The god laughed, his head turning back and forth between me and Miranda, as if he’s in on a joke I’m telling.
He didn’t understand what I was fighting to keep down. If I let it out, it was definitely going to ruin the party mood.
“You’re joking right, Nun? This worthless human thinks she’s special because she carries a big toy.”
A long groan rolled out from my chest as I rubbed my chin. “Ah, but is that any different from you?”
Min’s eyes clouded with confusion before my gaze darted to the place between his legs.
Miranda stiffened, watching me carefully. This god didn’t know me, but she did. All of me is dangling off the cliff except for the one hand hold I had on the sanity and decorum these events called for.
The god’s brows furrowed, his upper lip pulling back in a sneer. “Oh, I see. Your brain has softened to shit after all these years. What a pity.” He sniffed. “You were as formidable as Anubis once. And now you’re just a broken little demi, who found a safe little toy to play with.” He jerked his head in Miranda’s direction.
Before I could react, his face blanched. The tip of Miranda’s sword tapped at his balls. “You got a thing about toys, don’t you?” she asked, with cool assessment. “Maybe I should take yours away. After all, you’re a god, right? It’ll grow back. Give you a chance to think with your head instead of your little sensitive prick, since it’s clearly turning you into a dick.”
The god’s eyes bulged as his Adam's apple did a dramatic rise and fall down his throat. He stupidly looked to me for help.
I shrugged as my lips split into a sly smile. “You shouldn’t mess with a girl who carries lethal weapons.”
“Or any self-respect,” Miranda added with an absolutely vicious grin.
My chest swelled with warmth and pride.
That’s my little badass.
Miranda stepped closer to him, hissing in his ear. “I’ve never chopped off anyone’s bits with the Blade of Bane before. As it truly takes the life of an immortal, I wonder if it would permanently claim your balls as well.”
A human cut his ego down to size and it awoke a hungry ferocity in me for her. She was so alive and amazing. I wanted to run my tongue along her skin to taste the electricity I saw sizzle in her eyes.
The god’s face twisted and flexed. He wanted to say something but knew better than to open his trap while in such a precarious position.
“But as long as you don’t fuck with me, I won’t investigate that particular feature of mytoy.” Miranda turned on her heel and was out the door, leaving an imperious air in her wake as if he wasn’t worth another moment of her time.
The god made to leave, pulling me from my thoughts, but I clamped a hand down on his shoulder, and yanked him back before he could get out of reach.
“Whoa there, hold on just a minute,” I said, my voice dripping with delight and malice. “We're not done here.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face, and for a brief moment I saw glimpses of the arrogant façade crumbling away. The tables had turned and now it was his turn to feel the weight of someone else's dominance.
With a swift motion, I released him from my grasp. The god stumbled. He glared at me with wariness.
“You don't speak like that to her ever again, do you understand?” Then I laughed lightly as my hand clamped on his shoulder again, crushing the bone underneath.
He cried out and fell to a knee, his face turning a mottled red. I paid his reactions no mind and instead thoughtfully added, “Actually, you don't speak to her at all. You don't even look at her.”
The false levity dropped like a hammer as I drilled into him with what I knew must look like the eyes of a demon. The crazy clawed at the side of my brain, begging me to paint the walls with his blood for being too close to Miranda.
“You don't even think of her, do you understand? If you do, I will make what she threatened to do look like a day in the park compared to what I'll do to you. Because I've had an eternity to know what pain really is and how the true torture is never knowing when it will end orifit will end at all. And I'd be happy to share my life lessons with you.”
Blood gushed from where my fingers brutally penetrated his flesh like a strip of flattened bread dough. His cries and groans for me to stop drowned out my words. I shook his shoulder forcing a shriek of pain to escape him. “I fear you aren't listening. Are you listening?”
“Yes, yes,” Min practically yelped. “I'm listening. I'll never look at her or think of her again.” With a final wicked grin, I released him. The god fell backward, crumpling into a protective ball. I lifted my hand and licked my blood covered fingers. “Add a little more salt to your diet while you’re at it. You taste a little bland.”
I strolled out of the room.
The night proceededand Miranda continued to mingle with those who despised her, though I watched her make a few allies who mentioned her unique bravery and success over Bes and Serqet.
I noted their names and faces for later. As much as the other gods tried to draw me out, I dodged their attempts to be drawn into conversation or dance. I eventually caught Miranda’s eye and jerked my head in the direction of an adjoining room. Understanding my motion, she excused herself.
