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My limbs tremble from the strain. I should have known better than to tangle with Death’s best bounty hunter because she tricks me with six well-timed serpent punches to my face, distracting me from the ones she’d sent in a slow slither on the floor. Now, they rear up and spiral my ankles.
I go down hard.
Syn cackles and prepares to make good on her promise. It’s doubtful that Thanatos would allow her to do anything truly maddening, but I’d rather not find out. The serpents nip at my skin while climbing up my bare legs. Thanatos’ shades creep into my hair as if drawn to his sickle mark, encouraging me with their chilled kisses.
Before Syn can stomp toward me, I ignore the biting snakes on my legs and whip my Halo, leaping for her. It strikes her flesh, upending her, but she recovers faster. Out of the corner of my eye, Spitfire cocks his head to me, tongue lolled out to the side, belly swollen with fire.
Remembering what Syn said, I lock eyes with the daemon and yell, “Spitfire, attack that naughty demoness!”
“What?!” Syn screams, but it’s too late. My boy pounces on her chest, sending her crashing to the ground. Aww, I’m so proud of my little pouncer!
Gripping the savage serpents twisting up my legs, I burn them, thrilling in how they squeal before I dance across the floor to where Spitfire digs his claws into Syn’s chest. His fiery jaws close over the heads of multiple attacking snakes while he wags his arrowed tail. The serpent teeth can’t penetrate his thick hide.
Before Syn can force my kitty off her, I gush my Halo chains from my chest and wrap them around her neck. Adrenaline thrilling my blood, I bind them around her chest and wrists, weaving them into a veritable labyrinth around her entire body. Stars strut over my skin as I finish the job until Syn can’t possibly twitch. Enough to tie her up but not enough to damage her beautiful form.
Finally, I crouch and smile sweetly down at the demoness, who fumes, muttering a round of expletives before warning me, “You’re mad, woman!”
I shrug. “To be fair, commanding the daemon was your idea, so thank you,” I bend at the waist to peck her cheek, earning a snarl and a snap of her teeth.
“Don’t you realize what’s out there?” Syn sighs, shoulders heaving, but her eyes narrow. “It’s nothing like Destruction’s Court. Death’s Court is at theedgeof the Chasm, Elysia. You won’t make it to the Lake of Souls. You won’t even make it past the Gates!” There’s an underlayer of desperation in the demoness’s voice, and I know it’s not just for my safety but for what Thanatos could do to her if anything happens to me.
I shoot to my feet, hands on my hips as I stare past the windows at the tremulous dark force, trying not to shiver because I’d be a fool if her words didn’t give me some pause, especially given her profession. But then, I remember the feeling of Lux mounting me. I remember her history and her promising threats. I remember I must put a new heart in Neo. And the Goddess stipulated I would not face Death this time.
Death will be my ally, the Father had said. Perhaps Thanatos is the only one who can help me claim Neo. In this case, the enemy of my enemy is my…friend. I remember the Goddess’ other words:no Scourge on my soul.
The Lake of Souls.
So, I pour steel into my spine. If I can explode my Halo in Neo’s arena, I can only imagine what I will do here.
Balling my hands into fists and pressing my lips into a fixed line, I approach the bone and frost door. “It’s time this angel courted Death. I’m going to claim my just marker. And after I do, the Prince of Death will oweme.”
A slow crawl of frost crystalizes my bare feet and legs, tantalizing—Thanatos’ subconscious offerings responding to my triumphant emotions. All my gold veins thrum, my skin awakening with starry luminescence. My pure heart pulses, whetted by power…and even fear. Compared to Neo’s shades and flames, Thanatos’ frost is much harder to shake.
“So, the servant has become the master…”
Recognizing the words, I spin on my heel to discover the familiar facial expressions of my former High Guardian, my girlfriend. The same knowing grin and prevailing eyes.
Without hesitation, I cross the floor to her, kneel, cup the sides of her face, and fold my lips to hers. Yes, they feel different, but she doesn’t. Not when she shows her dominance by opening my mouth beneath hers, overwhelming me with her kiss. A tiny current of lightning penetrates my face to prickle my curls and the hairs on the nape of my neck.
When I finally break the kiss, Verena announces, “So proud of you, Lightning Rod. Syn will be back soon.”
“This is the calling you spoke of?” I consider the last time we met.
Verena nods, blinking her luminescent eyes. “It was my choice. I respect Syn. And don’t worry, she likes you. It will take some time. But go and show Death what my Lightning Rod can do. May the feminist force be with you!”
“Love you, V for Verena.”
Like she said, it will take time, but we’ll make this work. I may need to win Neo’s heart because our bond is the key, but Verena and I will always share another bond.
Striding away, I coil my Halo around the bone handle doorknob and use my power to unlock the door that only opens to Thanatos’ command. Tonight, I won’t be climbing down Death’s tower…at least not on my own. So, I whistle to Spitfire. “Time to earn your stripes.”
Grinning, I jerk my thumb to the walkway of solid, glassy ice. So glassy I can make out my reflection. Spitfire immediately glides to me, positioning himself at my side so I may mount him. Leaning in, I clutch my hellcat’s hide scruff and promise my fiery kitty, “You get me there and back in one piece, Spitfire, and there will be a giant, flaming steak in it for you, buddy.” I pat his side, then bind myself to his back with Haloed ropes.
Spitfire unleashes a mighty yowl. I clench my legs tight around his belly and hold on for dear life as the hellcat leaps from the walkway straight onto Death’s Tower.
Chapter7
Did I crack your chart, Natos?
