Page 136

Maybe the ancients had it right.

They’d worshiped the terrible force of nature. But their prayers didn’t prevent the horrible god from terrorizing them.

No, fighting was best.

Atlas moved toward the fire, offering his trinket to the flames. One by one, the rest followed until it was my turn. Tee shirts with superheroes, a video game console, and magical playing cards fed the conflagration. I stepped forward, placing the laptop on the lad’s slim chest. The dual coins covering Iosif’s eyes stared back sightlessly but full of accusation.

I failed.

I should have been in that building. Serena was mine to protect, and instead, I’d been dealing with business instead of the primary duty.

I left that to a lad.

And now he’d paid the ultimate price.

I backed away from the pyre, feeling the heat dry the tears on my cheeks before they could fall. The laptop would burn with him, just as his secrets would. It was the price we all agreed to pay.

Atlas caught my eye across the flames. His massive frame seemed diminished somehow, shoulders hunched against an invisible weight. The irony of his name had never been more apparent. He nodded once, a gesture that contained both accusation and absolution.

“We should say something,” Indigo whispered, her voice barely audible above the crackling fire. “He deserves that much.”

But what could we say? That Iosif died bravely for our organization? That his sacrifice meant something to future generations? There would be no more of his line. The truth would taste like ash in our mouths.

“He was too young,” I said finally, the words scraping my throat raw. “Young and eager to be part of this.”

The fire popped, taunting my last testament.

“Iosif might have died, but we will never forget him. Swear it, all of you.” I took a moment to find each of their sorrow filled gazes. “Swear that his family's legacy will remain in our minds, and we'll teach our children his name.”

“And Iakovos’s,” Iris added, voice hoarse with emotion.

I gave the harpy a nod. “And his brother’s.”

“I swear it.” Atlas produced a blade and slit his palm. The bright stream danced over the fire.

The rest followed suit, each one cutting their palm and letting their blood mingle with the flames. When the blade reached me, I didn’t hesitate. The sharp edge bit into my flesh, a small pain compared to the one in my chest. My blood hissed as it hit the fire.

“Blood of our blood,” I intoned. “Fire consumes all, but memory remains.”

We stood in silence as the flames climbed higher, consuming what remained of Iosif. The acrid smell of burning plastic from the laptop mixed with the sweeter, more terrible scent I refusedto name. The sea wind carried the smoke away from us, out over the dark waters beyond the Shark’s Fin.

While normal folk might dream of the glory found by joining the underworld, they conveniently forgot the sacrifices we paid for daily. This was what it meant to be bound in a terrible organization. It was the best of life, but also the worst. Loss tempered wealth, heartbreak danced with passion.

And in the end, the final moments were flames.

Chapter 44 – Serena

~Eight Months Later~

The warm water of the inflatable tub cocooned me. I was safe, I was well. There was only peace in this room, and love radiated from the familiar faces around me.

“Merda,” I hissed, feeling the tightening in my stomach.

Penny gripped my arm. “Let’s breathe.”

Focusing on my breath, I let her count. The comfort of the water held me close, while the flickering lights bathed the cottage in a gentle light. Piano music played through the space, a soft hum of classical tunes, but beneath it was the ever-present crashing of waves beyond the cottage walls.

Soon, I would walk the sandy shore with my baby in my arms.