Chapter 55 #2
The dream wavered. “I’d always given her the benefit of the doubt, wondering if she was being used.
She was always ambitious, hungry for status, easy prey for anyone promising her relevance.
” He shook his head. “It doesn’t excuse what she did.
I should’ve seen how desperate she was. I was blind to her. ”
He let out a sad laugh. “I know now that even from the beginning, it had never been a healthy relationship.”
Another waver in the distance had him refocusing, knowing he was the one causing the change. He tried to state only the facts and shut down the painful memories.
“I trusted and loved her. When my world shattered, I withdrew. I figured if I stayed alone, I’d never be used again.” He paused. “I don’t want you to take it personally if my first instinct is to lash out.”
Iliana’s eyes, soft throughout his story, turned sharp. The temperature in the dream changed, flowing through the meadow as her subconscious responded to his pain with something fierce and protective. The heat came from empathy; from recognizing cruelty.
“Why would she do that to you?” she asked, voice harder than he’d ever heard it, even when she was telling him off. It wasn’t pity, but rage on his behalf, as though she’d taken his pain personally.
It startled him. When was the last time someone had been angry on his behalf instead of with him? He opened his mouth to answer—
Something was wrong. Reality was breaking through the dream in rough strips. It wasn’t the curse this time, but something outside.
He had a split second to realize what was happening, to pull them both out—
The real world slammed back as something massive struck, launching him across the yurt.
His skull cracked against the cabinet, his vision going white before snapping back into focus.
He could sense when the dreamscape shattered, when Iliana vanished from the peaceful meadow as his connection to her was severed.
He shook his head, blinking away the haze.
The yurt was in ruins. A massive worm towered where the couch had been, ten feet of writhing, segmented flesh that stank of rot and earth.
Its body was pale and slick, almost translucent, revealing dark organs pulsing under the surface.
The head was a gaping mouth with rows of concentric rings of glistening fangs.
How did it breach Thanatos’ wards? They’d been thorough—nothing should’ve made it through.
Unless—
A hole yawned in the floor—fresh dirt still settling. Thanatos had protected against aerial attacks, unwelcome gods teleporting in, and threats from any direction.
Except from below.
The one vulnerability. And this thing knew exactly where to strike.
Iliana.
His gaze scanned the wreckage, zeroing in on auburn hair partially buried under debris. He took a step toward her, then stopped.
Not yet. It was too close to her.
He summoned his sword, and he circled the worm, his steps deliberately loud as he drew its attention away from her.
It worked.
The worm lunged. Hypnos slashed out with his blade, drawing black blood that trailed down its body, sizzling where it landed on the floor.
The beast recoiled. Then the sound of shifting rubble caught its attention.
Hypnos watched in horror as Iliana stood from where she’d landed. The curse seized control the instant he’d been thrown from her, when his protection had been severed by physical separation.
Hypnos slammed his blade against the counter with a sharp clang, trying to pull the worm’s attention back.
The beast’s body contracted, its maw opening wider.
Hypnos saw it coming but couldn’t move fast enough.
The creature spat pale green venom, hitting him square in the chest and face.
For a second, it felt cold, then the burning started.
His skin sizzled as the acid dissolved flesh and muscle.
The golden ichor in his veins mixed with the venom, burning hotter.
The pain was too much, making his vision blur and his head swim.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed up from the counter and stabbed the worm again, driving the sword to the hilt.
He left the sword in its belly and backed away before the black blood could burn him.
The room seemed to spin, and he lost vision in his left eye.
He could feel the acid continuing to eat away at his body.
He needed to get Iliana out of there before he was too weak.
The world focused once again. Iliana was moving, unaware of the danger she faced. The curse was puppeteering her body, moving closer to the monstrous beast.
“Iliana! No!” He flung the warning out to the gods through their mental link.
Black wings shot from his back. He couldn’t feel them—couldn’t feel much at all—only the need to reach her.
Pushing off the ground, he launched toward her. Three feet. Two. One.
His hand hit her shoulder—and the curse’s grip shattered.
Her hazel eyes snapped into focus, both aware and horrified as they met his.
Then the worm’s jaws closed around him.
His vision blurred as pain burst through him. Fangs punched through his skin, piercing his organs. He tried to hold on, to keep the connection with her, but the worm jerked him backward with more strength than he’d expected.
The last thing Hypnos saw in his one good eye was Iliana reaching for him. Her hand was outstretched. Her mouth opened, but he could no longer hear.
The darkness dragged him down.