The Grey God (War of Gods 4)

by Lizzy Ford

  “What’s wrong?” Jenn asked immediately.

  “Call me crazy, but I think Sofi’s getting ready to deliver,” Bianca said.

  “That’s impossible!”

  “It’s gotta be the immortal world. She’s not due for another four months.”

  “Can you stop it?” Jenn looked around again and then at Sofi. She’d thought the Oracle looked much larger than a few months pregnant. Everything that held magic was amplified in the immortal world. Even carrying a White God, Jenn couldn’t explain Sofi’s pregnancy accelerating so fast, unless …“Wait, exactly how long have you been here?”

  “At least a day and a half,” Bianca said. “We were grabbed yesterday before dawn.”

  “A full twenty-four hours in the immortal world,” Jenn said and sighed. “Sofi, you had to know this was coming.”

  “I can’t see my own fate, but I suspected this might happen when I saw yours,” the Oracle said. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

  Jenn trotted forward, towards the huge block of marble. They slid behind it, and she sought their next move. Sofi leaned against the rock. Jenn exchanged a worried look with Bianca.

  “No,” Bianca said to the unasked question. “I can’t stop it.”

  “Then we need to keep moving,” Jenn said. She started forward again, towards more debris. While she tried to keep close to objects that might provide some sort of cover if attacked, she chose the fastest route possible. Sofi slowed as they walked, and Jenn looked up at the midday sun. Changes undergone in the immortal world normally weren’t permanent, once they returned to their world for twenty-four hours. However, if they didn’t hurry, Sofi would come back with a child before twenty-four hours passed in the mortal world.. Jenn didn’t know if her pregnancy could be reversed, even upon returning to the mortal world, but she knew they couldn’t stop long enough for Sofi to have her baby.

  Jenn gasped, dismayed, as the wall around the orchard came into view. It was patrolled by guardsmen wearing the Others’ symbols on their cloaks. She motioned to a hollowed-out building and turned to face the other two.

  Sofi was pale and Bianca anxious. Jenn watched Sofi lower herself to a boulder. For the first time in long while, Jenn didn’t think she could get them to safety alone. The Oracle was ready to pop and the wall was guarded by half a dozen men.

  “Fuck,” she murmured. “How long do we have, Bianca?”

  “An hour, tops,” the Healer said.

  Jenn calculated silently. “We’re not going to make it.”

  “We’ll make it,” Sofi said.

  “Is this the Oracle or the pregnant chic talking?” Jenn asked.

  Sofi gave her an icy look.

  “I take it it’s the pregnant chic. I’ll work fast.”

  Jenn gazed towards the wall, mentally determining her chances at taking on six guardsmen and getting them all over the wall before more came or worse—before Others showed up.

  “Bianca, you know where to stab someone?” she asked, facing the two of them again.

  “Dusty taught me.”

  “Take Sofi’s knife. If anyone, and I mean anyone, comes this way, you stab first, talk later. Got it?”

  “Yes.”

  Jenn turned to leave, almost crying out in surprise. The creature she least wanted to see stood before her, eyes glowing red. She lowered herself into a fighting stance.

  “Interesting,” Xander said, gaze sweeping over them and lingering on the Oracle. “Bet you didn’t see this one coming, Oracle. I did.”

  “What do you want?” Jenn demanded, stepping between the women and the towering vamp.

  “I see you made a choice.” His eyes went to the necklace dangling at the center of her chest.

  “You didn’t come here to gloat. If you came to stop us …” Jenn drew her second knife.

  “He’s going to help us,” Sofia said.

  “You’re talking about Xander, right?” Jenn glanced over her shoulder and saw the Oracle teetering to her feet with Bianca’s assistance.

  “Yes. You’re going to take that thing off Jenn’s arm, and you’re going to make sure we all make it back safely,” Sofi said to the Original Vamp.

  “I didn’t come here for that,” Xander replied.

  “But you’ll do it.”

  “What the fuck is going on?” Jenn asked, startled as the Oracle pushed her aside to stand before Xander. The small woman glared up at the Vamp. Jenn sensed some sort of silent communication between them, one that made the Original Vamp shift.

