The high that normally followed a visit to Richard was missing today. I had nothing to say, nothing I wanted to say anyway and despite his best efforts, we ended up discussing the art in his office. There wasn't a lot in there, a mass-produced print of a palm tree, another of a parrot and his very own, hand-painted ocean landscape. Stretching that discussion out for an hour had been hard. Not as hard as choosing to pick one life over another in front of your nearest and dearest friends or whatever they all were, but then I doubted anything else would ever compare to that.

Finding a seat outside a cafe that was far enough away he wouldn't manage to accidentally bump into me and try to continue our session; I ordered coffee and cake. Treating myself in order to feel better was something Richard advised would leave me empty and only looking for more hits of instant gratification until I dealt with the underlying issue.

I've decided Richard is an idiot, and seeing the nearby black and gold signage of Chanel nearby it would also be a good chance to prove him wrong.

"Oh, tarot! Love it!" The over-enthusiastic waiter grinned down at me as she put my order in front of me. "I started learning last year, it changed my life. Each morning I pull a hard, meditate on it for a bit. Keeps me centred."

"You sound like my friend Penny." I forced a smile.

"Which deck are you using?" I catch her name tag; Melissa. She hugs the drinks tray to her chest, expecting a response.

"I haven't got one yet."

"The right deck will find you." She says with knowing wisdom I doubt she possessed. "Enjoy your coffee!"

With a literal spring in her step, she bounces away and looking at my cake I cringe at the sight of one of her stray red hairs sitting on top of the icing. Pushing it away, I focus on the coffee and flip open the book. I hardly get through the introduction when Kara pulls out the chair opposite me and takes a seat.

"What are you doing?" Kara frowns.

"Reading. What are you doing?"

"Taking you back home with me." It sounds more like an order than what she was actually doing.

"Sorry, Kara. You're not my type. I also didn't think I was yours. What would Deimos say?" I tease. "But really, what are you doing here?"

She bit her lip, clearly trying to work out what to do or say next so I saved her the trouble and got up to leave.

"Good chat." I abandon my coffee and slip out the gate, but she's at my side instantly as I walk down the street.

"It's been a week, Elise. You can't avoid us forever."

"I'm not avoiding anyone. I'm staying out of the way." I shrugged, stopping to look into one of the higher-end designer store windows.

"You missed the Harpy interrogation." Kara snapped, stopping as an elderly couple passed us. "I asked Cain to make sure you were there!"

"Clearly I don't take orders from you, Queenie. Cain told me what happened. You didn't need me, and the way my stomach can't handle blood and stuff right now, I'm pretty sure it was the last place I needed to be."

I went into the shop, offering a tiny smile to the sales assistant that carefully rearranged a few purses on the centre display; one of which had my name all over it. After picking it up, and deciding it had to come home with me, I wondered what else they may have that I needed. Kara followed behind me silently, and I was tempted to hit her with the bag a few times to test out the durability first.

"Do you have baby bags?" I asked as the one I wanted was carefully taken from me up to the counter; almost as if they sensed my other intention for the purse.

"Of course, this way."

"Elise, what are you doing here?" Kara whispered as I was left to browse.

"Shopping, Kara. I know most of your time in this realm was spent in your bar with your biker jacket, and that whole tough gang look you had going on, but there is so much here to enjoy. Try it sometime, hell, try it now. My shout." I gestured across the store.

"He wants to see you." She stood in front of me, holding the bag in my hands before taking it off me to put on the shelf. "You will have to come back at some point. Avoiding your issues won't make them go away."

"But it's worked so well for me in the past," I mumble sarcastically, turning back to the shelf of bags.

Kara rolled her eyes before perking back up which only made me groan. I knew that look on her face, that look of winning. Usually, it happened training together and she thought she was about to be able to put me on my back and make me surrender.

"I'm having a party tomorrow tonight. You have to be there." She declared.

A party. That was her winning blow?

"I think I'm busy." I look her in the eyes, trying not to laugh. "I need to wash my hair."

"You're not funny, and you can't say no." She smirked. "It's Deimos's birthday. So wash your hair or disappoint him when you don't make an appearance. Your call."

"While I'm sure my presence is present enough, I'll make sure the biggest gift there is from me." I decide, clueless as to how to do that. "Maybe I'll hide behind it so when you get all moody about me not being there, I can yell surprise."

