Ares materialized on the platform next to Tartarus. On his other side stood the three original gods—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades.
They aimed their legendary weapons at us.
CHAPTER13
“It’swhominstead ofwho, Father,” Axel said, narrowing his amber eyes at Ares in distaste. “Andwe’ve gotorwe have.Your grammar is as bad as your parenting.”
My father tensed behind the bar and let out a threatening growl. Yet trapped in the cell, he couldn’t do anything to protect his only daughter.
Both Mom and Tartarus had informed us that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades could be here anytime. But we hadn’t expected them to show up now. And Tartarus led them right to us.
At my furious glare, Tartarus spread his arms to play innocent.
Politics, he mouthed.Nothing I can do. Sorry, lass.
Evidently, he was the go-with-the-flow type, always ready to let others fall while he stood with the winning side.
I darted my gaze to the original gods, our immediate threat.
The God of Sky positioned himself in the center of his pals, a red cloak draped over his broad, armored shoulders. Power rolled off him in waves, his blue eyes that looked just like Zak’s flashing storm and lightning.
How did the original gods keep their powers while the Void stomped out my demigods’? Even Lucifer and Ares had been powerless in this realm.
As if hearing my thoughts, my father whispered in my ear in a hush and made sure only I heard him while the gods were distracted by the sons they hadn’t seen for ages. “They’re the founders of the Eternal Prison, so they can carry their powers in Tartarus and the edge of the Void where they open the portal. They don’t risk going anywhere else in the Void. Even so, this plane will drain their powers if they stay. Strike them when they become weak. Don’t trust anyone here other than your mates. And no matter what the gods offer, don’t take their deal.”
Héctor and Zak wheeled toward their parents and uttered at the same time.
“Hello, Father,” Héctor said to Hades, a frown between his long, dark brows.
“Father, I didn’t expect you.” Zak regarded Zeus with a neutral expression.
Paxton stared at Poseidon with barely contained hostility, and the God of Sea, who shared Paxton’s violet eyes, barely spared his son a glance.
Poseidon wore partial armor that exposed his bulky biceps and thighs. His long, blond hair was tied in a manbun at his nape. He held a silver trident, current twirling the tips. Could he conjure up the ocean to the Void?
What were the gods’ weaknesses?
I understood my demigod mates’ powers and had them inside me after I mated them. My mates’ powers originated from their godly parents. So, how much more potent were their fathers’ powers?
Dark magic surged toward me. Hades had made the first move.
The God of Death was all darkness and death, yet his power didn’t feel likeHéctor’s. When Héctor touched me, life blossomed in me, though his touch was lethal to others.
Hades’s probe chilled me to the bones as I peeked into the depth of his essence—the collector of souls and ultimate Grim Reaper.
Instinctively,I shoved back Hades’s magic with a follow-up punch before it slammed into my shield, and a surprised look flickered in his eyes, darker than the blackest sea, meant to swallow all light.
A trace of greed and envy sank deep in him. The God of Death had tasted the iceberg of my power and grew an instant obsession.
Héctor glowered his warning and pulled me against his chest to shield me, but he no longer had wings.
“I see you’ve taken a mate, son,” Hades said, a lock of his wavy brown hair dropping to his pale chin. He wrinkled his nose. “And you share the same female with your cousins. Even more disappointing, you’ve became a mortal for her.”
“It’s an unlawful union,” Zeus chimed in with the sharp tone of finality.
Who wanted his opinion?
“I second my father’s ruling.” Ares lifted his golden spear. He stood a few paces behind the three gods as a second-generation god. “Zeus is the King of the Gods and the supreme Ruler of Sky, Lightning, Thunder, Law, Order, Justice, and many more!”