  “I do nothing for free, Oracle,” he growled finally. His eyes fell to Jenn. His fangs lengthened. They were half the size of her longest finger.

  “If that’s all it takes. I survived the first time” she said and lowered her weapons. She swallowed hard. Xander’s bite hadn’t been gentle. “Bite me, Xander.”

  “You’ll do it, Xander, or I’ll reveal your little secret,” Sofi said calmly.

  “An Oracle—”

  “—has nothing to lose right now and doesn’t mind breaking your rules.”

  Jenn glanced at the fiery Oracle, impressed by her spunk. The woman radiated cold power, her eyes brighter than even Xander’s.

  “You get one favor in exchange,” the Vamp snarled. “The other will cost one of you.”

  “Your secret. And I won’t fuck up your … fate. That’s two.”

  Xander stared at her. “Someone’s not playing fair.”

  “Looks like you just got your ass beat,” Jenn said, unable to keep the smugness out of her voice.

  Xander’s fangs receded. He didn’t look happy.

  “You can Travel here?” Jenn asked, looking up at their unwilling protector.

  Xander nodded once.

  She held out one hand to him and another to Sofi. The Oracle took it, and Bianca took her other one. Jenn touched Xander’s arm. He was tense and furious. She felt it even without her magic. Touching him was like sticking her finger in a light socket. She tried not to move away.

  They Traveled, stopping at the base of the tree at the center of the orchard. An alarm went up at the wall. Sofi dropped to her knees, holding her stomach.

  “You’re staying,” Xander said as Jenn bent to help the Oracle to her feet. “You two, go.”

  “Remember, Xander,” Sofi gasped.

  “I heard you the first time,” he snapped and grabbed Jenn’s arm.

  Before Jenn could object, they Traveled. When her vision cleared to reveal where he’d taken her, she sucked in a breath.

  “I doubt this was what Sofi told you to do,” she muttered.

  “Next time, she won’t fuck with an Original Vamp. And neither will you.”

  “You’re not going to free me first, are you?”

  “What is it you used to say to me?” He pretended to consider. “Oh. Fuck you.”

  Jenn looked up at him then grabbed her weapons, stepping into the ring with an opponent she wasn’t sure she was meant to beat.

  Near the desert gateway between worlds, Darian found his rhythm. Evade, strike. Evade, strike, kill. Evade, strike. Evade, strike, kill. His body adjusted to the physical blows while his magic absorbed the purple lightning. Every once in awhile, he absorbed too much, and the result threw him on his back.

  He launched to his feet again, this time flinging a dagger at the Other nearest him. His rhythm disrupted, he glanced towards the boulder where he’d hidden Yully and Charles, making sure they weren’t in danger. The Black God was fighting nearby, hurling black clouds at the Others then trying not to get hit by lightning in return. Darian heard him yelp twice, but the pain only seemed to make Jonny angrier. His power swelled, until dark clouds blocked the desert sun.

  Darian was working hard to keep the Others from returning to the immortal world. He’d killed a dozen so far, but more kept appearing. At some point, he’d have to snatch Yully and Charles and drag them down to the immortal world and hope they had a chance to Travel before being blasted to pieces.

  From what Jonny revealed, Da
rian needed to be on the immortal side of the world before he unleashed his magic. He wasn’t entirely certain the Black God could be trusted, if not for Bianca being in danger.

  Darian tripped suddenly and landed on his stomach. He rolled, startled to see two people come through the gateway where no one had been before.

  “Bianca!” Jonny cried, moving towards them.

  “Darian, Sofi—”

  Darian didn’t let her finish but swept the Oracle up into his arms, grimacing as he absorbed the lightning magic. It rippled through him and into Sofi, who’d gone still in his arms. She was bigger than he remembered. He dropped to his knees behind the boulder where Yully and Charles hid.

  “Bianca!” The Black God reached them.

  The Healer knelt beside Sofi. “I’m okay, Jonny!”

  “I’m taking you out of here,” Jonny said, snatching her arm and hauling her up.

  “No, Jonny, Sofi’s—”

  “Where’s Jenn?” Darian demanded, taking her other arm.

