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Erin grinned. “We want the Temple of Dionysos to be a haven for everyone. A place where people can come together, grow, and thrive.”
As the evening progressed, the temple filled with patrons. Bono immediately took charge, his presence a calming force as he effortlessly managed the crowd. Erin watched him work, her heart filled with gratitude for having such a skilled and dedicated team.
Later that night, as the festivities were in full swing, Erin, Finn, Nia, and Bono gathered in a quiet corner, sharing a toast to their new partnership and the future of the Temple of Dionysos. They clinked their glasses together; the sound echoing with the promise of unity and growth.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” Erin said, her eyes shining with determination and hope.
“To new beginnings,” they all echoed, taking a sip of their drinks as they looked out at the bustling temple, the embodiment of their shared dreams and aspirations. Little did they know, challenges lay ahead, and their bond would be tested in ways they never imagined. But for now, they reveled in the possibilities that awaited them, their hearts beating in unison with the vibrant pulse of the Temple of Dionysos.
CHAPTER34
NADIR
Nadir stood at the edge of the Burner Enclave in Firestone, her pulse quickening with anticipation as she approached the familiar entrance. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and burned metal, while the vibrant colors and intricate sculptures that adorned the enclave brought her a sense of comfort. The armed sentries registered her arrival and took aim, but Nadir didn’t flinch.
“Hold!” she heard a familiar voice call out, and quickly spotted the head of security, Martin, amongst the others.
“Hey, Martin,” Nadir replied. She realized she hadn’t transformed into her prior human form of Meri as she usually did, but luckily Martin knew her in both her forms. “It’s been a while.”
She knew her sudden appearance would set off the compound’s perimeter daemon alarms, so Nadir waited patiently. She didn’t have long to wait until she spotted the enclave’s leader and her longtime friend Jackie approach, her long brown hair braided and draped over one shoulder.
“Uh-yup, it has. I almost didn’t recognize you,” Martin continued. “You look fresh from a war zone.”
Nadir looked at her clothes, only then realizing she was covered in green and brown daemonic blood. At least it was only blood, she supposed.
“You’re not wrong,” she replied, earning her a frown from Martin.
Jackie looked her over, an urgent look in her eyes. “You in trouble again, my daemon-adjacent friend?”
“It’s not for me, Jackie, but I need your help,” Nadir said, her voice tense. “I have three humans recently rescued from a daemon burrow who need a safe refuge. Can the enclave provide sanctuary for them?”
Jackie looked at Nadir, concern furrowing her brow. “Of course, we’ll do what we can to help. We’re short-handed at the moment, but we can manage.”
It was Nadir’s turn to frown. “Your people okay?”
Jackie waved a hand in the air. “Yeah. A bunch of folks are off checking out the new Temple that sprang up in the heart of Denver overnight.”
Nadir had to replay Jackie’s words through her mind to make it make sense. “Spring as in, fully formed from the head of Zeus?”
Jackie inclined her head. “Yeah, except I doubt Mayor York had anything to do with it.”
Nadir’s mind raced, trying to piece together the information. A sudden intuition struck her. “Erin,” she whispered to herself. Nadir’s mind filled with images of the new and confused Erin. Surely it wasn’t connected to her. But what if it was? “What do you know about it?”
Jackie shook her head, the intricate braids swaying gently. “Not much. It has to be connected to some powerful forces to get built overnight. Some say it has ties to the upper echelons of the city’s elite, but we’ll get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, we’ll do our best to provide shelter and protection for the humans you’ve rescued. They’ll be safe here.”
CHAPTER35
NADIR
Nadir, disguised as her human form, Meri, approached the new temple Jackie had mentioned with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. It stood as a haven amidst the city’s concrete and steel. The multi-level temple was surrounded by sprawling gardens which wrapped around the building, filled with grapevines, olive trees, fountains, and fire pits. Stages and seating areas had been added amidst the greenery, creating a vibrant haven for the bustling community.
As she crossed the temple’s threshold, Nadir felt an odd sensation in her body, as if the space dedicated to the gods didn’t welcome the daemon essences inhabiting her body. It was like an electric shock coursing through her veins, making her skin crawl.
Azimuth’s reminder that god-touched and daemons didn’t mingle played through Nadir’s mind, and she hesitated, unsure of the consequences of mingling with the devotees of the gods themselves. Then a round of toasts traveled through the crowd, cheering to life, liberty, and love, and Nadir couldn’t keep the infectious smile from her lips.
From the looks of things, the only danger she faced here was having a good time. Belial would definitely get his knickers in a twist over it, so Nadir would just have to make sure he never found out.
She shook off the discomfort and stepped further inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim ambient lighting. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, mingling with the aroma of freshly cooked food and spilled wine. A cacophony of laughter, conversation, and music filled the space, the energy palpable and intoxicating.
