“It’s almost gone now,” I said with a shrug. Only a little remained on my fingertips, and while the hair was still rockin’ heavy goth streaks, it was not as dark.
I undid my top knot and let it flow about my shoulders, getting a worried look from the god of death.
Stepping forward, Thanatos tried to put a hand on Cronus’ shoulder, but the huge Titan shrugged him off. “If I allow you back there, it could threaten Selene’s ability to exist beyond the veil. Her essence could disappear forever.”
Cronus slammed a fist down on the desk, cracking it. “I don’t care! I helped you save the love of your life. Now you help me save mine!”
My body froze while my heart was hammering so hard. Every single gaze in the room landed on me. Did he just say … love of his life?
#SinceFuckingWhen #RememberThatTimeYouAbandonedMe #CauseIFuckingDo
I was about to give Cronus a piece of my mind and possibly smack him upside his beautiful fucking head when Thanatos approached me. He looked me up and down.
“You know, her energy looks half dead anyway. I could probably send her in.”
#ExcuseMe #HalfDeadEnergy #BlackHairAlwaysDoesThis
“No,” Cronus snapped at the same time that Hyperion and I both said, “Okay.”
The veil started to shimmer, turning clear, and my heart picked up speed.
“Maisey…” Cronus warned. He didn’t get to leave me alone crying on the floor of a dressing room in Vegas and then call me the love of his life and make all the rules.
#Nope #FuckOff #AllTheSingleLadies
I pushed the epic rant I wanted to throw at the Titan to the back of my mind and walked toward the shimmering sheet. “Only stay a few minutes,” Thanatos warned. “No longer. If you start feeling sleepy, run out.”
“I forbid this. Send me instead.” Cronus moved forward but Hyperion and Okeanos intercepted him, whispering something I couldn’t hear. They struggled to hold the Titan back, but even between the two of them he was dragging them across the room.
He wasn’t going to make it in time though—I was already at the veil. Everything around me became muffled and unimportant. Cronus was shouting behind me but I could barely hear it; a beautiful melody had started and was luring me closer. I walked forward, unafraid, as the veil thinned to allow me entrance, and when I appeared on the other side, I gasped at the beautiful sight before me. It was an oasis, more stunning than any sight I’d ever experienced on Earth. The flowers glowed with an intensity that could not be replicated in the human world. The faint sound of a waterfall trickled in the distance; scents and colors were richer than usual. Most of all, a complete and total feeling of peace washed over me. The Sins had gone radio silent inside of me, the weight and drama that I carried since I’d opened that damn box just melting away.
Looking up, I saw two figures walking my way. They were blurs at first, not because they were too far away but because their forms hadn’t fully materialized. When their bodies finally came into focus and I saw the two women holding hands, tears sprang from my eyes.
“Mom?” I ran to the most beautiful brunette I’d ever seen. I’d lost her at age seven. I’d never in a million years expected to see her here. She was holding the hand of another white-blond haired woman. Selene.
My mom let go of Selene’s hand and ran to meet me. I crashed into her, grateful that whatever magic was in this place allowed her body to feel solid so I could hug her. Her perfume, the way her hair tickled my nose, it brought everything back to me and I forced a sob down.
“Mom, I missed you so much!” I held her tighter, never wanting to let go.
She pulled back and smoothed my hair. “I missed you too, Bug.”
I smiled at the nickname, instantly brought back to my childhood. I wasn’t surprised my father wasn’t here with her. We weren’t very close; he changed after her death. It was perfect that it was just Mom.
She played with the black strands of my hair and frowned. “Looks like you’re in a bit of a mess.”
I nodded and my mom’s body flickered from solid to semi-transparent. “Mom?”
She smoothed my hair again and pulled me in for a hug. “I can’t stay, Bug. But I love you.”
“I love you too,” I croaked out as her body became translucent and my arms fell away. “I’m always watching over you!” she shouted as her form started to float backward toward the waterfall I’d heard earlier.
“Bye, Mom!” I cried, tears freely flowing down my cheeks. It had been such a gift to see her, even if only for a moment. But my heart ached for more time.
I noticed Selene now, patiently watching me. “Did you bring her here?” I asked, aware that Selene had no problem keeping her form solid.
She was a god after all, albeit a dead one.
Selene nodded, walking closer to me. “Yes. My gift to you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
For the first time since stepping inside, voices could be heard behind me, back beyond the veil. Was that Cronus bellowing my name?
“Could I get one of those hugs?” Selene asked, opening her arms, distracting me from the pissed-off Titan who was probably going to crash the veil between the living and dead.
Selene remained as she was, arms out, no urgency in her stance. I hesitated for a beat, before deciding what the hell. These were modern times. Why couldn’t I have two moms? Clearly they both cared about me and were working together. Falling against Selene, I let her hug me tightly, returning it like I had with my mom.
When I pulled back, she lifted my fingers and inspected the black tips. “When the Titans fell and Cronus was imprisoned, I knew that Earth needed
