Chapter 15

The prophecy we'd heard more than one time mentioned the death of gods and chaos. It didn't hint at the goddess causing all of this because she was a petty, jealous bitch. Eris being behind this still stunned me. I'd been mistaken when I assumed we were dealing with a run-of-the-mill cult.

In the kitchen of the rental there were take-out containers scattered around like confetti. Our eclectic group huddled together. We analyzed the cryptic verses that spelled out the impending drama. Aidon was pissed at his ex-girlfriend and would have gone after her if not for his need to protect me and the babies. And thank the gods for those instincts. The last thing we needed was him going rogue.

"I can"t believe I'm in the middle of a relationship triangle. Real original," I quipped, glancing at the prophetic passage like it owed me money.

Aidon growled, the sound low and rumbling. It sent a shiver down my spine. He was pissed. "There is no triangle, Queenie. You are my everything. Nothing will ever change that. However, the intricacies of the prophecy go beyond that. The potential for disaster is very real."

"Which means we can't improvise our way through this mess," I replied. The stakes had never been higher for us. And we'd never been up against a goddess before. Impulses drove Eris at the basis of her survival and an irrational belief that she and Aidon were mates. A deadly freaking combination.

Stella started cleaning up as she worked through the situation. "This hints at a convergence. It is a moment when the fate of Salem and your life hang in the balance, which means your babies as well. What the hell do you think that entails? It might give us our next step."

"Convergence, fate hanging, got it. So, business as usual," I mumbled, earning an exasperated look from Stella. I held up my hands. "I know this is serious. Looking at it like that keeps me from freaking out or getting more and more pissed. It will help no one if either of those things happens. Upset people make mistakes. Not to mention I don't want this bitch to have that much power over me and my emotions."

Stella stopped cleaning and gave me a sheepish look. "I shouldn't have doubted you. And looking at it like that, we have an advantage over Eris. She has lots of sycophants, but you have people who would die for you because they love you. That makes a huge difference."

I grabbed a wonton before Stella took the carton away. "It does, but why did she create this Order? It's not like it's a new thing. Glimmerford has been there for a long time. Why would she do that? There is no way she knew she would need it to get Aidon and his babies."

"To have followers creating chaos for her. I bet anything they were behind the Salem Witch Trials," Todd said, surprising me with his insight. "The girls that first reported the witches could have easily been Order of the Umbra members."

"That fits," Aidon agreed. "Eris seduced me to have a connection to the Underworld. Eris spoke of creating a new version of Hell on Earth. A realm where she could hoard demons to fuel her chaos and strife."

I blinked. Once again, I was caught off-guard. "A new Underworld? Is she insane? It's not like redecorating your living room. She doesn't have the power to control demons like you do."

Stella grimaced and said, "She is certifiable."

"Maybe not," Todd interjected. "Control over the demons is another reason she wanted Aidon. She settled for these witches, but I guarantee she hasn't cared for how independent they are. The chaos of the trials in Salem stopped eventually, and she had to have them create something else. Every time her plans didn't give her pleasure, or whatever chaos and discord do for her, for long. And when she realized that, I bet she went back to Aidon for another tryst and tried to create her own version of Hell."

"But she couldn't be obvious about it after you rejected the idea the first time she mentioned it," I pointed out.

Aidon's face has gone pale. "Yes. She's done it several times over." His expression became horrified and sickened. "I have always wondered if she was behind the events that have led to many of the wars worldwide. Each time one of them ended, she came back to me. I'm the idiot. I never even realized because she stopped talking about her version of utopia after I denied her."

My stomach churned when I thought of Eris playing these games.

Aidon shuddered and tugged me onto his lap. "Dismissing her words was likely the biggest mistake of my life. She"s more cunning than I gave her credit for."

"Well, color me shocked," I replied, adding a dramatic eye roll for good measure. "Who would"ve thought the goddess of chaos and discord could be cunning?"

"A new Underworld would mean unimaginable power for her. She's using Salem because she has a firm foothold with her cult. I don't think she is doing this only to get Aidon back. I think it had more to do with your babies than you think. Aidon didn't give her the control over demons she wanted. However, his children will if she is able to raise and train them to meet her needs."

