by Lexi Ander
"My people are ready to move the wounded," Nacht said, taking up a position next to Juan. "I'm your personal runner, Siamak."
I nodded, trying not to glance up at where Inanna stood with my best friend and Randy. I needed her on the ground. The last thing I wanted to do was transform into a dragon to chase her. She had to come to me. My stomach roiled when I thought of what could happen if I pushed her too far. Randy was a demi-God, but weakened. Gregori was mortal. I hoped my gamble wouldn't be a death sentence for either of them.
A shrill scream rent the air and I clapped my hands over my ears. Inanna spread her wings and expertly glided down, dodging the two Shirdal on top of the amphitheater wall who jumped, snapping their beaks at her.
When she landed twenty yards away, Neesie said, "I have a bead."
I bristled with pride even as Inanna raked me over with her indignant glower. Gregori was tucked against her, his back to her chest with her arm angled across his torso, her hand clamped around his neck. His feet dangled off the ground.
Behind me, Juan made a wounded noise and Ace whispered soothing words. I held my breath, listening for Gregori's heartbeat, watching to see if his chest rose and fell with each inhalation. The beat was there, slow and steady. I could only surmise he was unconscious.
Inanna threw Randy towards me and he landed in a heap between us. I wanted to go to him, gather him up. I'd seen how fast Randy healed when he was healthy, but weakened as he was, his body would be slower to respond to injury than normal. I smelled blood, but that didn't mean she'd hurt him, considering how much seemed to be splattered all over her.
"Look here, Gilgamesh. Your progeny are served up for easy picking. I should've taken matters into my own hands centuries ago. But at least now you get a front row seat to their demise."
I took a step forward. "What do you want, Inanna? You have your own followers to monologue to."
"Watch your tongue, puppy." She shook Gregori and I could hear his heartbeat speed up, but his eyes remained closed. "I have something important to you here, and I'll break him if you continue with your insolence."
Biting my tongue, I breathed through my rage. I could practically feel Juan's desire to go to Gregori, but he stayed, relying on his faith in me. I prayed his confidence wasn't misplaced.
"You still haven't answered my question. What do you want? You've spent thousands of years attempting to remove my ancestors to break Shamash's vow. You've subjugated the True Bloods, descendants of priestess Shamhat, using them against their will. You've ruined the lives of countless families because he" —I pointed to Randy—"didn't want to have sex with you. Nowadays, we'd label you a stalker and rapist. Enough is enough. Leave. Go back to Dilmun and never return."
"Or, what? You'll kill me?" She sneered, confident I couldn't touch her.
"No, I'll send you on vacation with your sister, Ereshkigal, The Queen of the Land of the Dead."
"You can't—"
"Oh, but he promised me he would." I looked to the right, and there on the stadium seats stood several Gods and Goddesses. Ereshkigal separated herself from the group and descended the tiers, holding her dark-feathered skirts above her ankles. The wind ruffled the black down of her close-fitting cap, the intricate braid of her white hair falling over her shoulder. Her stark, cold beauty was only emphasized by her wings of serpent scales and yellow feathers.
Once she touched the ground, she crossed to me, and I bowed low. "Queen of Irkalla. It is a pleasure to see you again."
She stopped next to Randy and held out her hand. "You seem to be getting your color back."
Randy accepted her offer and rose to his feet, standing tall even though I scented weakness on him. "Thank you for noticing, Goddess." He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and escorted her to me. I barely refrained from bowing again. I suspected I'd always find her intimidating.
"Sister!" Inanna finally emerged from her stupor. "Why are you here? With him?"
Ereshkigal took in the breastplate partially hidden by my black robe. There was no way she wouldn't recognize the tablets. She finally raised her uncanny dark gaze to mine, one brow arched high. "Oh, you are full of surprises. I knew I liked you for more than your pretty face."
Turning, she addressed Inanna. "King Tristan and I struck a deal. I'd side with him in this war, allow him access to my power, and in return—"
"No!" Inanna screamed at the top of her lungs. The piercing yell caused my ears to hurt. "You gave me your armies. They are mine to command." Inanna made a complicated gesture. We all stared at her when nothing happened and she motioned again more exaggeratedly.
