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Though his strain magnified, muscles and veins bulging, Azar sank to his knees and inclined his head.
The throng of harpies erupted with comments and questions while the Astra army maintained the gag order. Some couldn’t mask their shock, however, as if only then realizing the truth of Neeka and Rathbone’s prediction.
“Do not do this,” Azar whispered to Lore. “Please, do not do this.” Dark irises beseeched her. Untold agonies steeped in their depths.
Lore stared at the Astra, a lump growing in her throat, startling Neeka.
She pounced. “It’s not too late to forge a life with him.”
“No one asked for your commentary,” Lore softly snapped.
Rathbone fought confinement, shouting, “I love you! There’s got to be another way. Please.”
Neeka startled anew. Uh, no way he loved Lore. Just no way. He was gaga for Neeka, and she knew it. Zero doubts. So why would he ever—ohhhh. He knew Neeka inhabited the goddess. Knew her plan to die and save the day. And oh, how sweet it was to realize he’d shouted romantic confessions at her in the vision, not Lore.
He was always meant to be withNeeka.
Her heart swelled.I was meant to be with you, too, Wrath Boned.
“Shut up,” Lore muttered to Neeka, rubbing her temples. “Just shut up. I can’t concentrate, and I need to concentrate.”
No, no, no! Neeka knew what came next, despite the many alterations. Small differences that led to the same result.
I’ll teach her a lesson.“Cut out his tongue,” Lore commanded Azar.
That.
The Astra straightened, unsheathed a dagger and stomped over. Hades readied for battle.
“Stop Azar,” Neeka shouted, the words flying from her host’s mouth.
The Astra stopped. Another change. This one emboldened Neeka.
“Shut up,” Lore repeated.
“You shut up,” Neeka retorted, and again, she hijacked their voice.
“Azar! Do it!”
“Azar, stop!”
Okay, these differences weren’t so small. Neeka could win this!
Lore flashed in front of Rathbone and unsheathed a blade. Hades stood down, allowing the goddess to strike before Neeka registered that she’d moved. Rathbone’s tongue plopped to the floor.
Hades glanced at his nephew, saying, “Told you.”
“That’s better,” Lore said as Neeka shrieked. Except, Rathbone didn’t seem to notice the wound. As blood poured from his mouth, he smiled. It unnerved Lore, who shuddered.
Neeka calmed, her heart swelling. This was a romantic gesture if ever she’d seen one! He was telling her how much he adored and trusted her. How much he believed in her. She tumbled straight into love. Totally, completely, utterly.
Lore centered and returned to the throne, where she licked the blade and cast it to the floor. “To keep things interesting, I’ll wait to run out the clock before I continue, assuring your defeat. We have, what? Two minutes remaining?”
“Marvelous. Marvelous indeed.” Erebus started clapping. He looked around, asking, “Shall we proclaim me the winner yet?”
No response from the opposing team. Neeka prepared for the war of her life, gearing up.
“Azar,” Lore snapped, sensing her intentions and needing a distraction.
