Creed
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
The last thing I want to do is go to our…mother’s house.
This is about to confuse the ever-loving shit out of Thayla. Her questions about our relationship with the Goddess of Creation have hung heavily in the air, but she’s respected the fact we don’t want to talk about it.
She’s about to learn why.
My glare levels on our father’s smug smile as he straightens his shoulders. He can’t hide his fury behind it, so I don’t know why he’s even attempting.
“Very well. I’ll see you boys in two days.”
Without another word, he starshoots out of the chamber. Sabelline gives us a wave with a wink and a laugh that boils my blood.
The two of them irritated my power and soul this whole fucking trial.
They knew the moment they saw the bodies of the Attendant’s Amick was going to be found in good faith, but they couldn’t help but try and fuck with him.
Despite the strain I’ve noticed on his soul for over a week, I knew deep down he was going to be fine. That’s why I didn’t say shit. There was no point in questioning him and interfering with his ways.
“Who’s ready to go home?” Calista asks with a bright smile before she starshoots in front of us.
My brothers and I just stare at her.
“May I have a moment with them before you all go?” Derivius asks as he appears beside her.
Her shoulders sag with her sigh.
“I suppose. Make it quick, though. I don’t want to waste a second.”
He gives her a small smile and a dip of his head. When she turns around, he twirls his finger by his temple, and Riven chokes down a chuckle.
My coiled muscles loosen a fraction as Thayla steps between Amick and me. The contact has the same effect on him as well. A subtle breath slips through his lips, and judging by the way Riven and Kyzen relax, she’s stroking all our souls.
This whole pretending she’s just our Binder is so fucking hard. I want—we all want—more than anything to snatch her into our arms and not let her go.
“Are you all okay with this, truly?” Derivius asks.
“Fuck no, but what choice do we have? Also, way to warn us about Consequence’s betrayal,” I say.
He nods. “Despite looking forward to how chaotic his appearance would’ve made this, in my more logical judgment, I know him not showing was for the best.”
My eyes narrow on that cryptic-ass comment.
“How could that possibly be true?” Amick asks.
“In due time, my boy.” He squeezes Amick’s shoulder with a tight grin and lowers his voice. “Now, go and try to be mindful of your manners. You know how…emotional she can be.”
“Emotional,” I scoff.
“What do you all think is worse? An overly emotional mom, or one with no emotion at all? She didn’t even fucking look at me today.”
The fake-ass laugh that Riven lets out doesn’t get past any of us. Derivius is the only one to spare him a glance, though.
Thayla, Kyzen, Amick, and I know better than to push that button right now.
“Sir.”
Our attention shifts as Derivius spins around.
“Ah, Mr. Valadi. Thank you for your service today. I must say you’ve done a remarkable job with your son. A very fine Mediator he is.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” Mr. Valadi bows. “He truly shocked me today.”
His gaze doesn’t flicker toward Nero, but the undertones speak loud and clear.
“I was just departing, so I wanted to give you my regards.”
“Of course. Until next time.”
I peer out of my peripheral, watching him as he stops at Nero’s side, grips his bicep, and leans closer to his ear. His voice doesn’t rise above a whisper, and he doesn’t spare Yemi a look, but whatever he just said unnerves Nero.
I’m not the only one who caught that.
“Will you do me a favor when we leave?” Thayla asks quietly.
“What’s that, little troublling?”
“Escort Yemi and Nero right home. Not the Sanctum but to their house.”
“Most certainly. I’ll go let Ellian know the verdict as well.”
“Thank you. Now, what the hell am I supposed to do from this point on? I was very quiet like you all told me to be, but how do I act from here? Do I answer her questions, make conversation, ignore her? I’m completely in the dark here.”
Yeah, unfortunately, she is.
She did do a remarkable job keeping her soul in check during the trial. No doubt she didn’t want to cause any distraction for Amick. Now, though, her sweet little slice of perfection is causing mine to grow more restless.
“Yes, act as you have been for a little while longer. Try not to speak to her unless she says something directly to you, and if possible, just ignore the more…how do I put this?” Amick asks.
“If you hear some crazy shit come out of her mouth, don’t feed into it. Also, don’t fall for the sweet persona,” Kyzen says.
Questions brew in her eyes, but before she can ask another one, Derivius straightens himself out and clears the laughter from his throat as the Goddess of Creation steps up beside him.
“Time’s up, Chaos. I’m ready to go.”
“Let me not keep you waiting then, Creation. Boys, Ms. Godrun, I shall see you all in a couple of days. Young Mr. Valadi and Ms. Andino, allow me to escort you out.”
