Book 3 - Page 59 (2/2)

“You could have conquered so much more. Ruled over man as a G.o.d. Enriched your relatives’ line. You could have sown fear as my twins will sow destruction.”

“And in your imaginings, when your sp.a.w.n win, what would mankind wors.h.i.+p?”

“Love. It’s the most destructive force in the universe.”

Really getting sick of hearing that.

“They’ll make over the world in their image, populating it with carnates. Eventually my children will control everyone on the face of the earth. They’ll win game after game, never dying!”

“No. They won’t,” Aric said. “Because we’re on our way to introduce them to death. But I’ll be sure to update your chronicles for you.”

Face twisted, Milo sneered, “You’ve seen how my children love their innocent victims. Imagine what they have planned for the treacherous Empress, who tortured them.”

My last nerve said, “He’s on me!” I glanced around for a gag.

Milo turned to Jack. “They’ll love her far worse than they did your pretty sister, Clotile. The little French beggar.”

Jack lunged for Milo; before he could reach the man, Death had used his speed to yank the fiend up, shoving him toward the door.

“You’ll pay, Empress!” Milo screamed over his shoulder. “The creature loses its tail but retains its life. You’ll see! We are retribution!”

Jack stared after the man, his jaw clenched, his chest heaving.

“You okay?” I asked quietly.

He dragged his gaze from the doorway to me. “I will be.” He inhaled deeply. “Tomorrow, I will be.”

I parted my lips to ask him if he’d ever tell me what happened to Clotile—and to him—but he turned from me, heading to his bag, to that bottle.

He cracked it open and took a long slug, the wrath in his eyes easing a bit.

When Aric returned alone moments later, I said, “What’d you do with Milo?”

“Tied him beside Thanatos. In proximity to sharpened hooves.” He shook out his dampened hair. “I guarantee nothing.”

“We could’ve gagged him.”

“This is Milo’s first night out in the cold since the Flash. I’d like him to experience it.” In a wry tone, Aric added, “Plus, he was setting off your rose scent, which makes it impossible for me to relax.”

So now we were going to joke about our clashes in the past? Too soon?

When he headed for the chronicles, I asked him, “How long will it take to translate them?”

“I’ve read some already.” Book in hand, he crossed to sit beside me. “They know that your powers are collaborative, that a world without green or sun weakens you.”

<script>