I was going to handle it, I huffed in my head. Then out loud I asked, “Sin, can I speak to you privately before we have this meeting?”
Viper stiffened beside me, and I reached over to squeeze his hand in reassurance.
It's starting already, Star said in a mocking tone. Are you sure you can stick to the one-man rule?
I don't have to follow rules. It was simply what I wanted.
But not anymore? And what about love? Still not having any of that?
I don't know! For fuck's sake; it's been two days since I left my husbands and boyfriend!
Okay; go easy, Godhumper.
What did you just call me?
“Vervain?” Viper frowned at me.
“Sorry; internal argument,” I murmured.
“You wanna keep fighting with yourself or would you rather have that talk?” Sin sneered.
“Come with me and check the attitude, General.” I led Sin out the door, calling back over my shoulder, “We'll be back in a few minutes.”
I took Sin into the dining room/sitting room next door and shut the door behind us.
“I didn't have sex with Viper,” I blurted.
Sin gaped at me. “You honestly expect me to believe that?”
“I didn't,” I said it again. “I gave each of the Star Gods a phantom woman to be with, but Viper refused his and chose to stay with me instead.”
“You made them women?” Sin's brows rose.
“I didn't make them to be my lovers.” I shrugged. “But I did make them to be powerful men, and men like them have needs. I gave them what they needed. I looked after them and helped them through their first experience.”
“That sounds like an excuse to watch them have sex.”
“You have no idea what it's like to be pulled from the Void into a fully formed body. You can't understand the strain it put on them or the emotions that assaulted them. They needed a physical release. It was either sex or blood, and I didn't want the day of their birth to be centered around violence. I wanted it to be beautiful. Something they could treasure and take with them into war.”
“Fine; you wanted them to get laid before the laid waste to the world. So, how did you end up naked with Viper?” Sin crossed his arms and stared down at me.
“First, let me remind you that I've repeatedly told you that I'm not going to have sex with you.” I poked his chest with my finger. “You don't get to be angry with me, whether or not I slept with Viper. I could sleep with all of them and it would be none of your business. But, because I like and respect you, Sin, I'm going to explain myself. I'm only doing it this once, though. Do not give me shit over who I fuck ever again. Are we clear?”
Sin sighed deeply but nodded. “Yeah, we're clear.”
“Okay.” I settled down. “I undressed and laid between them as they did the deed. It was to help them feel comfortable with their nudity and with experiencing such an intimate act in front of me. In front of me and for the first time in their new lives.”
“You could have left the room while they popped their cherries,” he growled.
“Star thought it would be a bonding experience for us.” I grimaced.
“You use your magic as an excuse a lot, Vervain.”
“It's not an excuse,” Star finally showed up to help me.
Sin gaped from her to me and back again. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I am the physical manifestation of the Trinity Star inside Vervain,” Star said. “I am the power behind the Goddess, if you will. I'm also an independently thinking being and Vervain's greatest adviser. What she did last night is between her and her commanders. You, as her general, have no business confronting her about it. However, you also see yourself as a potential lover and as such, you are upset. So, I've allowed Vervain to coddle you. But enough of this, Sin. If you feel the need, find yourself a woman to fuck but do not dare to cast any claim upon my goddess. If she wants you, she will tell you.”
Sin laughed boisterously. “Fair enough. I guess I was more insulted than upset. I thought I'd been passed over for a guy who was literally born yesterday.”
“So, we're good?” I asked him.
“We're good, Dark Star.” He smiled at me. “But we still have a problem.”
“What's that?”
“The Anunnaki are here.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Who are the Anunnaki?” The Horned Beast asked.
We were all seated around the war table, Viper at my left and Sin at my right. I looked to my right for the answer.
“I'm an Anunna,” Sin explained. “I'm a member of a council of gods who determine the fate of humanity. The council, as a whole, is called the Anunnaki.”
“Do you really determine the fate of humanity? Are you like the Greek Moirai?” I lifted a brow at him.
Had I unknowingly allied myself with Fate? Was Destiny still trying to get its greedy little claws in me?
“No.” He laughed. “It's more a case of our magic being capable of either helping or hurting humans and thus, determining their fate. That being said, we are also a part of the Assembly of Mesopotamian Gods, and we make decisions together. The rest of the Anunnaki are a bit pissed off with me for siding with you. They've come to speak with us and learn your intentions. Suffice it to say; your takeover of Bahrain has upset them nearly as much as my perceived betrayal.”
“Where are they now?” Whirlwind asked in a breathy voice.
“Right outside our gates.” Sin nodded toward the balcony. “The Dragons are watching them.”
I got to my feet and strode out onto the balcony. The men followed me and lined the railing to either side. Far below us, outside the iron gates of the new curtain wall, stretched a vast company of gods.
“There must be hundreds of them,” Sea murmured.
“Six hundred. Well, five hundred ninety-nine to be exact. They're
