Around Marduk and Ninka stood a few more Mesopotamian gods, but they looked less interested in the torture than Marduk. In fact, some of them looked downright disgusted. Despite their distaste, none of them tried to help Ninkasi as Marduk set his blade against the place where her ear met her head.
“Speak of the Devil and she doth appear,” I whispered in Marduk's ear.
Marduk swung about, his blade slicing through the air as he turned. The rest of our team moved in, rushing toward the other gods. Sin went straight for Ninkasi. Marduk's blade went wide, and I ducked below it, but he sensed me and struck out with his other hand, snatching the front of my leather vest, his fingers slipping into my cleavage. He sneered at me as I let go of my invisibility; there was no point for it now, and I wanted him to see me if I made a scornful expression. What's the point of rolling your eyes if no one can see you?
“I knew you'd come for her,” Marduk hissed. “And I knew that fucking traitor would bring you straight to us.”
Marduk yanked me against him, my belly slapping something hard on his chest. Something made of stone. Breath froze in my throat and that knot in my belly trembled. The Tablet of Destinies; Marduk was wearing it beneath his shirt. It hadn't worked on me when I was the Dark Star because I didn't have a destiny. But now, I did.
Marduk grinned wickedly, but he didn't try to use the tablet on me. The last time he had, it hadn't worked so he likely believed that I was still immune. The Tablet's power zinged inside the stone, vibrating straight through my leather. Knowing it was there had paralyzed me at first, but Marduk's malicious expression jolted me out of my shock. I lifted my hand as I shifted it into a claw, intending to slash it across Marduk's neck and take care of this bastard once and for all.
As my claws lowered, something flashed between us. Blinding light so powerful that it sent both of us tumbling backward, and I only managed to slice open Marduk's cheek. Marduk howled in pain and the scent of blood teased my nose, but I was too winded to appreciate either result. I landed in a heap, a feeling like electricity jolting through me. I could only watch in a daze as Marduk stumbled toward me. But Viper swept in and blasted Marduk with starlight before he could reach me. I rolled to my feet with a groan, my ears wonky and my vision going dark at the edges. I wasn't breathing, but I didn't realize it until my body forced me to gasp in air.
That's when I saw more Mesopotamians rushing into the room.
It had been a trap. I saw it register on Sin's face just as it occurred to me. Sin stared about himself in shock and then looked over at me in apology. Ninkasi huddled in his arms, her eyes furious and rebellious and her hands clenching into fists. I guess a beer goddess doesn't get a lot of defensive magic. The rest of our group punched, clawed, and blasted our opponents, but we were about to be overwhelmed by numbers alone.
“Trace!” I shouted. “Retreat now!”
Everyone glanced at me, taking one brief moment to register our losing position, and then they jumped back, out of their fights, to trace away. I caught Trevor's eye and nodded, silently letting him know that I'd meet him at home, but he wouldn't leave without me. He came running toward me, barreling gods out of his way like a linebacker. I wanted to wait for the others to leave, to make sure that all of my people were safe, but I was scared that Trevor wouldn't make it to me before one of the Mesopotamians grabbed him. I traced away, hoping that he'd follow.
Chapter Ten
We made it back to Pride Palace safe and sound. All of us. As soon as I saw that, I went weak with relief, leaning against the door frame of the tracing room. I had been so certain that the awful feelings I'd been having were about this fight.
“Is everyone okay?” Trevor asked as he checked our ranks.
“All good,” Lucius, one of my lions, reported. “We left at the perfect time.”
“Ninkasi.” I hugged her. “I'm so sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Ninkasi asked as she pulled away, her dark eyes wide with confusion. “You just rescued me. You're my hero.” She grinned and hugged me again. “It's damn good to see you, Godhunter.”
“I got you into this,” I protested. “You didn't have to help me, but you did, and this is where it landed you.”
“I'll text Teharon.” Trevor pulled out his phone after getting a good look at Ninkasi's injuries.
Ninkasi shrugged. “Marduk's a camel turd. Screw him.” She smoothed back her long, slick, coal-black hair. “And I've been thinking about a change of scenery anyway.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Well, whatever I can do to help, just let me know.”
“I could use a place to stay for awhile.” She smirked at me. “Mine is bound to be overrun with assholes and once you have an asshole infestation, you never get the stink out.”
“You can stay in my room,” Troy offered.
“You're welcome to stay here as long as you like,” I said to Ninkasi. “But you'll have to put up with that sort of thing”—I waved at Troy—“from my lions.”
“I think I can handle a few randy werelions,” Ninkasi scoffed as she looked Troy up and down. “I own a nightclub after all.”
Troy winked at her.
“Fair enough.” I shrugged, unsure who I was more worried for; Ninkasi or my lions.
“I'm just glad you're all right.” Sin pulled Ninkasi into a hug. He looked shaky, as if it were taking awhile for his body to realize that she was safe. “Thank you,