"Whatever you need to do. Just be there," She pulled me into a hug. "Please come back."

And then she's gone.

Well, that won't be hard to explain to the sales assistant. Looking around, no one seemed to have noticed and abandoning what was potentially my new favourite bag, I walked out. After going around a couple of corners, I less obviously disappear too and end up at a different kind of sanctuary.

Ailin's little water fountain bubbles away on her desk, where she's sitting and typing much faster than a normal person could achieve. She doesn't even flinch at my arrival, sipping her tea and still busily typing away as I take a seat and as I reach for one of the open folders on her desk, her hand flicks away from the keyboard to tap it.

"Do not touch it." She warns.

"Hello, Ms President." I greet, sitting back in the chair.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Hunter?"

"No reason. Just wanted to say hi."

"Hello." Ailin stops, spinning back in her chair slightly to face me. "Have you come to snoop or do my filing?"

"I could do both?" I offer, watching her eyebrow arch as she sips her tea. "How are things?"

"Same as always," She sighs. "Every day a new leader of some species decides to make a stand and push the limits of the Treaty. Start on that pile then."

I look at the mass of folders on the corner of her desk. Idly flicking the top one open, some witches got in trouble for bleeding out a vampire. The next was a leopard and a bear shifter getting in a fight in a civilian nightclub. Nothing that made you stop and think, or raise any big red flags. At least Eris and her groupies were like a constant thorn in my side. The Furies just vanished and the Dionysus mess was the smallest bread crumb we'd received. The Harpy had been pointless, her mind void of anything useful the second she had been captured. One upside was at least we knew they had to have someone working with them, or they still held some power to be able to control the creatures that way. I'm not sure that is an upside.

"How are things with you?" Ailin sets down her teacup, looking at me curiously as I head over the filing cabinet.

"Same as always."

Ailin goes back to work and I take the odd peek at her files as I put them away. It's boring, I get a papercut, actually two, and despite her not looking at me directly, I still feel her eyes on me.

"How's Cain?" She's fishing, we both know it. "He hasn't come by for a while."

"He's good. Just busy."

"Kara?"

"Good."

"Any improvement with the Furies situation?"

"Nope." I stop what I'm doing, leaning against the cabinet as I look over at her "Hows V? You two seem friendly, lately. You have him teaching now?"

"It was a trial and he hated it. We are making the next generation of Slayers weak and even more insufferable than the last." She turned to me smiling. "So he's staying on for the next semester."

I have to laugh at that and so does she. It feels strange to laugh so easily, and to smile, Realising what I'm doing, quickly stops me. Going back to filing, I feel Ailin getting closer as she leans on the wall to look at me.

"What's going on Elise?"

"Nothing."

"You're filing these away, I was kidding and I also didn't think you'd do it." She gives me a knowing look, and I shrug.

"I can do good deeds." I defend.

"Last time you went on a good deed rampage it was before Penny's wedding and you completely burnt yourself out to try and combat your guilt for being away for so long in the other realm."

"This isn't like that."

"Then what is it like?"

"I'm just keeping busy." I put the last folder away and crossing my arms, stare back at her. I knew her cat-like games, I wasn't going to bend under her gaze. "Next time I won't clean your desk for you. I'll just sit on the corner, eat doughnuts and make a mess. Those little cookie crumble bits go everywhere. You'll get ants and everything."

"Ants?" Ailin shakes her head. "I forgot how ridiculous you can be."

"I thought that's why you like me?" Sitting back down, the doughnuts appear and I see her frown the instant I bite into it and flakes of icing and toppings fall into my waiting hand. "Told you."

Surprising me, she takes one too and we eat in silence.

"These are good." She sighs, refilling her teacup. "Have you been seeing Richard?"

"Yes, I"m still seeing plenty of Dick," I smirk, making Ailin hesitate before taking a sip of her tea. "I saw him this morning."

"I'm glad. Do you think it's helping?"

Yes. Sometimes. Not today. "He's good at his job. You're keeping tabs though, aren't you? I'm not even mad if you are."

"No, Elise. I feel that would impact your sessions with him, the trust you may develop between one another. Knowing I was getting a full two-page report at the end of each visit feels a little redundant. I'm proud of you for doing this, and all on your own."

