The place that Nic vanishes us away to is…gorgeous. By far the most stunning place that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. High stone walls are built on two sides of us, covered in dark ivy and the strangest purple climbing flowers that seem to glow in the moonlight.And then, spreading out in the othe
I purse my lips, already prideful, already willing to defend myself to the end for keeping this from him even though I’m well aware that I’m in the wrong.“Whoa,” Orion says, looking between us in surprise. “I’m – um, sorry about that? I…was unaware that that was a secret. I mean,” he smirks a bit h
“W-what did your mother say?” I whisper, staring at Orion, a bit awed.“That I’d meet a fascinating young woman,” he murmurs, lifting his drink to his pretty mouth and taking a sip before leaning forward towards me, holding my gaze the whole time. “Who was as beautiful as she was brave. Who wasn’t a
I frown at him, not understanding. Then I start and lean again towards him. “Wait, so, is this like…do you think this is an actual date?”He laughs a little, surprised. “Of course I do.”“You and me,” I say, pointing between us. “We’re on a date? Like a date-date – like…a romance date?”Orion grins
“If it’s a date,” Orion says, leaning back in his chair and studying me. “Clearly, we should just get the awkward part out of the way and make out – just to see if there’s any chemistry there to begin with –“My mouth falls open to emit a shocked little squeak, but when Orion again starts to laugh I
I rankle a bit, my wolf’s hackles raising, at the past-tense way that he speaks of Blythe, as well as the answer to the question.But I only hesitate a second, clenching my jaw. “No.”“Really?” He leaning forward towards me with new interest. “You know you have a mate. And you know this man is not i
“No, Juniper,” Orion sighs, resting his forehead against his hand and letting his eyes drift shut for a moment. “You’re not being eliminated. So…calm down.”“But…why!?” I breathe, shaking my head and getting more worked up. I mean, I just don’t understand how I can be so completely in the clear. “I
“What?” Nic asks, staring at me, appalled.“Tea,” I say, gesturing awkwardly around, not wanting to be left alone to this fight just yet. “I could call some up…jasmine tea? Or like, green if you’re worrying about…caffeine?”Nic just stares at me again for a long moment like he wonders if my brain ha
“No!” she sputters out, stumbling a few steps towards me, shaking her head so hard her pretty blue-green hair flutters out all around her. “No, Junie, don’t make me go! I want…I want to stay here! And help! I mean…” she bites her lip. “It will be nice to be able to visit home. But I want to stay wit
“I’m sending you home too,” I say quietly, doing my best to look each in the eyes. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed that you didn’t get the wish.” They murmur a variety of responses back to me, most of them relieved. One by one they step forward and I take their ha
“Does…” I whisper, my eyes still fastened to Orion as my eyes move over him, feeling the powers that radiate from him now. “Does that mean you have all of the powers of Darkness too? From…from the wish?” “No,” Orion murmurs, looking down at his hands and flexing them, experimenting with the feel o
Beatrice is the last to go, staring at me in shock, realizing finally that she bet everything on the wrong horse. I bare my teeth at her, fangs extended, and Beatrice’s eyes go wider as she trembles and finally submits, going to her knees and bowing her head. “Good,” I say, my voice returning to n
Laila’s knife sinks deep between Death’s shoulder blades and the final scream of a God fills the air as Death falls to his knees. The magic stops mid-stream, like a tap being suddenly turned off. I groan and tilt forward against Anton, who catches me and holds me against his chest. “Shit, June,”
“Just a little longer, June. She’ll do it.” But what if she doesn’t? What if…what if I’m inches from oblivion, and this is it? My heart strains in my chest, my wolf shaking like a leaf from snout to tail. But still, I will myself to hope. To trust in my friend. “I know,” I reply, letting my ey
I gasp, my shoulders trembling under the sheer weight of Death’s magic that flows over and around us, my shield barrier straining and buckling under its might. “June,” Anton breathes, eyes wide as he looks up at the magic streaming over us in an unending torrent. “Shit – are you –“ I crouch besi
The wish presses against Death for a moment and then sinks into him, dissolving into his chest. He sighs with happiness and what looks like ecstasy, tilting his head back to the sky as the magic disappears into him. Beatrice steps away, tucking her hands behind her back, beaming at the God she jus
Before I can get more than three steps after Laila, Anton lunges forward, his paws landing on either side of me as he snatches at the back of my gown with his teeth, holding me back. His fierce growl reminds me that I need to stay here – that Death took Laila because he wants me to come rushing onto