Page 38 of Gods of Prey (Parallel Prey #3)

The illusion of Sienna smiles sadly and fades. In her place appears another vision: Sienna ruling Umbraeth alone, growing bitter and cold without the connections that softened her edges during our time in Seattle. Sebastian in Aurelys with Jovie, their joy tempered by guilt over Sienna’s isolation.

“ This is one possible future ,” the voice says. “ Is this the balance you seek ?”

“No,” I answer immediately. “That’s not balance. It’s just separation.”

The vision changes. Now, I see Sienna in Umbraeth, but I’m there too.

We stand together before the souls awaiting judgment, working in perfect synchronicity.

Occasionally we visit Aurelys, where Sebastian and Jovie welcome us warmly.

The realms seem brighter somehow, more vibrant in their respective ways.

“ And this ?” the voice asks.

My throat tightens. “Yes. That’s true balance.”

“ Even if it means leaving Aurelys? Even if it means embracing Death as much as Life ?”

I think of my centuries in Aurelys. All the intimate moments with the beautiful creatures who live there, serving the realm with pure, selfless loyalty. It’s all I’ve known for most of existence. My life before is a blur. Nothing worth missing or remembering.

But then I remember the strange beauty of Umbraeth that I glimpsed during our preparations. The look in Sienna’s eyes when she spoke of guiding souls to their rest.

“Yes,” I say with growing certainty. “Life and Death are two sides of the same coin. I’ve served one side faithfully. I can learn to honor the other.”

The chasm before me begins to close, the two realms drawing closer until they meet—not merging, but connected by a bridge of twilight, neither fully light nor dark.

“ Cross ,” the voice commands.

I step onto the bridge, feeling both realms resonating within me as I walk. When I reach the center point, perfectly balanced between Aurelys and Umbraeth, everything dissolves.

I gasp as reality reasserts itself. I’m back before the audience in the Divine Council’s chamber, my knees on the cold floor. Beside me, Sienna is just opening her eyes, looking as disoriented as I feel. Sebastian and Jovie appear seconds later, both pale but steady.

“The tests are complete,” the Divine Council announces as one.

We rise to our feet, looking at each other questioningly.

Did we pass ?

No one speaks, too afraid to breathe or blink, let alone to ask.

“Sebastian, God of Life,” the council begins, “you have demonstrated your commitment to duty by creating a new system of life cycles that can be maintained even during your visits to Umbraeth. Your test is passed.”

Sebastian exhales in relief.

“Jovie, mortal seeking immortality, you have shown remarkable resilience in the face of eternity’s burden.

You comprehend the weight of endless days and still choose this path with clear eyes.

But the being growing inside of you has a troubled life path.

It belongs to the divine realm and nowhere else. Your test is passed.”

Jovie sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, gripping Sebastian’s hand.

The being growing inside of you. I rear back at that. The crowd around us gasps at those words, but the three standing beside me don’t move an inch.

They all knew. And no one told me.

“Siennara, Goddess of Death, you have proven your ability to rule Umbraeth with justice and compassion, unclouded by personal vendettas or favoritism. Your test is passed.”

Sienna’s shoulders relax slightly, though her expression remains guarded.

The council turns to me last. “Revel, interim God of Life, you have demonstrated that your true allegiance is to the balance itself, not to realm or person. You understand that to serve Life fully, one must also honor Death. Your test is passed.”

Relief floods through me so intensely, I nearly stagger. We’ve done it. All of us.

“However,” the council continues, and the brief moment of triumph freezes, “passing these tests proves only your individual worthiness. The proposed new order must still be ratified based on how we feel is appropriate.”

Sebastian steps forward. “What more could we do?”

“There’s nothing else you can do now. We need time to deliberate,” Myelle’s voice speaks without the rest of the Divine Council behind it.

“Tomorrow, the four of you must stand before us and formally declare your intentions. The realms must be bound by oath and divine law.” The entire council’s energy pulses.

“Return at the awakening of the celestial lights. Prepare your declarations carefully, for once spoken, they cannot be undone. We’ll have a resolution for you then. ”

With that, the council’s presence recedes, leaving us alone in the vast chamber.

For a moment, none of us speak. Then Jovie breaks the silence with a shaky laugh. “So...we passed our tests. That’s good, right?”

Sebastian pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Yes, love. It’s very good.”

I want to confront them about the news that was shared.

We’ve just risked our lives together going against the most powerful gods in all the realms, and they couldn’t even offer me the courtesy of letting me know there was more at stake.

But I’m afraid that starting an argument before the Divine Council and every other god around us would only weaken the image of a united front that we’re trying to portray.

Instead, I swallow down my shock and anger and store it away for when we’re alone once again.

Erebus steps out of the shadows where he’s been observing. “The Divine Council has never allowed such changes before. This is unprecedented.”

Sienna turns to him, her closest confidant besides her brother. “Do you think they’ll actually approve the new arrangement?”

Erebus considers this. “They allowed the tests. They wouldn’t have bothered if they’d already decided against you.”

I notice Sienna hasn’t looked at me since we returned. “What did they show you?” I ask her quietly while Sebastian and Jovie speak with Erebus.

She finally meets my eyes, something vulnerable flickering briefly in her gaze. “The consequences of putting personal feelings before duty.” Her voice drops even lower. “And what might be possible when both are honored equally.”

I want to ask more, but this isn’t the place. “We should prepare our declarations,” I say instead.

She nods, some of her usual composure returning. “Tonight we’ll meet in the neutral territory between realms. All of us. We need to ensure our declarations align perfectly.”

“And if the council approves?” I can’t help asking. “What then?”

A ghost of a smile touches her lips. “Then we build something new, Revel. Something better than what came before.”

As we leave the council chamber, I find myself stealing glances at her, remembering the vision of us working together in Umbraeth. It wasn’t just a test or a trick—it was a possibility. One I’m increasingly certain I want to make real.

Whatever happens tomorrow, one thing has become clear through my test: my path forward lies with Sienna, helping her guide souls through the dark while remembering the light. Balance, in all things. Including love.