"Your access to them has been revoked, little sister. The only reason I allowed you to use them in the first place was to make Enlil and his puppets quake in fear. After the Igigi War, they entrapped me in Irkalla for siding with Tiamat. Only recently have I been gifted with the keys that allow me to leave my kingdom." She gave Randy a fond smile. "I no longer need you to terrorize the Gods for me."
Inanna glanced up to where the other Gods and Goddesses stood. I recognized my old tutelary, Ashur, as well as Mithra the Herald and his giant consort Verethragna. The King of the Gods, Enlil, stood tall, his platinum hair contrasting with his dark complexion and matching his flowing robes. An intricate circlet sat on his dark brow. Enki, wearing nothing but a black loin cloth, stood by the Goddess Ki, who hefted her large cudgel. I recognized the God Shamash by the color of his red wings. There were several others there I hadn't been introduced to but whom Inanna seemed to know by the way she glowered.
"As I was saying before you rudely interrupted, King Tristan promised me he'd give you to me in exchange for being his ally. After the battle ends, you will be returning to Irkalla with me. Permanently." Inanna's dazed expression turned questioning, as if she couldn't imagine why Ereshkigal would hold her captive. Ereshkigal's congenial mask turned to one of artic chill. "You sent my consort to his death, little sister. You owe me a companion. This time no one will come and steal you from me."
Ereshkigal moved to my right and sat down on the lowest step, daintily rearranging her skirts, her gaze intense and expectant when she glanced to me.
Inanna made a rude noise. "I don't need her armies to crush you," she spat. With a push of power and a flick of her wrist her army was finally revealed, standing at the mouth of the amphitheater. Rogue Lycans, True Bloods, and children of Tiamat waited upon her command. Many of Tiamat's children were smaller dragons or dragonesque in appearance. But there were others like the flightless Mushussu who were a mixture of dragon scale, bird, and feline. Lahmu the Hairy One stood tall and muscular, like the sasquatch fables they resembled. There were also the lion-headed men, the human-headed lions, scorpion-men, and the man-headed bulls. They held a wide range of weapons from to blunt to edged.
She glanced back to me, clearly feeling smug, but her expression didn't turn triumphant until the skies darkened. My heart dropped. In the air above us were four-legged horned snakes, their bodies longer, more slender than Brian's, with two sets of wings. The way they moved made it look like they slithered through the air. Among their numbers were the Great Dragons that looked more like a cross between a lion and lizard, but was nowhere near as large as Brian's form.
The largest was Musmahhu, the Exalted Serpent. Brian had described the female they'd encountered in Marduk's temple. The one above us was male, and someone who I could only surmise was Marduk rode the middle neck. His steed, for a lack of a better word, had three heads: one yellow scaled serpent with blood red eyes, then a tawny lion's head with saber-teeth jutting below his jaw, and the last a bird head that looked very much like a vulture. The first sight of a sky full of winged adversaries rocked me. But the shock quickly wore off as I opened my senses.
The children of Tiamat were angry and scared, but at the same time filled with hope. Their eyes were on me, and even though they were commanded by Marduk, their belief I'd free them from the enchantment shackling them shone brightly in my mind's eye.
Before I could issue a challenge to Marduk, wolf song stole my attention. Inanna's army parted, giving way as if something repugnant moved through them. Out poured a large pack of timber wolves. They smelled like natural wolves but with a hint of power not normally found in Mother Nature's creatures. Their size was impressive, even when compared to shifted warriors who were the largest of the Lycans. In their midst strode Jory.
"Siamak," Jory called. "The Nameless have asked I speak for them. They offer to you the defense of their teeth and claw."
For weeks we'd followed the news reports of the large wolf pack crossing the country. I'd hoped their approach didn't bode ill for us. As I tested them through the Earth, I sensed no duplicity. Their human sides were afraid but resolved. They offered their allegiance and servitude.
"I'm humbled by their offer. I accept."
The wolves lifted their muzzles and gave a joyful howl before placing themselves between me and Inanna's army.
I turned my attention skyward. "Marduk, God of Magic, hear us now!" My voice boomed in the air as if I used an amplifier. All within Sanctuary would hear the declaration. "We are the Blood Trinity, the ruling Triad over the lost children of Tiamat. I am King Tristan Janick, Voice of Tiamat."
