Chapter 9 Timothy
TIMOTHY
Aaron wore a black and gold suit, the jacket left deliberately open to expose his bare chest. The metal of the fashionable collar snapped around his neck caught the light in a way that made it impossible to miss, an elegant signal of ownership disguised as fashion.
He looked radiant and vulnerable all at once, long blond hair tousled, turquoise eyes too alive for the role he was forced to play.
Seth stood next to him, a master holding the leash of his pet. His lips spread into a heinous, malevolent knowing grin as he met my eyes.
Cold sweat broke out on my spine as something hot and unpleasant buzzed at the base of my skull.
“Timothy,” Miranda murmured.
I snapped to myself, realizing I’d stopped mid-sentence. I cursed my show of weakness. “Our forces,” I began again, “bring divinity to the realms and that is worth gathering and celebrating in peace and harmony.”
The words barely registered to my own brain as panic swarmed my senses.
Gods raised their glasses as I finished my words.
I did my best to look completely cool and in control, though my every atom vibrated with excitement, anticipation, but mostly, fear.
Having said my welcome, I didn’t feel my feet as I traveled across the room.
My sense shouted at me to stop and think, but I couldn’t. Not until I stood in front of Seth. I vaguely registered Assirak and Miranda following.
Seth leaned fully into excess. His suit was richly embroidered in gold and crimson, gemstones generously decorating it, the cut immaculate but loud.
The effect was deliberate—a peacock display of wealth and indulgence layered over sharp intelligence.
He wore confidence like cologne, too strong, too close, and entirely intentional.
My nose wrinkled.
“Seth,” I said woodenly.
“Ah, the man of the hour,” Seth said loudly, as if he were the ringmaster of a show I was now part of.
My teeth creaked as they clenched. I was careful not to look at Aaron despite every part of me screaming to do just that. To grab him and take him far from here, somewhere secret. Somewhere safe.
“This is a godly affair, Seth. I don’t think others will take kindly to you bringing your Sekhor here.” My tone was even to my own ears, but I could hear the tightness in it.
Seth snorted into his drink—something deep purple that fogged over the edge of the martini glass, leaving little sighs on the air. “If Grim could bring his bitch to these parties, I see no reason why I can’t bring my...companion.”
I felt Miranda stiffen as Seth referred to our friend Vivien in such a derogatory way.
I wanted to punch Seth. I wanted to pull my power to me and blast him across the room. Wield my ribbons of glowing hieroglyphs and wrap them around his mouth and throat and squeeze until—
“Who let the escaped convict into the party?” a new voice interrupted.
Seth’s face fell, as displeasure darkened his brows at the newcomer.
“Sorry I’m late,” Xander said, leaning over to kiss Miranda on the cheek. Then he wrapped an arm around her waist before full on grinning at Seth.
He’d slicked back his hair, though chunks of his dark locks had already escaped to fall over his piercing cerulean eyes in rebellion.
A sheer indigo cape flowed from his shoulders and was embroidered with faint constellations that blurred between tides of deep water and space above.
The outfit he wore was enchanted to match Miranda’s jewels, trapped stars and galaxies swirling on his suit, just for the evening.
I had to make sure they matched, after all.
“You complain of my immortal consort, but you allow mortals to attend our affair,” Seth sneered.
Assirak let out a low growl.
Xander threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, Set, you haven’t changed, have you? Still a raging, gaping asshole.” Xander’s eyes shone with intense challenge, using Seth’s old name unabashedly, unafraid.
A glimmer of savage madness sparked from Xander’s dark blue depths. Leftover from the many millennia he’d been imprisoned, mad with power and pain. His existence was a danger to everyone and the world until Miranda came along. Xander might be mortal now, but he still thought and moved like a god.
“Since you are so uncomfortable with the company at this party, would you care to visit your second home?” Miranda fluttered her lashes at Seth.
He reared back ever so slightly. “What?”
Miranda slowly, carefully unsheathed Bob. Immortals nearby stilled or turned toward us as the Blade of Bane glinted under the shimmering cosmos hovering just overhead.
If she’d drawn it any faster, or in any other fashion, it would have signaled a threat. The gods would have lashed out in anger or fear, causing a chain reaction that would have been catastrophic. But this woman knew how to comport herself, even among ancient immortals.
“Oh, what’s that, Bob? You want another taste of Set?” she asked out loud, also using his ancient name. Seth’s face further twisted and soured at her familiarity with him.
“Oh no, right, I see.” She nodded, responding to the blade none of the rest of us could hear before leaning toward Xander. “Bob says Seth tasted like cheap gas station sushi and he’d rather not.” She shrugged, sheathing Bob once again. “Oh, well.”
A small titter of laughter rippled through the gathered crowd. Seth twisted around with violent promise, silencing the laughter though the smiles of amusement remained.
I can’t believe I ever thought Miranda might not be able to handle this party.
Taking advantage of the moment of distraction, I finally allowed myself to look at Aaron.
My breath was ripped unceremoniously from my lungs.
Even amongst gods and immortals, he was the most gorgeous creature in creation.
His blond hair fell in loose waves as always, but the heat emanating from his eyes froze me to the spot.
Without words, they spoke.
I didn’t want to come. He made me.
