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CHAPTER 23

AUGUST

T he days felt like they sped by, the seconds impossible to count—but moments like these …these felt much slower, and I savored them, especially not knowing what we were about to get ourselves into.

Our allies were secured. It was a waiting game now, but I had a feeling we wouldn’t be waiting for long. My magic told me something was waiting just beyond the peripheral, ready to catapult us forward. Especially tonight.

Nova settled against me, a book about the different realms that she’d borrowed from the Horde open on her lap. There was a chill to the air tonight, snow fresh on the ground, but with the blanket we’d dragged out here and the hot chocolate, we were more than comfortable. The others were hanging out in the living room and kitchen, relaxing after such a long night.

We accomplished what we’d set out to do, and while I didn’t love the idea of Nova being bonded to all witches in that room, I also understood that in a way it made her more powerful and more protected. I had a feeling that Isis and Hecate were right—that Nova was their leader, even if it hadn’t been officially stated. I could see it in the way they regarded her, respected her, and hell—even feared her. That part couldn’t be understated.

“What realm are you reading about?” I asked.

“The Horde, actually. I have a fascination with it and the fae realm. I know each realm has a unique heritage, but the Horde is really cool.”

“It is,” I agreed. “I think it was a good place to grow up. I know some of the others don’t like it as much, but it’s one of the most consistently accepting places across the realms.”

Nova tilted her head in thought. “You know, we keep talking about where we’re going to live after this, but won’t we have to live in the Horde? Aren’t you still contracted by the Red Masques?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, technically, but I think Edwin will understand when we retire after this. Saving the world sort of tops out the resume and ‘accomplishment’ list.”

“Oh, true,” Nova sighed. “Well maybe we can live there for a little bit still, at least until we find a place long term.”

With a single finger, I tilted her chin up. “Nova, if you want to live in the Horde, you don’t need a reason—you can just like it. We’ll live wherever you want.”

Nova smiled softly. “Maybe…I’m not sure it’s our forever home, but maybe.”

“Whatever you want; I promise.”

“I can tell it hurts for some of them to visit the Horde, though. I would never want that. I mean, I’m sure you get that a little bit.”

“It’s funny that you said that,” I said, looking at the forested back yard. “When I helped protect our family in the God realm, shielding everyone from the gods, it made me feel…different than normal. Better. I feel better than I have in years about my family and my magic.” Looking back at Nova’s affectionate expression, I dipped my head to kiss her. “That’s because of you, sunflower.”

“I love that you feel that way,” she said softly. “I love your magic. I love the feel of it and how unique it is—I don’t ever want you to feel like you have to hold back.”

And I had for so damn long.

“I won’t anymore,” I promised. “It may take longer for me to come to terms with what happened to my family, but my magic has broken out of my hold as it is—especially when it comes to protecting you.” My magic loved Nova as much as I did.

Suddenly, the air shifted around us. I tensed, tightening my hold on Nova and drawing her into me protectively. In a sweep of wind and black smoke, a figure appeared in front of us. My shadows had been trying to warn me of this for hours now. At least my instincts were up to par.

“That’s good. You’re going to need all the power you can get coming up.”

I didn’t recognize this person, but I knew he was dangerous. His power radiated around him in a cloud of darkness, and while his expression was calm, the way he held himself was tense. He was dressed in a silver silk suit with bare feet, and his skin was decorated with tattoos, his slitted serpentine eyes watching our reactions with amusement. Although he didn’t exactly look like the type of bastard to smile.

“Who the hell?—”

“Apep!” Nova said, rubbing a hand on my chest in comfort. “You may not want to appear without warning.” His eyes moved to my shadows around him, poised to attack. I hadn’t released them purposefully, but I also didn’t draw them back. I obviously should have—this was not only an ally, but a primordial being that brought chaos to our universe.

The thing was, ally or not, I wasn’t so sure I liked him being around our girl.

“I see that,” he said. “Well, I’m here to simply deliver a warning. It’s time. You have days until they arrive.”

“Oh.” Nova’s eyes went wide. “ Okay —that was quick.”

“They move fast,” he confirmed. No shit.

“Where do we go?” she asked.

Apep leaned against the railing and spoke quietly. “I’ve watched these beings from afar, trying to understand how they work, and have determined their approach. When devouring other civilizations?—”

“Other civilizations? Like Earth?” Nova sat forward. “Are you saying there are aliens?”

Apep looks surprised. “You can’t tell me you assumed there weren’t other creatures.”

“Just never had it confirmed,” Nova said simply, and I chuckled at her obvious excitement—although, to her credit, she did try to contain it.

“Their approach,” he continued, not entertaining her—which I found really fucking annoying—“is that they never attack directly in the same dimension as the civilians. You can think of our universe as stacks of realities that are copies of the same central Earth realm and its extended realms…so yes, there are realities where Novas exist. I know humans have a fascination with that concept.”

“So cool,” Nova murmured, drawing another smile from me.

“The dark ones will attack from a different reality that’s part of our stack. The central reality, which has no life forms. That is where you must go.”

This sounded like some serious metaphysical bullshit. I couldn’t deny that he probably understood it better than any of us, though. I also appreciated that despite its complicated nature, he was trying to keep it fairly clear cut.

“Why do they attack there? Why not in our ‘normal’ reality?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” Apep said. “But it makes it so that the individuals suffer less—one minute they’re living their normal lives and the next they just blink out of existence. They never actually see the world eaters, and if they do feel any effects, it comes in the form of natural disasters from the disruption of the normal ebb and flow of the universe.”

“How nice of them,” Nova offered sarcastically. “Still fucking assholes though. Lorcan, the other prophecy holder, showed me what they look like. I really hope we’re ready for this.”

“I do too,” Apep said seriously.

Nova scowled and crossed her arms. “You were supposed to say ‘you are totally ready and I believe in you.’”

Apep arched a brow. “I have no idea if you’re ready.”

Nova grumbled under her breath but looked up at me. “We need to let the others know it’s time. I think River has a way to inform everyone, and of course we can text?—”

“I can open portals for your allies,” Apep suggested.

“And I’ve let River know to inform them to be ready,” Ramsey said from the door. Apparently he’d been listening the whole time. He gave our guest a nod in greeting. “Apep.”

“Ramsey, isn’t it? You seem more pleasant than your father.”

“He is,” Nova agreed instantly. “Alright, do you need a list of all the allies?—”

“No.” Apep actually chuckled. “I’ve kept track of your many adventures, Nova. I just need to know when you plan to leave. Presumably now?”

“Oh no.” Nova shook her head. “In the morning. I need to sleep and mentally prepare. You can’t rush this type of thing.”

Apep didn’t seem surprised by her answer at all, simply stating, “I’ll be back in the morning.” And then he was gone.

“Ram, what the heck.” Nova was offering him a pointed look.

“What?”

“You didn’t even have a funny reaction! It’s like you weren’t even surprised.” I couldn’t help but laugh as Ramsey offered her a dry look.

“Of course I’m fucking shocked there’s a primordial being in our back yard, sunshine, but I’m trying to not act like it.” He stormed inside, and Nova flashed me a knowing smile.

“I just love messing with him,” she admitted before sitting back down on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my head against her chest, holding her tighter than usual.

Part of me wanted to hide Nova from this shit. I wasn’t proud of that thought, but the idea of locking her away somewhere safe…it would never not be appealing to me. But making that choice would result in the destruction of our universe. The destruction of our future.

“We’ve got this,” Nova said softly, as if reading my mind. “We have to have this—there are too many people counting on us.”

And it was absolutely us —we would be by her side every step of the way.