  “She’s with Xander. Jonny—”

  “Alone?” Darian asked, his anger rising another notch at the thought of Jenn with the Original Vamp.

  “Darian, Sofi’s having her baby!” Bianca shouted.

  “She what?”

  Even Jonny hesitated, eyes going to the pale Oracle. Charles inched away, as if pregnancy was contagious, and Yully reached out to touch Sofi’s forehead.

  “You can’t leave them alone,” Yully said. “They’ll find them again. They’ll never let any of us go!”

  Darian hesitated, stomach churning at the thought of what he’d come to do.

  “Finish what you started, Darian!” Jonny ordered.

  “Take them somewhere safe,” Darian replied. He released Bianca. She looked to her brother uncertainly.

  Darian saw the hard look on Jonny’s face as the Black God bent down to pick up the Oracle. Bianca rested her hand on her brother’s arm. With her other hand, she handed Yully a knife.

  Purple lightning lit up the space around them. Jonny, Sofi, and Bianca disappeared. Darian held out his hand to Yully. Armed and dressed for a fight, the redhead looked determined, if scared.

  “I hate my life,” Charles muttered. He planted his hand on the woman’s shoulder.

  Darian Traveled to the portal then leapt through it, pulling them with him. The minute his feet touched the ground of the immortal world, he heard shouts. The air trembled with magic. He Traveled again. When he opened his eyes, the three of them stood in the middle of the city. It was quiet.

  Yully moved away from him, holding out her arms as she drained the surrounding area of magic.

  “Not too much yet,” Darian warned. “You don’t want to blow up before I need you.”

  He surveyed the area around them, sensing Jenn without seeing her.

  Jenn.

  He didn’t expect a reply and started forward, trailed closely by Yully. He entered Jenn’s mind, aware she couldn’t talk to him with the cuff otherwise.

  Stay away, Jenn replied. I got this.

  Irritated at his mate’s rebuff, he whispered, “Where are you?”

  She didn’t answer, but Darian could feel her distress. He apologized to her silently before he pushed deeper into her thoughts. Jenn resisted him, and he pried harder. Without her magic, her defenses were too limited to stop him. When he could see what she saw, Darian stopped in place.

  Chapter Eleven

  Bianca helped Sofi to the couch then turned to her brother, torn. Jonny watched her, his dark eyes holding none of the youth or friendliness she remembered. But he didn’t leave. She glanced at Sofi again before approaching the Black God.

  “Thank you, Jonny,” she said.

  “You’re welcome, B.”

  “Can you take us to the hospital? Sofi needs a doctor.”

  “The Oracle is on her own.” Jonny’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the healer.

  “Please, Jonny.”

  “You’re a Healer, sister. You can fix her.”

  “I can’t deliver a baby!”

  “Where the fuck is Damian? Dusty?” he demanded and paced away. “They leave you alone here to fend for yourself against Others?”

  “No. They were taken.” Her voice shook as she admitted the words out loud for the first time. She’d lost contact with her mate before being taken to the immortal world. For all she knew, he was trapped down there as she had been.

  “I will shred Dusty for not taking better care of you!”

  “No, Jonny,” she chided. “I love Dusty. I love you both, no matter what happens. Right now, I need your help.”

  Jonny met her gaze again, and she saw a flicker of familiar warmth in his dark eyes. Her heart still hurt for her brother, whose road was dark and lonely. She’d never forget he chose it to save her, just as she’d never forget how much she loved the little brother she’d all but raised.

  “I’ll take her.”

  Bianca turned at the newcomer’s voice and hesitated, staring at the seven-foot vamp standing next to the couch. After the exchange in the immortal world, she knew Sofi was on no good terms with Xander. Her gaze fell to Sofi’s still form. She’d knocked the Oracle out to make Traveling a little more comfortable. Their return to the mortal world seemed only to hasten the birth rather than slow it. Without touching her, Bianca could still feel Sofi’s body preparing to expel the child within, whether or not she went to a hospital.

  “Very well,” she said.

