Soul Market - Shadow Justice - Book 2
Page 15
Ishtar whirled around and around. “Who? What? Where?”
“Come out, Jake,” Ciaran said.
The image of Jake appeared, hovering in the air. “This is my head of intelligence. He just helped organize the conference call. Don’t shoot the messenger, Ishtar.”
Ishtar roared in anger and charged away.
But before she could go anywhere, a gateway opened. Dex and two other marshals jumped out. Dex grabbed Ishtar and snapped a talisman on her shoulder, immobilizing her immediately.
“Ishtar, we are taking you to the underworld for your adultery, murder, and plotting against the underworld authority. To answer the question you asked me when you allegedly beat me up in my own home, the fugitive I was hunting was the crook who ran errands for you when you committed these crimes. We just got him.”
As Dex dragged Ishtar away, they heard her voice echoing back. “I was born when you were merely dust. Do you think I’ll go down like this? If you love someone, treasure it. Live like there’s no tomorrow. Because I’ll be back, and I will take it all away from you. What I can’t have, nobody will!”
Once they gateway to the underworld closed, a shiny plaque appeared on the ground. Mya picked it up. It stated that she was being summoned to the court of the underworld as a witness for Ishtar’s trial.
“Do you have to go?” Zach asked.
“Yes, or it will be as bad as committing the crime itself,” Leon said.
“I’ll be okay, Zach,” Mya said.
“We’ll go back to Eudaiz first. I’ll get you ready, and we’ll go,” Ciaran said.
“We?” Mya asked.
“It depends on the trial. If it has significant dealings with Xiilok, I’ll have to go with you,” Ciaran said.
“Why?” Leon asked.
Zach said, “Xiilok was the last stop of Hoyt Flanagan, our number one enemy and fugitive. Ciaran kicked his ass during the coronation, so he’ll spend every waking moment plotting against us. We want to destroy any possible leads that might give Hoyt a chance.”
Ciaran continued, “Plus, I used Xiilok rebels for the stunt with the giant suction I just pulled. I think they had something to do with the prince’s death as well. I think the men who ambushed me in Babylon are paid by another camp of rebels. So I have some things to sort out.”
Leon rolled his eyes. “Why does this have to be so complicated? Can I not be a minor god?”
Mya shook her head and smiled.
Chapter 39
The holocast reappeared, and the image of Jake hovered in the air. “Well done, Jake. Thank you,” Ciaran said.
Mya looked at Zach and Ciaran discussing their next steps and could see more than an official relationship between them—she saw brotherhood. Whatever her future might be with Zach in Eudaiz, she was sure she would have a happy life with a man who treasured her. She would be surrounded by good people like Ciaran and his friends and his family. For more than a thousand years, there had been many times when she’d lost faith in gods and humanity. But now, in the multiverse, she believed in good karma all over again.
Leon stood by himself, admiring the gun Zach had lent him. She touched his shoulder. “Are you ready to go to Eudaiz?”
He looked at her. She had never had a chance to look at his deep blue eyes so close. She had always thought he was too beautiful for his temple guard position. But now it turned out he was minor god, and that explained many things.
“I have business to finish, Mya.”
“Sure, but we’ll come back for that.”
“We?”
“Yes, we. I have to go to court. You have to find out about your origin. It seems like our destinies are tangled up with Xiilok and the underworld. I have a feeling this relationship is going to be a long haul.”
He nodded. “Are you going to tell me about Kirra?”
“She’s part of the long haul matter. So I can’t…you’ll have to find out for yourself.”
He smiled. She knew Leon liked challenges.
Ciaran and Zach approached. “We’re all set. Are you ready?” Zach asked.
“It normally doesn’t take long at all to teleport back and forth between Eudaiz and Earth. But since you’re both first-timers, we have some organization to do,” Ciaran said.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Mya asked.
Ciaran said, “Yes. Before I came, I was having a disagreement with my wife…”
Zach laughed. “The king and his first councillor having a spat!”
“It’s not funny, Zach.”
“I’ve known Madeline for ten years. She wouldn’t disagree with you for no reason. If you need a vote, you won’t get mine.” Zach grinned.
“I’m not asking for your vote. I’m asking Mya and Leon to support me.”
“I’m good with a fight if you need me,” Leon said.
“What is this, Ciaran?” Mya asked.
“Well, it has been a very tough coronation process to get the government in Eudaiz in order. I think we have momentum. Given that our top enemy has run off to Xiilok, I’d like to pursue him instantly before he can gain any ground.”
“You want to attack Xiilok right away?” Zach asked.
“That sounds reasonable,” Leon said.
“Madeline didn’t think you were ready for another fight, I’d guess,” Mya said.
“No, it’s not me. She’s the one who’s not ready,” Ciaran said.
“Of course she’s not ready for you to engage in another battle. How many times did you almost die during the coronation fight? And you almost died twice during this trip. I feel for Madeline, Ciaran,” Zach said.
“She took the children.” It was Jake’s voice.
“What?” Ciaran looked around to find Jake.
“Your microphone is on, Zach,” Jake said.
Zach chuckled and was about to turn the microphone off when Jake continued. “Madeline just called. She has brought the children home and would like to talk to you, Ciaran.”
