25. Good Intentions #3
His tone darkened drastically. “I’m surprised you Death Elementals give a damn about everyone else involved in this situation.”
I was shocked by his words.
My blood ran cold at how sharp they were, making me pause pouring sugar into my mug. “Why wouldn’t we?” I shot back, offended highly.
He kept that curt tone with me, “Considering it was your father who created this mess, I would have thought you’d be more concerned over his well-being than the destruction he left behind.
That’s something you Death Elementals tend to do: cause destruction and leave the Life Elementals to clean up the mess for you. ”
I stopped stirring. My eyes, already black, began to puff smoke rapidly as my anger burned deep within the pit of my stomach.
“If you think I am unaware of what my father has done, or that I condone any of it, then you are mistaken. I did not interfere with his punishment, and trust me, after the day I’ve had…
I’m starting to believe it was the right thing for him. ”
“I find that hard to believe.” Yuri crossed the room to snatch my coffee cup and pour the substance into a potted plant.
I watched in disbelief as it swirled into the dirt of the plant.
“All you do is make more trouble for us, you and your unstable father. You two go on a rampage and destroy thousands of lives, but no matter, because the Gods and your peasant Elementals will clean up after you, right? Gods forbid you ever considered your fiancé, in this matter.” He said fiancé like a curse word.
“You love him so dearly, yet have forced him to slave over millions of souls for days on end, trying to give them proper resting places. You selfish fucks don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself, and if it were up to me, you’d both be dropped in Gehenna to rot so you can’t harm anyone else. ”
“What the fuck is your problem?” I turned and shoved him away from me, making him stumble.
“You act like I can help that I was born this way! What my father did was absolutely unacceptable, and I am feeling the burden of it as much as, if not more than you; I’m the one who has to file every soul that perished, not just the good ones, but you forget that, don’t you?
You only get the cute, little innocent ones, who have done no harm, while we have to slave around Gehenna and Purgatory all day.
You think your life is so rough? HA! Step into my shoes for one fucking day, Yuri. I promise, you’ll burn them by sunset.”
Yuri grabbed my shirt and yanked me forward, his citrine eyes glossed over with fury. “My problem is that you are a ticking time bomb the same as your father, and you’re going to take my entire Realm down with you, especially my future God.”
“What do you-…?”
“Odysseus has worked his ass off to be perfect for Ashlynn and us, and you’re throwing a wrench in all he has done to prove his worth as a God. You are going to completely ruin him, and I will not stand by and watch it happen-…!”
“Enough, Yuri.” Odysseus’s booming command echoed through the waiting room, making Yuri tense up.
He let go of my shirt immediately and tucked both hands behind his back, his head sinking in shame.
Odysseus entered the room in his Elemental form, looking as majestic and gorgeous as a future God should.
He had his glasses in his shirt pocket and his hair tied into a high ponytail, but his armor and sword glistened brilliantly under the sun cutting in through the windows.
“What exactly is going on in here?” he scolded.
Yuri went to speak, but I held a hand up. “Yuri and I were discussing the impacts of Atlas’s attack on both of our,” I said the word loudly as an extra layer of sass, “Realms.”
“I see…” Odysseus cut him a glare that made him shrink even further into himself. “Well, I was about to meet you anyway. Yuri: why don’t you go check in with Ashlynn? She has the first phase of our experiment ready for deployment, and I’d like you to spearhead that project.”
“Of course.” Yuri was surprised that I hid our disagreement from Odysseus but did not question me. Instead, he shuffled off back down the hallway, his tail tucked between his legs.
Once the doors shut behind him, Odysseus dropped his intimidating God stance and raised an eyebrow at me. “Ok, spill. What the heck was all that about?”
“I dunno, dude. He’s pissed about what Atlas did is all. He’ll get over it eventually.”
“You’re lying to me…” He reached forward to squeeze my lips together. “I know your lying face, and you’re making it.”
“Says who?” I bubbled between my pursed lips.
He chuckled sweetly and kissed me once before taking my hand and turning for the doors to the gates. “I’ll get the truth out of you eventually. For now, let’s go see Avalon. I want to get these souls organized so I can show you something.”
“Something?” I prompted.
“You’ll have to help me to find out,” he teased with a soft wink.
1. Septem Ostia: The Seven Doors
2. Silentium mihi aeternum affer: Bring me eternal silence