I stopped in my tracks and grabbed his arm. “Do you still love me?” My heart raced as he turned to face me.
His eyes welled up. “I will never stop loving you, Gray. And I will live in agony every day that you are away from me.”
My lip trembled. “You don’t think you deserve happiness. Well, maybe none of us do. But you aren’t ever going to find it if you don’t believe it exists.”
He hung his head down. “That may be true, but at least I’ll know you’ll have a chance at it.”
Dragos cleared his throat and called out from up ahead. “Pick up the pace, Bannister. Iris and I both are tired of listening to you whine.”
I rolled my eyes and rushed to catch up. Aldric dragged his feet behind me while Iris snickered.
Dragos leaned in and whispered, “Sorry, but I just couldn’t take another word of it.”
I nodded, wistfully. “Me too.”
Iris came to a sudden stop in front of a massive oak tree. Its branches twisted up toward the sky to a point where you couldn’t see the top. The trunk was about twenty feet wide. She placed a hand on it and closed her eyes. Within minutes, the trunk split apart, revealing a new path.
Dragos raised an eyebrow. “This is the gate to Elysium? Inside an old tree?”
Iris shot him a dirty look. “Bite your tongue. The gods will hear you.”
I drew in a sharp breath. “Calm down. He didn’t mean to insult them.”
She pursed her lips. “So, you speak for him now? I know what he meant.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Let’s just get in there already.”
As I followed her through the trunk, a tingling sensation spread throughout my body. The air was cool and damp on my skin. Once all of us were through, she placed her hand on the tree, repeating the process, and sealed it shut. I spun around and drew in a sharp breath. Stretched out before me was a vast forest full of glass treehouses and shimmering streams as far as the eye could see.
The streams wound in and out between the trees, glistening from the bright yellow sun. My heart felt like it might burst. It was breathtaking. Aldric and Dragos looked out in awe. I let out a gasp as a cluster of golden butterflies flittered past us. Their flapping wings sent out a light shock wave that tickled my skin.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle filled my nose. “I never imagined it would feel like this. It’s…euphoric.”
Iris was stone faced. “I’m used to it.”
Dragos snorted. “How could you ever get used to this? It’s unreal.”
She shrugged. “I guess it doesn’t affect me anymore. Chaos’s realm is just up ahead. We should get going. He already knows we are here.”
Aldric scratched his head. “Who is Chaos?”
Iris continued walking as she called back, “He is a god. An impatient one.”
Dragos murmured to me, “I’ve heard Chaos is temperamental. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
I clasped his hand. “If that’s true, just let me do most of the talking. You are more of an acquired taste.”
He gave me a smirk as Iris stopped in front of another large oak tree. “Gray will be the only one doing the talking. Chaos has agreed to meet with her. No one else.”
My heart sank. “I don’t understand. Why bring all of us then?”
She huffed, annoyed with my question. “So the gods can see we are all in agreement.”
Something else was bothering me. “I assumed I’d be meeting with Apollo. He is the god I pray to. Why am I going into Chaos’s realm?”
Iris burst out laughing. “You really thought you would get to meet Apollo? Not even the Harpies have had that privilege, and we guard his realm. You might think you are important down here, but in Elysium you are nothing but a speck of dust.”
My cheeks flushed as disappointment flooded by body. When The Keeper first told me about Elysium, the thrill of meeting Apollo was all I could think about. Going into this new realm to meet a strange god made me uneasy.
Dragos stiffened, sensing my apprehension. “I’m not letting Gray go in there without me. You and Aldric can do whatever you like.”
Iris laughed. “It doesn’t work like that. You are not allowed in. If she doesn’t want to go in alone then we should just turn back now.”
I let out a deep sigh. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here. I’m going in. I didn’t come all the way out here for nothing.”
Aldric stepped forward. “You’re gonna be fine. You’re strong and resilient. And we'll be here waiting for you when you get back.”
Iris winced at Aldric’s display of tenderness toward me. “How touching. But be prepared, this isn’t a quick trip. He will keep her there for three days to prove she’s worthy.”
Dragos erupted. “Three days? Are you mad? I don’t like this one bit.”
I placed my hands on his chest. “I need you to keep it together. Think about New Orleans. The Crescent Witches can only keep them locked in for so long before it spills out into other cities. Those monsters will burn everything and everyone down. I have to do this.”
He nodded and cupped my face in his hands. “I know. I have no doubt you will succeed.” He leaned in and whispered, “But if you’re not back in three days, I’m going in there to find you. Not even the gods could stop me.”
I smiled and kissed his cheek. “I would expect nothing less.”
I glanced at Aldric and forced a smile. “Don’t kill each other out here.”
He nodded and gave me a wink.
Iris parted the tree and I stepped through without looking back.
Twelve
The wind whipped my dark hair around my face as Chaos stood before me. My breath quickened at the sight of him. His lips curled into a smile as he looked down at me. His brown eyes were shrouded in mischief behind the jet black lashes that matched his flowing hair. It hung down just below his ears.
