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His eyes lit up in amusement. “Why would you not? I’ve protected you, Ellie. Where was Ahone when Ukinim and Ilena attacked you? Where was Ahone when you were attacked by that man at the dock?”
“Mishiginebig saved me. Not you.”
“My children wish to please me. You know full well that he protected you on my behalf. Where was Ahone?”
I had to concede that Okeus had a point. Ahone had remained aloof, at least until a short bit ago. “Ahone saved me from the badgers tonight.”
Okeus’s smile quivered. “And that carries more weight than all the other times when he neglected to help you?”
I refused to admit the bitterness I felt about Ahone’s lack of assistance. “You say you want to protect me, but who will protect humanity from your children? At least Ahone leaves them to live in peace.”
“If you prefer Ahone, then why are you unprotected? Why don’t you have Ahone’s symbol?”
I didn’t answer, my eyes drawn to the figure in the trees.
“You don’t know what his mark is, do you? Ahone gave you permission to use it, but he neglected to give it to you.Ellie.” His voice softened. “Does that sound like a god who wants to protect you?”
My pulse pounded in my head. He was right. Where had Ahone been? His messenger had told me I needed to complete my journey to receive it. But based on the way Ahone had been acting, he’d probably just disappear again and leave me to my fate after I got his mark tattooed on my body.
“Ellie, I’ve acquired a reputation of malevolence, but I assure you that it was acquired because I protect what is mine.”
I turned to look at him, suddenly unsure about everything.
His face softened and his voice was hushed. “I would like to make you mine.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m offering you, my protection. You’ve seen firsthand that not all of my creations follow my wishes. Some like Ukinim choose to go their own way. You’re here with me now because I’ve chosen to help you. Otherwise, you’d already be dead.”
He made it all sound so reasonable. “What about Collin?”
“What about him?”
“He sold his soul to you. Isn’t that what you’re asking me to do? You want me to give you my soul for Daddy’s life?”
“You make it sound so dramatic. ‘Sell your soul.’ What does that even mean, Ellie? It simply means you would be committing yourself to me.”
It had to be more than that.
“You’re partially mine anyway, you know,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper.
My eyes widened.
“Your soul is bound to Collin’s.” He shifted closer to me. “You’ve wondered what it means…” He paused. “It means you’re bound to Collin in all things.”
My heart sank. “So I have to spend eternity in hell too.”
“It’s not so bad.”
I shot him a glare. “Then why were you in such a hurry to get out?”
Okeus laughed. “Why are you resisting, Ellie?”
WhywasI resisting? Okeus had protected me while Ahone had abandoned me. If I was going to hell anyway, why not get his protection? “What do you get out of it?”
“Why can’t I simply offer you my protection?”
“Collin said you offered him something and then you reneged. Who’s to say you won’t do the same with me? But more importantly, Collin agreed to open the gate to Popogusso andfree you. You gave him quite the responsibility, and I suspect his reward was much less significant than what you’re offering me. What could I possibly have that you want enough to bring someone back from the dead?”
