“What?” I ask.
Aeliana arches a brow. “She was created by Diaboli. She was his child, as are the rest of the venefica on Curia. They are powerful, because they were created by the God of the Underworld. I did not agree with what your father did and the way that he did it, but those women are not good.”
“How is it I did not know this?” I ask.
She shrugs a shoulder. “I do not know, but we don’t have time to sit around and chat about it over a goblet of drink. Go and get the sisters.”
Without knowing how this is going to turn out, how long it will take or what will happen, I don’t rush to the sisters immediately. Instead, I go to Cassia.
“Tiberius?” she asks on a yawn as she rubs her eyes.
“You need to care for the children. It is time for the sisters to help with the prophecy.”
Her eyes widen, and she licks her lips, then nods her head. “I’ll get Petronia and Laurentia.”
It matters not who she gets to help her, but I dip my chin and murmur a thanks anyway. Turning away from her, I look over my shoulder and tell her to be ready in the triclinium. I want them together and under safeguard.
The next thing I do is send for Brutus and my other close men. They will guard the babes with their lives. I trust them like I trust no others on this earth. I would trust them to guard my own children, if I had them.
With all of the people in motion, I make my way toward the guest quarters. I am met with the three men that are my new brothers.
“We were coming to find you,” Aaric growls. His language is close enough to mine that I can understand some of what he says.
“We have a problem. Come. Gather the women.”
Aaric’s brows rise and he dips his chin, then turns toward the men. It is hard to communicate seeing as we don’t speak the same language, something that will be rectified as soon as we are in the presence of Aeliana again.
The seven of us rush toward the gardens where Aeliana is standing in front of Decima’s still lifeless body. She turns to me, her eyes widening at the sight of us.
“We need to be able to speak the same language,” I state.
She dips her chin, then lifts her hands and in just a few moments her purple mist surrounds us. I don’t know what she says, the language ancient and far removed from what I speak. But within seconds the mist is gone. I turn to the men and women, deciding to test out the newfound magic.
“My cousin and her women will watch the babes.”
Everyone gasps, including the men. The magic worked. “What is happening?” Elias demands.
“Diaboli, the God of the Underworld comes for us. He is determined to ensure that the prophecy is somehow broken. He has taken Drucilla.”
There is a long pause, a silent moment, then everyone begins to talk all at the same time. The women are scared and confused. The men are demanding more information. Holding up my hands, I shout at them all to be quiet.
Just when I’m about to address the group again, Brutus and the men appear. Turning to them, I tell them to go to the triclinium and inform them they will be protecting the babes. Without a second thought, they all jog toward the room.
“Cassia and the women are waiting to watch the children. They will be safe with them,” I offer.
The men turn toward their women and dip their chins. There are only two babes, so far, but it is clear that Birdie is with child, as well as Sybilla who is also carrying a second child. I do not know what this means for the battle that we have ahead of us.
I can only hope that the women and babes will remain safe while we fight with Diaboli.
Chapter Thirty-Five
TIBERIUS
Once the babes are situated, the women are pried away from them and we are with Aeliana in the gardens along with Decima’s body. I’m wondering why we haven’t rid the earth of her corpse when Aeliana decides to speak to us about what is going on.
“Now that the children are secure, we can begin.”
“Begin?” Colt asks.
We all focus on Aeliana, her eyes are not on us, instead they are focused on Decima only. She lifts her hands and I watch as fire sparks from her fingertips. The fire goes straight toward Decima’s still lifeless body, and then she is ignited in flames.
The women gasp behind me, but I cannot look away. Aeliana turns to look back at us. “We can begin the start of the battle. Prepare the warriors.”
A few moments later there is a darkening in the sky and the flying dragon and horse appear, landing near us. Then the wolves. Hundreds come from around us, surrounding our group. The other men make a noise behind me.
Turning my head, I look back to them. “Drucilla commands the wolves,” I announce.
Colt’s lips turn up into a grin. “Birdie can talk to the lions and transport,” he says.
“Liv controls the water and weather,” Aaric states.
“Sybilla does as well, with the weather. She can speak to larger animals as well, like my horse.”
“They hold powers, but will they be able to use them?” I ask.
“We’re right here,” Liv snaps.
The women walk up closer to us and I smile at them. All beautiful, and all so different. The prophecy is indeed true. They do not appear to be related, nothing about them is similar except for one thing—their love, their compassion, and their attitudes.
“He comes,” Aeliana whispers.
The ground begins to rumble. I brace my legs wide, waiting for what I know will be a fight. The scene of charring flesh doesn’t even bother me any longer, I can think of
