The Grey God (War of Gods 4)

by Lizzy Ford

  “For us, yes,” the Watcher said. “We’ve never meant any harm to you. For the Others, it’s a different story.”

  “You’ve always used us.”

  “Whatever you think, it’s for the greater good. We set this chain of events in motion before the Schism. It was necessary.”

  Darian wanted to destroy him, but he needed to know where his little brother was first. He drew a calming breath.

  “Ikir, I can take you to them.”

  “Do it.”

  The Watcher held out his hand. Darian took it, and they Traveled to a locker cold enough for his expelled breath to hang in the air. Three bodies were lain out on three separate tables.

  “They’re frozen,” he said, shocked.

  “A form of stasis. Neither living nor dead. Off the Others’ radar. We used magic on their minds and the freezer for their bodies. They’re undetectable.”

  Darian strode to Damian’s side, touching his cold skin. Panic rose within him at the thought of losing his little brother, especially now that Damian was a father.

  “They could’ve interfered with our plan.”

  “You’ve used everyone to win a war that none of us understood. How can you consider yourself acting in the greater good?” he snapped, moving to Dusty’s body next.

  “This was the only outcome we could allow. You were the only one who could do it. You never would’ve done what you did if we didn’t … stack the deck, I believe you say here.”

  Darian wanted to explode, release the fury and energy within him.

  “It had to be done.” The Watcher’s words grew quieter.

  “Tell me how to wake them up.”

  “Bianca.”

  “That’s it? No aftereffects?”

  “None that we know of. We’ve never frozen immortals before.”

  Darian looked at the Watcher, who seemed amused at the idea.

  “We will not interfere with your hunt of the Others,” the Watcher added. “We are … content here now.”

  “I’m not content with you here.”

  “You may need us to help with the Others,” the Watcher continued, ignoring Darian’s words. “You may call upon us as needed. We moved our magic source into this world in anticipation of your actions. The Others were not so fortunate, though the Originals all escaped. We’d rather they didn’t.” The Watcher looked at Jule’s still body.

  Darian felt sick, understanding just how cunning the Watchers had been in their pursuit of destroying their enemies, the Others. They’d been patient, setting up their ultimate victory over the course of tens of thousands of years.

  When the Others were dead, he’d turn his hunt to the Watchers. He needed Jenn to help him plan how to track the hundreds of creatures on the earth with the power to do what they want, unopposed, except for him. His odds were better than they had been against thousands of them.

  Jenn had a mind for strategy. Darian’s spirits dampened. She had to be alive. He couldn’t believe otherwise, not after all he’d been through to keep her. He’d even made his peace with Claire before feeding the treacherous bitch to the sociopathic Original Vamp. Her second death wouldn’t be as quick or painless as her first at Damian’s hands.

  Darian wanted to ask about Jenn but didn’t. He feared the answer, and he’d never let one of these creatures see him vulnerable. He glanced towards the Watcher to find the space empty.

  “Hang in there, little brother,” he whispered to Damian and then Traveled back to the study.

  Sofi and Bianca sat, one on each side of the bassinet, peering into it at the fidgeting baby god within.

  “Bianca.” Darian motioned her over.

  She approached, a sad smile on her face. Darian couldn’t help but pity her as well; her eyes were circled with black and puffy, as if she’d been crying recently. He held out his hand, and she took it without question. When they reached the meat locker housing her mate, Darian planted both hands on her shoulders before she turned.

  “They’re alive. Don’t freak out. You just have to bring them back.”

  She frowned and pulled away, twisting to see the three bodies. She gasped and rushed to Dusty’s side, touching his face with her hands.

  “Oh, god, Darian!” Her voice rose in panic.

  “They’re alive, remember? Just do what you do,” he said, remaining where he was. Already, he felt her magic in the air as she channeled it into her mate. He waited and watched, tense.

  After a long moment, the color returned to the assassin’s face. A few minutes later, Dusty sat up suddenly, sucking in air and gazing around him wildly.

