Nerezza's Point of ViewWe all huddled in close for our last dinner in Makatza. Thanks to Merida and Farren, the assortment of food was vast and to everyone's liking. Each person had their favorite dish in front of them. How Farren had asked and remembered them all I will always wonder. From traditional Chinese cuisine to German blood wurst. The two women had outdone themselves. Even Cormac had his own dish in front of him. Something that reminded him of Ireland.Even Priamos had come out of his little bathroom to join us all in the kitchen. The work table was overcrowded and stuffy but it was the happiest I had felt in a long time. Every member of my love life spoke happily. Chatted to each other as if none of them were arrogant fools who shared a mate. Shared intimate details of their lives before I ran them into the ground."Oh, dear. I forgot to tell ya. Farren has offered to move us into an estate a little ways outside o' tha city." Merida chirped to her mate, who only raised his

Nerezza's Point of ViewSnow covered every peak surrounding us. Glittered in the soft winter sun. Made the landscape look majestic in a way I had never beheld before. It was something out of a fairytale. Although, we weren't here for the scenery. We were here to get my son back. However long that took.Priamos took point the closer we got to the village. From right behind him, I could hear his teeth grinding against each other. Saw the rigid lines on his shoulders, even through the large puffer jacket he wore. I was nestled in between Priamos and the twins behind me. Bringing up the rear were the assassins. Lysander had opted to remain beside me. They were overprotective in a way I had never expected before. As we exited the airport, they refused to let me breathe. Inched closer and closer to my side until I grew irritated. That hadn't stopped the deeper we went into the countryside. Everyone was a threat. A nuisance that could be disposed of the moment they thought it useful.They

Nerezza's Point of ViewWe had drifted off to sleep. Comforted by the various warm bodies, I couldn't help myself. Felt more loved at that moment than I ever had before. It was a revelation to know that after so long, you were indeed loved and cherished. By the very men you had wronged time and time again.The goddess had known exactly who to give me. Even if I had failed to see that at the beginning. At least I was grateful now. If not for the cold then for their warmth.A persistent knocking drove me out of my slumber. I looked toward the door. Noticed the knocking turned into a frantic beat. This made me wiggle my way out of the mess of bodies. Some of them were even snuggled together. Like Lysander holding Priamos. Zaven holding Alastair. Slipping out of bed, I stared down at them. Felt my heart swell.After everything we had been through, they still remained. Devoted themselves to my happiness. To finding Conan. A few more hours of rest couldn't do anything to them but improve th

Nerezza's Point of ViewConan might be in a dark and freezing hole somewhere. Trapped by other children's corpses. His soul unable to return to the goddess by proper burial. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run to that village. Scream at the top of my lungs until my son answered. But it was out of the question.I would get killed before I even made it inside the first circle of houses. Bunkers. Whatever they used to store these neglected children in. Anger mixed in with my despair. Coated my heart in a sickly black slime.They had to pay. Whether Conan was alive or dead, they had to face the consequences of their actions. Humans had long since forgotten there were monsters lurking in the dark. Had forgotten that firelight never scared us away. We would have to hunt all of them down. Every last one. Devour them.Because they had taken my son from me. The last ray of hope I had left in this life. No amount of tears would fill the hole he had left inside of me. I braced mysel

Nerezza's Point of ViewThe second floor of the house wasn't nearly as run down as the first floor. Held much more luxury. Paintings of people long since passed. Pieces of art. The floors were of high-quality stone. Made me feel almost guilty for walking all over them with my dirty feet. Children's toys were also scattered about. Littered the landing of the stairs. Along with the modern living room beyond. Off to the right, there was a kitchen. Neat. Clean. State of the art. Glass front cupboards lit up by lights on the inside. It almost rivaled my own."This way." The elderly lady whispered. Touched my arm briefly in passing. She lead us down a short hall. Past two other rooms with their doors tightly shut. A bathroom light was on at the far end, just beyond the third room. This was where the lady slowed down. Stopped in front of. The door had a name on it in colorful lettering. Conan.I felt my heart skip a beat. Until voices drifted into my ears. Amadeus hadn't followed us up. H