With a slight tilt of my head, I responded silently.
I know.
His cheeks tinged red as he touched the collar around his neck. Again, my anger flashed hot and bright. Aaron was not an animal to be chained up.
I’d rather see him step onto that wire far above the Strip of his own free will, rather than see him locked up and kept like a pet.
Aaron’s face hardened into something brittle.
The moment passed quickly, but the damage lingered, etched into the set of his mouth and the way he no longer met anyone’s eyes.
I could see his humiliation and a small part of him actively die as Seth forced him to play his role of blood-bonded slave out in public.
Bile churned its way up my throat, but I fought it back down along with my anger.
I didn’t know if Seth was deliberately baiting me with Aaron, but either way, I couldn’t let him get to me.
“You don’t belong here,” Seth hissed at Xander.
At least I wasn’t the only one losing the grip on their composure.
“Xander, Miranda!” An excited squeal broke through as Bianca rushed forward.
A swirling confection of pink cosmos entered our little group as Bianca openly hugged Xander then Miranda.
The blonde oracle goddess with beautiful, delicate features, once known as Hathor, knew exactly what she was doing as she warmly welcomed the mortals.
In her wake followed the lazy stride of a tall Black man with one brown eye and the other glowing bright. Fallon used to be known as Horus, the sky god, and tonight the power he held was unleashed and on display.
Fallon glared at Seth with open disdain as Bianca just barely held herself back from flinging her arms around me. Instead, she straightened before dropping into a deep curtsy.
“Thoth.” She set a hand over her heart. “My gratitude, my loyalty, my power to the one who wields the power of souls. The God of the Dead. Heri ib.i, her khet.k.” She finished in the old language.
Above my heart, under your authority.
Fallon continued to stare at Seth coldly, silently letting him know his presence wasn’t welcome before dropping into a deep bow before me.
Xander and Miranda barely paused before doing the same. It created a ripple effect. I twisted to watch as the rest of the gods all around began to dip in the same deference, the old words murmured in respect.
Turning back, I found Aaron gazing at me with that lopsided smile that made my heart skip a few beats before tripping all over itself.
He looked at me like he was not only in awe, but like he was proud.
Something I never thought I needed from another being, but I drank it up like water from an oasis.
Aaron slowly began to bow.
“No,” Seth ground out. Aaron’s body stopped cold, going stiff. His eyes widened a moment in either surprise, pain, or both.
My fingers twitched, energy flowing to their tips in reaction to Seth bending Aaron to his will. Hieroglyphs swarmed angrily around me.
Seth was the only one standing in the ballroom apart from me, and his eyes darted about, noting how the rest had bowed in deference. Aaron was caught half bent over, but his eyes flashed hatefully at Seth.
I tilted my head at Seth in a silent challenge. With the entire ballroom showing me respect and obedience, he had a choice to make.
Many in the room who bowed may not actually share the respect Bianca had exemplified, but they stayed in line to keep in favor. Would Seth do the same? Or openly challenge me?
With great reluctance, Seth finally bent over, a grimace plastered on his face. Aaron gasped as he was suddenly released from Seth’s invisible hold so he could complete his own bow.
Realizing this moment was one to take advantage of, I gathered my power to my fingertips, flooding them before throwing out my arms. Ribbons of glowing hieroglyphs sprayed out from my hands, extending to gently tap each god or goddess on the shoulder in acknowledgement before they swirled upward.
After receiving my touch, everyone rose to watch the churning swirl of my magic weave between the floating planets in a web that showered sparks.
Closing my eyes, I considered pulling the power of souls I reaped to further show my power. I decided against it, instead allowing my power to fade and rest.
I opened my eyes, and after a beat of stillness, the entire ballroom resumed motion and the dull roar of conversation.
Seth simply curled his lip at me before turning and walking away, presumably to get another drink and lick his wounded pride.
Aaron stared at me with such open wonder and lust that heat curled in my stomach before dropping lower.
He jerked, his chain yanked by Seth to come along. The sensual heat I felt twisted and sharpened to the point of a knife, piercing my heart as I watched Aaron disappear into the throng.
A hand on my shoulder drew my attention to Fallon.
“Well done,” he said with a nod of approval.
“Very well done,” Xander added with a smirk.
Bianca simply clasped her hands together with a sweet, delighted smile.
“Well, is this a party or not?” Miranda asked sharply. “Where are the snacks? Where is the dancing?”
“Right away, my love,” Xander said, kissing the back of her hand before guiding her through the crowd toward the tiered displays of crystallized fruits and carved meats.
“You’re doing so well,” Bianca said quietly with a pleased smile before it faltered.
“But the night is far from over.” Her irises disappeared behind a white film as if she were seeing a vision.
“Too many doubt. They do not think you are powerful enough.” The white faded away.
Her eyes returned to normal as her brows knitted in concern.
“You need to find your power,” she said, gently touching my lapel, right over my heart.
I nodded, my throat suddenly thick.
As I parted ways with them, Fallon leading Bianca by the arm, I knew she was right. But it was hard to logically think how I’d find my power when all I wanted to do was turn over everything I was to the collared, indentured man bonded to my nemesis.
But I had to put Aaron aside and do what I came here to do.
Show the others I was in every respect, the God of the Dead.