Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

I should be focused on the issue of Mors and his mate being somewhere on Earth, trying to escape the other gods' wrath, but I cannot seem to care. Let the others handle it. They do not need me, nor do I want any part of this.

I do not see who he is hurting by being in love. Mors clearly loves her, and she loves him. Only true love would bear such sacrifice. She was willing to kill us, and he was willing to forgo everything for her. That kind of love cannot be broken. Even a fool like me knows that.

Gods are not made to love, but it seems Mors has found a way. I'm jealous, but despite all that, I hope they win. I hope they conquer the obstacles the others are throwing their way. If anyone can, it is Mors and the woman who stood against us. Besides, I have a feeling they will not be the only ones who will stand against the others.

No one even notices when I disappear and reappear on my own island. They are locked in their own hatred and self-righteous justice. I know whatever happens next will not be good, but I will let them fight this battle. It is not one I wish to focus on.

The only thing I care about right now is Freya.

Is she okay?

What is she doing right now? Is the demon protecting her? Staring out into the clouds surrounding my island, I can't help but reach for her, wanting to see her. I know I shouldn't. I disappeared and I didn't even say goodbye. She's probably very angry about that, and that I lied to her about being trapped.

If she figured that out, then she might ask why and demand to know why I was so interested in her. I can't very well admit it's because I know what she is or the fact that I am supposed to report her and then kill her for being born, yet I haven't. I've protected her. I hope that if she can control what she is, like she has been doing all this time, then she will stand a chance, and I want to give her that. She deserves a chance at life. It's not her fault she was born the way she was, and if anyone can conquer this, it's her.

I have to believe in her, in the goodness of this world, or it's all for nothing. I have to believe in love, just like Mors did. If the god of death can face it for love, then so can I because Freya is something important. She's the only being who has ever brought me back to life and reminded me of the beauty of this world I had long since forgotten.

Even now, everything looks different.

It's as if I'm seeing it all for the first time, even though I have seen it a thousand times. How is it possible that things I took for granted now seem important after meeting her? The call of the trees, the butterflies floating around me . . . She made me see the world again, and someone who understands the beauty of life doesn't deserve to be destroyed simply for what could happen in the future.

Maybe it's foolish, but I don't care. Like Mors, I am taking a leap of faith and trusting my emotions.

Turning away from the beauty, I summon a portal with my mind and step through it as I walk through my island. I'm going to keep an eye on her just in case.

That's the only reason why.

When I reappear outside her house, it's early morning. Stepping silently inside, I take in the changes in the room. It remains the same, the same earthy scent mixed with the herbs of her spells, but there is a new smell that's quite distinct.

My nose crinkles as my eyes land on a cage in the corner .

Am I too late?

Has she already sunken into the power and been consumed? The creature in the cage is one I have seen many times back during the dark wars. They were used as soldiers and cannon fodder by the necromancers trying to stop our cull. We ripped them apart as easily as paper, though they were strong fighters, but more simply replaced them.

This one, however, looks old and forgotten, lacking power like those soldiers. Is she simply figuring it out, or was this done by someone else? I have to know.

I find her sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes.

"Phrixius?" It's one of the only times she has said my name, and I cherish it, the sleepy rumble going straight to my heart.

How can evil look so beautiful?

"Holy shit!" She leaps to her feet, stumbling as she stares wide-eyed at me. Her hair is braided, creating two horns on her head. "It is you, but how? Why? I freed you. The spell worked—oh gods, are you here to take revenge?"

"Well, look what the gods dragged in," the demon remarks as he sits up. "Couldn't come at a more sociable hour? I was having great dreams about my little witch's mouth—" He's flung through the wall, even as he laughs.

Freya watches me. Her eyes are still bright, and her skin is the same. She doesn't look like she has given in. So what's with the creature?

"I apologise for the time. It shifts differently here than in my realm." My eyes land on the zombie again. "I see you have been busy." I word it carefully, and as the demon climbs out of the hole his body made, I meet his gaze. He shakes his head, and I let out a sigh of relief.

It wasn't her.

If not her, then who?

"You don't know the half of it," the demon calls, "but it's too early for this shit. If we are going to discuss the world ending, I need coffee."

I gape. "Wait, the world ending? "

"Yeah, just another Tuesday—wait, Wednesday, right?" He chuckles.

"You're back," is all Freya blurts.

"Caffeine would be good, I think," I respond, rubbing the back of my head, more confused than ever.

Sipping the coffee, my only human vice—well, that and my desire for the little witch sitting opposite me—I can't help but sigh deeply. "So a necromancer stole the mask, you tracked it to the zombie, and now you are keeping it to see?"

"Don't forget the hand," the demon reminds me.

Freya nods rapidly, still staring at me, and she leans in. "Why are you back?" She shares a look with the demon, who snorts knowingly. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but?—"

"Are you happy to see me?" I ask, sitting up taller.

"Well, yes." She blushes. "Anyway, you're back. Why?"

"To check on you." I shrug. "So, anything else new other than a necromancer clearly out to start the dark wars again and capture the power in this world?" They both share a guilty look, and I sigh. "Spit it out."

"Well, when I was freeing you, I might have accidentally . . . freed something else," Freya offers with a tight smile.

"What else?" I ask.

"I'm unsure. It was a creature, and it had claws, was wrapped in shadows, and had red eyes," she says quickly.

"Nothing I've ever seen," the demon offers helpfully.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I eye them. "Anything else?"

"Nothing," they say in unison.

"Okay, this creature, where is it?" I glance around like it might appear.

"Well, erm, it got away," Freya answers.

"So there is an unknown dark creature on the loose as well as a necromancer?" I summarise .

"Pretty much." The demon nods, toasting me. "Told you that you would need caffeine."

Sitting back, I eye Freya in concern. If she raised this creature, then does this mean her control is slipping and her dark powers are taking over? Not only that, but if she is determined to track this necromancer, can she maintain control? I worry she cannot fight what she is forever, and then I would have to do my duty and end her. I have never been as sad about the thought of death for a mortal being as I am at the thought of Freya dying.

"I will help you stop the necromancer and capture this creature. As the god of magic, it's the least I can do." Plus, if I am there, then maybe I can stop her from falling into the darkness inside her and keep her alive. It's like walking a tightrope, but I have to try.

"Really? You'll help us?" She brightens. "That would be great. We weren't doing so well."

"Hey!" the demon protests, but she spares him a look. "Yeah, okay, he can be zombie bait. So this is the team, huh? A demon, a witch, and a god. What could go wrong?"

What indeed?