My hands went to my abdomen, and the babies rolled along with the contents of my stomach. "Oh my gods," I muttered in a horrified voice. "That can never happen! I will rip her to shreds!" I was trying to maintain my nonchalance. But deep down, I knew this was a game-changer.

Aidon's hands covered mine. "We will all protect you and them. They aren't due for months yet, so the goal right now is keeping her from kidnapping you and holding you prisoner until you give birth."

Todd cocked his head to the side. "Aren't they at risk, though? I mean, she's a powerful goddess. Can't she just magic them from your belly to hers? She could carry them and give birth when they're ready."

My jaw dropped to my chest, and my mind fractured from the mere suggestion. Aidon's arms wound around me and held me close, keeping the babies safe. "We are going to take precautions right now to ensure that doesn't happen. I am so sorry for bringing her into your life, Queenie. I should have taken her words more seriously. Eris is not one to make idle threats."

"So, what"s our genius plan to stop her? We can't even find her. You haven't once mentioned how we can get to her to stop all of this bullshit like you're trying to protect her. Are you planning on throwing a magical housewarming party in her new demonic lair?" My voice rose in volume, and I was getting more hysterical by the second.

Stella shot me a worried look. "Aidon just said that isn't going to happen. We are going to enchant the diamond earrings he gave you and the necklace Bas made for you to act as a shield protecting your womb."

Tseki took off a ring Murtagh had given him for his birthday last week and handed it to me. "Add this to your chain and put a spell on it, too. The more you have the better we will all feel."

Aidon tipped my head back and looked down into my eyes. "I would never risk you or our little ones. I was a shell of a god until I met you. I want you to make the talismans now. We shouldn't delay a second."

Nodding, I climbed off of his lap and staggered to the island a few feet away. Bracing my hands on the counter, I took several deep breaths to calm myself. This kind of panic was going to get me killed and my babies taken. Removing the earrings, I set them on the granite. Stella approached with the case of herbs we brought with us to most places.

Recalling the herbs that held significance for the enchantments we wanted, I told her what we would need. "We"ll need chamomile for its soothing properties, vervain for protection, and a touch of juniper berries to ward off negative energies."

Stella grabbed the vials as I listed them. "I was thinking the same things. I think we're ready now."

She grabbed my hand, each item laid out in front of us with care. Murtagh lit a few candles, creating a serene ambiance. Aidon stood on my other side, and Todd was next to Stella with Tseki and Murtagh across the island. Having my friends around me gave me a sense of security I needed to cast this enchantment. Intent and focus were the most important aspects to witchcraft, and I doubted I could accomplish either without them.

With a deep breath, Stella initiated the spell, her words flowing with ancient wisdom. "In this sacred blend, we weave a shield strong and true. By the power of earth, air, fire, and water, let this enchantment guard against harm. And shield Phoebe with her unborn children from all magical forces."

I joined her the second time she said the words, closing my eyes and feeling the surge of energy enveloping us. Stella"s magic intertwined with mine, creating a harmonious dance of elements. My eyes opened, and I watched our power surround the items and my belly.

Aidon extended his hand. With a gesture, he summoned a small vial containing a liquid that seemed to glow and move like a charcoal-colored silk scarf floating in an obsidian lake. "This is a blend of underworld herbs and shadow essence. It will enhance the protective barrier, especially against magical influences from other deities. I"m sure my father won't mind me sacrificing this for his grandchildren."

My mind was struggling to follow the implications of what he'd said because I was too busy watching what he was doing. His power built and became painful to stand next to, but I forced myself to remain in place as Aidon uncorked the vial. The room darkened slightly and an otherworldly aura surrounded him. He poured the essence over the enchanted items, his Underworld powers infusing them with an energy so potent it made my head swim.

"By the realms below and the stars above, I invoke the protection of the underworld. May this charm be an impenetrable shield, guarding Phoebe and our unborn children from the powers that seek to intrude."

The magical energies swirled, the essence blending seamlessly with our enchantment. I could sense the layers of protection forming a shield that transcended both earthly and ethereal realms.

With the ritual complete, we stood staring at the items laid on the granite countertop. The subtle glow of the spells faded. I slipped the ring on my finger, the magic automatically resizing it to fit me. The earrings tingled in my lobes while the Aidon fastened the chain around my neck.