  “What the fuck happened?” he breathed. “Where are those fucking little green-eyed trolls that did this to us?”

  Bianca threw her arms around him. Dusty’s frame relaxed. Darian watched them hug, until the ache at his core grew too strong. He moved to Damian’s side, grateful his brother would soon be back on his feet. He smiled, wondering how Damian would react when he found out about his son.

  Darian’s thoughts grew darker as he thought again of Jenn. He may never have the chance to hold his own child. He’d never take another mate. He let himself admit a thought he didn’t want to face: that if Xander had brought him back and not Jenn, there might’ve been a reason.

  “Bianca, can I leave you here with them?” he asked, restless. “I need to go.”

  “Yes, of course.” The Healer’s voice radiated happiness that made Darian sink lower into the black thoughts in his mind.

  He left them, Traveling to the portal in the desert. The sun had set, and the bright moon made the sand glow like snow. He crouched next to the circle Jenn had drawn around the portal. He reached forward and rested his hand where the gateway had been. His hand didn’t sink into another world. It remained on the sand.

  He sat back and stared at the portal listlessly, knowing the immortal world was no more. He couldn’t remember what happened, only that one of his episodes had come on when he was in the pillar of magic. He didn’t know how Yully and Charles made it back or if Jenn had been with them. He’d blacked out then, waking in his room.

  Furious at his own weakness, Darian lay back and stared at the sky. His magic danced around him, bending starlight and night into a subtle light show. He watched it. If Jenn escaped, she’d have contacted him by now. He’d felt her surrender in their final kiss. She wouldn’t run from him again. Of all the magic he contained, none of it would bring her back.

  He’d lost her as soon as he finally won her, all because he couldn’t control the spells he still suffered from his years in slavery. He’d saved the world and lost his partner.

  Darian watched the sky turn from dark to dawn, unconcerned with the chilly desert morning. Only when the sun peeked over the horizon did he decide to leave, preferring a dark place where he could dwell with his dark thoughts. He checked the portal one last time then stood, turning away. His heart felt like a brick in his stomach.

  “Hey.” Damian stood a few feet away.

  “Hey, little brother. Glad to see you’re not a Popsicle anymore.”

  “Even Bianca can’t get rid of the headache. I don’t know what possessed them to freeze us.”

  “I’ll kick their asses. Don’t worry,” Darian assured him. “I saw Adrian.”

  “That’s, ah … wow. Wasn’t expecting that.” Damian said then grinned. “I’ve got a lot to learn about being a dad.”

  “You’ll do fine. You’ve always excelled at everything you’ve done.”

  “You raised me. I know the lessons you taught me will help him turn out well.”

  Darian smiled, touched by the words.

  “How are you?” Damian asked.

  “I’ve got nine lives. I’ll survive,” Darian replied.

  “I’m really proud of you and the girls, Darian. I know it wasn’t easy.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Darian agreed softly. “I’m probably gonna start hunting down Others today. The Watchers made a mess of this.”

  “I’ll help y
ou. There’s got to be a way to track and mark them. Jule and I have a few ideas.”

  “We’ll worry about it later. Go home. Enjoy your family, D.”

  “They’re your family, too, Darian,” Damian said firmly.

  “I know.”

  “We’re moving the headquarters again. Seems like the Black God is done playing. His vamps started stalking our Guardians this morning, and I lifted the ceasefire mandate.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be in northern California,” Damian said. “Also, there was some sort of disturbance reported near the local Guardians’ station. Might be some guardsmen loose in Mexico who escaped before the immortal world collapsed. I told them you might be by.”

  “I’ll check it out,” Darian said, grateful for something to do. “I’ll be by later.”

  Damian studied him, the White God’s power swirling in the space between them. Darian sensed his concern but couldn’t bring himself to talk about it. Not yet. Maybe in a few thousand years, after he’d killed every Other and Watcher he could get his hands on and found some way to numb his pain. He’d go home then. For now, he couldn’t fathom an existence in a home filled with a family when he’d lost his other half.

