She’d been under the impression that the gods wanted her dead.
While he was distracted, a tiny bit of air seeped into her oxygen starved lungs. The black dots dancing in her vision gradually faded, and sounds returned in a rush.
“Unfortunately, killing her won’t be possible.” Arthur—no, fuck, his name was now Thanatos—gave the elves an assured, totally implacable smile, like his word was law.
Who the hell knows at this point…maybe it is.
Aoibh's head snapped up at the not so subtle order, her eyes narrowing as she straightened. “She is not listed as one of the approved gods allowed to remain on earth. According to the accords, she must be destroyed. Any escaped gods must be sent back to Tartarus.”
What the every-loving hell?!
Morgan felt like she’d fallen down a rabbit hole as a world she had no clue existed opened up before her. Kincade slipped a hand around her waist and gently pulled her behind him as the god faced down the elves. His skin had hardened as his gargoyle pushed to the surface.
Then it was like she was being handed off. Ryder grabbed her next, more beast than man as his wolf rode him hard. He kissed the crown of her head, never once taking his eyes awayfrom the confrontation, then grabbed her shoulders and pushed her toward Draven and Ascher.
She glared, daring the two of them to touch her. They exchanged one look, then shrugged and just stepped around her until all she could see was a wall of broad shoulders and backs.
Even Caedmon had joined their antics, joining the wall of bodies.
She glanced behind her to see MacGregor all but snickering. She threw up her hands, shooting him awhat the fucklook that only made his grin spread. Mistress McKay smacked him playfully, but even she was smiling.
The metal wolves’ stationed around the benches had inched closer to the couple, and it boggled her mind to see that MacGregor and McKay were actually petting them, the beasts lapping up the human attention.
“She is exempt, born on this side of the veil,” Thanatos said, power thrumming in his voice. It was a demand and brooked no argument. “It is on this side that she will remain.”
“You don’t get to make the rules.” Aoibh refused to bend, refused to back down. “We have no choice but follow the accords. You are aware of the rules—you created them. There is no other choice.”
Morgan edged away from her mates with as much stealth as she could muster. Her magic stirred, muffling her movements, agreeing with her that it was imperative they keep her mates safe. She came to a stop by the table next to Caedmon. He stiffened, noticed her presence, but didn’t order her back.
She could’ve kissed him.
Thanatos chuckled, like her predicament amused him, then he spoke and her life as she knew it crumbled. “She is the key. If she dies, the gates of Tartarus will fall.”
It was all she could do not to go over there and deck the asshole for spilling her secrets. “Enough.”
The focus of the room turned toward her, and a few of her men cursed, shooting her betrayed, accusing looks when they realized she was no longer standing behind them. She glanced atThanatos, refusing to be intimidated by talking to the man who personified death.
Fuck me.
“Explain this accord, and why I’m being dragged into it and hunted down like a criminal.” Though Morgan didn’t trust gods much, she trusted the fae even less, which was saying something.
Thanatos ran a hand down his front and fussed with his tie, giving her a wry grin. “War between the gods is messy business. All races were impacted and suffered. It was decided the gods would be contained. The old gods decided to slumber, but the younger ones fought back. They didn’t want to give up their newfound power.”
“You mean banished to Tartarus,” she interrupted. She wanted the truth of what really happened, not just a watered-down version of events.
His brows rose at her challenge, his eyes twinkling, a hint of a smile lurking on his lips. “Not everyone was banished. In fact, a number of gods went to Tartarus voluntarily.”
He seemed to deflate, running a hand over the top of his head. “We wereallsupposed to be locked away, start a new life, but it was discovered that removing all divine beings would cause magic to fade from the world.
“It was decided that twelve gods would remain behind, live their life as humanly as possible, and not draw attention to themselves. Slots were drawn randomly, and we were given territories around the world.” Thanatos nodded toward the elves. “To keep us in check, a treaty was created with the elves.”
“But not all fae agreed with what should be done.” Aoibh clasped her hands in front of her, the serenity in her expression not allowing any emotions to leak through. “The light fae agreed that keeping the gods contained was the best chance for survival. Unfortunately, the dark fae disagreed and fought back. They wanted the gods to remain free, wanted the power they would gain if the world remained flooded with magic.”
A little smirk tilted the corner of her lips when her coveted gaze landed on Caedmon. “The seelie queen will be so happywith your return. Come. You must be thrilled to finally resume your rightful spot as the queen’s personal assassin.”
Morgan grimaced at the way she’d summoned Caedmon home like he was a dog to be called to heel. “Sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
The denial was instinctual. She feared that if he dared return, he would never be free again. For some personal reason she couldn’t name, Aoibh wanted him.
