Page 90 of Crimson Skies

Cassius’s face softened. “Hi.”

Theo’s chin wobbled. Tisiphone passed a couple of tissues to a sobbing Orena and Eden.

Cassius sat up slowly. A beautiful smile stretched his mouth when he saw Morgan. He reached out to him. Morgan took his hand gently, almost too scared to touch him.

Cassius sobered when he saw the crowd of Gods, demigods, and otherworldly, and the Titan and human observing him anxiously. “Did something happen?”

Pan sneered.

“I told you he was an idiot,” he told Boreas.

“You were out for three days,” Morgan said quietly.

Cassius’s eyes rounded. “I was?!”

Morgan finally gave in to his impulse and hugged him. “I thought I’d lost you again!” he choked out.

Cassius froze when he felt his tears against his neck. He squeezed Morgan tightly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think losing my Awakener powers would knock me out for so long.”

Morgan stiffened. He pulled away and narrowed his eyes. “So, youdidknow?”

Cassius rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly at his accusing tone. “Chaos sort of confirmed it when we spoke, but yes, I thought that would likely be the outcome.” He sighed at Morgan’s scowl. “You would have done the same in my shoes, Morgan.” He paused. “Besides, I still have this.”

He lifted his hand. Gasps sounded when Heaven’s Light sparked on his fingers. Morgan stared, his heart racing.

“I remain in possession of my father’s gift,” Cassius said, sounding a little puzzled.

“You are the son of the Primordial God of Light,” Hyperion affirmed. “Heaven’s Light will always remain your legacy.” He furrowed his brow. “What of the seeds of the Gods of Old?”

Cassius pressed a hand to his belly. Wonder filled his eyes. “I think…they’ve relocated to the soul fragment in the temple of my palace.”

Atropos drew a sharp breath.

Tenebra stared. “You mean, they are in the Nether?!”

Cassius nodded. He studied Hyperion cautiously. “How did the Nether fare?”

“It held.” Hyperion hesitated. “I suspect it will heal itself now that the realms have righted themselves.Those shards might help too.”

Cassius blinked. “That would be…amazing.”

Theo stiffened. Gold flared in his eyes.

Cassius’s pupils similarly brightened. “Nildar and Archon are close.”

38

“You must return to the Nether,”Nildar said stubbornly.

Morgan glared at the East Star where he sat opposite them in the living room. “How about I rearrange your face?”

“I’ll help you,” Loki growled.

“I doubt either of you could take him on,” Archon scoffed at Nildar’s side. “And he is right. We told you this in London. The Netherneedsfour Guardians.”

A leaden pit formed in Cassius’s stomach. He’d known this was coming, but he hadn’t expect Nildar and Archon to pitch their request so soon after the war with Elios ended.

Chaos’s warning before they’d left the Abyss rose in his mind, bringing with it another wave of guilt. What Nildar and Archon were saying was technically true. They needed four Guardians. His hands fisted on his lap. But he couldn’t see how he could be of any use as one. And Theo and Rohengar would never want to leave Victor.