"I feel better now. And thanks for mentioning your thoughts, Todd," I said, looking at my best friend's husband. "Things could have taken a horrific turn if you hadn't."

Todd leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. His expression was uncomfortable. "I didn't mean to turn it into a big deal. And I had no idea it was even possible. It was just that after everything I've heard over the past eighteen months, it seemed like it could be her goal."

Aidon clapped a hand on Todd's shoulder and held it there. "Magic like that is entirely possible. And something tells me you hit the nail on the head with that one. I owe you more than I can ever repay."

Todd shook his head. "You owe me nothing. But we do need a strategic approach. If Eris is amassing power in a hidden realm, we need to find it and stop her before she can carry out her plan," he finished.

Aidon dropped his hand and nodded in agreement. "We"ll have to use all our resources, magical and otherwise to locate this hidden realm. It won't be as easy to locate as Glimmerford was."

My hands rubbed light circles over my belly as I thought about what Fiona had told me when they were trying to save the goddess Selene's life. "Does she have her own home realm like Selene? I could ask Fiona how they found Selene's. Maybe that will help."

"Most gods and goddesses have created a realm where they can retreat to. They design them so only those with an invitation can get inside. And they rarely ever allow those. I've never been to Eris's home," Aidon explained.

"Dammit. It's like that bitch got a prophecy centuries ago and is using that to stay one step ahead of us," I grumbled.

"There's got to be a way to find her realm, right?" Todd asked, keeping me from spiraling too far down the rabbit hole of frustration.

Stella and I exchanged glances, the unspoken agreement hanging between us. "We can scry for her," Stella suggested, her fingers tracing a complex pattern on the countertop. My heart raced to see my friend so nervous. "But we"d need something personal. Hair or blood or a token belonging to her. You have anything like that, Aidon?"

Aidon scowled at Stella. "I have nothing of hers and want nothing. However, your scrying won't get you far. The gods and goddesses have natural barriers that prevent others from locating us. You can accomplish it if you have a part of her. I am going to be our best bet. My past connection to Eris might allow me to sense her energy. It's a long shot, but the only way."

"Do it," I told him. "We need to put her in her place."

Stella and I shared a look, acknowledging the unique advantage Aidon brought to the table. The god"s eyes took on an otherworldly gleam as he delved into his divine abilities. As his hands moved in intricate patterns, a subtle glow enveloped Aidon. It was as if he reached into the fabric of reality itself, drawing upon the echoes of his past encounters with the goddess of discord. The room became charged with a mix of nauseating energies.

Aidon"s voice resonated with authority and cut through the magical hum. "I sense something. It"s close."

"Is it Glimmerford? That would make sense, given she created it," I practically snarled. This was getting us nowhere. All the breathing exercises in the world were not going to relax me if we couldn't find Eris.

Aidon shook his head. "It's not Glimmerford. The witches that took over that pocket realm changed the signature entirely. This one is in the opposite direction."

Spinning on my heel, I headed for the door. "Lead the way, Yahweh."

Aidon chuckled and twined his fingers with mine. Excitement and uncertainty blended as we prepared to hunt down a goddess. We all piled into the car, and Aidon guided us through the winding streets of Salem with the precision of a bloodhound. We reached the edge of town, and a curse left me.

"Where to now? We can't drive on water," I pointed out when Tseki came to a stop in the parking lot of Winter Island Park.

Aidon paused, his eyes narrowing as he focused on a point beyond the horizon. "There. Near the water is something intimately connected to Eris."

We followed Aidon to the edge of Salem, the scent of saltwater carried by the breeze. As we approached the water"s edge, he pointed toward a shimmering ward. It seemed to dance over the middle of the water.

"There," Aidon declared. "It"s a protective ward with her signature. It's concealing something significant. I"d bet anything it leads to her home."

The shimmering barrier held an air of mystery, refusing to give us glimpses of what lay beyond. Our journey to confront Eris took another unexpected turn. The waters whispered secrets, and the challenge ahead loomed larger than ever. It was concealed within the confines of the mysterious ward that beckoned us toward the heart of the goddess"s enigma. And I was ready to slap the bitch for threatening my mate and our babies.

