Unfortunately, despite our very ambitious drunken conversation regarding all the mysteries that we’re going to solve and the things we’ll accomplish, the Underworld has other plans.Because in the morning, when I wake, there’s an envelope waiting for me on the edge of the daybed. “Anton,” I whispe
I laugh a little and Anton huffs wolfishly, shaking out his fur and sticking close by my side. And then, still tracing my fingers through his fur, wanting the tingle of Anton’s presence, the three of us move through the door.Nic falls away very soon after we enter, taking his place with the other H
Orion takes over the narration now, either seizing control from his father or by some arrangement between the two of them. The God of Death watches his son closely as he speaks, clearly quite proud.“The Sorting will affect your roles over the next week,” Orion says, sounding honestly a little bored
The room is silent and still for a moment before a woman I don’t know, draped in folds and folds of stunning purple fabric, quietly steps forward and makes her way down the stairs. Her shoulders shake as she walks and I have no idea, honestly, if it’s in relief to not be eliminated or horror at the
I keep my eyes focused on Anton, who looks right back at me, unblinking.My heart pounds.“Princess Juniper Sinclair,” Orion says, his voice carrying out clear and strong. “Please join us here in this final golden circle.”I flinch when I hear my name, but continue to stand still, just staring at my
A chill passes over me and I see the other girls shiver as well, all of us turned to watch as the door slams shut behind them.“Thank you, Ladies,” the God of Death says, looking around at us, quite pleased. “More information will come in a few days. I look forward to seeing your talents,” he nods t
“Oh, Juniper,” Laila murmurs, glancing awkwardly at my invited guests and stepping close to put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you want to have people to…your place? When you…don’t have enough cups?”“What?” I ask, frowning at her. “Laila, we can call up more cups…”She grimaces a little, clea
I glare up at Orion as we materialize outside of Laila’s door. Anton presses himself close to my side, the tingle of him against my hip letting me know that he’s there and that he’s returned to a relatively normal size.“You know,” I say, raising an eyebrow at Orion. “It’s really rude to show up to
“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