  “Take care, Darian,” Damian said.

  “You, too, little brother.”

  Damian left. Darian rose and dusted himself off, thoughts going first to his cats at the cabin and then to the possible guardsmen nearby. He felt more like destroying than nurturing. He Traveled to the small town, at once struck by the scent of barbacoa again. His eyes drifted down the street.

  The town looked quiet. He sensed no Others or Watchers there, though he wouldn’t know if a guardsman was present until it attacked him.

  “I take it you’re my ride.”

  He whipped around to face the speaker, too shocked to move. Jenn stood on the low front porch of the Guardians’ station. She’d cleaned up since he last saw her, and her short hair was still damp. When he didn’t move, she approached and stopped in front of him, looking up at him.

  Darian had never seen anything half as beautiful as the pale, exhausted warrior in oversized clothing she must’ve borrowed from the beefier Guardians who lived at the station. She glowed from the inside out.

  “I couldn’t Travel. Still can’t. Have had this headache since—”

  The spell broke. He was frozen in disbelief that bordered on horror then suddenly swept her up into his arms. Darian bear-hugged her, lowering his head to breathe in her scent. Jenn laughed at the tickling sensation as his nose brushed her neck and squeezed him back. He looked as tired as she felt, his hair disheveled and dark circles beneath his blazing golden eyes. Even so, she’d never seen anything that made joy spring up within her.

  “We made it,” she murmured, marveling in his scent and warmth.

  “Jenn, I love you. I should’ve said it sooner,” he whispered. “I love your spirit and your strength and that look you give me when I say stupid shit.”

  “I love you, too, Darian. You are the strongest, most honorable person I’ve ever known.”

  “Next time my twice dead ex-wife comes back to try to kill me again, you’ll know better than to freak out,” he teased.

  She laughed, unable to contain the emotion bubbling within her. She lightly kissed his cheeks and forehead and lips. Darian met her gaze, and her heart sang at the emotion in his eyes. She’d lost a family and a world, only to discover the other half of her soul in the man before her.

  “Take me home,” she told him, touching his face.

  “Not sure I know where home is anymore. Damian moved it again.”

  “Take me somewhere,” she replied. “I got some things to teach you.”

  “Hot damn,” he said, grinning. “I’ve got an eternity to learn.” He wrapped his arms around her tightly again. “Never letting go this time.”

  “If I knew this is what love felt like, I wouldn’t have fought it for so long.” Jenn breathed in deeply. She melted against him. His warmth and magic filled her, flowing between them in an indication that they were one. “You know what this means?”

  “What?”

  “I get to go with you to hunt Others. No more leaving me behind.”

  “I’m the Grey God. I still outrank you,” he said.

  “If I’ve learned anything from watching Sofi and Damian, it’s that the mate of a god is truly the one with rank.”

  “We’re having six kids.”

  She stared at him.

  “Two can play this game,” he said and nuzzled her cheek.

  “Trust me, hon, this isn’t a game you will win,” she replied, smiling slowly.

  Darian kissed her long and deep, his passion flying through her, leaving her breathless and aching for more than a kiss.

  “I think I will,” he whispered huskily.

  “What’re you waiting for? Let’s find out.”

  War of Gods

  Damian’s Oracle, Book I (10/2011)

  Damian’s Assassin, Book II (11/2011)

  Damian’s Immortal, Book III (12/2011)

  The Grey God, Book IV (07/2012)

  Original Beings – War of Gods spinoff

  Xander’s Chance (Winter 2013)

  Upcoming Lizzy Ford books

  Dark Summer (Book I, Witchling Trilogy) – 08/2012

  Kiera’s Sun (Book II, Anshan Saga) – 08/2012

  Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

  Simply review one (or both!) of the books below on either Amazon or Amazon UK between July and September 30, 2012 and you will be entered into the giveaway. There are biweekly drawings at Lizzy’s website: http://www.guerrillawordfare.com/ In addition, for every 100 reviews reached, Lizzy will release a new novelette in the series!

