you speak again, he added, I will loose my companions on you. Phobos and
Deimos clambered over the god s shoulders to peer at Dee. They were both
drooling. It is a terrible death. He looked back at Josh. This is your
choice and yours alone. I can Awaken your powers. I can make you powerful.
Dangerously powerful. Red eyes blazed brightly, the centers burning yellow
hot. Is this what you want?
Yes, Josh said without hesitation.
There is a price, for everything has a price.
I ll pay it, Josh said immediately, though he had no idea what that payment
might be.
Mars nodded his great head, stone cracking and grinding. A good response,
the correct response. Asking me about the price would have been a mistake.
Phobos and Deimos cackled in what Josh assumed was a laugh, and he
immediately knew that others had paid the price for trying to negotiate with
the Sleeping God.
There will come a time when I will remind you that you are in debt to me.
The god looked over Josh s head. Who will mentor the boy?
I will, Dee and Machiavelli said simultaneously.
Josh turned to look at the two immortals, surprised by their response. Of the
two, he thought he would prefer to be mentored by Machiavelli.
Magician, he is yours, Mars said after a moment s consideration. I can
read your intent and your motives clearly. You intend to use the boy to bring
back the Elders; I have no doubt of that. But you , he added, his head
swiveling to look at Machiavelli. I cannot read your aura; I do not know
what you want. Perhaps because you have not yet decided.
Rocks snapped and creaked as the god stood. He was at least seven feet tall,
his helmeted head almost brushing the ceiling. Kneel, he said to Josh, who
folded to his knees. Mars tugged his huge sword free from the floor and spun
it until it was directly in front of the boy s face. Josh went crosseyed
looking at the blade. It was so close that he could see where the edge was
chipped and pitted and was able to make out the faintest trace of a spiraling
pattern down the center of the sword.
What are your clan name and your parents names?
Josh s mouth was so dry he could barely speak. The clan name? Oh, the family
name is Newman. My father is Richard and my mother is Sara. He had a sudden
memory of Hekate asking Sophie the same questions. It had been only a couple
of days ago, and yet it felt like a lifetime.
The timbre of the god s voice changed, becoming stronger, loud enough for
Josh to feel the vibrations in his bones. Josh, son of Richard and Sara of
the Clan Newman, of the race humani, I will grant you an Awakening. You have
acknowledged that this is no gift and there will be a price to pay. If you do
not pay it, I will destroy you and everything you hold dear.
I ll pay, Josh said thickly, blood thundering in his head, adrenaline
coursing through his body.
I know you will. The huge sword moved, first touching Josh s right
shoulder, then his left before moving back to his right. The faintest outline
of his aura winked into existence around his body. Wisps of gold smoke
started to curl off his blond hair, and the scent of citrus grew stronger.
Hence-forth you will see with acuity .
Josh s bright blue eyes turned into solid gold discs. Immediately, tears
gathered and ran down his face. They were the color and texture of liquid
gold.
You will hear with clarity .
Smoke coiled from the boy s ears.
You will taste with purity .
Josh opened his mouth and coughed. A puff of saffron-colored mist appeared,
and tiny amber sparks danced between his tongue and teeth.
You will touch with sensitivity .
The boy brought his hands up to his face. They were glowing so brightly that
they were almost transparent. Sparks leapt and curled between each finger,
and his badly chewed fingernails were polished mirrors.
You will smell with intensity .
Josh s head was almost completely enveloped in golden smoke now. It trickled
from his nostrils, making it look as if he were breathing fire. His aura had
thickened, solidified around his shoulders and across his chest, becoming
shiny and reflective.
The god s sword moved again, tapping lightly against the boy s shoulders.
Truly, yours is one of the most powerful auras I have ever encountered,
Mars said quietly. There is something else I can give you a gift and this I
give freely. You may find it of use in the days to come. Stretching out his
left hand, he rested it on top of the boy s head. Instantly, Josh s aura
burst into incandescent light. Streamers and globes of yellow fire curled
from his body and bounced around the room. Phobos and Deimos were caught by
the blast of light and heat, and it sent them squealing and scrambling behind
the stone plinth, but not before their pale skin had reddened and the tips of
their snow white hair had darkened and crisped. The searing light drove Dee
to his knees, gloved hands pressed against his eyes. He rolled over, burying
his face in his hands as spheres of fire bounced off the floor and ceiling,
spattering against the walls, leaving scorch marks on the polished bone.
Only Machiavelli had escaped the full force of the explosion of light. He d
turned away and ducked out of the room in the last instant before Mars had
touched the boy. Curling up in a ball, he hid in the deep shadows outside the
door while streamers of yellow light ricocheted off the walls and hissing
balls of solid energy blazed out into the corridor. He blinked hard, trying
to clear the streaked afterimages seared onto his retinas. Machiavelli had
seen Awakenings before, but never anything this dramatic. What was Mars doing
to the boy, what gift was he giving him?
Then, through his blurring vision, he saw a vague silvery shape materialize
at the other end of the corridor.
And the scent of vanilla filled the catacombs.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Dire-Crows, the Morrigan sang softly to herself. It was a song first heard by
the most primitive of ancient men, now imprinted deep into humankind s DNA.
