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Mona jumped, and Evander stiffened with a low growl. Together, they turned to face the tall figure emerging from the crowd, stomping furiously toward them. He had a powerful, muscular form, with sleek brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His dark black eyes seemed to boil with his fury.
He raised his hands, summoning light that speared straight toward Evander’s chest.
“No!” Mona shrieked, stepping in front of him. The man’s magic struck her instead, and she screamed, falling to her knees.
With a roar, Evander lunged, ignoring Mona’s protests. His wings flapped and he swiped his claws, but the man was faster. More sunlight poured from his fingertips, assaulting Evander. Evander screeched, trying to use his wings to shield himself from the onslaught of power, but it was no use. The magic was too strong.
“Stop it!” Mona cried. “Stop it!”
“Go back to the pits of Tartarus where you belong!” the man bellowed, the light in the room intensifying.
Fury churned in Mona’s chest, raw and powerful. She spread her hands, her fingers coiling with her rage, and summoned roots from the ground. The elegant marble floors cracked as brambles shot forward, winding around the man’s ankles and wrists, pinning him in place.
Shock filled the man’s face as he gazed at Mona with horror.
“Release him,” she hissed, tightening her hold on him. His arms jerked from the movement.
“Gaia?” he whispered, his face paling.
“No. I am her daughter. And you have ensnared a prince of Hell. Unless you wish to wage war against the death gods, you will release him.”
To her surprise, the man laughed. She kept him chained by her magic, but her resolve faltered.
“Do not speak of that which you do not understand, child,” the man scoffed. “There are no more death gods. The Underworld has been destroyed.”
“He is the son of Aidoneus!” Mona cried, gesturing to Evander.
“And Aidoneus was my brother,” the man spat. “I don’t give a shit who he is. He is invading my realm, and he is a demon! He must be destroyed.”
Mona felt her heart drop to her stomach. She should have known. She should have realized when he’d used the power of the sun to attack Evander.
This was Apollo.
The king of Elysium.
“I was benevolent when I cursed Gaia,” the man went on. “I let her children live. A mistake I will not repeat tonight.”
Vines snapped, and the brambles surrounding him fell to the floor, turning to ash at his feet. He gathered a ball of light between his palms and flung it toward Mona. She shrieked, but Evander shot forward, spreading his wings and absorbing the impact.
“Evander!” she cried as he roared in pain, his great wings riddled with charred holes and burn marks. He slumped to the floor, shuddering violently. Mona crouched beside him, pressing her hands to his face. He blinked blearily, his red eyes burning with regret.
Apollo summoned more power, but another figure stepped between them, her hands blazing with fire.
Hestia.
“Do not touch her,” Hestia commanded, her voice ringing with authority.
Apollo’s face slackened in surprise before his eyes narrowed. “Don’t be a fool, Hestia.”
“I stood by when you banished Gaia. I will not stand by while you obliterate her daughter as well.” Hestia’s form was rigid as she faced off Apollo.
“Step aside,” Apollo ground out.
“No.”
“Then I will curse you as I cursed her!” Apollo bellowed, gathering light in his palms once more.
“Apollo, stop!” cried a voice.
