Chapter Six

Icradled Juniper in my arms; I felt the warm stickiness of her flowing blood soaking my robes. The sight of her pale face, drained of color, pierced my ribcage with a sense of urgency. The faint sound of her labored breaths echoed in the darkness, intermingling with the pounding of my own panicked breath. Time slipped through my fingers like sand, every precious second slipping away as her fragile mortal body teetered on the edge of life and death.

Her body could still die, and her soul would linger in the lifeless body until it withered into dust. Then her soul would turn into a spirit, a ghost, as many humans would call it. They are hard to retrieve, a pain for my reapers to bring to their resting place, but I wouldn’t let that happen to my Juniper.

In my rush, I carelessly neglected to press my wings close against my body, which resulted in a chaotic cascade of ancient tomes and delicate relics to tumble from the excessively cluttered table. The soft thud of the books hit the ground mixed with the delicate clinking of the relics, filling the air with a symphony of unintended chaos. The musty scent of aged paper and the faint aroma of ancient ink wafted through the room, adding to the disarray.

Fluffy whimpered, his trembling body pressed against my leg as I carefully placed Juniper on the plush ebony couch. The deep crimson stains from her blood saturated my robes, their dampness clinging to my bones. Yet, amidst the distress, I remained resolute, refusing to succumb to panic. I held onto the unwavering belief that her wounds would mend, her heartbeat would persevere, albeit at a slower rhythm.

“My friend, fetch Hypnos,” I ordered Fluffy.

His ears perked up and his body slinked around the various pieces of eclectic furniture and raced out of the cave.

Hypnos, my twin brother, and I were thick as thieves. He would keep his mouth shut and would tell no one of the treasure that I held. If he did, I would know. He was my twin, my confidant, my only friend. In fact, he would most likely help me hide my new treasure from any questionable gazes that came our way.

I willed clean gauze and wrappings to tighten around her abdomen. It was an almost fruitless endeavor to stop the bleeding. It was internal, and I did not know the inner workings of a mortal and how to heal sinew, veins, and muscle.

“Brother, did you call for me?” Hypnos asked, his voice laced with weariness. The echoing sound of his bare feet reverberated through the cavernous chamber, their weight crashing against the sleek, cool surface of the polished stone floor. The sensation was akin to walking on the smoothest marble, reminiscent of the grandeur of the palace of the Underworld.

“I need your assistance,” I said hastily.

Hypnos, the God of Sleep, straightened his back, tilting his head in amusement. “Oh? Since when do you have excitement in your voice? Where is Death’s dragging monotone tune?” He chuckled at his amusement.

Hypnos was the likable twin, more approachable. He could speak to others and give off that fake sympathy everyone craved. However, he was easily manipulated. He would help anyone get to sleep if they had sleeping problems.

I stuck by my brother’s side at the required appearances of parties and gatherings, hoping to deter the gods from coming near him. He hated being asked to remedy sleeping issues as much as I hated to keep human souls in their vessels for longer periods to see if their bodies healed.

He just couldn’t say no. He was a god-pleaser, he wanted to fit in.

I was not. I did not care to fit in and had lost hope long ago. I had learned to say no and not cater to those who wanted from me. It angered Hypnos at times. He wanted us to be part of the inner circles, to make friends, but what good were some of them? They just take and take.

If he knew Ember asked of me to save a mortal, he would certainly give me those innocent eyes, would have urged me to help the Queen, which is why I never told him.

Then again, I have this mortal in my home, but I’m not giving her up. To Ember, to Juniper’s mate, to no one. She was mine now, and I’m never letting her go. Ever.

I gritted my teeth, feeling the rough edges grind together, as I drew Juniper’s lifeless body toward me. With determined hands, I tightly bound the wounds on her back and stomach, and felt the warmth of her body against mine, as if trying to infuse her with life once more.

“Holy mother Rhea, you have a human!” Hypnos beamed, coming closer. “And she’s bleeding!”

“Obviously,” I drawled.

“I finally know who you remind me of!” He slapped my back.

I grunted and laid Juniper back on the sofa. She slept peacefully, for now. The bandages were tight, and the bleeding wasn’t seeping through.

“Alan Rickman when he played Snape in Harry Potter.” He wagged his finger at me.

“Excuse me?” I asked, resting Juniper’s hand on top of her abdomen.

“Yeah, Severus Snape. You remind me of Severus Snape. The monotone voice, the dull personality you’ve acquired. Except, you are more extreme and broodier, really. You are still going with that getup, aren’t you?” He looked me up and down in my attire. “Seriously, get rid of this transformation you’ve held for so many centuries. You might scare the poor human.”

“She isn’t frightened of me,” I growled. She was the only one that wasn’t frightened of me. “Juniper stared right into my hood and saw straight to my skull.”

