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His eyebrows lifted in a bored expression. “Ellie, you have a penchant for finding trouble.”
“Uh…” I was literally speechless. I’d had plenty of visits at my door since the curse broke, but never from Okeus. He always had me brought to him. His terms, his location. My eyes shot to the door. Had Collin tricked me? No, the familiar symbols covered the door in heavy charcoal, joined by ones I’d never seen before.
“May I come in?” the god asked with a wry grin.
At least I was starting to regain my senses. “No.”
“No?” he asked equally amused and irritated. “I’m surprised the spirit world hasn’t given you another title to add to your growing list.”
“And what’s that?”
“Defier of the gods.”
When I didn’t respond with one of my usual barbed answers, Okeus became more serious.
“I sent Mekewi to warn you about the Raven Mockers.”
“The wind god of the south?” I grabbed the side of the door and leaned into it before I fell over. “Yeah, his warning was pretty vague. You might want to start sending more helpful messages. A copy ofKilling Raven Mockers for Dummieswould have been a nice place to start.”
A smirk lifted his lips. “And if I gave you such a manual, would you let me in?”
“Hell no.”
His grin fell. “You nearly died, witness to creation. You’re no good to me dead.”
I put a hand over my heart. “That is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me. I suppose you want me to say I’m sorry?” When he didn’t respond, I snorted. “A big powerful god like you didn’t send one of his abominations to protect his potential brood mare. Sounds like somebody messed up.”
Okeus’s eyes glowed bright red, and he released a loud roar that shook the house and made my ears ring.
Collin was behind me in seconds. “It was my fault. She was in my care. I tried to stop her from engaging with the Raven Mockers, but she’s persistent. She was attacked before I could stop her or them.”
Okeus turned his evil gaze on Collin. “If a Raven Mocker comes anywhere near her again, you are to get rid of it without hesitation. Is that understood?”
Collin’s body stiffened. “Yes.”
“Good.”
I’d never seen Collin so subservient, and I had to admit I didn’t like it.
“Elinor,” Okeus said with an air of authority. “Tomorrow night you will receive a very powerful weapon. Ahone wants you to use it to help him.”
“Let me guess—you want me to use it to help you instead?”
“Ahone will use you again and he will demand another sacrifice. I’m sure you can imagine who.”
“David,” I whispered, fresh terror washing through me.
“Ahone has distanced himself from his children for so long he no longer knows how to show them love and mercy. He wishes to separate you from all that you love so that you will be dependent on him. But Ellie, I assure you that I wish to show you my kindness.”
“For a price,” I said, but my fight was gone. Only horror was left.
“Everything comes with a price. You pay for everything you own and use, from your clothing, to your food, to the shampoo that makes you smell of spring flowers.”
I wasn’t sure I liked that Okeus was so familiar with my scent.
“You wear Ahone’s mark, yes, but you can still choose me. I will give you what he chooses to take: I will protect the people you love.”
My heartbeat thudded in my ears and Collin pressed his chest into my back. I felt him tense.
