Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49

T he pool of souls is not a place I have ever been to, but I have heard of it many times. It's one of the most sacred secrets in this world, protected by the gods since the beginning of the universe. It holds ancient magic connected to death and rebirth, but it has no master. Not even Mors can control the pool, nor can he step foot here because something about his death magic messes with it.

It is our only hope.

We have to capture her soul before she passes on.

Standing before us is a snow-capped mountain, with clouds obscuring everything around us since we are so high up. All we can see is a narrow path leading to a black, yawning entrance carved into the side of the mountain. Power pulses from it, warning us away.

The language of the gods is carved above the entrance, cautioning those who would dare defile this holy place.

Here, the dead rest to pass—beware, corrupters

"This is where the pool of souls is?" Adder teases, but I sense his discomfort. This is ancient holy ground, and he is a creature of sin, so it must weigh on him.

Sparing him a look, I nod. "Let's go." I head up the path. Either they will follow or won't, but I am not turning back. Her soul is in there, it has to be, and I will bring her back. At the entrance, I do not hesitate before I plunge into the darkness, feeling the magic pass across us.

It will either kill us or allow us entry if our hearts are pure.

I emerge into a stone cave with bioluminescent, glass-like stones. There are many levels to it, but down a set of carved steps is a deep, glowing pool. The water shines like a trapped gem, whirling with its own magic and motion. I expected more protection, but then I spy an ancient one lurking above us, and then another. They do not stop us, however, and I realise they are not here to protect the pool, but to help us.

Mors must have sent them, or more accurately, his mate, Avea.

I nod my gratitude and turn back as Adder and Sha stumble through. I breathe a sigh of relief because it let them pass. I know to bring her back, it will take all of us.

"What now?" Adder asks softly, no doubt sensing the importance of this place so he's serious for once.

"I am not sure."

He whirls to me, his eyes wide, and I rub at my head.

"It's not like I have done this before. I just knew there was a chance, and if there was, then she would be here."

"He's right. There's a chance," a deep, powerful voice calls, filling the space.

Whirling, I meet dark eyes as the person—no, the god steps from the shadows and faces me.

Not a god, I correct, a fallen god.

This must be the father of demons.

"You are seeking the soul of your love, no?" he asks, leaning against the rock as he watches us. "You would not be here if not."

"You said there was a chance." Adder steps closer. "Tell us how." Despite this being his creator, he does not seem bothered, demanding his assistance.

Luckily, he is not offended and bows his head. "I sense you are one of mine. I am sorry for your loss, though it is interesting. You love the one you have lost."

Adder's nostrils flare. "Yes. I know I am not capable of love?—"

"Everybody is capable of love," he murmurs while watching Adder. "I was, and so are you. The fact that you are here only proves it. Us creatures of evil tend to love deeper than most others. We cling to the light and hope that love offers us, banishing the darkness from our souls. How long ago did you lose her? That will make a difference."

"Recently," Adder replies, relaxing slightly. "We are here to bring her back. If you try to stop us?—"

"I am not here to stop you, blood of mine. I am here to help you." He pushes from the rock. "Is she capable of surviving death?"

"No grave can hold our witch," I tell him. "She is here, I know it."

"Why would you help us?" Adder asks. "You do not know us."

"No, but I know the agony in your eyes. I know the pain of losing the one you love. If I can help, I will."

"You are here for what you lost, your love," I murmur.

"Mine is no longer in there," he murmurs, "yet I always find myself here to check. There is not much time, as souls do not stay here forever. You will only get one chance to bring her back, and you must be strong enough to do so."

"Tell us how," I plead, bowing my head in respect. "I will give anything. My strength knows no bounds when it comes to her."

"Good, you'll need that determination." He looks at the pool once more. "To bring back what is lost, you will have to give a piece of yourself. A piece nobody should be able to live without. A soul must be taken and given, and it must have a host. However, if she is reborn from your sacrifice, it will live within her, and you will only be whole when you are together. You must make that decision—to live without your heart or your soul."

"She can have it. She can have it all," I say without hesitation.

Adder and Sha agree instantly, and he smiles. "You will lose your godhood."

"I do not care. None of that matters, only her."

"A god in love is dangerous indeed. That's what they told me at least. Personally, I always found we were more powerful." He glances at the pool. "Go, before it is too late. I wish you well. I hope you find your love and will be whole again."

Nodding my thanks, I share a look with the others. "You do not have to do this. I can go alone."

"No, it is not just you who loves her, god," Adder snaps. "Besides, she's had my soul since the day she was born." He smiles softly and heads down the steps as I glance at Sha.

"She is mine," is all he says before he follows Adder.

Taking a deep breath, I turn and pass them, marching down the steps to the glowing water. As my feet touch the edge of the swirling liquid, power washes over me, making me gasp. It feels wrong to touch it, as if I'm defiling life itself, but I ignore it as I step deeper.

Despite its appearance, the water only goes to our knees, and we sink into its glowing depths. Kneeling there, we face each other. I hold out my hand, and Adder takes it, nodding at me, then I offer my other one to Sha. He places his in mine before taking Adder's. We are connected, and as one, we bow our heads above the flowing water.

We do not speak as we wait, our hearts open as we pour our agony and grief into the waters, asking for her return. We beg this pure power to give her to us, and in offering, we give up our souls.

It hears us. The water rises around us to create a glowing, circular wall of water, spinning until it shoots into our chests like spears. I jerk from the force, my mouth opening on a silent scream as it reaches deep inside me, carving out my soul.

I do not fight it. I give it up, even as pure pain pours through me. I am dying, I am being torn apart, but I still do not ask it to stop. I allow it to take what it wants. I feel every molecule being torn from me, as if I am bleeding from a thousand cuts. I keep my eyes locked on Adder and Sha, who do the same.

The spears of water glow where they pierce our chests, and then our skin begins to shine with power. As I watch, those spears grow down like roots, hitting the water and sinking deep into the pool.

The water starts to rise like a cradle, cupping a bright orb that I know is my Freya .

It's her soul, and it is beautiful.

It rises through the water towards us, our souls flowing down in its place. We are just balls of agony, lost, empty shells of what we were.

I glance up and see the fallen god step back into the shadows, his eyes glistening with tears.

She will be reborn, and we will have her back, while he is doomed to watch.

The glowing orb continues to rise until it glistens in the light between us, and I stare at it in awe. "Freya." I do not know if I speak or think it, but I put my love into that one word. "Come back to us."

The spears pull from our chests, and the last thing I see as I plunge face-first into the water is her glowing soul beginning to expand, joining ours.