  Please note: only reviews left on the two books below qualify for the drawing! First drawing is July 15. If you review both, you’ll be entered into both drawings.

  “Katie’s Hellion” (Book I, Rhyn Trilogy)

  “The Grey God” (Book IV, War of Gods)

  Sneak Peek: Anna by Julia Crane

  Anna

  By

  Julia Crane

  Chapter One

  There is a part of me that no one ever sees.

  I hide behind a mask of heavy make-up and ever-changing hair and clothing. I try to reinvent myself. It doesn’t work. There are times when I am bone-crushingly sad. I just want to curl into a ball and hide from the rest of the world. But, I plaster on a smile and play the game for my family and friends. They call me a free spirit.

  I wish I were free. I feel like I am imprisoned by my own mind.

  Anna closed the book and leaned back on her fluffy pillow, the words she had written still swirling around inside her. Sometimes when she put to paper her feelings, it helped. Most days, it didn’t.

  Sighing, Anna lifted the heavy plum-colored comforter that covered her bed to tuck her Book of Shadows under the mattress. Hiding the book put her mind at ease. Even though she lived alone—and could theoretically leave the book anywhere—it was a hard habit to break. Privacy was something she guarded at all costs.

  From the moment Anna began studying witchcraft, she had settled into a routine of writing in her BOS first thing every morning. She had once read that a person was at their most creative when they were closest to the dream state. The mornings were reserved for her personal thoughts and feelings. She saved witchy things for when she wrote later in the day.

  Sunlight streamed through the crack in the curtains, and birds were singing outside the window. Her little apartment was quiet and secluded, and it gave her a sense of serenity.

  Do I really want to go to class today? There was no one around to force her to go like her mother had when Anna was in high school. She was completely on her own, which was as equally terrifying as it was exciting. Anna stared at the ceiling and thought of all the ways she could spend her day that did not include going to school. A trip to the art museum…a walk to the pool…a lazy day with a book
in the park….

  Eventually, her conscience talked her out of skipping school. With one last sigh, she swung her long legs off the bed and stumbled into the bathroom.

  Anna didn’t bother to glance in the mirror—she knew she looked like crap. Instead, she turned on the water as hot as it would go, shed her pajamas, and climbed into the shower.

  As the hot water pelted her skin, Anna tilted her head upwards. She lifted her hands to the ceiling and envisioned a white light that poured down from above. The light spread over her body, from fingertips to toes, and she chanted:

  In this morning hour

  I call upon the ancient power

  I ask the goddess to clean my soul

  Help me to feel whole

  She repeated the chant three times, and then closed it with, “So mote it be.”

  Anna smiled as the energy radiated throughout her body. She breathed deeply, enjoying the sensation—like a thousand tiny pinpricks that made her blood flow faster. Between the water and the energy, she was once again clean. The negativity had washed away, leaving her with a feeling of peace with which to start her day.

  Anna wrapped a fluffy maroon towel around her torso and tucked the edge under an arm to hold it up. Her shoulders relaxed as she left her small bathroom and crossed the tiny hallway to enter the bedroom.

  She loved her bedroom. The light-colored wood floors and pale yellow walls reflected the daylight that spilled through the large bay window so that the room was always bright. The space heater sitting on the hardwood floor by her bed had kept the room warm so that even her bare feet weren’t cold.

  It was the silence of her apartment that made her happy, and not for the first time, Anna felt so blessed to be living on her own. Between the peace and the ambient light, she felt reenergized.

  She found that she was finally excited about the day—first day back after winter break. It still amazed her that she was able to go to school for something she loved, digital arts. As she dried off, she vowed to shake the negative attitude; there was too much to be thankful for in life to go through it consistently pessimistic.