Hypnos shrugged his shoulders. “Well, she’s dying. Maybe she was just totally over it all. You didn’t even faze her.” He fell back into the oversized chair and threw his hands over the arms of it. “Now tell me what you want so I can get back to my Harry Potter marathon.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I was going to ask a favor. If you do not wish to help me, I understand.”

I knew my brother secretly hated to use his powers to help others. He only did it to gain friendship, a sense of normalcy, but we were the dark ones. The ones that hid in the corners and shadows of the Underworld.

A different breed.

To make the other gods like us for who we really are was difficult, and I’m sure being my twin did not gain him any favors.

Hypnos’ eyes softened. “Of course, and I’ve already done what you wanted. Her body is put on pause, brother.”

My brother’s powers extended beyond the ability to put others to sleep. He can pause bodies and keep them “sleeping” for long periods of time. When in sickness, if a cure needs to be found, he can have the body in an eternal rest. It wasn’t a power that was used often.

I let out a shuttered breath. “Thank you.”

Hypnos eyed me, puzzled. “There is something with this female? Does it have to do with the sex trafficking rings Ember has you hunting for? Is she under your protection?”

Do I tell him?

My brother is the only one I trust in all the realms. I trusted him with my life, but what about my Juniper’s?

”No words spoken in this cave ever leave.” I rubbed my finger up Juniper’s chilled arm. I drew a blanket from the top of the sofa and draped it across her body. “She will never leave.”

Hypnos leaned on his forearms, a smirk on his lips. “Go on.”

And so I told him about Ember and how I had meant to bring Juniper’s soul here to rest. Then the awakening inside me when I stared into her eyes changed all that. That her soul was far too special to share with anyone else and I intended to keep her. With me, forever.

Once I finished my story, Hypnos let out a shuttering breath. “That is some heavy, heavy information you have, Thanatos. You’ve felt nothing for thousands of years. Like, all the gods all thought you had the emotional IQ of a stick. And now you are telling me you are keeping this human, here. That’s called kidnapping.”

“She isn’t a child,” I replied.

“It’s just a term. You took a human, brought her down here against her will.”

I shook my head. “No, I gave her a choice. I asked if she wanted to live. She said yes, and I let her keep her soul in her body.” I paced the room. “On the condition she come live with me.”

“You play with words, Thanatos. She was under duress. She would have said anything to live.”

“Juniper had the will. Her soul called to me.”

Hypnos sank into the plush chair, its velvety texture embraced his tired body. He instinctively reached for the fold of his black robe, feeling the smooth fabric between his fingers. As he rubbed it gently, a faint scent of lavender wafted up, mingling with the smell of incense of my home. His brow furrowed, his face immersed in contemplation.

“Could she be—” he began and shut his mouth, a wry smile coming to his lips. “I’ll help you.” He twirled his finger around his long, white hair. “This will be interesting, though. This is almost as bad as when Hades took Persephone. It’s kinda cliche”.”

I stepped forward and gripped my brother by the throat. He choked, pulling on my wrist. “Hey,” he coughed. “I’m just messing around.”

“Don’t mess around with what is now mine. Protect her, watch her while I am gone. I will pay you for your services.”

I let go of him, dropping him into the chair. He rubbed his neck. “If that is the case, can you get me those cool Harry Potter magic wands that shoot out fire? I saw it on TikTok.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose once again.

He was a god, and he wanted a magic wand that shoots out fire?

“I’m not going to the earth realm, but if I see one, I will get it for you.”

Because I would do anything for my twin.

His eyes lit up and scooted his chair closer to Juniper. “And we will sit and watch. Won’t we Fluffy?” Fluffy sat on his backside and lifted a paw onto the sofa. He nudged his now returned form of a fluffy wallow maw against Juniper’s arm.

I nodded and turned back to them, then headed back to the entrance of the cave. Hypnos hummed a tune, one that would instantly put anyone to sleep who would come near the cave. I was immune to my brother’s powers and thus, when I left, I felt more at ease knowing my Juniper would be safe.

As the fiery sensation scorched through my chest, urgency consumed me, it compelled swift action. I yearned to remain by her side, reluctant to depart for long.

I used the portal close to the Underworld palace. I went unnoticed and undetected while everyone was consumed in their own lives. I could have whisked myself to the Celestial Kingdom without the portal, but the upper realm had rules—and no one there liked surprises.

Once I reached the other side, the brightness blinded me. I pulled on my hood and blocked the suns dancing in the sky swiftly and concealed myself. That was one power I was grateful for: invisibility. The only place I could not use it was in the Underworld, it was more so of a law given by Hades so he could always find me when he needed to call upon me, but since we were out of his kingdom, I would use it as I wished.

