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I took a deep breath and touched on my godspark, envisioning all that white-gold power infusing my entire being. Then I ran a hand over my generous curves, ensuring the sheer lavender fabric of my wrap clung to my body like the fucking goddess I was.
Lifting my chin, I made my way over to the garden bench in the courtyard where Apophis liked to take me to issue his pleas and threats. I let my hips roll suggestively, embracing the powerful feminine energy inside me—the energy that shaped creation.
Apophis lifted his eyes from the book he’d been flipping through. A sly smile spread across his face when he saw me, and he tossed the book aside carelessly, confirming that he really was an asshole. Seriously, who treated books that way?
“I was hoping I’d find you out here,” I said, trying to make myself sound nervous while still hanging onto my inner confidence and conviction. Hoping wasn’t exactly the right word, since I’d basically used my powers to ensure he’d be out here when I wanted to talk to him alone.
He arched a brow at me and gave me a skeptical look. “Oh? Do tell, my little demicunt. Is there some reason you suddenly decided to seek me out? Maybe a pretty little blue reason with a deliciously enormous cock?”
I looked away, not having to fake the repressed anger I let show as I clenched my fists at my side. “Please, just...don’t. You win, okay?”
I carefully kept my face full of sorrow, even as I chanted internally. You won’t win. You will never win. We’ll defeat you. You’re already as good as dead.
Apophis patted the seat beside me. “Well? Clearly you’ve come to your senses and realized how futile it is to keep being stubborn.”
I took the offered seat, my back stiff and my hands bunched in the soft fabric of my dress. “I can’t just bring White here instantly. No one believes me, but I just haven’t figured out how to control my power reliably yet.” I swallowed hard, giving myself time to assert my will in my mind. I have complete control over my powers, and you’re going down, asshole.
He considered me for a moment. “Well,” he said with a manic grin. “Our efforts to undermine your confidence to keep you from escaping surely haven’t helped matters.”
I looked up at him, trying for wide-eyed surprise. “That’s what you’ve been doing?” Duh. Did he really think I was that stupid? Hermes left nut, this guy was batshit.
“Of course, I told Heimdall that he may be limiting his own success by stunting your belief that way.” He lifted his nose in the air, as if he just knew he was smarter than everyone else.
I flinched when he patted my knee, leaning in to give me a knowing look. “Bring me Dumuzi, and I promise I’ll take good care of you. I’ll get you away from these stupid gods, and we can rule the world!”
I looked down at his hand so he wouldn’t see the hatred and disbelief burning in my eyes. He wanted...to fuck the gods over by stealing away their little tool at the end of all this. He really was a chaotic moron. As if he could somehow hide from the wrath of the gods. Although...I suppose he thought since he’d have me, he could create whatever reality he wanted.
“Do you hate the gods so much?” I asked curiously. “I thought they were your allies.”
He scoffed. “Please. I saw how they used Dumuzi and cast him aside. But I’m not as gullible as he was. I can play their games.”
I pulled on my power and my faith in my ability to change fate as I looked into his eyes, my face earnest and full of belief. “But...you know Heimdall would never betray you. You know he needs you too much. My father told me how clever you are. Surely you know you can trust him.”
He raised a brow at me as he seemed to consider this. “He promised me Dumuzi, and he hasn’t delivered.”
I shook my head sadly. “Heimdall’s not as powerful as he wants everyone to believe. But with you at his side, you know he’s unstoppable. So, of course he hasn’t delivered. He’s probably afraid you’ll leave once you get what you want.”
I kept my face neutral and reasonable as I watched my ego stroking and careful wording sink in, all with a little push from my magic.
Apophis sighed and shook his head. “I am not going to take anything you say at face value, demislut.”
I nodded, shoulders slumping a bit. “Of course not.” Then I pulled on my magic again, like sending a golden-fingered caress along with my words. “But you’ll think about what I said. You know I’m telling the truth. I have my memories back now. I know how Heimdall operates.” And, just for good measure, I added with conviction, “He’s just so simple. It’s easy to fool him.”
Apophis snorted. “Why do you think I’m here, my chubby cherub?”
I let out a nervous laugh, as if I couldn’t believe I was agreeing with him.
“I’ll do my best to bring you Dumuzi,” I promised, not even lying. “But you’ll leave Orion alone.”
That last bit was infused with so much belief that I was afraid I’d overdone it and he’d sense what I was up to. But Apophis just sucked in a breath, shook himself, and shrugged. “I suppose. If I must.” He sent a letchy leer my way. “But he is so skilled, when he puts his mind to it, isn’t he? Even centuries later, I miss my broken little tool.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’ll keep your hands off him. You won’t speak to him or even look at him, or I’m not helping you.”
He held up his hands. “Fine. If I must choose between the chance to part Dumuzi’s head from his shoulders and the chance to torture his little fuckubus, I suppose I’ll choose the beheading.”
I drew in a slow breath and reminded myself that he needed to think I was being cooperative. “Thank you,” I said, standing. Oh, there’ll be a beheading alright. But it won’t be Derek’s head that rolls.
I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away, calculating, considering, crazy as fuck. But I thought—no I believed—my powers were already working. I just needed him to trust Heimdall and leave his hands off Orion. This will work.