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Rathbone teleported two harpies, the floor of the throne room and the throne itself to the catacombs of a subrealm in the Underworld known as the Realm of the Forgotten. A land Hades had purchased for times such as this. Rathbone had an open invitation to visit. Just being here should erase Rathbone, Neeka, Daisy, and perhaps even Lore from the mind of everyone but Hades, and anyone bearing a special tattoo to remember.
The problem was, Rathbone couldn’t control the inner defenses or supernaturally sense intruders. And there was always a chance the Astra were immune to mental wipes. Even still, this was the safest place for their ragtag team during this short layover. Once they’d instituted the oracle’s newest scheme, whatever it was, they’d go. He and Neeka had three bones to find.
Rathbone attempted to release her hand, a task that should’ve been easy. But his muscles proved stubborn and unwilling to obey, locking up.
He gritted his teeth and pried his fingers loose. When she clung to him, maintaining contact just a bit longer, he fought the urge to snatch her by the waist, yank her against him, and shout, “Mine!”
But she wasn’t his.
“Now what?” he barked.
His sour mood did nothing to alter Neeka’s air of calm. She smiled, saying, “Daisy, gril, let’s chat about your future.” She eased to the floor, getting comfortable, and patted the spot beside her.
Rathbone crossed his arms over his chest. Some of his mátia remained glued to the oracle, some stayed on the harpy, who hadn’t made a move yet.
The female possessed shoulder-length black hair, a tan complexion, and plump curves. Sharp features gave her beauty a dangerous edge. He’d found her in a cottage miles from civilization, surrounded by forest and little else. Even animals and insects had avoided her.
Impatience got the better of him, and he prompted, “I suggest you hurry.”
She bared her little fangs at him before plopping beside Neeka. “What?”
Rather than take offense, the oracle maintained her happy smile. “You’ve probably heard I’m a traitor to harpykind or some such semi-accurate nonsense. Maybe you’ve heard I seek to curse the Astra. Which is one hundred percent accurate almost.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard.” Zero emotion laced Daisy’s tone. “And?”
“And I’m going to tell you something I haven’t yet shared with the Rosy Menace.” Her amber gaze darted to him, and he frowned. What hadn’t she shared? “If the Astra succeed in their task, all of harpykind will be eaten by shadow monsters with gold rings around their irises. I’ve foreseen it.”
Ah. Her unwavering support in the beginning made sense. But shadow monsters with golden eye rings? What shadow monsters?
“Let’s say I believe you,” Daisy said. “What is it you think I can do to help?”
Neeka rubbed her hands together.“Get this. You’re going to use your psychokinesis to shrink the throne with the floor, and place the entire atrocity in a small, protective orb.”
Realization dawned, and he marveled. Such brilliance. The solution to his biggest problem, as promised. It was a plan he should’ve enacted ages ago. But then, most immortals who wielded a psychokinesis ability only moved objects with their mind. A rare few had the ability to manipulate an object’s molecular structure.
“You will guarantee I’m able to undo the process at will,” he told Daisy.
Neeka, who had focused on him to measure his reaction to her admission, heaved a sigh. “I guess I was so overcome by eye-feasting on you that I forgot to mention the orb will be bound to you and open at your command.” Her gaze swung to Daisy. “If I’m picking up on correct details.”
The harpy gave a stiff nod. “You are.”
Eye-feasting? She admitted to liking the look of him? His chest puffed up. A conundrum he’d experienced often in her presence. “Will Lore’s spirit be able to materialize while her bones are encased?”
“Yes. Or no.” Neeka hiked her shoulders. “We’ll find out together.”
“But she won’t be harmed?”
“Not unless we shatter the orb.” Did she sound hopeful?
“My orbs are indestructible,” Daisy bragged, and Neeka pursed her lips.
“Very well.” He nodded. “We may proceed.”
“Why would I even consider doing this?” Another demand from the harpy.
“Rathbone has an excellent payment plan,” Neeka said, smiling so sweetly.
The corners of his lips twitched.