"He reminds me of you, a little. Easy to talk to, loves a riddle, all that self-exploration stuff. It's like he knows which buttons to push to make me talk" I pick at the toppings off the other doughnut. "Not today though."

"You will when you're ready." Ailin smiles.

"Not about this," I mumble.

"Why?"

"Because I have told him so much already, and he's gotten through it. We have gotten through it. I get his fear, the questions in his eyes I can't answer, and he won't ask. I see his surprise, even if he tries to hide it. But it's all fine. You're right, there's trust there." I sigh. "I can't lose that."

Ailin appeared beside me. "I have seen you at your best, and your worst. Tell me, then."

"I chose Cain over Apollo." Again, her eyebrow arched ever so as her hand held mine. "We were attacked, Apollo was dying. He did die. Cain was going to save him, willing to possibly sacrifice or at least nearly kill himself trying as he would have been so weak after. I realised what would happen as he started and I stopped him. Artemis probably has hit out for me now. Apollo would be gone because of me but Cain would still be here and I can't make myself regret it."

"Elise," Ailin said softly. "This guilt is not yours to carry."

"You can quit the pep-talk. I've had it from everyone."

"And Apollo? What did he have to say?" She asked.

"I left once he woke up. I haven't been back since." I admit.

"Perhaps you should face your fear before it consumes you."

I waited for more, and thankfully nothing else followed."Noted. So, do you have any more filing?"

'No. I do have a meeting with two light fae coven leaders in fifteen? You're welcome to join as my PA?"

"With an offer like that now I know you're wanting to get rid of me." Before I move, she squeezes my hand and reaches over to hug me. "Thanks, Ailin."

"No, thank you. I can see my desk again."

I wish I could hate the smirk on her face more than I did. Leaving it at that I head home, and the second I arrive I know Cain is already here. Heading for the TV I act unaware, finding something to kill the silence of the room until he finally comes out from wherever he was lurking. Cain sits beside me on the sofa and his armrests up on the top of the cushions; an obvious invitation to join him. I accept, wiggling over and instantly find the peace that had been missing today as he holds me against him.

"Why do I feel like you're avoiding me?" He asks quietly.

"Because I am." I look up at him, expecting to see a little hurt or disappointment on his face, but instead, he only kisses me. "Has Art put out a reward for my head yet?"

"As if she would." I was pretty damn sure she would, but I also knew no one would let it happen. "You don't have to fear her, Elle."

"I don't."

"Apollo understands." He said cautiously as his phone began to ring which he was going to ignore. "It's Zane, we were meant to be training later. I'll call him back later."

"It's okay. Take it." I got up, reluctantly stepping away from him as I stretched. "I might go hang with Raya for a bit anyway. Get some dinner there."

"Elle?" But I'm gone and I don't go to Raya's.

I'm at the Last Drop, and the bear shifter behind the bar smiles as he sees me.

"It's been a while, Bunting." Paul greets, coming out behind the bar he stops; his smile slipping away as he looks me up and down. "You've been. Busy. Growing a, ah, little human?"

"Baby is fine." I step into his hug which isn't anywhere near as crushing as it normally was.

"RIght. When did this happen?"

"Um, like, five or so months ago," I smirk. "Want more specifics or?"

"Nope. That's good. Well, clearly you're not here to drink away your profits, so what can I do for you?" We head over to the bar, and he slips back behind it while I get up onto the stool. "You're early if you want to get in on any of this action."

He motioned to the rather empty bar. A few hunters were grouped by the stage, judging by the jugs of beer on their table, they hadn't been here long. A few demons were spaced out in the rest of the room. Something fae sat on the opposite end of the bar with a vampire who looked more dead than I'd ever seen a vampire without it actually being dust or freshly brought back to life. It was early, but it was also quiet. Calm.

"Go," Cain ordered, appearing a second later beside Paul.

I sat up straighter, not expecting to be followed as Paul tensed, his figure seeming to grow as he made sure Cain knew who was bigger. A snarl on his lips at the original owner invading what he now saw as his territory, maybe he was wrong about being early as every creature in there sensed the change in the air and looked our way.

Cain looked completely unbothered, instead, turning to take down a bottle of bourbon from the top shelf and collecting two whiskey glasses which he filled with ice.