  “I do nothing for free,” Xander reminded her. His fangs grew before her eyes, nearly the size of her pinky. “Always wanted to taste a Healer. I hear your blood is the sweetest of all.”

  Bianca swallowed hard, reminded of her time being bled near death by the former Black God and his son. Her throat was too tight to answer, so she nodded her agreement. Xander snatched her arm, and she closed her eyes.

  “Wait, no.” Jonny’s voice held a note she couldn’t place but it sounded almost like fear. “No, Xander.”

  “She agreed. She pays the price for my assistance.”

  “Not my sister.”

  “You’re the Black God. She’s no longer your sister, not when she serves the White God. You will let me do this.”

  “Don’t try your mind tricks on me!” Jonny exploded. His magic filled the air, shoving between Bianca and Xander and pushing her away. “I felt it this time, Xander. Jenn was right. You’ve been manipulating me for weeks now.”

  “I seem to be the only thing standing between you and an army of angry vamps you can’t control,” Xander pointed out.

  Jonny took Bianca’s hand and pulled her behind him, stepping between the two of them. Her gaze returned to Sofi, whose body was under distress.

  “Not anymore. I’m claiming my rightful place as the Black God, and I’ll do it without traitors like you and Jenn at my side.” Jonny’s voice took on a firm, cold note. “Get the fuck away from me and my sister.”

  “Is this your final choice?” Xander asked.

  “It is.”

  “Very well.” The Original Vamp disappeared.

  “What just happened, Jonny?” Bianca asked, looking up at her brother.

  “I’m strong enough to do it alone. I don’t know what he wanted, but he must’ve been trying to use me,” he said. “I don’t need him or anyone.”

  “Except your big sis.”

  Jonny looked down at her. He smoothed her hair from her face. Her magic prodded him, and she saw the same trace of metamorphosis that had marked Darian the past few weeks. The Grey God had morphed quickly from someone confused by his world to someone in control of his world. Jonny was going through the same.

  “You would be ashamed to know what I’ve done,” he said. “I will always protect you, B, no matter what you think of me.”

  “I’m never ashamed of you, Jonny. I’ll love you no less because of what you are.”

  “I’ll take her. But I can’t do this again. I hope you understand.”

  “I do, Jonny. I won’t ask any
more favors,” she said, spirits rising.

  “Tell Dusty, if this happens again …” Jonny warned.

  “It won’t.”

  Jonny strode to Sofi and lifted her again. Bianca took his arm, heart somersaulting. She wanted to tell her brother how proud of him she was. Black God or not, he’d never forgotten his sister. He took them to the nearby hospital and set Sofi carefully on a stretcher in the hallway leading to the emergency room.

  Bianca bent over her, sending her soothing power into her.

  “Good-bye, Bianca,” Jonny said.

  “Thank you, Jonny.” She turned to face him.

  He took in her features again then looked down the hall, where several people moved towards them. Jonny turned away from her and walked out of the hospital, waiting until he was out of view to Travel.

  Bianca’s gaze lingered on where he’d been, sensing she wouldn’t see him again for a long time. Whatever the exchange between him and Xander meant, he’d showed how strong he’d grown. He wasn’t the conflicted boy anymore. He was a man who understood power. It made him dangerous, an enemy of her mate and his brothers.

  I meant it, Jonny. I’ll always love you. She didn’t know if he heard her or not.

  She woke Sofi with a touch and tugged the gurney down to the emergency room.

  “Where am I?” Sofi asked.

  “Hospital.”

  “Damian.”

  Bianca heard her voice catch and couldn’t answer. She squeezed Sofi’s hand and was soon hustled out of the way by a nurse and his aide. Bianca watched Sofi being rolled away, unable to stop the tears that rose the moment Sofi was out of sight. Dusty, Sofi. If something happened to either, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. She paced then sat. Her phone vibrated and she pulled it out, heart soaring at the hope it was Dusty.

  It wasn’t. The only of Damian’s family to be on any sort of speaking terms with the Watchers, she’d tried not to contact them after Damian’s edict about declaring war on the immortal creatures. Still, she’d texted once, soon after Dusty disappeared, asking her Watcher where her mate was.