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Lenna

H ope looked the same, and yet the power emanating from her every pore was not that different from the omnipotence of the Cardinals themselves.

This type of magic could end worlds and create new ones, and now, the bastard daughter of the Organ Mandor, who he had discarded and abandoned as a newborn, who was the only living female with Core panom blood—owned it now.

There were few words to describe the awe in Lenna’s heart at the determination, stubbornness, and perseverance of the woman in front of her, the woman blessed with the Fifth Power.

There were even fewer words to describe how fucking annoying she found the loud, slow claps of the East Cardinal resonating in the chamber.

“Such generosity, Core, yet alas, disappointingly uncomplicated for your girl.” The disgust of the Harming goddess was palpable in her spiteful words and the hateful stare towards the Core Cardinal. “I don’t think I can cope with the pretense that this was not long-planned by your secret lover and yourself, my dear.”

The Core Cardinal narrowed her red eyes, and the sight was terrifying. “We must not interfere with the writings of fate, sister, nor forget the unwavering, unified front we represent.”

The East Cardinal scoffed, the scars on her face crunching together as she grinned. “But of course, why would I wish to interfere with the intricate affairs between you and His Darkness?”

“You ought not to speak of that which lies beyond your understanding, East.”

The East goddess curled her upper lip, her white teeth splashed with what looked like dry drops of blood exposed. “I long to leave this putrid pit where you two copulate, and the sooner, the better.” Her red stare turned from her sister to Jake, who—Fifth damn him five times—wore a side smile full of amusement and not enough wariness to deal with the hatred of such a being. “Jake Coralt, successful striver of the Harming ordeal. Do you present your feather to unveil the fate of your gamble?”

“Yours to take. Say your price.”

The silence that followed as the East Cardinal examined him as if she could read his mind sent goosebumps all over Lenna’s thighs. She didn’t like this goddess one fucking bit.

“I will not demand one price, but two.” She lifted a hand up as the Core Cardinal opened her mouth. “My opportunity to grant the Fifth, my gamble, therefore my rules.”

The silver in his eyes glittered as he narrowed them. “Say your prices.”

The East Cardinal stood from her throne and paced until her eyes met his. “I like you, Jake Coralt.” Her fingers caressed his cheek, leaving an open, bleeding wound behind. He didn’t even flinch.

Do not move , Jake whispered in Lenna’s mind. It’s all a game.

How was he worried about her and not about the abusive creature touching him ? Lenna’s nostrils flared, her jaw aching from clenching it so hard, the inner side of her cheek bleeding to keep from jumping and attempting to rip her throat and wings at once.

“Once I name my prices, refusal will not be an option. In return, you will be granted the Fifth Power.”

Any remote sign of amusement or nonchalance left Jake’s body, his shoulders and arms tense with the risk she posed in front of him. Lenna didn’t have any doubt—it was a fucking trap.

“I will not go into such gamble blind. There are conditions,” Jake demanded.

The East Cardinal tilted her head. “Two conditions you may name.”

Jake inhaled deeply. “Lenna Brachyan will be alive and unharmed, untouched by you or your sisters, by this gamble or any others.”

Lenna’s heart squeezed so tightly it could fit inside her fist. She wanted to shout “Don’t trust her” so badly, but it would be useless, because Jake already didn’t trust the wicked mind of this goddess.

“Repulsive, but agreeable. One more condition you may name before I reveal the prices you will pay.”

“The woman I share blood with, Hope Nevada, will remain alive, unharmed, and untouched.”

“Wise, but not wise enough, Jake. The obsessive protection of my dear sister over your half-sister is unmatched. You wasted your second condition, but I respect your first. I will now name your due, and you will receive your well-deserved Fifth Power.” Her finger touched his lip, breaking it in half, blood droplets pooling at his feet.

“Get your fucking hands off him, spiteful winged creature of Hell,” Lenna shouted. The moment her voice left her mouth, Jake’s widened silver eyes were on her, a warning and a plea that she was not going to comply with anymore.

To Lenna’s utmost shock, the East Cardinal took her finger off him, but it was the utterly delighted and satisfied smile on her red lips that froze her in place.

“By the time the sun rises, I will have killed every member of the East House. You will become the new Ruler of my House, Jake. You will bear your title with the honor it deserves, and I expect you to make me and my House proud. The second price, though, is the highlight of my night.” The East Cardinal looked at the Core Cardinal as if this was her personal vengeance, as if whatever hatred she was putting in Jake’s gamble was fueled by much more than the man she was making bleed. “It’s a favor you will one day thank me for. To become the ruthless panom ruling the Harming petal, you must let go of what makes you weak and vulnerable.”

Jake shook his head slowly, blood dripping down his chin and cheek as his strong fists clenched at his sides, as if he had realized something that was too late to undo. He turned to meet her golden stare, and his eyes showed the biggest terror Lenna had ever seen.

Terror bigger than losing one’s life, terror greater than witnessing the end of the world.

“From now on, Jake Coralt of the East House, you will not be able to love.”