Page 126 of Vengeance of the Gods

Death didn’t react.

Vega understood now. She was Death, the very personification of it, but the shadow inside her wasn’t a mirage she’d created—this wasn’t like the firebreathing dragon looming over her.

The shadow wasn’t an extension of her power. It was her power. The shadow was death… a living entity inside her, acting out Death’s darkest desires.

I am Death.

But Death was just a name without the ability to use it. The two couldn’t exist in this way without one another.

They were one.

Vega felt a weight lift off her mind, a soundless sigh of relief flooding her senses.

She had finally figured it out…

It was quiet, empty while Death’s shadow did whatever happened in the deepest part of Vega’s mind after dragging a god into the pit with it.

Vega spun around to Arlet, ready to find out what her dragon was so angry about, when the look on her best friend’s face needed no explanation.

Her dragon was pissed because Arlet was pissed.

Vega held her hands out, palms facing Arlet like Vega was dealing with an angry street dog. That didn’t stop this rabid canine… Arlet shoved Vega’s shoulders, sending her stumbling back a few steps.

“What was that about, huh?” Arlet asked, going in again for another shove.

Bridger intercepted before she could get a third in, putting himself in between the two… and a giant dragon. “Hey, hey. What’s going on?”

Khort grabbed Arlet by the wrist, pulling her back as she continued to charge towards Vega. “Arlet, stop.”

Vega let Bridger back her up a few more paces, staring around his bulky frame when the reality of Arlet’s mood hit her.

“Tell them, Vega. Tell them what you told Marlena.” Arlet flung Khort’s grip off, standing in front of her dragon.

Avi swayed her head, locking in on Vega.

Bridger’s arms fell from Vega’s biceps where he’d held her in place.

“What does it mean?” Arlet yelled. “Why did you tell her you’re Death?” She sobbed the last part.

“What is she talking about?” Bridger asked, his dark brows knitted when Vega looked up at him.

Her heart raced, but she said loud enough for the three of them to hear, “Because I am.”

“What?” Khort gasped.

Vega sighed, her head drooping down like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She’d hidden this from them for as long as she could. Vega hadn’t planned on keeping it from them forever… just long enough to get ahead. She had wanted it to be too late for anyone to try and change her mind.

There’s no going back. Her fate might not be fair, but it rarely ever was. Vega wouldn’t have wished this on herself, and if she had the choice she would certainly pick another option.

But it was too late. She’d already made the deal.

There was no way to avoid telling them, knowing what she had to do going forward.

“What did you give him?” Bridger asked only her this time.

Chills shot down her back.

He knew.