"What do you think you're doing?" Paul growled.

"What I want, bear," Cain smirked, content to poke the bear. "I told you to go."

"Cain," I warned as Paul looked like he sniffed the air. His eyes widened slightly, before looking cautiously between the two of us.

"Baby Daddy?" He asked me, and nodding he held his hands up in submission and grumbled his way down towards the other end to give us some space.

"Why be an ass?" I snapped at Cain.

"He's changed supplier." Cain inspected the label of the bottle before the whole thing changed and he filled one of the glasses. "That did not belong on the top shelf."

The second glass filled with an equally amber liquid and cautiously I picked it up. "Apple Juice?"

"This normally gets you talking, but changes had to be made." He shrugged, before leaning closer. His elbows rested on the bartop, and it looked like such a natural place for him to be. Nostalgia hit me hard and I longed for those simpler days. "So, Hunter. What brings you here tonight? Must be bad if this is where you end up."

I drink the juice, mostly to hide my smile as I look at him over the edge of the glass.

"Cute."

Cain smiles back. "I'm not sure I've ever been called cute, before."

"You're adorable," I add.

"Or that." He winks, pausing to serve a demon that comes near us before Paul can wave her over to where he was busy with the fae and vampire. "Now, where were we?"

"What would you do if I decided to take over from Kara? If I went back, and just claimed the throne as my own?" I ask casually, surprising him so much he nearly spits out his drink.

Cain narrows his eyes on me, clearly assessing this odd situation I've just put him in as he puts his drink down.

"Stand by your side and dare them to challenge you." He says sincerely.

"And if I decide to never leave this realm again?"

"Where you go, I go, Elle." It was a promise and I felt it hit deep inside. "What if I ask those questions, What would you say?"

I look him in the eye, enjoying the thrill of the possibility that we really could make our own world. I hold my hand out to him, and he takes it. A kiss on my knuckles that was much too tender for this moment.

"Together."

"So which is it?" Cain asks, leaving his post behind the bar to spin me around to face him. My legs part, as inches closer to me, the intensity in his gaze catching my breath.

"I can't handle it if they look at or treat me differently. That world has felt more like a place that I belong to than this one has since everything changed. I don't want to lose that because of what happened." I wrapped my arms around him as he drew me closer against him. "I come to this bar because, in this world, it is my haven. It's always been a safe place. I've never had to hide or pretend anything here, which is kind of ironic because that's all you did."

"Elle, I'm sorry. Everything was different back then"

"Don't be sorry and I know. You were forgiven when I punched you before I think I could even process everything." I admitted. "I think I always knew, I just let myself believe what you wanted me to. When you left, I'd still come here to visit your ghost. It still felt like you were here and just for a little bit, I didn't have to feel so damn lonely all the time. I missed you."

"I stopped coming back to this realm because I didn't trust myself to leave every time I did." Cain looked around. "Especially here."

I understood and the rush of emotion that flooded my chest suddenly burst out of my eyes. In seconds I hated myself as I hid my face in his shirt and began to cry.

"Stupid. Fucking. Emotions." I hiccuped, struggling to get control back.

This was ridiculous.

"I know the prospect of losing another person you cared about was a shock, one none of us were prepared for. You may not fear Artemis, but she used all of it, to get in your head. She's jealous, so like a child having a tantrum, she wants to hurt and bully those around her as much as possible to make herself feel better." He leaned back to look down at me, wiping the last few tears away. "Don't give her that satisfaction."

"Is this some kind of weird foreplay for you two, because I can come back later." Apollo's sudden appearance startled both of us, and while Cain closed his eyes and seemed to need a moment to suppress whatever rage he was feeling, I managed to stand up and face Apollo. "You're crying? Is that normal?"

Gone was the last image of him that had burned into my brain and in Apollo's place, the normal arrogance of the sun god had returned. If anything, he seemed even better than before, like the whole thing had been some rejuvenation experience at a day spa. Nearly dying never had an effect like that on me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mostly avoiding my sister and Aphrodite." He shrugged casually, yet his smile faded. "Kara told me not to do this, so I decided I should. Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not." It's a weak defence; we all know the truth.

Cain let out a long breath and finally reopened his eyes. "She is."