Ushna stepped forward, the wind tossing his blue-black hair about. "I am King Ushna Ahura-Yzada, Heart of Tiamat."
Brian stepped to the other side of me, his baritone a rumble of warning as he said, "I am King Brian Minoa, the Sword of Tiamat."
"The penance of Tiamat's children is paid in full. It is time you set them free," I concluded. We waited with bated breath.
I refused to count heads or consider the odds we were up against; we were sorely out numbered. The other Gods and Goddesses who sided with Inanna still hadn't revealed themselves. I couldn't know who or what else she'd bring to this battle.
Marduk's rancorous laughter skittered over my skin. "Tiamat is no more. I split her apart myself. Your words of warning are hollow."
When Mithra heralded the three of us as the Blood Trinity, he'd also said, "The Sword will break their chains. Woe unto he who stands in their way, for they will smite and lay low any and all who defy the will of the First Mother."
Brian's face was a mask of grim determination as he undressed.
Inanna made a noise, as if indignant at being so thoroughly ignored. I raised my hand in her direction. "I'll take care of you in a moment." When she glared and opened her mouth, I sent a warning push of power at her, asking the Earth to hold her. The ground beneath her feet rushed up her legs to her thighs, anchoring her to the spot before the dirt hardened into lonsdaleite. She gave a horrified screech and dropped Gregori. Carefully, I listened, making sure Gregori was fine, touching him through the Earth to find and heal his injuries.
"Quit stalling, I'm fine," He pushed back at me.
Hiding my smile, I turned to Ushna and Brian. They were both naked. Ushna slipped the shoulder holster for the Green Bastard on as he transformed into his half dragon form; Ladon never moved from his shoulder.
Behind them, I caught Juan's worried gaze. Opening a connection to the Earth, I allowed him to see that Gregori faked unconsciousness. Juan's apprehension bled away to relief and he took Ace's hand, whispering in his ear.
"You!" Marduk flew closer, the accusatory tone causing Brian, Ushna, and me to glance up. He circled, just out of reach of the Shirdals. "You're one of those who stole my worshippers."
He could only mean Brian, since Stan wasn't here and the scorpion-men who'd accompanied them were in another plane caring for said humans.
Brian's slow grin was full of mischievous maliciousness. "I also destroyed your prayer statues."
In one fluid movement, Brian was a massive black dragon. Ushna hopped onto his back and together they launched into the air faster than a rocket, completely drowning out Marduk's scream of self-righteous rage as his ride dashed out of Brian's way.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tristan Janick
Marduk turned his Musmahhu to attack, but Brian's gout of flame caused him to break away without landing a blow. Those with Marduk scattered away from Brian, unable to defend against such a fiery onslaught. None of them were pure dragon, and so lacked the dragon fire to call upon.
"What are you waiting for?" Inanna snapped, and that seemed all Marduk needed to give his army the command to attack.
"Magi! Reveal!" Jynx ordered. The illusion camouflaging our warriors and Ophidians in the stands of the amphitheater dropped. They surged forward, joining the Nameless who'd kept Inanna's ground forces from pushing into the amphitheater green.
In the sky, every flyer swerved to attack Brian and Ushna. Concerned, I held my breath. Marduk's troops didn't breathe fire, but they could use tooth and claw to overwhelm Brian, bearing him down to the ground.
Up to this point, the little dragonets had been calmly watching but not interfering. Now, those nearest me released an ear-splitting cry more deafening than a T-Rex roar and, as one, the cute little guys took off running, their potbellies swaying comically until their tiny wings lifted them off the ground. In the blink of an eye they grew to become snarling, fire-breathing dragons half the size of Brian. They quickly claimed the skies, swirling together like a bejeweled tornado, first going to Brian's aid, then using fire to herd the Children of Tiamat away from the battle.
While I was preoccupied with Brian and Ushna's welfare, Inanna's allies among the Gods and Goddesses had arrived and engaged mine. Corey and Bixx directed the Ophidians and warriors, who clashed with the ground-bound Children of Tiamat and Inanna's Servants of the Glorious Ones. There were no dignified lines of battle, no organization, just my attempt at an ambush that seemed more like a brawl or riot. Hell, the fight with Craig Stoiler's pack had been more orderly than this.
