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Taking a deep breath, I push back the fear that threatens to consume me. I must gather my strength and find a way to protect my family. The Gods’ presence in my home may be unwelcome, but they hold knowledge and resources that could aid us in this perilous journey.
“Fine,” I say, determined. “We need to act swiftly then. I’ll accept your help, but only in this endeavour to secure the safety of my children. Once that is done, our paths will diverge.”
The blond God nods, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. “Fair enough,” he says. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you and your children out of Abbot’s clutches.”
Louise’s grip on my hand tightens, her unwavering support evident. “I’ll stand by your side through it all,” she assures me, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty.
“I won’t let you down, Odi,” Hector vows.
“You have the full support and power of the Hallowed Saints behind you, Odi,” Saint adds.
With newfound determination burning inside me, I turn to face the Gods who have become an unexpected part of my journey. “Tell me everything,” I demand. “Every detail about Mr Abbot and how we can outmanoeuvre him.”
And so, with shared glances and a renewed sense of purpose, we begin to strategise. There was already a plan in place – thanks to my husband’s obsessive need to over plan everything – and we delve into the depths of the secrets and intricacies that lie within it. The Gods, despite my initial hesitation, prove themselves to be valuable allies. Their knowledge of Mr Abbot’s tendencies, the security surrounding his home, and their own abilities to navigate this treacherous world become evident as they share their insights.
Days turn into nights as we tirelessly prepare for the battle that lies ahead. My grief, while still present, is slowly being replaced by a burning determination to protect my children. Louise becomes my steadfast confidante and pillar of strength, offering unwavering support as we face the unknown together.
As our preparations near completion, a sense of urgency tugs at my heart. It’s time to leave the safety of our home and venture back into the dangerous realm of Deathfalls. Nerves and nausea are my constant companions, but I push past them, focusing on the task at hand. The Gods stand beside me, their presence lending me a sense of courage I hadn’t known before. With every step we take closer to Deathfalls, my resolve strengthens.
But first, I have a detour to make.
I have a date with The General.
He’s home alone– and furious about it. Of course my husband had Rose and Zie’s mum taken to safety before the ceremony, and by the sounds of it from intel gathered from The Gods, The General is going crazy trying to locate them.
It’s why he’s not at Downing Street, though officially of course, parliament is on recess for Christmas. I’d like to think that the British public would be outraged to know that they voted such a vile monster into a position of power, but the truth is, they’d probably be more angry to learn how little work the prime minister actually does, how rarely he’s actually at Number 10, and how the votes were always rigged, rather than discovering he’s a rapist.
It’s good he’s home alone though. I’d never make a move if Rose were in the house. I’d never risk her safety like that, and wouldn’t put it past The General to use her as a bargaining chip again. Or as a human shield.
Plus there’s a lot less security at this house than in London. With the added bonus of my next target being just up the road.
Unfortunately for me, The General has been drinking tonight. I really wanted to exact my revenge on him while he was sober, but time is of the essence and if I want to strike Axel’s father tonight, I have to take care of things with The General first.
By sunrise, this will all be over. By morning, everything will be different.
I chant those words like a prayer.
It’s easy enough to sneak into the house. I used Zie’s bedroom like the good old days. The window wasn’t even locked. I wasn’t expecting to seize up upon entering the room once morethough. I thought Iknewthat the space was tarnished for me; the happy memories were shredded into ribbons of pain and suffering and left in tatters on the carpet.
But knowing something and being confronted by it are two very different things and it takes every ounce of strength I have not to vomit my trauma all over Zie’s bedspread.
It’s the same one.
No. Those nightmares. These thoughts. They’re not welcome right now.
I have a job to do. And unlike in my original plan, which was all about revenge for what he did to me, now I’m working with the guys in mind too. This is forus.
Somehow it makes my rage burn brighter, stronger and more deadly than ever.
I cannot wait tohurtthis monster and make him pay.
I sneak out of Zie’s room, able to breathe a little easier when the door softly closes behind me, and creep along the corridor to the master bedroom. It’s a room I’ve never been in before, but I know its location from years of playing in this house. Games of hide and seek fraught with tension, too scared to venture inside that room or The General’s study downstairs. But everywhere else was fair game.
A cough from downstairs startles me. I need to keep my head in the game. Now is not the time to get lost down memory lane. My palm is sweaty as I reach for the door handle to the master suite, and I pause to wipe it on my thigh before trying again. The door isn’t locked – it’s a bedroom, why would it be? – and it slowly swings open on silent hinges.
It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness in here, but once I’m acclimated, I step inside and close the door behind me. The room is too warm for the person who lives here. It’s jarring. The bed is neatly made and if I didn’t know better, I would say that it was down to Mrs Montgomery. Mustbe a housekeeper then. I can’t see The General doing anything so menial as making a bed for himself. Not when he thinks household chores are women’s work. In his eyes we’re only good for three things: sex, slavery and submission in all things.
My stomach churns as I approach the bed. It’s an ornately carved four poster which works for what I have in mind. I shrug my bag off my back. Dropping to the floor, I slide under the bed, pulling the backpack with me and quietly unzipping it. From inside I pull out a larger knife than the one I usually use.Thatis in my pocket for now.
