Asteria POV.I swim for hours to clear my head, but I can still hear the screams of the dead. The wails of their children. I can’t keep running. I need to face my crimes. Being made a human was not enough. They need their justice. They need their retribution for what I have done.I find myself in the water outside Carter’s mansion. I look up and the mansion is dark. I move to the beach and drag myself up and allow the shift to take hold. I sit in the sand and look out over the horizon as the sun begins to rise. I bring my knees to my chest and hug myself.I sigh, not knowing what to do with this. Am I justified in what I have done? I always thought I was, but now I don’t think I was.“Hey, how long have you been out here?” I turn and see Carter approach from the balcony and I offer him a small smile as I turn and face the rising sun again.“Not long. I hope I didn’t disturb you?” I say as I watch the sky change colour from black, dark blue to pale sky blue with reds, oranges, and pink
Carter POV.I can hear and feel the pain Asteria is in as she talks about what has happened to the sirens over the years. It is heartbreaking that all this started because she helped the humans, but they were greedy and wanted more.She looks at me and I move towards her and pull her into a kiss, cradling her head to my chest as she sobs. Asteria holds the weight of the world on her shoulders and is filled with guilt for what has happened, not just to the sirens, but to the humans.“You did what you thought was right. You saved your people, and you have been at war for a long time. There will always be casualties in war. You can’t blame yourself for all of it. The massacre wasn’t your fault. That was on Sephone.” I say to her and she pulls away and looks up at me.“But Shanti’s death is on me and every siren that has died is on me. Even the sirens that were massacred. I am the queen. It falls on my shoulders. Going to war with the humans has done nothing but cause more death and more
Asteria POV.I wake up, and it is dark. I stretch and yawn, blinking to clear my vision. Hearing voices coming from the office upstairs, I stand and wrap the blanket around me as I make my way up the stairs and the voices grow louder and I smile, knowing who they are.My father, uncle, and Selene. It is a meeting of the Gods. I snort with a chuckle as I move closer to the door.“Come in Asteria.” I hear my father’s booming voice and I open the door and stand there. All eyes in the room look at me. Carter moves towards me when Hades scoops me up in his arms.“There she is, my little devil fish. How was your sleep?” he chuckles and Carter growls at him, but Hades being Hades ignores him and sits down and I cuddle him. Hades, even though he is feared, he is a big softy at heart.“I slept fine. What are you all doing here?” I ask and he lets me move to sit next to him when my father approaches and squats down, taking my hands in his.“We are here to help. I know what you are planning on d
Asteria POV.It has been nearly a week since the truth was revealed to me and it has done nothing to ease the guilt I hold in my heart.The conference is tomorrow. But I don’t feel right about it. Something is off. I can’t put my finger on it.I have been staying with Carter in my room and it is like I never left and we never had all that drama. It has been nice. I have stayed hidden because the military is looking for me because I never reported back to them after we took Maria and Garett.But from what I have watched on the TV, the military has been called to the conference as well. They are wanting to discuss the attacks and how the shifters are a threat. Which is my doing.Carter has been working speaking to important people. People I don’t know and I won’t concern myself with them. This conference is happening this year in this country, so with the help of Fenrir and Gaia, we will portal there with the prisoners and all the evidence of the laws they have broken. My father, Hades,
Asteria POV.Waking in the middle of the night, my skin is tight and itchy. The fabric of the quilt is irritating my skin further and I want to rip my skin off. I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom. Turning on the shower to the coldest setting, I step under.My skin sings as the icy water cascades down my body. The itch is now dull. I rest my head against the tiled wall. My skin prickles with each movement. It feels like thousands of needles piercing my skin and I need relief. My talons extend and my teeth turn to sharp points.But it hurts, and it has never hurt before. This is a definite sign of the mating season. I need my paste. I keep the shower running but step out and run towards the balcony and grab the jars. Hearing hisses coming from the water. I turn and look and see male sirens in the water.My eyes widen as I back away slowly into the room. I close the door and lock it. My hands shake and my knees buckle under me. I sit there and watch in horror as my legs begin to
Asteria POV.The moment has arrived. We are transporting the prisoners to the conference and we need to do this and fast as my skin begins drying again. I don’t have long. 48 hours, my ass.The prisoners are led out in cuffs that can’t be broken unless with the blood of the one who has placed them on. Which is Gaia. We walk through the Supernatural Council headquarters and out into the lobby.Wolves form a circle around us as Fenrir opens the portal. I take a few breaths as Carter takes my hand and gives it a squeeze.“It will be ok. As soon as it is over, we get out of there. I won’t ask why you think your mating will be a bloodbath, but I would like to know when this is over.” He says, and I nod my head. Turning my attention to the portal. I look at Artemis, who nods her head at me before she walks through with some of the wolves first.I take a deep breath as I step forward, flanked by Carter, Fenrir, and Gaia. The prisoners are led by the wolves.Once we step through, we are insid
Asteria POV.I stand up straight as my father comes to stand beside me. I look at the men and women in the room and all I can see is fear in their eyes that they are coming to see some of the ancient gods in front of them.“Allow me to introduce you all to my father, Posedion. My uncle Hades and the Moon goddess Selene.” I say as I gesture to them. The room is silent as they take in the newcomers.“Things have to change. My brother, the Almighty Zeus, has sent us with a message.” My father’s voice booms and the people in the room bow their heads and I fight the smile but keep myself composed.“That you have one week to create new laws in favour of the shifters or you will all face annihilation. The Gods have become tired of hearing and seeing the way the shifters have been treated. The way my daughter had been treated. She lost her power for what she did to the humans but she saved a human life. She went against her own people to save you all, yet you don’t show your gratitude. Howeve
Asteria POV.“Don’t worry, you are safe here. Do you need anything?” I look around and I’m lost for words. This place is bigger than the mansion on the beach.There is so much natural light flooding in, it is beautiful. There are natural wood and stone elements and it feels warm compared to the beach mansion, which feels cold.“Let me show you around.” I follow behind him as he shows me the living room, which is the same size as the lower level of the beach mansion. There is a bar and a TV on the wall above an open fireplace. The floor is wooden and the coffee table is stone and glass. There are giant paintings on the wall and cream coloured leather sofas in a U shape in front of the fireplace.The kitchen is all white marble and tile; the appliances are stainless steel; it is beautiful. The window looks out onto the back garden and swimming pool.The rest of the house has the same theme running through it. He shows me upstairs and there are seven bedrooms which all have their own bat