait for a second longer to be reunited. Her magic filled me. Fur and teeth and claws. Lion musk and the feel of the earth beneath my feet. I scented blood and men. So many men. The pound of their hearts filled my ears. I purred as the power swirled inside me, sinking its teeth deep in my chest before shooting out to connect me to my lions. I felt them shiver as the cords wrapped around their hearts then burst to life. My magic became their magic. I sustained them, but they were the strong foundation I stood on. We were family. Pride. And one lion's roar rose above the others in exultation.
Kirill. I let out a relieved sob as I felt his love burst free of Marduk's spell and shoot down the cord that connected us. Intense, wild, and yet steady, it filled my heart with its strength. I'd discovered that without Kirill, I could still be me, but he made me better. All of them did. That's the point, isn't it? Love is supposed to make you a better you. Good love, at least. Love that gives as much as it takes; love that lifts you to greatness while it protects you from harm. When someone loves you as Kirill loves me, they show you the best of yourself. They make you strong when you think you're weak, wise when you feel stupid, and courageous enough to overcome your fears. Kirill's love sustains me and having it back was like getting a piece of myself back.
As Kirill's love flared back to life between us, a howl cut through my mind, and another beast came running home. A white wolf, gleaming under the light of the Moon. She snarled and snapped at the air as if fighting off unseen enemies. But then she was inside me, safe within my heart once more, and she laid d
own in relief. My wolf; the piece of Trevor that I'd made my own.
I felt Trevor's love come alive with her return. Our Froekn Bond settled back into place and zipped through my body with thigh-clenching delight. I gasped, on the cusp of climaxing again, but with all of my magics in place, my star was ready to reform itself. And it wasn't about to wait for me to have a metaphysical orgasm first. As a pair of honey-colored wolf eyes descended over mine, each magical point began to glow. The points pulled together and formed trinities. Lioness, Wolf, and Dragon. Witch, Faerie, and Goddess. Love, Lions, and the Moon.
The trinities spun inside my chest, triangles of light blinding me to all but their glory. Their glow brightened and brightened as they danced. Then they went still and, with profound relief, they merged, clicking into place to form a nine-pointed star. I flew back, away from Marduk, but I didn't fall. My body hovered in the air, arms and legs spread wide, as the Trinity Star shone its light through me.