The noise of disgust returned my attention back to my own fight. Inanna wasn't struggling against the Earth's hold but stared at me in triumph. "Nice try, little prince. Soon your paltry army will bow to Marduk's battle-might, and I'll have your head."
I could almost taste her smug satisfaction. I pointed to my crown. "I've been king for about ten days now. If I'm not mistaken, your people believed you would fall if the rightful Lycan King sat on the Seat of Zeev." Watching her expression closely, I was pleased with her shock. "Oh, you thought the coronation had yet to take place?" I gave a pleased chuckle. "The official ceremony happened in private in front of sanctioned witnesses. The public showing starts tomorrow and will last three days. There, the Lycan people will meet me for the first time and a general performance will allow the community to participate in the celebration. So, you see, you're too late."
"The prophecy has changed a dozen times over the last five millennia." She glanced at the battle being waged around us, as if to emphasize how outnumbered my forces were.
For a split second I wondered if her assessment was correct. Had my people always been fighting a losing battle? Even the Tablets of Destiny couldn't tell me what I needed to do to defeat Inanna. Or did they?
At the time, I'd thought the answer was vague, but now I thought I understood. To triumph I had to wear the Tablets of Destiny and believe I had the power to win against her and Marduk. If I had doubts, then the tablet's power would be diminished. What did they say? Fortune favored the bold? The brave? To succeed, I needed to face her with conviction. If I let her cause me doubt…
When I looked back to Inanna, something in my expression must've changed. Perhaps my resolve shone through. Who knew? But whatever she'd noticed, she didn't like it.
I took a couple of bold steps forward, ignoring Juan's low whine. The plan had been for Brian and Ushna to engage Marduk. I'd detain Inanna, entrapping her with the help of those remaining at my side.
"Where is Daniel?" I was unprepared for the fury that flushed her dark skin a deep scarlet. Even without the visual, the scent of something close to burnt tar stung my nose. The lonsdaleite cracked and then crumbled around her feet.
In a move almost too quick for my eyes to
track, she flung herself at me. There were two successive gun shots, bloody wounds appearing between her breast before she slammed into me. Neesie knew her bullets would only slow Inanna down, but the assistance was enough.
Well, I wasn't supposed to physically fight. My strength hadn't been tested by a God. But not everything could go as planned, could it? We rolled, her claws gouging and tearing as she spat out antiquated profanities. Without thought, I changed into my Lupe form. The warriors gave a resounding war cry, following my example, their energy anchored to my core. I didn't have time to worry about how they fared, to wonder if my warriors were successful in incapacitating the Children of Tiamat who had no choice but to follow Marduk's compulsion to fight. My only concern was keeping Inanna from taking my head off. She was strong enough to do it with her bare hands.
But so, too, could I.
Tossing her like a sand bag, she traveled far enough she fell into the midst of the Nameless. The wolves scattered, obviously knowing enough to give her a wide berth, but still remained situated between us and her army. Any idiot who thought they could fight their way through the pack died screaming.
I was surprised to realize the breastplate with the Tablets of Destiny had adjusted to my new form, but didn't have time to contemplate why when Inanna reached between her shoulders and withdrew a rust-red sword I hadn't known she carried. She attacked as if accustomed to close combat. The whirl of the blade promised maiming or death if I was even a second too slow. I used all the strength and agility at my command to stay out of her reach. Several more gunshots peppered Inanna's center mass, but the wounds barely bled; I couldn't count on them to weaken her or slow her down.
"Tristan!" Randy called.
Two more blasts rang out, and half of Inanna's throat exploded. I gave silent thanks to Neesie and her marksmanship. Turning to Randy, I caught a blade—one I'd seen Juan wear often. The metal was a marine blue, the engraving of waves following the length. A family heirloom, if I remembered correctly. It was one of the weapons that the rust-red metal couldn't cleave. After my last confrontation with Daniel, Juan had wielded it, freeing me from the netting when the Servants had set a trap at Nathan's estate and Colonel Koma attempted to kidnap my children. Oh, Nathan. Why didn't you talk to me?