“Sure,” Ciaran said instantly then cleared his throat. “Of course. Could you please connect the call, Jake?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ciaran’s face looked as if it was on fire.
“She took the kids! It must have been a hell of a spat, Ciaran. She must really object to you attacking Xiilok now,” Zach said.
“But it’s not just Xiilok now,” Ciaran said. “It’s the Babylonian court, the underworld, the gods and goddesses—all of their affairs are entangled. Hoyt is the nastiest sorcerer you could ever come across. And he knows technology well. If he ever gets into bed with one of those forces we just dealt with, we’ll be in deep trouble. We have to preempt that.”
“I agree,” Leon said.
Mya said, “All right, how about this? We get to Eudaiz and let things settle a bit. We attend the underworld court to see how Ishtar’s affairs turn out and how many connections she had with Xiilok and other worlds. Then we can figure out how much it has to do with Eudaiz’s current situation, and after that, we can decide on the attack.”
Ciaran said, “So can I have your word that if it’s proven that the Xiilok matter has to be dealt with urgently, you will support me on this decision?”
“Sure,” Zach said.
“I’m in,” Mya said.
Leon shrugged. “Sure. But I wouldn’t mind some battle scars…”
Ciaran looked down at his shirtless body. “Oh hell! Jake, can you pause the call?”
“No, sir, it has already been engaged.”
“What’s the matter?” Zach asked.
Ciaran pointed to the still swollen red scar on his left shoulder, the scar the tree branch had made. Because the injury was serious and close to his eudqi point, it would take a long time to heal. “One look at this and she’ll know how close I was—”
“To being killed?” Zach said. “And you don’t think she’d see it tonight when you get back?”
“I need time. I can explain it to her. But now is not the right time. I need to cove
r up…” Ciaran looked around. “Give me your shirt, Zach.”
“My loyalty to you doesn’t stretch that far, Ciaran.”
“Okay, I’ll fix this,” Mya said and switched on her deity mode. She ran like wind into town and grabbed two shirts at a shop. But when she reached into her pocket for money, she couldn’t find the tiny wallet she always carried with her. Damn. She turned around and ran away with the shirts. “I’m so sorry,” she yelled as she ran away. “I’ll come back and pay you. But not now!”
She charged to the top of the hill and tossed the shirts to Ciaran and Leon. Ciaran slid into the shirt just as the holocast flashed open.
The image of Madeline appeared. Mya had seen her from a distance when she was on a job in London but never up close. Madeline was compelling. That was the only way to describe her.
And in front of her astonished eyes stood Ciaran, king of a universe, the most powerful and knowledgeable creature in the cosmos, shoving his hands nervously into his pant pockets and looking up at his wife’s image with unwavering love in his eyes. Just a second ago, he had been strategizing and plotting for votes to go on a battle. But now, he was only a man in love.
She didn’t know a tear had rolled down her face until Zach pulled her into his arms and wiped it off. Then he kissed her.
Then they heard Madeline laugh. Mya turned around and looked. Madeline couldn’t help but laugh at Ciaran, who was now looking down at his shirt. He turned around. The shirt she had stolen for him was a black T-shirt she thought would complement his fair skin, striking eyes, and thick, long black hair. But on the front of the shirt was a large image of a koala hugging a pink heart and text reading “I Love Wagga Wagga.”
Zach pulled Mya into his arms and held her. “She’s under my protection, pal,” he said to Ciaran.
* * *
This is the end of Soul Market - Shadow Justice Trilogy - Book 2.
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SHADOW JUSTICE TRILOGY
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SERIES READING ORDER
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A SHADE OF MIND
The Journey from Earth to Eudaiz
Main Characters: Ciaran, Madeline, Tadgh, and Jo
(Recommended reading in order)
1-4 Random Psychic
2-4 Forever Mortal
3-4 Elusive Beings
4-4 Imperfect Divine
—
MINDSCAPE TRILOGY
Main characters:
Ciaran, Madeline, Tadgh, Jo, Kyle, Hoyt, Ayana, Pete, Sizx, Lorcan, Orla
(Recommended reading in order)
Queen & Knight
Castle and Bishops
King’s Endgame
—
SPECTRUM OF MAGIC
Main characters: Lorcan, Orla, Roy and Mori
(Recommended reading in order)
Spell Breaker
Fate Shifter
Cursed Stone
Magic unborn
—
DARK SOLAR TRILOGY
Main characters:
Main characters: Dinah, Arik, Ciaran and Madeline
Oleander
Wolfsbane
Maikoa
SHADOW HUNTER TRILOGY
Fire at Crossroad (prequel)
Shadow Seeker
Shadow Keeper
Shadow Destroyer
BLOODSTONE TRILOGY
Ash of Scorpio (prequel)
Light of Demon
Shadow of Angel
Shade of Darkness
SILVER BLOOD
Main characters:
Ciaran, Madeline, Tadgh, Jo, Caedmon, Sedna, Roy, Mori, Zach, Mya, Lorcan and Orla
This series can be read in ANY order within the series and in related to other series.
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Pisces
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Soul Market - Shadow Justice - Book 2
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