by Amy Sumida
Satan looked pointedly at the Grigori, and Samyaza narrowed his eyes.
“Why can't you walk away?” I ignored the sexist insults and macho banter. “You don't really want to battle demons and angels.”
“No; we want to kill Jehovah, but to do so, we have to hold Azrael here for as long as possible,” Samyaza said.
“You will lose this battle,” I said. “You know that.” I waved a hand around me. “You have already lost.”
“Then we will die fighting!” Another Grigori shouted, and the others cheered him.
“For what?” I asked calmly. “Some angel who manipulated you? You will never get your revenge upon Jerry; you will die here today and waste your chance at freedom. Or you could surrender to us now, and fight for us instead of against us.”
“What insanity is this?” Samyaza asked. “Grigori don't surrender.”
“If you surrender, your debt is paid,” I reasoned. “Technically, you battled Azrael for as long as you could. Instead of killing you, Azrael now takes command of your angels.”
“Why would we follow you?” Samyaza asked Azrael.
“Because if you do, I will give you sanctuary in Shehaquim,” Azrael said.
The Angelic Host—who had descended behind Azrael—gasped in shock.
“You will have to abide by the laws of Heaven and agree to live peacefully among the other angels,” Azrael went on. “But if you can agree to those terms, I will stand with you against any who try to imprison you again.”
“Against Jehovah?” Samyaza asked.
“Even against Jerry,” Azrael agreed.
“Will you allow us to attack him?” Samyaza pressed his luck.
“No; Jerry has his place,” Luke interrupted. “You cannot bring war to him without involving his angels, and they are innocent.”
“There are no innocents in Heaven,” Samyaza scoffed.
“Those are the terms,” Azrael said. “Accept them, and you live free.”
Samyaza turned to the Grigori—who looked shocked and confused, but also hopeful.
“I said I would defend you against Jerry,” Azrael reminded them. “That means if Jehovah comes against you again, you will have the might of Hell standing with you.”
Samyaza smiled wickedly. “We accept.”
“Good.” Azrael shook Samyaza's hand. “Now, where was Mot headed.”
“I don't know,” Samyaza huffed. “He released us and pointed us here; that's all.”
Azrael swore.
“It's fine,” I said as I held up my phone. “I know where he is.”
My cell phone had been buzzing with texts but I'd been a little busy dealing with rampaging Grigori. When Azrael had taken over the negotiations, I had checked my messages; they were all from Re.
“Mot is raising Dvārakā.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
As the angels and demons traced to India, I texted the God Squad—and a couple of other gods—and then went home to mirror Arach. I had made my faerie husband a promise to always include him if I went to war, and this was going to be war.
“I'm on my way,” Arach said as the mirror went hazy.
A second afterward, Arach was standing in my dressing room; the benefits of owning a time-travel ring. He looked over my leather pants and vest with surprise.
“Won't you be shifting into your dragon form?” He asked.
“Not this time,” I said. “We're going into the Human Realm, and I think my other magics may serve us better. I'd like you to hold off on shifting as well, until we assess the situation.”
“All right,” Arach agreed as we headed downstairs to join the God Squad.
I walked out of the elevator and immediately began to get the God Squad up to speed.
“Azrael's gone with the Grigori, his father, and their troops to Dvārakā. We need to trace into Sekhmet's home and meet up with Re,” I said to the Squad. Then I saw Macaria. “What are you doing here?”
“She offered to come,” Hades answered for his daughter. “I thought we could use all the help we could get.”
“Okay, fine.” I gave in, but I also gave her a nasty look. “Let's just get over there.”
I took Arach's hand to lead his travel, and we all traced to India. We stepped out of the Aether into a cacophony of chaos. The shifters in our group cringed at the collection of booms, shrieks, screeches, and screams that filtered in from the back of Sekhmet's home.
“Vervain!” Re shouted as he rushed over to us. “It's about time.”
“Where are the angels?” I asked.
