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I screamed, reaching out with my hands, with my soul, and everything in me towards my best friend, my cousin, myfamily, jumping had first into danger the likes of which I didn't even know existed until now.

If Python killed them, they wouldn't merely die. They'd be destroyed, obliterated, down to their souls. I knew it to the bottom of my heart. This was going to be their end.

The jolt of power coming out of me was nothing like I'd felt before. I wasn't hesitating though. I aimed it right under Sylver's feet, first, then Gideon, golden steps guiding them up, higher and higher, faster than either of their feet could have. The serpent reared, mouth ready, and I rushed my fists, letting it all out, until there was nothing but gold all around me.

My scream had started with fear, and it ended with fear. A thousand years’ worth of battle cries, coming out in order to make the enemy tremble.

Over the pit, the snake kept its eyes on mine, widening as blades made of golden light, shaped like javelins, aimed right at the serpent.

Yes, there was fear in the end too.His. And I relished it.

Lucian's voice finally cut through whatever was happening in my head. "Dammit, don't fucking kill Python!"

I glanced at him, remembering his words. Losing my focus, the javelins began to lose aim, dropping towards the pit.

Fuck.

Yes, I certainly didn't want mother Earth pissed at me, but my pressing concern was saving my two idiots right now.

"Trust me," he insisted.

Ah, fuck. I did trust him.

It surprised me I knew how to drop the weapons, when I wasn't even certain how I'd summoned them.

"One move towards any of us, and I will destroy you," I called loud and clear.

Except, this wasn't what I was saying. I wasn't speaking any language I knew.

The serpent hissed again, this time, with annoyance more than relish at the prospect of a nice meal.

"You will return where you came from or you will die." I lifted my arm again, a javelin right inside, as my golden steps brought the two idiots where they belonged, by my side. "Test me, I dare you. I vow forever night!" I wasn't in control of my words anymore than my action, my arms trembling. "Ipromise you shadows, and blood, and ruin--"

"Not those words! Fucking hell, Kleos, shut the hell up!"

Again, I stilled. This wasn't like Lucian. Even pissed, he'd never talked to me like that.

Because I wasn't acting like me, was I? These words were ripped out of my throat, unwilling.

He stepped toward me, holding my hand. I focused on his grasp.

His voice was quiet as he addressed the godly serpent. "You heard the term. She's bound by them now. You attack any of us, until the end of time, and she will have to destroy you. No matter the cost."

Another hiss, and the serpent unfurled, before dropping back down into the abyss.

I fell to my knees, all energy leaving me. I shivered and sobbed.

"Do that again, and I will kill you both, you fucking idiots," I screamed at Gideon, or Silver, or both. "You were going todie!"

"We would have all died if we did nothing," Silver replied. "Well, at least that was the assumption until you did--whatever that was."

"What that was," said an unfamiliar voice. "Isdramatic."

We all jumped, turning to find a young man leaning against the furthest cave wall.

He was dressed all in white, with a few shining gold threads at the edge of his clothing. Long, bright red hair, wavier than mine, fell to the middle of his back. His eyes, even in the distance, shone sky blue. Then he tilted his head, and smiled, and it was as though the sun had risen right into the cave.

He brought his hands up and clapped. "Truly spectacular. I'd demand an encore so I can get the muses to write the perfect replay."