Page 95 of Vengeance of the Gods

“Khort was in over his head without us,” Vega joked. It got them both to smile for a much needed moment. “We can’t fault him for always wanting to swoop in and play the hero, but without you,” Vega emphasized, because she’d done nothing but add more work to their plates for fifty-five years, “he did what he knew how to do. He saved lives.” They looked around the room at the proof of her words. “He let the people of Tolevarre know they don’t have to suffer under Marlena’s rule. There’s another option.”

Arlet nodded. “Yeah, but that other option is to fight, not hide. Last time we were here in these caves, we didn’t have another choice. This time? We can have Vincere.”

Neither of them had ever seen inside… but if it was anything like Bridger had once dreamed of making Atrox, they were in for a treat.

“Then I guess we make the decision for him. After all, who died and made him Khort ‘I’m the boss’ Fera?” Vega winked.

“And where is your commander, huh?” the rebel who’d landed the punch goaded, puffing up his chest at Bridger’s soldier.

They’d taken their eyes off the fight for one fucking minute…

“Damn it, Gillan,” Arlet grumbled, giving the rebel a name. Vega had been gone too long—she was still trying to learn them all!

“Oh, that’s right. Locked up. A prisoner.” Gillan spat a laugh, seemingly unfazed by the two large soldiers stepping up behind the one he was chest to chest with.

Bridger’s soldier looked oddly familiar too, but Vega couldn’t place his face.

The soldier had had enough, knocking Gillan to his ass with a punch to the nose. He should have seen it coming.

The fight went from a few thrown punches to full blown powers in seconds… and others were joining in, deciding now was the right time to pick a fight with whoever they wanted.

“Who’s your guard right now?” Vega asked through the open door.

Bridger’s soldier pulled water from pitchers of drinking water and sent cupfuls down Gillan’s throat. He gaped like a fish out of water, drowning from the inside.

“My best friend, Leo,” Bridger answered with a noticeably sarcastic drawl.

Vega threw herself in the middle. “Hey! Knock it off!” She grabbed the soldier by the shoulder.

From the depths of her own personal hell, the darkness thrust itself out of its pit with wings sprouting from its back… like a dragon. Diana’s power had morphed the death inside her to resemble a piece of what Vega stole.

Panic surged, making the shadow creature cower its head and sniff the air. Vega released her grip on the soldier’s shoulder and stumbled back.

The soldier stared at her with horror-filled eyes, retreating like he couldn’t get away fast enough into the crowd of brawling bodies.

“Vega? Is everything okay?” Bridger slipped inside her head, spying on what was happening in the common room.

“Tell him the princess said to let you out.” It sounded so stupid even thinking it, but it was the only way Leo would actually know it was Vega telling Bridger to relay a message.

“Do I want to know why he would know you as ‘princess?’” The hesitation in his response caused flutters of excitement to bubble inside, and the dragon-like shadow to strut around the pit like Bridger would be able to see it preening for him.

“Just do it, and get here right now.”

When one fight broke up, another started beside it. For the first few, Vega and Arlet used little force, and Vega was able to hold the darkness off, begging it to stay put.

This isn’t what I need you for.

She had no idea if she could talk to it, and if she could, would it listen?

Eventually, there were too many fighting and not enough trying to break it up that Arlet was forced to use her illusions to regain control.

The room went completely black, no light coming through even the smallest of cracks.

It was eerie, the way Arlet’s visions felt so real. People gasped, a few screamed, but they all stopped moving. After a few moments of silence, Arlet let the apparition fall apart. It spread to the corners of the room before disappearing.

Looks of bewilderment, shock, and fear were the common themes among the soldiers as they focused on Arlet and Vega.

“The fighting is getting ridiculous,” Arlet scolded and then laid into the group. A few of their heads dipped like they were being grounded by their mothers.