Dressed in human clothes, black jeans and a black T-shirt, his body was lean and sun kissed. He towered over me by at least a foot. With full lips and a chiseled jaw, he was beautiful. I imagined all the gods to be built in perfection, but seeing it up close was a different story. It was hard to breathe and look at him at the same time.
Sensing my state of awe, he tilted his head to the side and chuckled. “Imagine what it would do to you if I was in my true form.”
Was he reading my thoughts? Or was it that obvious that I was mesmerized by him? “And what form is that?” My voice shook and my lower lip quivered.
He grinned, his eyes lighting up. “I have wings, I’m much taller, and my body is normally…exposed.”
My heart thumped in my chest as I willed myself not to picture him without clothes.
A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. “Would you like to see?”
I swallowed hard. “That won’t be necessary. I’m here to—”
“I know why you’re here, little one. You’ve made quite a mess of things, haven’t you?” His words were harsh, but his tone was soft and playful.
I stammered, “That’s one way to put it. I hope I haven’t offended you by coming. I just didn’t know where else to go.” As beautiful as he was, a tinge of fear billowed in my stomach. I’d trespassed into yet another realm, and he could strike me down for it at any moment.
He studied my face. “Do you know why they named me Chaos? When I was first created, I would run around playing tricks on the other gods. I used to hide their instruments and set fire to their feathers. At first, they were angry. Then they later realized it was needed. Do you know why?”
I was wondering if he was playing a trick on me right now. I shook my head, afraid to say the wrong thing.
He licked his lips. “For balance. Light and dark—right and wrong. That’s how we grow. That’s how we live.”
I was stunned. “So, you aren’t angry with me?” I clenched my fists at my sides to keep them from shaking.
Chaos smiled. “I am not a moon goddess. I leave those
matters of judgement to her.”
I let out the deep breath I’d been holding. “Please tell me she’s not in here.” The realization that I was alone without weapons in an unreachable realm struck me like a ton of bricks.
His eyes lit up in amusement again. “You’re safe with me, little one. Shall we walk? We have much to know about each other.”
I nodded. His way of speaking was both strange and alluring. In my world, I was the predator, the strong one amidst a sea of fragile beings. In here, I felt like I could break at any moment. I was powerless and weak.
Sensing my apprehension, he held out his hand. “May I?”
I nodded, unsure of what I was agreeing to.
He placed his hand on the back of my neck. His touch was warm and sent tingles down my spine. “Close your eyes.”
I hesitated, but gave in. A rush of calm flooded my veins. I opened my eyes and let out a gasp. We were no longer standing outside the oak tree, but on top of it, in a glass house that appeared to be suspended on its own.
My heart raced. “Where are we?” I looked around the room to see books and candles, a stone hearth, tables, and fluffy pillows the size of my entire body.
He waved his hand toward the contents. “Do you like it? I created it for you.”
I knew what he was doing. One of his tricks to make me feel more comfortable by creating a space that I could relate to.
I nodded. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
With his hand still on the back of my neck, he gently pulled me toward him. “Let us sit for a while. I want to make you an offer.”
My pulse raced and my heart was in my throat. His presence was unnerving, and the heat of his stare awakened a vulnerability in me that I had not felt since I was human. I was not in control, and it terrified me.
He sat across from me as I plopped myself down onto a pile of pillows. He reached for a glass decanter and poured me a glass of honey colored liquid.
My fingers trembled as I took it from him. “What is it?”
He grinned. “Nectar from the gods.” My eyes grew wide and he chuckled. “It’s just whiskey. I know that you are fond of it.”
I chuckled back. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re a god. You must know everything about me.” I took a swig and instantly felt my nerves soothed.
Chaos watched me like a hawk, studying my every movement. “I know what I know. I like seeing you in front of me. I’ve watched you from afar for so many moons.”
I suddenly felt like I was under a microscope. “I’m the first living creature you’ve had up here, aren’t I?”
He nodded. “You are the only creature brave enough to try.”
I took another slow sip of my whiskey. It coated my dry throat like a warm bath. “What will it take for you to help me fight Cerb—”
He put his finger to my lips to silence me. “Don’t you want to hear my offer first?”
I slowly moved his finger away. “Alright. I’m listening.” I had a feeling we would be talking in riddles all night.
Chaos poured me another glass. “We have three days together. At the end of our time, if you still want to save your world, I will help you. But you will have to convince me that you don’t want to leave. And I get to convince you to stay.”
I choked on my drink. “Stay? In Elysium? With you? I don’t understand.”
He laughed. “You seem surprised. I like you, Gray Wynter. I am giving you the keys to the kingdom, so they say. You can have anything your heart desires here. If you won’t at least consider it, I will walk you back to your world right now.”
My head was spinning. Was this a game? A test? How could he really expect me to leave behind my people, my loved ones, my life? I had to be careful with what I said next. Without his help, there would be nothing to go back to anyway.
I swallowed hard. “I will accept your offer on one condition.”
He grinned—pleased with our banter. “I’m intrigued.”
“No tricks. If you want to convince me to stay, you can try, but be honest with me starting now.” I held my breath as he mulled it over.
