My father… is a tyrant. He killed my mother. He killed innocent people around the city just to haunt me... he tried to kill me. Again.
What does it mean that I am his progeny? Am I destined to make the same mistakes as him? Is it possible for a shark to be anything but the deadly creature they were born to be?
The problem is, this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg. My father has existed on this planet for thousands of years. His reign has been filled with terror. I thought Elva’s mother had been bad, but I had been ignorant of the horrible man in my own backyard. My father deserves to spend the rest of eternity in an ocean filled to the brim with the blood of those who are no longer alive because of him.
Erik’s arm is wrapped around me. His heat is like a glowing, sunlight-yellow that invades the midnight blue waters of my mind. He pushes back the ice creeping under my skin ever since that horrible man Conrad showed his face.
“Helena,” Erik whispers in my ear.
I blink. We are back in that golden, or brass, colored elevator. I meet Erik’s beautiful eyes and just stare. When did we make it this far?
He says, “I think we should stop at your uncle’s office first.”
Slowly, I nod. There is much to say to him… Erik can help me with that. I squeeze my vigilante’s hand, suddenly feeling waves of emotion that are too much for my body to contain. I am so grateful for him—that we are together.
Floors pass before my eyes, but the rooms are empty this time. Not even a ghost inhabits the spaces that were once bustling with eager workers. I shake my head; the most urgent task now is fixing the shit that directly results from my presence here.
They’re not working becauseIbrought this horror to their city. I know that the thing that my father has started won’t be solved quickly. I know that he has begun what is likely to be a war because of me.
And I hate that.
The elevator stops and dings loudly. It makes me wince. The doors slide open to reveal a room covered in shadows. As we step forward, I take in enormous white wings, white hair, and skin made of pure, reflective gold.
Uncle Raphael.
Something about him feels wrong, and I don’t like getting too close. Somehow, I know he is slimy.
The King of the Angels whispers intensively, making the hair stand on the back of my neck. I can’t even distinguish a word he says when Uncle Aidoneus clears his throat loudly.
“Raphael, we are no longer alone,” the Daemon King says. I can just barely make out the Daemon around the enormous frame of King Zeus.
With an elegant twirl that sends his wings rustling, Raphael turns to face us. His voice is filled with forced cheer, “Helena!”
It takes an honest effort to smile and tip my head, but Erik sketches out a swift bow.
Raphael lifts one white eyebrow, looking down at us with his eyes of electric green. The weight of his gaze is heavy and makes me want to slink away, but I stand firm. He narrows his gaze, addressing me, “You still cannot speak?”
Erik opens his mouth to respond, but Uncle Aidoneus answers first. “I have a few sources I would like to consult, but from my knowledge, not even our power can reverse this. There is a cost to magic, brother. You know this. There is a give and take required for our powers to work.”
Raphael shakes his head in mild disgust. “I think what you mean isyoucan’t do it.” he sneers. “You are too weak, brother. You’ve always been weak.”
My mouth falls open at how the Angel dares speak to the other demigod. Even though I know Raphael is powerful, it reminds me of a worm regarding a python. I shake my head. Beside me, Erik squeezes my hand.
The King of the Angels continues, “When you explain the Divine Power like that, you make us seem weaker than common species, like Fae, or Were.” Raphael’s eyes take on an electric glow, similar to what I have seen from Aidoneus… and Phaedra. “I am the highest of the Trimurti. I shall give our niece what she truly desires. And then you shall admit, once and for all, who is the best.”
Before I can signal my lack of consent, his power shoots towards me like a lightning bolt. Erik gasps and steps away as the green power cocoons me in chains of pure electricity.
At first, there is no pain. There is nothing at all. I cannot move or breathe. A blinding green light fills my vision, and I am paralyzed.
And then, it is as though a thousand lightning bolts have been thrown at me all at once. My entire body is at war with itself. My heart is hammering in my chest, my lungs unable to draw breath as I double over. Silent screams escape me as I tremble.
Erik moves to touch me, but Raphael holds his large hand up.
“Halt. Touch her, and you will die,” he says with an ethereal voice. It echoes through the throne room as his terrible power rips through me.
Yells erupt from around me as Erik and Aidoneus fight against Raphael’s power, but I can no longer hear them. Everything sounds as though I am underwater. Nothing is easy or clear anymore. Like a fish, I open and close my mouth as breath evades me.
A silent scream escapes me. Horrific agony takes over my body. I am vaguely aware that one of the bones in my leg has snapped clean in half. I see the jut of the horrendous angle sticking out of my gray skin.