“You’re deviating from the plan, Solace.” His voice was a low rumble as he stalked next to me, an ever-present black shadow.
I waved one long hand in his general direction, effectively dismissing him.
He growled low in response, a predatory sound.
“I thought you didn’t even like the plan, brother.” My words were sharp and pointed, causing Kaos to rear his head back in shock.
He recovered quickly, however, and his brows descended over his eyes in a dramatic scowl that would frighten any mortal.
Luckily, I was a goddess.
“I don’t,” he spat, “but I also don’t appreciate being left in the dark,sister.”
“I thought you enjoyed the dark, dear brother.”
His shoulders tightened in response, and he took quick, measured steps, pulling himself from my side in an effort to cut me off. I stopped before his hulking form, white eyes meeting his pitch-black orbs. The air crackled around us as Kaos’ anger grew, his power threatening to unleash.
Humans ducked and hid in their tents, hiding from his wrath. Conversation ceased as they avoided our deadly standoff.
Maybe they aren’t as dumb as they first appeared.
I cocked my head at Kaos, unblinking. Sometimes the best course of action with my quick-to-anger brother was to simply wait him out. He could never stand the silence like I could.
After a few tense moments, I began to think that maybe I’d read him wrong on this occasion.
That would be the first time in . . . centuries.
It appeared that Meru changed Kaos, too.
“The plan,” he finally ground from between his teeth, his fists clenching and unclenching rhythmically at his sides in tune with the small bursts of power emanating from his form, “was to kill the last descendant. Absorb her power. Unleash the humans on Elyria whilewefind the artifacts.”
I said nothing. He was so obsessed with those artifacts—almost to an unhealthy degree.
He should be more worried about what his descendant is doing. Or not doing.
“Plans changed,” I finally said, an airy note of finality in my voice.
“No!” His hand slashed in front of him, and I reared back in slight shock. “That plandoes notchange, sister. Those artifacts . . . our tether to existencemustbe found.”
I studied him for a moment, prying past the outward display of anger and frustration to the core of his emotions. A slow smile spread across my face when I finally realized what drove him to this reaction, what drove him to follow me in the first place.
Fear.
“Oh Kaos,” I purred, “are you afraid?”
He blanched, his hand dropping back to his side, the power that was leaking into the air evaporated immediately, the heaviness that accompanied the magic instantly dissipating.
“No, no, I’m notafraid,” he scoffed.
I took a predatory step toward him until my chest was flush with his own. I slowly moved one of my hands up until I could feel his heart hammering beneath my palm. My grin only grew wider.
“Oh, on the contrary, brother. I think you’reterrified.” I squeezed my nails into the leather of his armor, and he flinched.
I pulled away with a laugh that was borderline maniacal, and I felt, more than saw, Kaos wince in response.
His hands ran through the short braids on his head as I continued my trek back down the main street of the camp, confident my brother would follow.
“The plan has changed, Kaos, but the objective remains the same,” I called, my robes trailing in the magical wind that seemed to constantly surround me.
