Chapter Thirty-Two
Sage
Most days I can read the room using my Hack growl-o-meter.
There’s the short, warning growl usually aimed at his brothers, then there’s the pleasure growl that announces he’s about to rock my lady parts’ world, but the one he just used with my father—yup, still weird—as he summoned me for a meeting was long and guttural.
I’ve only ever heard that one right before he goes all pumpkin murder rage on anyone trying to hurt me.
I’m aware that it’s neither the time nor place, but that’s the growl that makes me wetter than a slip-n-slide hooked up to a fire hydrant. I may be a strong, independent, badass woman, but I like knowing my chosen has my back.
Shaking away my inappropriate thoughts, I shrug and walk out of the dungeon, only answering Atlantis once I reach the damp hallway.
“Let’s speak then.”
There’s probably a protocol about walking beside or behind the Grandei but I’m cashing in my joker card since no one’s given me the handbook to kyn rules.
“What did your mother say about this?” Hack asks as his body inches so close to mine we’re practically one.
“She said it’s inevitable so I may as well get it over with.”
While Hack sat vigil for Slash in what used to be a beautiful room dedicated to the Thirteen, I spent that time with Hekate trying to find a spell to bring Slash back somehow. Every single time, the fact that his body is detached from his head makes it impossible.
I haven’t told Hack yet, and I really don’t know how I can. I’m devastated by what happened to him. It’s like a part of us has been ripped away, and that hole is permanent and gaping wide open.
“We can speak in my office, so come with me.” Atlantis puffs himself up like the all-important being he believes himself to be and I can’t help curling my top lip in a mixture of disbelief and disgust.
“I go where she goes.” Hack positions himself in just a way that’s blocking Atlantis from seeing me fully.
Considering I can protect myself maybe even better than he can, I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
At the same time, I get it. He’s just lost his best friend, so now his protective streak is aimed directly at me.
“Unfortunately, I had a feeling you might say that.” Atlantis is exactly everything I’d expected of a snobby ruler of all rulers. Besides the Moirai, there’s no one above him in status—that I know of. I’d say that kind of power has gone to his head, but who am I to judge?
We go up at least three flights of stairs before returning to the Great Library and closing ourselves off in one of the offices Atlantis occupies. Unfurling his wings before he sits down, I’m stunned speechless at the sheer size of them.
Holy wingspan, Batman. Those things would make jet planes jealous. My attention is so consumed by the physics of it all—like where they go and how does his back even support that kind of weight—that I miss the first question I’m asked.
“I’m sorry, I was a little…distracted.” I give my head a little shake so I can get back to the conversation at hand.
“Right. I forgot how long you were a mere anthros.” Atlantis says this with the same look on his face as someone who’s just bit into a lemon. “The wings are a part of us, the angels, they span out when needed and mold back into our backs like a second skin.”
Huh. Makes sense, I guess. It’s no weirder than my chosen sporting a pumpkin head when he’s feeling a little murderous. Shit…does that mean I get wings too?
“Thank you.” I may be a hardcore tribrid, but I’m still a polite witch. Next to me, Hack is a giant silent mass of moral and, I’m guessing physical, support. It’s unnecessary but highly appreciated. “Will I have wings?” I can’t let the moment pass without asking. My curiosity is king.
The restraint Atlantis has in not rolling his eyes has to be commended, but I know he is barely tolerating me right now.
He grunts, but I don’t know him well enough to translate what the hell that means. “I have summoned you here to explain things to you…” He narrows his eyes, searching for something.
“Sage.” Hack provides my name through gritted teeth and I look up at him with hearts in my eyes.
“Yes. Sage. You are like a newborn soul wandering around this realm with heavy boots and no sense of decorum.” Well, damn. Harsh. “There are rules and laws that keep us safe and maintain the balance this universe needs to sustain all the kyn.”
When Atlantis slides his heated glare to Hack, there’s a second where I’m afraid they’re about to throw down and crown the alpha king. My money’s on Hack.
“She’s been a little busy being kidnapped by djinn and learning about her powers. Maybe give her a minute before you start talking down to her.” Hack is livid but he’s not stupid. His words are firm but not over the top offensive. I don’t think?
“You’re both right. I am new to all of this, but I’m trying to adjust. The killings are accidental. I just don’t always know how to measure my powers.”
The room goes deathly silent.
“Killings? As in multiple?” If ever there was a need for a fuckedy fuck, it’s in this precise moment.
“Erm…”
“What she means is that there was another djinn at Rafi’s house.” Hack to the rescue.
Atlantis raises one brow, staring us down, like he’s the all-knowing, all-seeing principal and he can spot a lying liar from a mile away.