Re led us into the living room and pointed out the window. Framed perfectly within Sekhmet's picture window was a shining city of gold and silver that stretched as far back as I could see. As I watched, chunks of eroded stone and coral fell from some of the structures to reveal more of the gleaming metal beneath. Jewels caught the sunlight and sparkled from intricate designs adorning the buildings while pearls gave a more subtle glow. Dome-topped spires shot toward the sky and water rushed off the edge of the slowly rising city as humans screamed and ran for their lives.
“They'll believe in us now,” Macaria whispered.
We all looked at her in surprise.
“Well, it's the truth,” she huffed. “Humans can't deny the existence of beings greater than themselves any longer.”
“First of all; Atlanteans are not greater than humans,” I growled at her. “Second; never underestimate the human ability to explain away what they don't want to believe in.”
“Atlanteans have magic and technology far beyond that of the human race,” Macaria argued.
“And humans have energy that can fuel it,” I shot back. “As well as an ability to form a bridge between races and magic.”
“Are we seriously standing here arguing over who is better while that happens?” Horus pointed out the window.
“He's right; let's get out there,” Thor said as he strode to the balcony.
“Hold on, Son,” Odin said as he joined Thor. “Let's see where we're needed before we go launching ourselves into the thick of it blindly.”
“A man with some sense,” Arach muttered. Then he spotted Toby. “Who are you?” Arach's yellow, dragon eyes narrowed. “You smell familiar... very familiar.”
Toby lifted a dark brow and looked from Arach to me and then back again before extending his hand to my husband. “I'm Tobadzistsini; you can call me Toby.”
“The Indian?” Arach asked me; leaving Toby hanging.
“The Native American god; yes,” I huffed. “Are you going to shake his hand or would you rather be a jerk?”
Arach grimaced but shook Toby's hand.
“Are those Oni?” Odin asked in horror; bringing my attention back to where it belonged.
I rushed to the balcony and stared up at the golden city. There—defending the slick walls—were brightly colored Japanese demons, along with other Japanese and Hindu magic-users whom I assumed were gods. I cursed violently as I spotted Enma leading them. Angels and demons filled the air around the city; diving at the Oni and other strange creatures with swords and claws extended.
“What are those things?” I pointed to some horned giants who fought beside the Oni.
“They are Yamadutas; Yama's thugs,” Karni said as she stepped up with Brahma and Sarasvati. “I knew he was involved!”
“As are several other Hindu gods who were supposed to be watching over Dvārakā!” Brahma pointed. “Look; there's Prithvi! Prithvi, you fucking traitor!”
“He can't hear you, darling,” Sarasvati said with narrowed eyes. “But he—and all the other traitors—will feel the sting of our vengeance!”
Grigori yanked Yamadutas up into the sky and cast them down upon the golden spires. The Yamadutas screamed as their bodies bent and broke; several of them cracking open their skulls when they finally landed in the streets of Dvārakā. But, despite the damage, those without major head injuries recovered after a few minutes; cracking their bones together and then scrambling back
to the city walls. Luke's demons swarmed over the shining walls—some flying and some climbing—as Luke rode Salem in a wide circle above the enormous city; directing his troops.
It looked like the Apocalypse.
“I knew it couldn't be averted,” I whispered. “Magic always finds a way.”
Gods, Oni, and Yamadutas fell under demon teeth and claws. But again; these were immortals and they were much harder to kill. Decapitation seemed to be the only method that worked, and the soldiers on both sides focused their efforts on their opponent's necks. Blood rained from the sky and flowed over the stone streets. Feathers and horns flew through the air, battle cries competed with the screams of the dying, and the scent of smoke rode the wind.
And in the midst of it all, four horses galloped over the clouds as if they were solid ground.
The Antichrist was mounted upon a gleaming white steed—the color of moonbeams, War's horse was a fiery crimson, Famine had a sin-black stallion carrying him, and Death rode a pale horse. Together, they were even more intimidating than the Devil on his dragon... and more deadly. Ted was raining deadly arrows down upon his enemies, Sam wielded a massive longsword that sliced heads from bodies with ease, Ira carried a pair of scales which shot beams of light into demons and withered them away, and Azrael reaped souls with swings of his scythe.
