I squeezed his hand to reassure him. “I’m a badass, right? I’ve killed you so many times, this will be a piece of cake.”
That didn’t mean my insides weren’t sloshing around in worry about what could happen.
“Besides, I’ll feel better knowing you’re nearby,” I said as we stopped by the museum entrance. I leaned up and kissed him and Xander pulled me into him, turning a brief kiss into a long, exploratory one that left me dizzy.
Despite his reluctance, he let me go.
We navigated through the fake grocery store with its meticulously placed shelves and plastic produce. Next came the hall of endless selfies, an Instagrammer's paradise with all kinds of floral backgrounds to choose from.
Finally, I came upon the entrance to the maze of mirrors. The walls shimmered and twisted in every direction, reflecting my own image back at me. Taking a deep breath, I positioned myself at the start and prepared for Aten's arrival.
The ceiling stretched impossibly high, adorned with an intricate web of rafters. Later on in the exhibit, visitors would be able to watch others make their way through this same maze of reflections from above. It was like a never-ending funhouse, full of secrets and illusions waiting to be discovered.
I longed for Xander to be up there with me, but he had to remain at a distance. I didn’t know where he took up his post, but I was sure he was moments away. His nearness made me feel less alone, less exposed to danger.
After what felt like an eternity—but was really fifteen minutes later—door opened. My breath cut off halfway on an inhale.
Aten’s image filled the mirrors.
The air shimmered around him, particles of light dancing in his wake, casting reflections that dazzled and mesmerized. Every mirror caught and multiplied his image, creating an endless sea of his perfection. The sight was so captivating it almost made me forget the danger he posed.
Almost.
His divine nature had been amplified by the countless prayers funneled through his church.
“Where are you, my god killer?” the sun god asked in an intrigued voice. His new nickname made me cringe. Though I didn’t care for being his right arm either.
Aten was at the entrance and he could see my reflection though I was farther in.
Despite the dread pooling in my stomach I steeled myself, forcing my legs to stand firm, my hands to stop shaking.
“You have to come to me,” I said evenly.
His love for his own image was evident in the way he paused to admire his reflection, a smile playing on his lips—a god completely enamored with himself.
A strange sense of resolve settled over me as Aten drew closer.
In his eyes, I was nothing but a mortal, a minor inconvenience to be dealt with. As I steadied my breathing, I prepared to face him.
Aten made his way through the maze slowly but steadily. I paid sharp attention to how he navigated, noting that he spent more time looking at his own reflection than focusing on the route to me.
Aten loved his own image, so I gave him as much as I could of what he loved most. It was already distracting him whether he realized it or not.
I did everything I could not to tense when the heat of his body preceded his entrance into the corridor where I stood.
Finally, he came to stand in front of me. We stood there a moment appraising each other. Thankfully, I’d mastered the poker face long ago, and the sweat sliding down my back and under my breasts could be attributed to the actual heat he cast into the maze.
Aten broke our silence. “Why here?”
“I spoke to Sunny.”
“I’m aware,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“She told me about the church, the glory of following you.”
“Yes, and...” he drawled expectantly.
“At first, I thought she was full of bullshit, but I wanted to experience it for myself.”