He nodded. “We are in agreement, then. Our three days begin now.”
I had made plenty of deals with all sorts of devilish creatures, but I never imagined that making a deal with a god would terrify me the most.
We spent the rest of the first evening in the glass treehouse. As comforting as it was to be surrounded by mundane objects and surroundings, it only made me miss home more. Sensing this, Chaos hounded me with questions about my life.
He gazed at me inquisitively. “Who do you love more?”
I raised an eyebrow, unsure what he was asking.
He smiled and continued. “You have two lovers, yes? Which one can you not live without? Who would you be willing to die for?”
My cheeks flushed. “I do not have two lovers. Aldric left me. Dragos stayed. There’s not much more to it than that. Don’t ask me who I would choose. It’s not up to me.”
That twinkle of amusement returned to his eyes. “A paradox for the ages. A new love to replace the absence of the other. You are puzzling creatures.”
The weight of his stare was making me uncomfortable. He eyed me like a specimen. “I thought the moon goddess was the only one who took sides.” My tone was full of bitterness.
He laughed. “I observe and ponder. I wonder when you will stop judging yourself.” It was more of a statement than a question.
A lump formed in my throat. “I don’t know how.” I bit my lip to keep the tears from falling.
Chaos put his hand over mine. “I’d like to take you somewhere. Will you come?”
The heat from his hand sent tingles down my back. A reminder that I was being touched by a god. I imagined he was made up of stardust and sacred ash, sewn together by sunlight and lightning bolts. My heart skipped a beat at the raw awareness of his presence.
I nodded and stood up. “A deal’s a deal. Where are we going?”
He rose to face me and stood closer than I was prepared for. His breath was warm and sweet like molasses. Did he even have breath, or was it just another illusion he created to make himself seem more tangible?
“I’d like to show you my kingdom. The City of Chaos—its streets, its towers, and its souls. A place without judgement or sacrifice. A place to remember what you choose and forget that which you wish.” His eyes glowed as he spoke, casting golden shadows across his face.
I swallowed hard. Every word dripped out of his mouth like honey, captivating all my senses. Seducing every limb. My heart raced. He was going to do everything in his power to make it impossible for me to want to leave…and no one possessed more power than him.
It was always night here. The skyline glittered with a thousand stars and planets. We were perched on top of the largest tower, looking over the city. Down below, shadows and shapes bustled around like ants, buzzing like worker bees. Everyone had a job to do. A role to play. The sound of their clicking heels thumped in my ears like a melody. The air was shrouded in mystery and secrets. They whispered to me on the currents of the wind.
Chaos stood proud—his chest puffed out and his chin raised—as he gazed down on his kingdom. He scanned the streets like a hawk looking for its next prey.
I shivered next to him. “What are they all doing?”
He turned to me for the first time since we landed on the tower. “Earning their place in the life beyond. Some are atoning, others are enjoying their rewards. A simple balance of deeds answered for. Not in judgement, but for absolution. It’s beautiful, yes?”
I nodded, unsure what to say next. “What happens after they…atone?”
He grinned. “They assume a new role. Come, let me show you more. Close your eyes.”
My body trembled and resisted the urge to run away. There was nowhere to run. I closed my eyes and drew in a sharp breath. As he placed his hand on the back of my neck, my body warmed, and it felt like fire in my veins. And just like the first time he did it,
when I opened my eyes again, we were in a different place.
The steam from the pools of water filled my vision—reminiscent of a Roman bath house. It was the scene of some sort of cleansing ritual. We floated through unnoticed.
He smirked—noticing my disbelief. “There are many worlds here. Their choices in one affect their outcome in the other.”
I nodded, murmuring, “The life beyond…”
Chaos took my hand and led me to a garden. We walked, and the scent of sweet jasmine filled my nose. I still didn’t understand why he was showing this all to me. A twinge of guilt struck me as I remembered Dragos and Aldric had to wait two more days for my return.
I paused and looked at him, puzzled. “Why me? Why do you want me to stay?”
He grinned and winked. “Why not?”
I let out a deep sigh. He agreed to be honest, but he didn’t say he would give me a straight answer or make any sense. I had a feeling that things were going to get even stranger.
Before I could even finish my thought, a figure moved up ahead through the trees—a shadow. Chaos moved a muscular arm in front of me. He scanned the perimeter in front of us and chuckled.
My heart raced. “What is it? Is someone out there?”
He licked his lips and smiled. “Just a bit of sibling rivalry. You are much in demand, little one.”
My knees trembled. I didn’t even stop to think that other gods would be out there, watching me. Waiting to punish me or strike me down the first chance they got. My lungs tightened and I gripped his arm to steady myself.
Chaos spun around and pulled me close. He whispered, “Close your eyes.”
I shut them tight, without hesitation. That now familiar warmth flooded my veins and soothed my skin like an old friend. This time I felt the wind underneath me as my feet left the ground. It wasn’t a trick. We were flying.
Thirteen
Gods and Demons (Blood and Darkness Book 3) Page 8