Page 79 of The Gods Order

Fuck it.

What’s he going to do? Tease me?

“Fine,” I grunt. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He gives me a curious stare I ignore.

My power wraps around me and whisks me away to the entrance of Hell. He appears beside me just as quickly.

Wordlessly, we pass through the barrier. I don’t have to coax or wait for him. He gives the unwelcoming black abyss a brief scowl, and we step off the edge together. The silent walk to the Division breaks when guards appear from the walls, swords drawn. As soon as they realize it’s me, they drop to a knee.

“Rise.”

“Yes, sir.”

They obey and open the doors. I force myself not to shake my head at the beings waiting to be processed.

Vihaan had this system running so perfectly when I first took over. Now, I couldn’t tell you who decides these beings deserve to be here.

Honestly…I never cared enough to know until now.

High enough crimes committed in the Godsdawn would be tried by Ellian. So I’d be informed about them. In Godsden, though, a council of seven appointed gods is supposed to handle offenses worthy of punishment.

It never bothered me that the Beginning Gods appointed them.

It does now. I don’t know them. Don’t know if I can trust that they aren’t sending whoever they want down here.

There’s no telling who decides anything in Valveilious. Look at Iric. My mother simply decided this was where he belonged.

I’ve never had any control over who came from the Abandon. Those beings are criminals and deserve to be here, but now I don’t know if they’re being punished or if they’re here just gaining access to the other gods.

I swear to the Valories, I feel like I don’t know shit anymore.

“Sir,” Faron says as he rushes over. “Welcome home.”

Home…Never going to happen.

I nod.

“I’ll be in the Crypt. I’d prefer no one know I’m here today.”

His eyes widen briefly before he recovers.

“Of course, sir. Shall I expect the Goddess of Death to join?”

Sevryn snorts beside me.

“Not today.”

He bows and steps aside as we head toward the back hall.

My gaze scans the beings waiting, and my stomach cramps. It only loosens after my power sweeps over them.

They all have sullied souls.

“I can’t believe you told everyone here she was the Goddess of Death,” Sevryn says, pulling me from my concentration.

“What else would I have called her? Giving her that title ensured she’d be safe-ish coming here.”