Chapter 26

Bellona could see that Rafael was safe and sound beside her, but her body refused to believe what her eyes were seeing. Her only conscious thoughts were to get him out of that horrible place and to kill anyone who tried to stop her.

Medusa had managed to track Rita from the restaurant days before, finding her personal car and driver and then locating it at a warehouse and the private port near Civitavecchia. Bellona didnt know how she had managed to work her wonders so fast, but Medusa had followed through. So had Romulus.

If you see any men in black tactical gear with a red wolf patch on their arms, dont shoot them, Bellona called to Rafael over her shoulder. She dodged around a baton that a man was swinging at her, and she stabbed him through the chest with her sword. Rita shouldve spent some money on getting her men decent body armor.

Romuluss guys? Rafael guessed, coming up behind her with her shield to protect their backs.

He had more hiding about than I expected. Hes hitting Ritas other businesses as we speak. He loves a hostile takeover.

Bellona fell into an easy rhythm, fighting their way down the wide metal stairs from the apartment and out into the lower levels of the warehouse. Bellona grabbed Rafael and pushed him back just as a shimmering khopesh sword spun through the air and cut a man in half.

Show off! Bellona shouted, and Set leaped from the top of a shipping container. He was carrying an arsenal of weapons and, so far, didnt have a single scratch on him. Unlike Bellona, who had summoned her divine armor, Set wore his usual combat boots, cargo pants, and T-shirt. He had always claimed seeing him look so normal was a special kind of psychological warfare against the enemy.

You dont need to show off when you have skill and technique, Set said, ripping the sword free from what remained of the mans torso. You okay, Rafael? Not bleeding anywhere? All your bits intact?

Im in one piece, Rafael assured him.

Thank Ra for that. Your girlfriend was becoming insufferable without you. She almost started three riots today. Set ran forward, caught a canister shot at them, and threw it back in the direction it came. There were shouts of alarm as the phosphorus grenade went off, and smoke poured out everywhere.

Bellona laughed wickedly. It was good to be fighting with Set again. They wove their way through the maze of shipping containers and out into the open air of the docks. Gunfire cracked in all directions as Romuluss wolves and Ritas men fought for control of the port.

Have your fun, Set, but dont forget Rita is mine, Bellona told him, flicking blood off her sword.

Yeah, yeah, Set replied and touched his hand to his earpiece. Can you repeat that, Medusa? West side? Thank you.

Bellona checked Rafael over again. He didnt seem panicked or frightened. Bellona wanted to know where hed gotten such nerves of steel from. He noticed that she was staring at him and lightly touched her arm.

Im not hurt, bella dea. You can stop worrying, he assured her.

Bellona placed her hand on his cheek. Im not going to believe you are okay and safe until Rita is dead and I have you inside of me. So youre just going to have to deal with me fussing until then, she said.

Rafaels smirk made every female part of her light up. He caught the hand against his cheek and kissed her knuckles. Dont make me horny in the middle of a fight, goddess.

Set cleared his throat loudly. Sorry to break this up, but Rita is retreating west of us, he interrupted. He reloaded one of his handguns. Ready?

Following your lead, Bellona replied, tearing her eyes away from Rafael.

Set grunted. You always make me go first.

She flashed him a sweet smile. Its because you are the biggest target.

They ducked out of their hiding place, moving slowly enough to ensure Rafael could keep up with them. Bellona was tempted to throw him over her shoulder and run. He was doing fine on his own, keeping behind the shield and firing at anyone who dared to get too close. Bellona liked that he could fight back; she didnt like that he had to. When they got out of there, they would have a serious conversation about his future activities.

Focus on getting him out, and then he will never have to be in this situation again.

Bellona threw her pugio into the neck of a man trying to sneak up on them from the top of the container before launching herself up with one jump and cutting down his partner. She freed her dagger and spotted the other men on top of the containers.

Stay with Set. Ill take the high ground, she shouted down to Rafael. He hurried to catch up to where Set was beating a man against one of the forklifts.

Bellona raced along the top of the containers, firing her gun at any of Ritas men hiding beneath them or taking them out with her sword. She followed Medusas instruction and headed west, leaping over trucks and cutting down snipers set up to protect Ritas retreat.

Bellona knew Set would protect Rafael, so she let her bloodlust overwhelm her, the power of battle making her ichor and divine magic sing. She would never forget looking through the glass of the apartment that night and seeing Rita holding a knife to Rafael. Hot bile crept up her throat at the way Rita ground up against him. She tried not to think about what would have happened if she had arrived any later. Oh, yes, Rita was going to pay for that.

Bellonas rage carried her across the port to the ring of shining black SUVs that flanked Ritas Mercedes coupé. Romuluss men were closing in, forming a perimeter around them to cut off any chance of escape. Set and Rafael appeared at the edge of the maze of containers and looked uninjured. Set gave Bellona a nod to get the kill over with.

Bellona jumped down behind the line of Ritas guards and attacked from the inside. Ritas face was white, but it wasnt fear. It was fury. She had lost and knew it. She wasnt going to accept it.

Its over, Rita, Bellona snarled. She glanced behind her where Rafael stood with Set and Romuluss men. This is a war you are never going to win. Not while Im still breathing.

Rita sneered and pointed her gun at Bellona. I can fix that.

You might find it harder to kill me than you think, Bellona smirked, lifting her hands in mock surrender.

Rita let out a cruel laugh. No, my dear. I know exactly where to hit to cause the most damage.

The gun went off, but Bellona didnt feel the bullet hit her.

This close and you miss? she snorted.

I didnt miss, Rita sneered.

Bellona whirled as Rafael fell, blood staining his shirt. Bellonas power exploded. She was behind Rita in an instant. She grabbed her by the neck and shoulder and tore her in half with an ear-splitting scream of primal fury. Bellona tossed the pieces aside and raced to Rafael. Set was shouting something, his hands keeping pressure on the wound.

G-Goddess, Rafael wheezed, smiling up at her with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. It was an honor to love you.

Bellona clutched his face. Dont you dare die on me. You stay with me, she snarled.

Her hands glowed with power, but it only destroyed what it touched. It never healed. Rafaels eyes slid shut, and reality warped around them.

Men ran as her power hit cars and containers, twisting the metal and vaporizing the bodies of Ritas guards. Magic burned the air, and something heavy hit her in the back of the head. She slumped to the ground, disorientated. The end of a golden staff appeared by her face before she was being slung over Sets shoulder.

Well, isnt this a fucking mess, Hermes said, picking up Rafael.

Hermes, save... Bellona begged, her vision starting to go dark. A golden door of light appeared, and Set carried her through it, her hand still reaching for Rafael.