Page 3 of The Gods Order

Phoelius and Barir were furious. Then Zareb appeared. The day I saved Creed’s soul from becoming further bound to Hell, Zareb had apparently watched from the archway. He knew I could protect Creed’s soul now, which meant Creed could fulfill his duties without fear of being trapped.

Zareb signed first. God of Confinement.

Phoelius and Barir signed next.

Delun didn’t. My power of Accord wrapped around us, sealing our mutual acknowledgment of the side he stands on.

Leaving Hell, Gladian and I got into an argument over me not telling him everything happening in the realm. It escalated until I reminded him he’d whipped me. Not long after that incident, he’d apparently lost his power for a time, which forced him to see how wrong he’d been.

He apologized and swore he was changing.

I told him he could change without pressuring me to forgive him.

After lunch, we met Otiero, the God of Creatures, and Lyrica, the Goddess of Sound, in the meadows. Lyrica was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

Seismet, Verlet, and their entire herd put on a breathtaking display of power—honoring me and showing Otiero how much my men and I meant to them. After some back-and-forth, Otiero signed. Lyrica signed too, after V gave her a little hoot.

From there, Yemi, her Valtrue, and I traveled to the shore of the Lost Sea, where Alamar, the God of the Sea, and Evani, the Goddess of Nature, signed before even speaking to me. I was too lost in my thoughts, staring at the water that nearly killed me.

That night, Yemi forced me to sleep with the help of some approved sleeping drugs.

I woke the next morning with only hours left before we had to make our move on Valveilious and break the guys out of their mother’s home. Walking out my front door, we found Gladian waiting. Sevryn had sent for him, saying we needed all the help we could get. I agreed, and Gladian signed.

Quillin, the God of Scripture, was the first god Ellian arranged for me to meet. I told him the guys’ story. He signed, saying that if he could help rewrite their fate, he would.

Annalise arrived minutes later with Esmerie, the current Goddess of Affection. Annalise said she occasionally had to remind Esmerie who really held the power. I appreciated her more than I could express.

The next goddess to arrive was Mayaline, the Goddess of Illusion. Annalise’s estranged mother. I didn’t want anything from her—not just because of that, but because of the harm she’s helped cause. Yes, she’s done good, but she takes responsibility for nothing. She looks away from injustice. I stormed out, ready to hunt down one more signature, but Ellian found me.

Mayaline had signed after I left—for the same reason she does everything else.

Because it wouldn’t affect her.

From there, we headed to Valveilious to save my men.

Gladian, Mara, Yemi, her Valtrue, and I battled the Dark Gods guarding the Goddess of Creation’s home. When trouble closed in on Yemi, Nero, Iric, and Doren, I unleashed my Obliteration. It was the first time Gladian and Mara had ever seen it.

Mara panicked, understandably—but she got over it.

Yemi, her men, and I stormed the house and ran into several Attendants. Iric recognized one, and she told us where the others were. I told her to gather all of them. We weren’t leaving anyone behind.

After she escorted me to the room where the guys were still locked away, she returned to the others.

My Obliteration sank into the Creation surrounding the door, killing off its permission and essence.

The realm stopped moving when I saw my men. I dropped the emotional barrier I’d been holding—then slammed it back up again when just a fraction of the emotions threatened to tear me apart. I couldn’t face that yet.

We still had to reach the Neutral and face the Beginning Gods again.

Face them we did.

They froze when we arrived and immediately tried to null the hearing. I was ready for that. It was intense. Even more so when Rella starshot in front of me. She never reached me—Derivius stepped between us, protecting me.

She did void the guys’ agreement.

Obliteration lost his mind.

When we got home, we found Yemi pacing inside the house.