His voice fades behind us as he walks Nero and Yemi out. None of us move or make a sound as we stare at Calista’s smile.
“My boys,” she coos.
Amick’s body tenses as she cups his cheeks without permission, then Kyzen’s. I deepen my glare as she steps in front of me. She still gives me a smirk and a pat to my chest.
It takes everything in me not to shift a step over when she stands before Thayla.
“Oh. You’re larger than you looked from up there, dear.” Calista scans Thayla from head to toe with a creepy, appreciative smile on her face.
So fucking weird.
They both cock their heads to the side.
“Um…thank you. I think,” Thayla says.
Our egg donor covers her mouth as she laughs, then claps her hands together.
“Shall we? I have so many plans for us.”
Fuck us.
She gives us no warning as she snatches us through a starshoot. The sensation of her essence crawling over my skin is nauseating no matter how fast it’s over.
Glaring light greets us as we’re released from her power. The sun’s beaming directly on her massive white house, creating reflections that could fucking blind us.
She stretches her arms out as she spins around to face us. My attention doesn’t stay on her.
The ivory path that leads to her front door and the life bursting everywhere across her colorful gardens doesn’t hide the beings scattered all over the place.
The five of us shift our feet, preparing for the worst.
“Oh, you all don’t be silly. My guards will bring you no harm. You boys know how protective your father is over me.”
My brothers and I exchange looks as she giggles and strolls toward her house.
“Protective?” Thayla whispers. “There’s a fuck ton of Dark Gods surrounding this place.”
“Yeah. I’ve never seen this many here before, though,” I say.
“So this is normal? Her just having them standing around her…gardens?”
“Yeah,” I grunt, keeping my eyes peeled as the guards’ attention stays pinned on us.
“When’s the last time you all have been here?”
“A month before we rebelled in the Abandon,” Kyzen answers, clipped, as he too watches every move being made around us.
“That was also the last time we saw her,” Amick adds.
“Shit,” she breathes.
“Well, come on, hurry it up. Don’t hover outside your home like strangers,” Calista calls as she waits for us at her double doors.
“This is fucking stupid. Was this really worth it?” Riven asks as we take a step forward.
“It will be,” Amick says.
I sure as fuck hope so.
The five of us approach her silently, and her creepy-ass smile never falters. She’s even bubblier now than the last time we saw her.
That makes unease bloom in my chest.
“Welcome home,” she cheers as she shoves the doors open.
The aggressively strong floral scent smacks me in the face, and for a fleeting second, I’m shoved back in time.
It’s always smelled this way.
Wrong.
I have no issue with strong smells. The more fragrant the herb or ingredient, the better it tastes.
This scent, though, lacks what’s required of nature.
Death.
The five of us stand aligned in the wide foyer of white stone veined with gold as the doors shut quietly behind us. My head tilts back like Thayla’s does and we stare at the impossibly high ceiling overhead.
Flowers climb interior columns rather than sitting arranged in vases. Just growing out of control.
I swear more blossoms unfurl as she makes her way to the center of the room.
“Isn’t it lovely? A touch different than the last time you were here.”
Sure, the decorations and colors of the walls may have changed, but no, the energy and atmosphere are the exact same.
Our attention shifts to the left as an Attendant walks into the room carrying a tray of drinks. They don’t look anywhere but down.
“Ah, perfect timing,” Calista says. “Refreshments, anyone?”
None of us speak. We just shake our heads.
“Go,” she barks, waving the Attendant off, and Thayla shifts beside me.
I brush my knuckles against hers but keep my gaze forward.
“Why don’t you all have a look around the foyer while I go slip into something more comfortable, then I’ll give you all the grand tour? How does that sound?”
Kyzen clears his throat and plasters on a fake-ass smile. “Sounds great.”
“Marvelous.” She spins and takes a single step before peering back over her shoulder. “Creed, dear. Don’t touch anything.”
My frown deepens as I glare at her back until she disappears from sight.
“This is awkward as fuck,” Thayla says.
“Yeah, no shit,” Riven scoffs.
“This place is absolutely gorgeous, but besides the tension rolling off the four of you, why does it feel so weird?”
I drag a hand down my face, scanning the foyer again.
“Because nothing’s aging,” I say.
She squints at me. “We’re immortals. None of us really age.”
“I’m not talking about us. We aren’t the only living things here. Soil should dry, leaves should wither, seeds should fall and split the ground open again. Nothing here ever dies. Therefore, it never completes the cycle.”
Amick nods. “There’s no natural turnover here. She always keeps everything alive and pristine.”