Divine Uprising (Divine Uprising #1)

“I just know,” I ground out.

“Just like I know you will betray Him.”

“I would never betray Him!” I shouted as I lunged for him.

In a minute Adonis was by my side. I clung to him, needing his energy to keep me sane.

“Oh, but I believe you will, my dear.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“I have something you want.”

“You have nothing I want.”

Azazeel chuckled and removed his cloak. “Thanatus, will you come here, boy?”

Icarus moved toward the circle. If I was a betting woman I would have said Seth was the evil one. Instead Seth looked just as shocked as I. As Icarus moved into the circle, he quickly morphed into a being that matched my father.

“Sold your soul to the devil, did you?” I whispered hoarsely.

Icarus, or apparently Thanatus, grinned and took a step toward me. “Tell me, Thena, have you missed me in your dreams?”

Adonis growled and pulled me back. In an instant Adonis was on his knees, screaming in pain. Thanatus snickered and pulled me flush against him. “Do you dream of me like I dream of you? Tell me, was my song so sweet? My touch, pleasurable?”

His hand ran down the side of my arm. I tried to jerk back, but I couldn’t move against him. His piercing blue and white gaze bore into me. His thick, corded muscles vibrated beneath his black armor.

Thanatus leaned in and sniffed my neck then licked below my ear. “You taste just as I remember. Choose me, Thena. As I choose you. You may be my queen.”

I shook my head. “I want nothing to do with you.”

With a laugh he threw me to the ground. “Very soon, you will change your mind.” He joined my father’s side and yawned. “Shall we, Azazeel?”

A shriek was heard and then a loud rumbling. I was used to odd noises, especially considering my current company. I stayed still, and then two large beasts, that looked exactly like possessed buffalo, pulled a man in chains into the circle.

“Atlas!” I gasped, running to him. A transparent piece of glass shot up from the ground, nearly hitting me in the face and trapping Atlas in the process.

His smile was sad. I felt my eyes well with tears.

“Life, my dear daughter, is all about choices.” Azazeel walked around me slowly. “Imagine if you will, what would have taken place if the Watchers would have chosen to follow El. Yes, they would be in heaven joined with their brothers, but they also would never have known infinite power. Power that only I can give them.”

“You are nothing but a vessel of Lucifer,” I spat.

Azazeel gripped my neck, his face inches from mine as his teeth snapped together. “Watch whom you speak of. He is my god.”

“He is nothing but a fake. A pretender. He is powerless.” As I said the words, I felt lighter, as if saying the words out loud gave me more faith in my mission, removing the hatred I felt and the fear that seemed to swallow me whole.

“You know nothing.” Azazeel dropped me to the ground. I reached up and rubbed my neck. It was tender from his grip.

“I’ll forgive you your ignorance, if you do me this one favor.”

“I’ll never bow to you or your dark god.”

Azazeel laughed. “Oh, my dear, I believe we all know that. You would rather give your precious life for a human than do such a thing.”

Well, that was almost true. I still struggled with the whole sacrificing myself for a weak human, but I was working on it.

“Did you know, my daughter, that everyone has a soft spot for you? Did you never wonder why you had such influence, such wisdom?”

“Clearly I got that from my mom’s side.”

Azazeel laughed. “And that lovely sense of humor. Yes, all of them gifts, supernatural gifts from the angelic race. People are drawn to you. They genuinely like you. It is easy for you to influence others, and even now I can see Cronus itching to rip my head off for even touching you.”

“You imagine correctly,” his irritated voice said behind me.

At least I had one Titan on my side.

“So, this favor, it has to do with something I need from you.”

“I will never do you any sort of favor.”

“I know.”

I exhaled loudly and waited.

“Would you, I wonder, do it to save someone else?”

My eyes flickered to Atlas. He shook his head; his eyes a silent plea to never give in.