Page 13

CHAPTER 12

NOUR

“Y es, River, this is my second cup of coffee,” Nova drew out as I buried my nose against her throat, her legs wrapped around me.

I had my hands splayed on either side of the counter she sat on, trying to resist the urge to sweep her up and carry her upstairs. I’d slept like absolute shit, probably because she hadn’t been in bed with me—but also because I’d had too many visions, all of which revolved around our travel to the God realm today.

We were leaving in minutes and I felt completely unprepared even though I’d spent most of the afternoon yesterday trying to prepare. There were just too many unknown factors when it came to the gods, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that just stepping foot into the realm would put Nova in danger.

“I feel like that’s a reasonable amount of caffeine since we’re dealing with asshole gods today,” Fox noted supportively. I could feel River’s disapproval, but he didn’t argue or say anything back. Hell, he may have even agreed with them, considering the circumstances.

Either that or he was distracted because of what he and Nova had found out yesterday.

Over dinner, River told us what he’d discovered about himself—that he’d been brought to the orphanage because his parents had lost their lives in the line of duty, not because he’d been abandoned.

It was hard to tell how he felt, but I was sure the news was startling and changed quite a few things in his mind, including how he viewed his own past. I understood, to an extent, considering we’d lost our mom that way and our father was an absent bastard.

“Are we good to go?” Ram asked as he entered the room. Volkan, Rowan, and August were stacking backpacks in the hall for us to pick up before leaving. The rest of us were gathered in the kitchen, ready to go. We were just waiting on the go-ahead from Nova.

“Where’s Ever?” Nova asked, sliding off the counter and going toward the stairs. I would give the Red Masques this—for being mostly detached from the Earth realm and sporting a large amount of medieval furniture and styling, their housing was sizeable and really nice. I preferred it over most places we’d stayed, at least outside of our own home in the God realm.

“Where are we portalling, exactly?” I asked Volkan as Nova jogged up the stairs in search of the death mage.

“Straight into the capital,” Volkan said. “But not into any properties we own. I have a feeling those are being watched.”

I had no doubt that was the case—I could almost assure it. Of course I was thankful that we could easily portal now, saving us essential time in the long run, but I did have concerns. Mostly about how it affected Nova when it came to long distances. I knew I wasn’t the only one to share that concern, that we were all walking on uncharted land when it came to her new amplified magic.

“Okay! I’m officially caffeinated and ready to deal with these assholes,” Nova sang as Everett followed her down the stairs, looking completely at ease—as if we weren’t about to go straight into the capital city to call out a council of ancient gods.

It probably didn’t faze the bastard, and to be fair, he and the others weren’t plagued with the visions that I suffered. The visions that showcased millions of different endings to this exact moment, only a few of them good.

The only positive that had come out of any of this was that I knew for a fact that the gods were gathering in the capitol—it was a constant in all of my visions. It was an ideal time to appear there and have this handled, but it also led us to being exposed and vulnerable, especially since Nova would be viewed as a dangerous creation in many of their eyes.

At least until she explained about the dark ones.

As everyone began grabbing their bags, I saw Nova going to grab one, so I swept it up and threw it over her shoulder, causing her to scowl.

“I can wear one,” she pointed out, placing her hands on her hips with a perfect scowl on her face. The woman was distractingly beautiful, and I found myself fighting the urge to pull her to me. To distract her with my touch, even if— especially if—it meant distracting us from leaving to face what awaited us in the God realm.

“Of course,” I said. “But you need to focus on portalling. Let us deal with the heavy lifting.” As she narrowed her eyes playfully at me, she mumbled something under her breath before shaking her head and looking toward Volkan.

“Are we ready?”

“As we’ll ever be,” he answered.

Nova huffed and looked around at the ground, scowling. “Listen up, guys. I’m going to need all of you to look way more positive about this. I need the energy to go way, way up or else I’m going to think you don’t think this shit is going to work. And it absolutely will. It has to work. We are going to be fine. Perfect, actually. Worst case, I go nuclear and kill all of them! Seriously, don’t worry. I’m not worried, so don’t be worried!”

An authentic smile broke out at her rambling positivity, her enthusiasm contagious. I knew it wouldn’t push away my concerns forever, but it did seem to lighten up the mood of our group.

Nova looked objectively perfect today—that was the only way to describe her. In her words, she’d decided to go the exact opposite of ‘badass,’ choosing to look unassuming and nonthreatening so she could make even more of an impact. I honestly didn’t think that Nova could ever be ‘nonthreatening’ because of her magic, and I had a not-so-secret suspicion that she just wanted an excuse to wear the dress she’d donned. It was more feminine than her usual style, a purple garment that clung to her frame with long, loose lace sleeves and a tight center that emphasized her small waist. The hem brushed her thighs, meeting a pair of boots that I wanted wrapped around my hips as I pressed her up against the wall.

