LOGINAliana's POV
"I told him I would have her pleasure me. And force him to watch.”
Fuck!
And suddenly I was glad I was sitting down…
There was a clash in my mind, what I knew and what I was being told. No part of this new, strange me that I didn’t quite recognize yet, could ever imagine Ani doing that. Yet here he was, telling me that he did. The horned god who had held me so tenderly – who had whispered my name as if it were sacred – was also the man who used a woman to force a man to his knees.
A man who had once ruled with threats!
And in such a vile way too…
I felt sick just thinking about it!
Poor Nyx…
She must have been terrified! Knowing that as a slave and with her son’s life on the line--- And suddenly Erebus's anger wasn’t so foreign after all.
Ani's POVAliana Bekim was different!Don’t ask how I knew her name. I know the names of all the souls I govern. But something about her captured me…Her soul!Yes, I see souls. It’s my gift – or curse, depending on who you ask. It was the one thing built into my blood the moment I opened my eyes for the very first time. When the cries for blood reached the heavens and my father’s blood stirred.Thus, I was born…Ever since that day, I saw souls. And more importantly, I saw “sin”. It was the only way I could describe it to a mortal. The way I gauged judgment. A pure soul would shine, usually about the time of infancy. Later in life, it would dim due to the choices they made. And if the soul grew too dark…Well…
Justice spoke three times before the blade fellOnce for the innocent blood you spillOnce for the innocent choice you stoleOnce for the innocent trust you betrayBreak all three, and your soul will be bound for the pits of Dikaios's HellDikaios’s POVStanding on the rooftop, facing down about two dozen gunmen, I couldn’t help but smile. This feeling burning in my veins – the feeling I was born with, that gave me purpose in life…It had been so long since I felt it last!But I suppose, I should start at the beginning...It began – as all stupid things do – with a frog!Yes, a frog...
Aliana's POVThe air shimmered, my skin tingled, and just like that, we crashed on top of the neighboring roof. Wide-eyed, my head snapped towards the edge, the wide gap like a gaping mouth.Ani had used magic to save us…“You didn’t say I can’t use magic,” Ain grinned next to me, his smile way too cocky, as if he was enjoying this. “You just told me not to get caught!”I--- I guess I did…Hearing my roommates cry out, my head snapped in their direction, worried that they were hurt. But Lin was just repeating “we’re going to die!” on repeat, while Hannah looked physically ill.Yeah…I could relate!“MOVE!”Gunshots rang out once more. More men had gathered on the other rooftop – and while they were sane enough not to jump, their guns could still
Aliana’s POV“We have company!”The moment those words left Ani’s lips, my stomach dropped. Every muscle coiled, my breath shallow. I hadn’t even noticed that Ani had been scanning the street outside for the last few minutes, his jaw tense and eyes darting. Despite the god by my side and I still felt that familiar brush of unease settle over me.“They’re here,” he said quietly, almost to himself, but I felt it like a punch to the chest. “They followed us from the university.”What?!“Who?” I snapped, hating how high my voice suddenly sounded, my heart hammering in my chest. “How---?”Hell, I wasn’t really sure what I was asking! Who was following us? My father or Kodra’s men? How had they found us? Had they been lurking around the university ever since I’d disappeared? And if
Aliana's POV“You’re gratitude is unnecessary,” Ani suddenly cut into my train of thought, stunning me into silence. My head snapped up to him, and I found his red eyes peering into mine in that same way that made me feel like he didn’t just know my mind, but my soul too...“How did you---?!” I asked, stunned at how he knew what I was thinking. But once more, he cut me off. This time, he caught my chin, lifting my head to meet his, and in a breath, his mouth locked over mine. The kiss was possessive, demanding my full surrender, and had my heart swell in my chest. My whole being reacted to him, scaring me quite frankly. Because my body didn’t feel like my own anymore.It belonged to him...“My heart is yours, little girl,” Ani murmured when he finally let me up for air, my chest pounding and a pulse rushing in my ear. “But nothing I do is without selfish reasons.”
Aliana's POV"Until then, your courses are canceled!”I’d felt my heart sink!“This can’t be happening,” I’d muttered more to myself than anyone else. I’d worked so fucking hard on getting those scholarships, sacrificed so many sleepless nights on studies, filing paperwork, forms, and--- and sneaking around my father’s house as if I’d committed murder!Everything!Down the drain...Seeing my despair, Professor DeLuca finally felt some pity for me.“You’re a talented artist, Aliana,” she said in a soft tone, reaching across her desk to pat my hand. You’ve got a rare gift, don’t throw it away! Stay focused, okay? Don’t let--- hmm, distractions get in your way!”Her gaze had flicked pointedly toward Ani--- and something inside me snapped!