I slapped his chest, not even sorry for the wet mess I made on his shirt now while longing for the days when they hated each other, rather than whatever this new level of friendliness was.

"I'm not just avoiding you." I continue. "I'm avoiding everyone."

"And of course, you'd be hiding here." Apollo briefly glanced at Cain. "You always do."

I couldn't even be annoyed at him right now and suddenly launched myself at Apollo. New tears started, and after a second of hesitation, he held me back.

"I'm sorry." I finally got out, and I was, but would I change anything? No. "I'm so, so, sorry."

"I get it, Bunny. I do. And it doesn't matter. You still managed to get what was needed when no one else could and here I am." He let me go and my hands were shaking as I quickly hugged myself, tucking them away at my sides. "I'd be dead without you."

Cain was at my back, his hands on my arms as just his touch seemed to soothe my troubles. Leaning into him, his strength gave me back my own.

"And of course, without him," Apollo admitted. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd put yourself out there for me like that."

"Wasn't the first time." Cain reminded him as if it was no big deal at all.

That only seemed to amuse Apollo.

"No, but this time said a lot more." He suddenly looked confused, frowning before he rubbed his eyes and shivered. "Do you remember anything about the Crossroads yet?"

I felt Cain tense behind me and instantly put a hand on his where it now rested on my shoulder. He only shook his head and Apollo sighed.

"Don't think too hard about it," I suggest, earning a look from Apollo that took me back two years where no matter what I'd suggest was the wrong thing to say. "I'm serious. It's like maths or trying to remember the name of an actor in a movie you saw once."

"What?" Apollo frowned, slipping into the barstool beside mine.

Cain nudged me and I sat back down, yet he kept standing beside me. "You're thinking about it too much. Let the answer come to you when you least expect it. You know, like at three am."

"Sure?" I don't think he found that helpful at all.

"I get your point," Cain whispered in my ear.

Paul came back down and served us like the good little worker bear he is and we ended up sitting in one of the booths.

"Is it Deimos birthday tomorrow?" I ask them.

"I thought it was just a party. Something to lighten the mood." Apollo admitted. "He doesn't seem the type to celebrate a birthday."

We all watch the group of students enter the bar. Three boys, two girls and I doubt they're in their final year. The boys walk in like they own the place, a false sense of security and bravery fuelling their ego as they start towards the bar only instead herd together to a table not too far from ours. One of the girls stays close to them, the other heads straight up to the bar. I can't hear what the new bartender is saying to her, but when she pulls out some money from her pocket and puts it on the bar he's shaking his head.

"Shame you never tried saying no." Apollo makes a clear dig at Cain, who only glares at him like he's wishing he'd let him die after all. "He made it look pretty easy to do."

There's something about this girl though, I just can't pick it from this angle. Trying not to stare too obviously, it's in the way she walks, maybe it's her jeans and combat boot combo. I'm positive I own that leather jacket; the silver studs on the collar and cuffs had been my favourite thing about it. She has braided her hair to one side, just how I used to do mine when I was at the academy and when I finally get a good, clear look at her face I swear my heart stops.

"Am I seeing what you're all seeing?" I ask them, feeling Cain's grip tighten on my hand, I think the answer is yes.

She goes back to her group and they all huddle closer together, but it's not fear that I'm sensing. It's completely missing and their anger rises like a bad smell. The demons all around them notice too, curious looks going in their direction which is never good. I'm not sure if something about her is screaming Power or I"m just too caught up on having Cain and Apollo on either side of me.

"She kind of looks like you," Apollo points out as she goes back to where Paul now is and I can see him not so subtly looking over at us and then back at her. "But younger."

"She is me," I whisper.

The second she points the small, silver pistol in Paul's direction I'm up and about to stop her. The other students fade away into nothing as a chill runs up my spine. In a second, Cain tugs me back into a sitting position and shakes his head. My phone starts going ringing and seeing my Dad's name on the screen, I quickly answer it.

"Dad?" I try and force down the panic, as Paul and the other me get into an argument.

"Elise, you need to come home. There's something here, and-"

"Another me?" I ask.

"How did you know?" He fails at hiding his surprise. "She was at the Academy, set off some alarms. Scared some of the kids. We had a fire."

"Are you all okay?"

"Yes." I can hear beeping, and looking away from the phone as messages from Ailin, Penny and Zane start coming in. "Dad, stay alert. We'll be there soon."