“This is magnificent!” Arach declared as his eyes began to glow.
“Thor, focus your attacks to the West,” Odin said crisply. “Brahma, take the East. Horus, you head South, and I shall take North. We'll surround them.”
“All right,” I said. “But what about the rest of us?”
“Pick a place in between,” Odin growled. “But do it soon; we don't have much time.”
Odin pointed to square holes in the city walls where the ends of canons were starting to peep through.
“Are those Atlantean weapons?” I asked.
“Yes, but we've brought a few of our own,” Brahma said as he waved toward the sea.
Circular, golden chariots zipped through the air; heading out to Dvārakā. Hindu gods piloted them with ease; navigating the them through the flying gods. Acid green light shot from the base of the chariots and hit Dvārakā; melting metal from the stone and sending Oni flying. The Hindu gods were damn impressive; besides those who drove the flying chariots, there were winged gods who fortified the angelic and demonic ranks. One goddess in particular caught my attention. She had pure black skin that was nearly indiscernible from her skin-tight clothing. Her long hair was just as dark and plaited down her back in a no nonsense braid, but it was adorned with bright white beads. She smiled viciously as she flew her small vimana through the battle.
“That's Kali Ma,” Sarasvati said with a smile. “Be grateful that she's on our side this time. Kali can be fickle.”
As I watched Kali Ma shoot a demon's head from his body—and then laugh as if it were the funniest thing she'd seen in years—I was grateful... and a little disturbed. But I've learned to take help when it's offered. So, I only nodded.
The God Squad started heading down to the beach, and I nodded to Arach's unspoken question. With a huge grin, Arach raced ahead of everyone, and as he reached the shore, he shifted into his dragon form. He was airborne in seconds; his stunning blood-red wings beating the air into submission as his roar echoed across the sea.
I was about to center myself and see if my nine-pointed star could help me end this battle—as it had with Ragnarok—when Hades stepped past me with a horrified look on his face and distracted me.
“Is that Nyx?” Hades asked.
“It is!” Persephone shouted. “And there are more Greeks with her!”
“Shut the fuck door!” Morpheus cried out as he pointed. “What is Nyx doing with Mot?”
“That's Mot?” I asked as I followed Morph's finger to a winged couple. “And Nyx has wings? I didn't know that Nyx has wings. They're really pretty too,” I grumbled.
A shout broke through my musings, and we all jerked around as the sound ended abruptly and a screaming began. The thud of a head falling to the floor came next, and we all stared in shocked horror at the decapitated corpse of a man. Both pieces of the corpse bled heavily across Sekhmet's lovely carpet.
“What the fuck just happened?” Finn asked. “And who the hell is that?”
“Underworld, not Hell,” Hades snarled. “That's Thanatos... or it was, rather.”
“He just tried to kill me,” Toby whispered as he stared at Sekhmet with wide eyes. “And Sekhmet saved my life.”
We all looked at Sekhmet; who stood over Thanatos' body with a nasty looking short sword in her hand. She was shaking—with fury or fear, I couldn't tell—and her long curls were hanging wild about her. She looked every inch the avenging goddess.
Sekhmet lifted her steady gaze to her father and asked calmly, “Do you believe me now?”
Re gaped at Sekhmet and then at Thanatos.
“Where's Macaria?” Hades growled suddenly.
“It looks as if I'm not the rebellious daughter this time,” Sekhmet pointed toward Dvārakā with her sword.
Macaria was standing on one of the tower balconies with Marzana. She stared grimly at her father as Mot and Nyx flew up to stand beside the women. Nyx put an arm around her daughter's shoulders and smiled smugly. Yes, even from that distance, we could all see her contempt.
“No!” Hades roared as fire burst from his palms. “No! I will burn you back to Tartarus, you traitorous bitch!”
Persephone calmly went to her husband and slapped him across the face. Hades blinked in surprise.