Something we unfortunately did not have time for. I desperately needed alone time with my moonbeam, even if it was just watching a movie. But nothing like that was high on the priority list while saving the world was still on the agenda.

“You’re right, moonbeam. Let’s head out,” I agreed, trying to shift my own energy to be positive.

As we created a circle with Nova and Volkan, she nearly vibrated—probably in part because of the caffeine—with the excitement of being able to release so much power once in the God realm. There was less potential for her to hurt someone there, so I didn’t blame her.

Closing my eyes, I listened as Volkan walked her through the process once more. One minute we were in the Horde, and the next— everything spun to dark.

I didn’t have a preference for portalling—it all gave me a headache—but I greatly preferred Nova’s ability over any public or private portal. In part because it felt like her —that was the only way to describe the sensation of her magic closing around us—but also because of the pride that surged through our bond every time she successfully did it.

Temperate air surrounded us as we snapped back into existence, familiar scents, magic signatures, and sounds swarming me for attention. We had arrived in the capital city of the God realm.

“Well, shit,” Nova huffed, flashing a bright smile. “That is getting easier. Also, good call on aiming for somewhere mostly empty of people.” Not that we’d exploded with power this time, but ten people arriving out of fucking nowhere required space.

The alleyway we landed in was empty except for two people at the end that were engrossed in their own business, but the buzz of the city was only a few feet away.

“It seems my visions were right about the senate gathering. I can feel how many people are here,” I said, hoping no one would ask me for any details about them. If Nova asked, I’d be compelled to tell her, and I didn’t think that was a good idea right now.

“Let’s head to the main street; our team is planning to meet us there,” my brother suggested. “I know Set is on the lookout for your magical signature, sunshine, so we can’t stay in place for long.”

The logistics of our plan were fairly straightforward. Even if the senate wasn’t being called to council, Nova arriving in the God realm would draw everyone in the capital to wherever she chose to be. But it worked out better if they were already there, all gathered under one roof. I was also glad we’d had an extra day in the Horde, allowing us to contact both our Scarab team and the Titans to let them know our plan.

My hand clasped Nova’s as we rounded two corners before appearing on the main street that led toward the capitol building. With her at the center of our group, I knew that people wouldn’t directly see her, but I was sure they’d be able to sense her. I was also sure that news of her complicated heritage had gotten out to even the most average God realm citizens.

The woman that was created from three different gods.

“Commander Ramsey. Commander Nour.”

A familiar voice drew my attention as we came to a stop. The Scarabs may have served Set, but our command team of ten worked for us. All of them seemed relieved to see us, and the temporary leader—serving in our recent absence—greeted both of us with a smile.

“It’s good to see you, Lieutenant Abasi,” I said as Nova flashed a friendly smile. He paled slightly and gave a respectful nod of the head to her before turning his attention to Ram. I heard my brother ordering them to surround us, but I was more focused on the shit-eating grin that grew on Nova’s face.

“What’s going on?” I asked as we began our walk. The others were talking around us as introductions were made to the team, but I could hardly focus on that.

“So when Ram originally arrived to tell me about my heritage—and stab me in the stomach—” Her glare narrowed on my brother, who smirked slightly but didn’t respond. Although he’d expressed to me that he felt a bit shitty about that one. “I may have scared Abasi…and I think I still do.”

“Probably more than ever,” I agreed, amused. “You are scary, Nova. No one can deny that.”

“ You are just so sweet.” She sighed happily, causing me to chuckle.

The street around us grew more crowded with each step toward the capitol building, and eyes immediately were drawn to us. So much so that I let go of Nova’s hand and shifted into my god form, my brother and Volkan doing the same. Nova scoffed but continued forward, clearly upset.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, having to look much farther down than usual.

“Just annoyed that I don’t get a cool tall form,” she said, motioning to herself in disappointment. It was interesting that Nova didn’t shift in height or appearance when it came to having a ‘god form,’ but it was possible she’d yet to unlock it—or she was so unique looking because it was her constant state. I truly didn’t know.

“Maybe you just didn’t get the height gene,” I offered. “You probably inherited that from your mom’s side.” She scowled further, and I would have found her frustration with not being seven feet tall amusing if the sound of horns blowing to announce we were nearing the capitol didn’t draw my attention. Here we go.

The white columned building sat upon a hill, surrounded by a moat. It reminded me of Set’s temple, standing in contrast to some of the more modern buildings here—a classic reminder of the interpretation of ancient gods that the humans had adopted. It was beautiful, especially with the sun glinting down on it, but it was without a doubt filled with people that could prove to be a threat to my moonbeam.

I’d never been to a senate gathering, although I’d studied them in classes, so I didn’t fully realize just how many individuals that would mean were visiting the capitol. Of course the gods themselves were here, but anyone that traveled or worked with them—as well as onlookers, hoping to catch a glance at some of the ‘bigger’ more ‘important’ gods—were gathered by the bridge.