I ascended the golden steps towards the Celestial palace. I felt the cool touch of my shadows that enveloped me and my scythe. The suns overhead radiated an intense brilliance, growing brighter with each step. The palace itself, adorned with an excess of cherubs, fairies, and angels, overwhelmed my vision with its ostentatious embellishments. A hushed curse escaped my lips as I finally reached the towering double doors, their surfaces a mesmerizing swirl of gold, diamonds, and other precious gems yet to be discovered by Earth and Bergarian alike.

Juniper’s light emanated with a purity that surpassed the entire realm. Unlike the harsh and blinding luminance of this world, her light was gentle, casting a soothing glow upon my weary eyes. It felt as if her soul’s radiance embraced me, providing comfort and solace, igniting a yearning within my own soul to return to the depths of the Underworld and be in her divine presence.

I hastened my pace and passed through the main hallway. Other hallways branched off the main hall I traveled. It led to the more popular gods, the ones often prayed to long ago. These branched into their own wings like Artemis, Vulcan, Hermes, Zeus, Hera, and Apollo to name a few. Not that any of them come to stay in their wings anymore—they have all gone to live elsewhere.

As I stood still, countless angels passed by, their ethereal presence sending shivers down their celestial forms. They gazed intently and searched for the elusive chill, their eyes scanning the surroundings. But as realization dawned upon them, they continued their journey, for the darkness they sought remained hidden, evading their very sight.

I eyed Asclepius’ door, the God of Medicine. He would be a fine god to go to in a pinch, but he and I did not get along. Sometimes my reapers appeared in hospitals to take a soul and such arguments occurred when he was helping a doctor’s hand healing a mortal.

Unfortunately, Asclepius cannot see a mortal’s soul and its willingness to continue. There are times the soul is ready to pass on, or Fate has other plans.

I tapped my scythe, I realized this had become a new nervous habit of mine.

Asclepius would not keep my secret. There was one other that would if I played my words right.

I strode down one of the larger halls. A goddess who helped Zeus far too much for her own good. She wanted to help the Celestial Kingdom as a whole and see it thrive, and much more so now that Hera has her own mate and does not spend the time on the high throne as she used to.

I focused on my will and willed myself to become visible. The billowing darkness of my robes stood in stark contrast to the pristine ivory door. With a sweeping motion, my scythe sliced through the air, forcefully pushing the doors open with a gust of wind. My shadows slithered in after me, dancing and twirling, as they inspected the room for any potential intruders. And there, before me, sat Athena at her desk, engrossed in a massive tome. The pages of the book fluttered and flipped violently, stirred by the restless movements of my shadows.

“Thanatos.” Athena pulled down her spectacles from her face. “Was that really necessary?”

I walked forward slowly until I stood in front of her desk. She looked up at me, but she wouldn”t maintain eye contact with my hood for long.

“I seek your guidance.”

Athena raised an elegant eyebrow, her expressive blue eyes shimmering with curiosity. Her silky white-blonde hair, freshly cut and slicked back, gleamed under the warm office lights. The faint scent of her floral perfume lingered in the air, adding a touch of sophistication to the room. Dressed in a fitted blazer that stressed her slender figure, she exuded an air of confidence and professionalism. With each step, the sound of her heels clicked against the polished floor and echoed in the room. As she gracefully rounded the desk, her long pant suit rustled softly. Athena’s logical nature was clear. She radiated a reliability that promised to be of great help for me.

“Are you seeking therapy?”

“In a way.” I tilted my head. “Does this mean you will keep your strict doctor, patient confidentiality?”

Athena leaned against the mahogany desk with her hands in her pocket. “Yes, of course. I do that with all my patients.”

I hummed in agreement. “I do not need therapy, but I need your medical expertise for a mortal.” Athena lowered her shoulders. “She has wounds that need tending, and with you being a doctor, of both psychology and medicine because of your extreme knowledge, I would like you to heal her.”

Athena eyed me. “Why not ask—”

“He doesn’t like me,” I interrupted.

She chuckled, “I guess I can see why. Taking souls before he can heal them.”

I didn’t explain, and I didn’t need to. Athena could figure it out all on her own.

“Where is this female?” Athena walked away from the desk and went to a closet on the opposite side of the room. She pulled a bag from the closet and looked inside before closing it again.

“My home.”

Athena stared at me, her eyes widening. “You have a mortal in your home in the Underworld?”

I didn’t answer.

My shadows gathered around me, agitated. My wings released behind me, no longer staying close to my body to make sure I didn’t bump into anything. Athena would travel with me. I would have my Juniper healed.

Athena tilted her head, holding the bag close to her body. “Thanatos, is this female—is she your mate?”

I lowered my wings that had stretched too far. My shadows slowed and settled around me.

Ember said Juniper was someone’s mate. She did not specify who, she just said that I must let her soul stay with her body. How could I do that? If I let her soul stay with the body and no one took care of her —

But I was there.

I was there to take care of her.

I jerked my head to meet Athena’s gaze, to where she was still waiting to hear my answer.

Is Juniper actually mine?