“Fall apart later, Sizzle-Butt,” Sephy said. “Right now, we need to handle this. Take another look”—she pointed at the battle—“there are more Greeks out there; on both sides. We need to help our allies put Dvārakā back where it belongs.”
Hades stared out at the battle, and the rest of us looked along with him. Sure enough, there were Greek gods both defending the city and attacking it. I saw Athena flying a damn pegasus through the sky as she threw energy spears at other Greeks, who in turn shot arrows at her. The Greeks were coming through for me already; though this appeared to be as much their battle as it was mine... and Hades'. The Lord of the Underworld cracked his neck and started for the beach without another word. We all began to follow Hades to the shore—Sekhmet and Bast included—but Re stopped his daughters.
“I don't have time to make amends now, but I'm sorry. I'm deeply sorry for doubting both of you,” Re said. “Now, Bast, keep your sister safe.”
Re started to turn away, but Sekhmet grabbed his arm.
“That's not fucking good enough,” she growled. “Give me my magic back and let me help you win this war, Father. This is what I do best and it's time for me to make amends as well. I deserve this chance to clean the slate.”
Re looked at me and Kirill. I stared at Kirill. Kirill sighed and nodded. With a quick movement, Re turned back to his daughter and took her face within his hands. Light burst from Re's palms and sank into Sekhmet. She gasped as the magic poured through her body; raising her tawny hair as if she were filled with electricity. Then Sekhmet—the Warrior Goddess of Lions—lifted her head and roared.
“Welcome back, Lady of Slaughter,” Re intoned with grave sincerity. “Mistress of Dread. She Who Mauls.” Re kissed Sekhmet's cheek sweetly and whispered, “Daughter.”
Sekhmet's eyes filled with tears but the moisture burned away in the fire of her gaze. She smiled with deep satisfaction and took a deep breath before she looked at Bast. “Shall we, Sister?”
Bast flung her arms out and claws extended from her fingers. Her eyes slanted and started to glow. “Let's show these gods what folly it is to mess with the Egyptians.”
The Egyptian goddesses went to join Hades at the shore, and the rest of our group followed. But when we got to the beach, I stood to the side, closed my eyes, and attempted—once more—to reach my star. I frowned as the shimmering energy flared but then flickered out.
“Come o
n,” I growled. “I'm giving you a direction; I want this war ended and Dvārakā back beneath the waves. Help me.”
Nothing happened.
“Your star is not listening?” Kirill asked.
“It's listening; it's just not helping.” I sighed as I stared across the ocean. “This must be something that needs to happen; the star won't intervene. We're going to have to do this one old school.”
Hades headed for the sea while Odin, Thor, Brahma, and Horus spread out to begin their attacks. But then one of the Hindu flying chariots swept down onto the beach and landed before Hades. Krishna opened the side door and stepped out.
“Need a ride?” Krishna asked with a smirk.
“Kris, what are you doing here?” Karni-Mata asked in shock.
“This is my mess, and I intend to clean it up,” Krishna said. “Now, get in!”
We piled into the chariot. It looked like the top of a tower; a circular base with pillars bordering it and a conical roof for cover. A railing kept everyone in, but there were no seats; only a steering column in the center. Krishna went to the column and pushed a few buttons. He pulled back on a steering wheel, and we lifted off the sand.
“We need to get to the Control Room and send the city back beneath the sea,” Krishna said as he maneuvered between flying demons and gods.
“What good will that do?” Trevor asked. “Everyone knows Dvārakā is there now; some other god—or maybe even a human—will raise it again.”
“Not if I destroy it completely,” Krishna said with grim calm.
“You can do that?” Sarasvati asked.
“I built the city”—Krishna took a deep breath and let it out in a sad sigh—“I know its weaknesses. And I know what it's capable of. I should never have trusted the humans with our technology; they weren't ready for it then, and they aren't ready for it now. I need to make sure Dvārakā never rises again.”
“You left my weapon inside it, didn't you?” Brahma asked solemnly.
