Clara sensed the angel of death would prioritise the duty she had been assigned to for millennia… I don’t intend to alter that directive…
“So, we wait?” Clara confirmed.
“Or go alone?” Ethereal asked.
Sparky jumped up and down in her chair while clapping her hands together.
“We get to go on an adventure?” Sparky yelled.
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“What about Eleanor?” Sparky answered.
Eleanor was the woman in white, the angel of death who guided souls to their final destinations. As goddess, Ethereal once commanded the angel, but Clara now had supremacy over that power.
“You’d need to ask her,” Silver said before Ethereal could open her mouth.
Ethereal glared at her sister, huffed and remained quiet. Since she was staring straight at Bastet, the cat goddess broke eye contact, focusing on those razor sharp claws.
“Eleanor runs independently from us,” Silver continued. “We do not know if she visited The Tower after the gates were closed.”
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“I also don’t have a lot of allies,” Clara added.
“None you can take with you…” Silver commented.
That was true, as vampires were actively screened out by The Tower’s defences. Clara would likely do fine as there was nothing quite like her on record. I’d be liable to lose it if Evelyn ended up wounded, and Evelyn would kill me if Marc didn’t make it back…
She did have Julia, and as long as they avoided a full moon, she passed off as human. It was a shame that Julia needed to heal, but Clara was not about to rush that process along to suit her needs.
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“Anyone here have a better idea?” Clara said.
It was Hecate who explained that worship was a potent source of power to an old god, but it was Evelyn who made it possible. Live streaming my life and death battle at The Grand made me an international superstar.
Every goddess averted Clara’s gaze save for Artemis. She’s not going to cooperate…
“Look,” Clara began. “I get the frustration, I’m feeling it myself, but I’m working blind out there.”
Clara pointed a finger towards the windows that represented what her eyes saw. It served to remind them that only one of them could exist permanently within the physical realm… unless I end up dead…
Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.
“I never made a vow to save every life I come across,” Clara said. “Besides, this would help me find closure.”
“Perhaps if you moved forward instead of circling back to places from your past?” Ethereal asked.
That was a low blow and she was thankful that Ethereal did not speak often… Her sisters once sewed her lips shut to get a moment of peace…
“Anyone here have a better idea?” Clara said.
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“Sister!” Silver said.
Meanwhile Clara imagined Sparky with a big tub of popcorn in hand. The goddess of magic was practically salivating at the idea of Clara addressing Ethereal’s poor behaviour.
“It’s okay,” Clara said. “Ethereal is right. I will say this now. Either I find allies willing to join my cause to tear down the establishment, or The Tower becomes a tomb…” A collective smile grew across the face of every goddess in the room.
“I thought you didn’t kill humans?” Silver asked.
“I never made a vow to save every life I come across,” Clara said.
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Those were all valid points, and Clara had grown accustomed to the killjoy that was Ethereal. However, the goddess of ghosts and necromancy often said what others avoided.
“There’s a potential for allies?” Clara said.
“Zealots who would just as likely kill you… and Evelyn… as they would any other unnatural being,” Ethereal said.
Clara took in a sharp breath, her eyes flashing blue a second. It hinted at her irritation, even if someone had a point.
“Sister!” Silver said.
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“Any thoughts on the lead on a way back to The Tower?” Clara asked.
“Why?” Ethereal responded.
“Why what?”
“Why do you care about that place?” Ethereal said.
After a pause Silver decided to interject to smooth out those words.
“I believe what my sister means is why would you wish to find your way back there?” Silver said before raising a hand. “They took away your childhood, lied to you, turned you into a weapon, and even embedded failsafes into your mind.”
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“Artemis,” Clara said. “If you ever want to talk one-on-one, let me know.”
That was a bit of a misnomer since it was nigh impossible to keep secrets from oneself. But the other goddesses were not always tracking what Clara was up to… especially when I’m with Evelyn…
While there was a flash of comprehension. Artemis, like a prisoner of war, would not allow herself to aid the enemy… I’m not sure that I am the enemy…
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“Be it as it may, Artemis deserves respect.”
Without any movement the gag disappeared. Artemis opened and closed her jaw several times before coughing. After taking a deep breath those lips went white and the fire burning in those eyes grew into an inferno.
Clara maintained a smile and looked at everyone at the table. She didn’t expect to win over everyone’s hearts early on. Hecate was also aware they were there to keep the new arrivals in line.
“Artemis,” Clara said. “If you ever want to talk one-on-one, let me know.”
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