As our group stood there, contemplating the shimmering ward over the water, the atmosphere crackled with latent energy. Without warning, the air rippled about a hundred yards closer to us on shore. A portal materialized, releasing a horde of creatures. I'd never seen anything like them before in my life.

"They're a twisted creation of Eris," Aidon called out as they surged toward us with chaotic fervor.

No wonder the goddess wanted my babies. And yes, I was assuming that was her end goal. My gut knew the truth of it the second the idea left Todd's mouth, which was what had me so pissed off.

There was something off about these creatures. Widening my stance, I tried to figure out what it was as I watched them. It hit me like the stench of an outhouse. She didn't give birth to these things. Instead, she had crafted them from her dark powers. They were a manifestation of her chaotic essence. And their grotesque forms were proof of that. They were an amalgamation of limbs, gnarled features, and a torso that elongated and twisted. Their eyes glowed with an eerie luminosity.

"These creatures are leaking Eris"s energy," Aidon warned us. "Be cautious; they might be traps of her design. They may embody aspects of discord and unpredictability. Watch for illusions and deceptive movements."

Todd snorted and pulled out his gun. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

The skirmish unfolded, our group engaging in a dance of magic and steel against the chaotic progeny I'd dubbed Chaoslings. Stella and I unleashed spells to counter their attacks while Tseki and Murtagh fought with their shifter prowess. Stella's gaze kept going to her husband. Todd had instantly joined the fray with a determination that belied his mortal status and was using his stun gun to keep them at bay. When the light came on outside the small trailer parked by the old abandoned building behind us, I quickly cast an illusion and dampened the noise. We didn't need mundies coming to check things out.

I continued fighting as Chaoslings kept pouring out of the portal. Aidon sliced them to pieces with his black sword while Tseki used his talons and Murtagh his claws. Stella and I whirled around, tossing our spells with precision. I didn't want to hit one of my friends.

As the battle intensified, my blood froze when I heard Todd cry out. Stella stopped fighting and raced to her husband's side. I had to continue fighting the Chaoslings or risk the rest of us. My eyes bounced from Todd and Stella to the portal to the creatures closest to me.

When I saw the red flowing down the left side of Todd's chest, I knew it was bad. What could a Chaosling do to him? It was likely very bad. After all, they were fueled by Eris"s malevolence. The air crackled with chaotic energy then, and Todd staggered back with a pained expression etched on his face.

Aidon rushed to Todd"s side. "Phoebe, Stella, cast a shield around him! He"s being infected with Eris"s chaos magic."

I gaped at him and wanted to throw up. "What the hell does that mean?" I shouted at the same time Aidon swung his sword at a group of Chaoslings sneaking up on us.

Stella clutched Todd and started crying. Grabbing her shoulders, I captured her gaze. "Todd needs you to protect him right now. Cast to the cellular level."

Stella nodded, and together we focused our powers. Conjuring a protective barrier around Todd. The shield shimmered with an ethereal light, warding off the insidious influence of Eris"s magic. Stella and I continued fighting the Chaoslings with Tseki and Murtagh while Aidon threw his sword at the portal they were coming through. The scream was distinctly female and pissed when it hit its mark. A flash of bright light nearly blinded me, and the portal winked out of existence.

Without giving Eris another thought, Aidon focused on abilities intertwined with Todd"s well-being. He worked to counteract the dark energy threatening to consume him. Without more coming through, Tseki and Murtagh were eliminating the rest of the Eris-spawned creatures.

Our attention shifted to Todd, whose valiant stand had come at a cost. The skirmish at the water"s edge had turned into a battle not just against physical adversaries but against the very essence of chaos that Eris wielded. And my best friend and her husband were paying the price. Guilt burned in my chest. He was changing into something supernatural because of me. No. Not me. Eris. That bitch was responsible for this travesty.

If I had a dime for every time someone unexpectedly sprouted magical powers, I"d have, well, a handful of dimes. I'd turned Stella into a witch and woke the supernatural genes in the Twisted sisters, and now Todd had become something new. From the look on Aidon's face, he had no idea exactly what Todd was now. Just that he was officially shedding his mortal skin for a snazzy pair of supernatural wings. And I had no idea how to make it better for him and Stella. Guilt weighed more than a house.