Fate of the Blessed
Chapter 3

Aeron

“Liege, you don’t understand we’d never experienced it before.” Phobos was kneeling with his head bowed. I ran my palm through my hair.

“Your excuses are of no interest to me, Phobos, she is a human girl how hard can it be?” Venom fill my words. The echo filled the chamber, and everything went silent. My tone did not rise. Fear radiated from everyone. Phobos didn’t know why I wanted her. It was my secret to keep, for now.

He’s an idiot.

Her orb shined a different colour. A rare colour, one I hadn’t seen in a long time. That she had evaded my grasp did not sit well with me. She would be with the Mágissa now. I let a smile stretch across my lips. Perhaps it hasn’t been a total waste. That crone does nothing unless there is something in it for her.

I waved my hand in dismissal. Phobos’ eyes blazed with anger, but he left the room without another word. Placing my hands on either side of my temples, I began to message the headache that formed.

“Phobos and Deimos are imbeciles.” The voice came from nowhere.

Tell me something I don’t know.

I walked up the steps and took a seat upon my gilded throne; it overlooked my grand courtyard. Grecian inspired with tall columns as far as the eye could see, beautiful murals that adorned the walls and the marble floor sparkled as if the sunlight had shone upon it. I pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger.

“Nemesis, how kind it is of you to join me.” my words dripped with sarcasm; I had no appetite for her games tonight. She relished in the discomfort of others. Letting her know her presence irritated me would be like music to her ears.

She stepped out from behind the pillar, a sly grin spread across her face. “Well, you shouldn’t have sent fools to do a woman’s job, Aeron.” Her voice sensuous. It did not go unnoticed that she had refused me the etiquette of calling me “Sire” She may also be a deity, but this was my house. My ruby eyes flashed in anger at the obvious insult, but I’d let it pass for now.

Even I wasn’t that stupid. The woman was insane.

Nemesis stepped closer into the middle of the grand room; her steps held a graceful elegance to them, despite her apparent deadliness. The epitome of warrior woman, close cropped ebony hair and cat-like yellow eyes she was not a Goddess to underestimate, yet her features held softness to them and her eyes sparkled. But behind her doll-like looks, she could be unstable. Like a wound coil ready to unfurl at any moment. “Hell, has no fury” was a phrase that brought Nemesis to mind.

Unpredictable, downright terrifying at worst.

She held her ornate bow by her side, her favourite weapon, which she’d named Medea. Her thumb stroked it as if it were a pet.

“What do you propose Nemesis, if you hold all the wisdom?” I did not give her the courtesy of looking at her. My mood was wavering, and I felt my blood boil with impatience. I swallowed, trying to calm myself. I was in no mood for games tonight.

“Great Divider, allow Medea and I the opportunity to bring you the girl... Sire.” She drew out the last word. She was bold. No other would dare such disrespect, especially in their own domain.

I smiled. I found her impudence amusing. Lifting myself from my throne, I approached where she stood. Nemesis kneeled, smirking to the floor, never taking her eyes away from mine. Her movement was slow and calculated. I did not give her the courtesy of looking back. My hand rested upon her cheek, and I lowered myself until my mouth met hers. I felt her body stiffen in response. She did not like to lose control. A small smile crept across my lips as I revelled in her obvious discomfort. I knew the only man she’d let touch her was Phobos, but he spurned her a long time ago. He must’ve had a death wish to carry out such a feat.

I’m surprised he is still breathing.

“I want her alive.”

The anger rolled off Phobos in waves. You could see his clenched fist shake by his side as if he was trying to hold back the torrent of rage welled inside of him. He wasn’t happy with my decision to let Nemesis take over the capture of Amara. I shrugged; their feelings were of no interest to me; his little ego would have to get over itself.

“I see Aeron has seen sense and appointed the right woman, for the job.” She taunted Phobos, looking in his direction with a smirk dancing at the corners of her lips. He growled in response.

I witnessed the ever so slight twitch in his jaw that meant he was holding back the urge to hit something. He knew better than to strike Nemesis. As swift as his blow would have been, her arrow would have followed straight afterwards. Right between the eyes. I let out a small chuckle.

Now that would be amusing.

“Enough of this!” I shouted, letting irritation at their bickering overcome me. They both stopped, glancing at me with unease. With a wave of my hand, I dismissed them and stalked from the room.

I breathed a sigh of relief at being alone. Nemesis had always unnerved me, although it was something that I would never admit. Showing weakness as a god allowed dissent amongst the lower deities. Our status as a god wasn’t a guarantee, our names were more of a title. Ruling through fear was the only way.

I took my thoughts away from Nemesis and placed my eyes upon the twinkling emerald orb sitting on a plinth in the middle of my chamber. The girl who the orb belongs to is special. I could feel it. She is the one that could set me free from my bonds; it had been many years since this type of orb graced my presence, very rare indeed.

Although last time I didn’t realise what it could do. I had completed this job for many millennia they couldn’t keep me here any longer. I wanted to move on, but Hades is stubborn, and they wouldn’t let me go.

The orb in front of me glittered and danced a beautiful hue of swirling green whilst all the other orbs shimmered like white pearls. With the light bouncing from them, it made my chamber twinkle like starlight. I loved watching them; My muscles loosened. It was so calming.

“Amara you could do great things, your energy will come in useful.” I said, hypnotised by the ethereal patterns within.

She would be mine, no matter the cost. I leered at the orb, my eyes glinting with malevolence. Nemesis had better be good on her word or I would make her pay. My patience was wearing thin. The surrounding incompetence was astounding.

I reached my hand out to touch it. Sparks of light danced at the end of my fingertips. I placed my hand over the surface. A flash came shooting into my mind. I staggered backwards, clutching my forehead.

Images bounced around inside of my mind, Amara riding on her bike, a car, loud screeches, and then nothing. It was a slight comfort to me that she would be unaware; her fear filled me with joy. I couldn’t hide a grin and I closed my eyes to imagine her doe-like eyes wide with terror.

The orb held her memories, her soul. It’s what she needs to complete her journey through the afterlife. Without her memories, she was helpless.

Beautiful Amara, I’ll be seeing you soon.