The stress is killing me but I’ll be damned if I say anything more to incriminate myself.
Goddess, I was just on trial for my life two days ago. I’m not going back to that shit show.
“Be that as it may, you cannot go about killing kyn because you’re not capable of reining in your powers.
And let me be perfectly clear: you are one of a kind.
If you cannot control yourself, you will disrupt the balance.
” Leaning back into his chair, his wings long gone, he gives a dramatic pause like the villain of every freaking James Bond movie before dropping the proverbial hammer.
“And when the balance is in jeopardy, we destroy the cause.”
Me. I’m the cause. If I don’t get my shit together, I’m a dead tribrid.
“Duly noted.” I nod a couple of times as I try to digest his—my father’s—threat.
Then it hits me. I’m not okay with this.
He’s talking to me like I’m a toddler. And yes, in some ways, when it comes to this world, I am, but I’m not completely ignorant.
I know my powers are above and beyond. I know I can undo whatever magic he conjures—Hekate told me as much.
I know I’m a threat to him, not the other way around.
“If I may, I have some things that need to be said as well.” My spine is like steel as I take a step forward, showing Atlantis I’m not scared of him. I am a little, but I’m not showing him any weakness or he’ll hone in on that.
“Speak.” Pompous ass.
Clearly, all I got from him is his angel power because our personalities couldn’t be more different.
“You need to figure out a way to bring Slash back.” I lift my chin and beside me, Hack does a weird mix of a gasp and a chuckle.
“Excuse me?”
I think I’ve offended the Grandei, but in for a pound and all that.
“Slash. He was killed on your watch and I want him back.” Hekate restored my soul to my body, and I may not know much, but I know enough.
The Grandei has a direct link to the Moirai, so he should be able to bypass the fact that the balance needs the Horsemen or Slash’s chosen to save him.
The Horsemen tried to save him already, until Pierce almost killed himself in the process, so we’re running out of options.
“I’m afraid that’s just not possible.” The dismissive tone Atlantis uses on me is grating, to say the least.
“I don’t believe that. The Moirai are all about balance, or so everyone tells me, but a djinn with a bad attitude and a sketchy trigger finger can disrupt said balance and no one can undo it?
Sounds fishy to me.” I cross my arms over my chest for added effect but my bravado isn’t working as well as I’d like.
Atlantis stands, and when he does, the energy in the air changes. In silence, he rounds his desk, and the closer he comes to me, the louder Hack’s growl becomes.
“Calm yourself, demon. I would never hurt my progeny. This is why you are seen as lesser. You allow your emotions to control your logic.” Atlantis probably thinks he’s poking the demon with his insults, but at this point, I know Hack.
The only thing that sets off my chosen is me being disrespected or placed in danger.
My father could throw shade at him all day and it wouldn’t even get a jaw tick from him.
Leaning back on his rich, cherry wood desk, the contrast with his white beard and hair—not to mention his clothes—is even more stark. I wonder if this is what humans or anthros or whatever believe is their Christian God. I almost get it, except he doesn’t seem to be kind and loving.
“Are you God?” I blurt out the question before I have the time to think about what I’m asking.
Atlantis recoils like I’ve physically slapped him. Hack doesn’t even try to muffle his laugh.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” And that’s it. That’s his only answer to me.
“It’s not how this works, Satapti.” Great. I guess this is a story for another time, then?
“How am I supposed to learn anything if I only get bits and pieces?” I’m annoyed and it’s making my skin glow with frustration. That gets Atlantis’s attention faster than a group of athletes in gray sweatpants could draw the eye of a cougar.
“How are you doing that?” Atlantis nods to my arm where tiny sparks are creating a sheer layer of light.
“I don’t know, really, but it has something to do with my emotions.” I glance at Hack, not sure how much I should say and what information I need to hold back.
“It’s how she summons her power, through high emotions. This is what Hekate is trying to teach her to control.” Hack speaks for me, having read my questions from just one look.
My father nods like he understands exactly what’s going on.
“Show me what you can control.” When Atlantis pushes off his desk and stands to his full height, he’s taller even than Hack. We’re talking around seven feet tall, which means I’m barely reaching his chest. Still, I’m not intimidated and my mind is on one track only.
“I’ll show you all of my powers, but first, you need to bring Slash back. That’s the deal.” I raise my chin to give me some added height but it’s ridiculous, given the mammoths next to me.
“I told you, Sage, there’s no way for m—” Hack steps in front of me, effectively interrupting whatever excuse Atlantis was about to spew.
“I think I know a way.” My head snaps to my chosen and I don’t need a mirror to know the shock is written all over my face.
“And you’re just telling me now?” Talk about wasting time.
“Yes. Because you’re not going to like it.”