Page 104 of Hell’s Weapon

The contestants don’t normally receive their powers until they pass all three games. I immediately seek Garrick’s gaze as I shoot him a why the fuck didn’t you tell me this look which I hope portrays my annoyance.

He clearly gets the message and has to cover his mouth with his hand, pretending to rub his stubbled jaw, to hide his laughter at my outrage.

Fucking bastard.

“My husband has been working on this for a while. Each of you will drink a potion that will grant you temporary powers. You will need to drink it each day to maintain the magic and continue accessing your supernatural abilities.”

An excited hum spreads throughout the humans. Giving them powers means they’ll be able to defend themselves better should the Angels attack. But it’ll also make whoever is the traitor amongst them stronger.

Or maybe their body won’t be able to handle the opposing sets of magic… My brain shuttles through what I know of our magic versus that of the Angels. The Dark Angels started out in heaven after all. They all say the magic changes as they make the fall, their powers feel different afterwards.

The Angels can wield the elements, where we can’t. Some of the Dark Angels can wield lightning, or shadows, but they lose their elemental magic. Demons have heightened senses, the variety in species, and the greater ability with potions and healing that the Angels have never mastered.

If the spy has been imbued with some sort of telekinesis, it may not mix well with whatever magic Khaos is about to use on them.

I guess we’re about to find out.

Hades steps aside to let Khaos take over, although he doesn’t go far. Whilst Khaos is very much capable at handling himself, Hades is a possessive asshole, and rightly so. The easiest way to bring him down would be to threaten the love of his life.

Khaos is quick to command us all, barking orders and demanding those closest to the stage go up and collect their potions.

There’s a buzz of energy as vials start being handed out. The guards start directing the crowd, and forming a route across the stage so those who have theirs are corralled on the other side. From my position, I watch as a few inspect the liquid before sipping it. A couple down it like a shot.

“Oh fuck yes!” Wyatt bounces on his feet as our little group shuffles forwards. “This is going to be epic!”

“Do you think we’ll be able to shift?” Rio asks, his excitement equally infectious.

“If you’re meant to be a shifter, I’m sure it’ll awaken that side of you,” I tell him. I’ve been to many of the awakening ceremonies and it’s always a laugh seeing the new demons take their animal forms for the first time. Some of them don’t naturally take to four legs right away.

“I don’t want to shift. They won’t force us, will they?” Seffy wrings her hands.

Milo looks equally concerned as we move forward again.

“How could you not want to turn into a predator?” Wyatt looks genuinely perplexed.

“If deep down you really don’t want to be a shifter, I think it’s unlikely that you will be one,” I tell her reassuringly. “Your demonic side normally reflects your personality.”

“Are you about to be doubly badass?” Wyatt drops his voice to ask me.

I have to laugh. “No, the potion won’t do anything to me.”

Although, I sober quickly as I wouldn’t put it past Khaos to slip me something–the lust potion from last year flitting through my mind.

“But you can’t shift to your demonic form. Everyone will know you were born and not awakened like us.” My heart does a weird little skip and heats my chest at him reminding me of a fact I am very much aware of. He’s looking out for me and that isn’t something I’ve had before, except for my parents, and maybe Hades and Khaos.

“I’ll just pretend to be a witch,” I tell him, as I step into his body so I can inhale his scent, needing some contact. “They don’t shift.”

As soon as it’s our turn, Khaos takes far too much delight in shaking Wyatt’s hand. “Thirty-Nine, I’ve heard so much about you.” His grin nearly has me growling.

“You have?” I say through gritted teeth at the same time Wyatt lights up in delight.

He doesn’t elaborate, simply handing Wyatt his vial, “I think you’ll enjoy this.”

Wyatt doesn’t hesitate in uncorking the tiny bottle and downing the clear liquid, right there on the stage.

“He’s eager. I like him already,” Khaos says to me.

Lowering the empty bottle, Wyatt shrugs. “What?”