Unsurprisingly, our group had no problem parting the crowd. There would be no ‘surprise’ element to our arrival, murmurs of our identity and curious glances, sometimes flat-out stares, coming from the crowd. If Nova noticed, she didn’t say a word, instead making Rowan and Fox laugh at some side comment she made in passing. Yet as we neared the building proper, her magic broke out of her in a wave of power and rushed all sides of us protectively.

“ Clearly I’m feeling a bit defensive. Sorry about that,” Nova stated, amused by her magic. “I almost feel bad for anyone who tries to talk to us.”

“I don’t,” Ram deadpanned, making me chuckle. Luckily for any offending parties, no one tried to talk to us as we neared the front entrance.

The capitol doors were opened, and the guards didn’t question us as we crossed the threshold. The foyer was a continuous granite slab of white, green, and blue, all of the furnishing glinting with expensive taste. Banners for each of the god sectors hung proudly on the walls, each representing a group of gods that had been adopted by the Earth realm in their religious or cultural beliefs.

“How many gods are part of this, again?” Nova asked.

“Three hundred,” I answered. “Each sector has leaders that are chosen to serve as the voice of the community. Usually they’re the oldest gods, the ones viewed as founders or creators—sometimes, though, it purely has to do with being strong or well-liked.”

We followed the crowd down the main passage, the pair of doors at the end a stark dark blue against the white marble. If I didn’t know from my lessons on the place that this was where the main council chamber was located, I would know from the noise and power levels.

Nova’s magic, growing in defensiveness, expanded out and rose off the ground in shimmering purple and blue flames—a ward of hers I’d never seen before. The guards quickly pulled the doors to the senate chamber open, not willing to get in her way. A good move for them, and one that resulted in a shocking entrance as the entire room turned their heads.

As we entered the room, our team of Scarabs parted to the side, and August’s magic built upon Nova’s protective wards. Conversations were silenced so that the bang of the doors closing behind us was deafening. Nova stepped past all of us to stand at the front of the group, her confidence absolutely unmatched.

Over three hundred people looked down on her from their seats in the amphitheater, waiting for her to say something. Every single seat in the room was filled, and every sector was represented by banners that hung over their heads. Yet, despite all their differences, I could see the same expression on nearly everyone’s face.

Surprise. Nova’s presence wasn’t one that crept up on you. It slammed into you all at once, and it was fucking beautiful.

My moonbeam’s voice was loud and echoed through the room. “Good morning, everyone!”

I could have fucking laughed. The ease with which she greeted them made the moment so much better.

Set was the first to recover. He stood, his chair shifting back from the front of the Egyptian sector. “You—you shouldn’t be here!”

You would’ve thought that as someone who had a bounty on her, he’d be thrilled to see her…but I saw the fear on his face. He’d wanted her captured, but he didn’t want to be the one to do it. He was well aware of just how deadly Nova could be.

Nova shot him a dismissive glare that had him turning red with fury and looking down to Titania, who stood at the back of the central floor space, her eyes narrowed on Nova with disgust. Pure malice and hatred radiated off of her, and through the group bond, I could feel how much that angered Volkan. It also had Nova’s magic bristling defensively.

“Oh, I think I am exactly where I need to be,” Nova said coolly. “You and Titania have saved me so much time—now I don’t even need to hunt you down. You’re right here. Right where I need you, actually.”

“You want to challenge one of us?” a minor goddess from the Roman sector, a few rows left of Set, demanded. “You should leave before?—”

“Before what ?” Nova interrupted, thunder rumbling from thick layers of clouds that began to gather against the ceiling. “Leave before what?”

The gods began to shift uncomfortably, and when others’ magic began to try to filter through the space, Nova threw down the gauntlet. A shimmering wall of purple and blue magic ran over every single wall, door, ceiling, and piece of flooring so that no one could leave and everyone’s magic was heavily suppressed. Fuck. I think we’d all known how powerful Nova was, but seeing and feeling it like this? A completely different story.

The goddess faltered as Nova smirked knowingly and looked at the handful of gods who were seated on the floor, locking eyes with Titania before slowly moving on to Ra. The bastard looked furious, but the way he held himself rigid in his chair spoke of someone trying to hide it. Trying to appear nonchalant and indifferent.

Nova relished in their discomfort, enjoying the opportunity to inflict on them just a taste of what they’d inflicted on others.

I both loved and hated it. I loved that my moonbeam was in her element, her confidence radiating through our bond. On the opposite end, she was putting a target on herself—although, I suppose that had already been true before we’d arrived, through no fault of her own.

Regardless, Nova was going to tell the gods exactly what had been happening, and they didn’t have a choice on whether they were going to listen—Nova would be heard.

“This is exactly where I’m supposed to be,” she repeated, “and for those who think I shouldn’t be here…

“Just wait until you hear what your little band of leaders is planning to do to you.”