One by one, I open the messages. So far I've destroyed the training wing of one of the Council buildings, broke into a prison and set free some of those being held there and tried to make out with Colton.

That bitch has been busy.

"Why is it always my circus and my monkeys?" I groan. Looking away from my phone, Paul is heading my way while other me is gone and so is Apollo and Cain. "Fuck."

"What the hell is going on?" Paul demands.

"Do you think I have an actual answer for you? Good chat, see you next time. Maybe in like another five months?"

"Stay safe Bunting. Good luck." He frowns but accepts that and then I'm outside in the carpark.

"Show yourself," Apollo demands, not even looking my way as I join them.

I shudder at the flashbacks of when Dracula had morphed his appearance to look like me, as whoever this was had done a great job of it. Eyes identical to mine stare back at me, full of hate and rage. She's bound, on her knees and I can feel Cain's presence everywhere. He twitches slightly as I put my hand on his arm, standing between him and Apollo as I look at myself.

"If I had a dollar," I start, earning a groan from Apollo. "Who are you?"

Her eyes land on my stomach, and I instantly hold my breath as she seems to react to this plot twist in her little plan. Her nostrils flare, her eyebrows raise and the surprise takes over the hate in her eyes.

"You're pregnant," She spits out, and I have no doubt Cain isn't making her life at all pleasant right now.

"Is there a Captain Obvious in any of the worlds? Because clearly, that's who this is."

"Now isn't the time for jokes," Apollo mutters.

"It's exactly the time for jokes because otherwise, I'm going get super stabby on something or have a complete mental breakdown. You pick." He stays quiet. "You've been busy. I get imitation is the biggest form of flattery, but seriously, who the hell are you?"

She also keeps her mouth shut, but I can see from the fast rise and fall of her chest, and the creases on her forehead shes struggling big time right

"Reveal yourself." Cain orders.

The weight of his presence was impossible to ignore. I inched closer to him, like a moth to the flame yet subtly aware that Apollo was retreating; he'd taken a step back. They both faded away as my face flickered slightly, a play on terrible street lights, maybe a trick of the imagination and piece by piece I seemed to just float away.

The woman who now glared back at us was otherworldly, in that same beautifully terrifying way Portia was. Her skin had a white glow that formed a halo around her which only made her even more stunning to look at it. High cheekbones, a perfectly sculpted nose and big wide eyes that didn't look as crazy as Penny's often did. I wish my lips were that full and pouty, but most of all, it was the wings.

"Nemesis?" Apollo stuttered behind us.

"Well, clearly she is now," I looked at Cain. "Who is she?"

"Another reminder of what was."

"Great, now you two talk in riddles."

"Her name is Nemesis. She was banished from our world by Zeus, a long, long time ago." Apollo found his voice and confidence coming to stand beside us again. "What are you doing here?"

"To take that which is due." Nemesis hissed, her voice not matching her beauty. "You owe a great debt. All actions have consequences."

"The Furies sent you?" Cain demanded.

It did all sound a little like something they'd say.

"No, that's her thing. She works solo." Apollo added. "I remember you. Zeus claimed you for a time, and then you went against Hera. Nearly killed her too."

"What a shame," I mumbled.

"If not the Furies, then who?" Cain kept going.

"Your memory fails you, Dark King. You are weak of mind, the rightful Queen did not lie."

"Eris?" I blurt out, not even thinking which seems to piss her off as she struggles to stand. Her wings twitch, yet Cain looks bored as I can feel her powers rising to fight back. "I hate to tell you this, but you're like, way too late to the party."

Nemesis kept a straight face, her rage bubbling beneath her skin eager to erupt.

"You are here, because of Eris? Why?" Cain asked.

"To destroy the life of the mortal girl who dares challenge her!" Nemesis shouted.

I laughed, slapping my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stop it which made her hesitate just a little. "You think it's amusing? You hide behind these Powers as if they will protect you, but hear my words-"

"I'm going to stop you there, this is just sad. Let her go." Cain hesitates but does it, earning a strangled gasp sound to leave Apollo. "Eris is dead."

This was news to her.

"Liar!" Nemesis's wings fanned out making her appear even more angelic than the Harpys could ever dream of being. "I will destroy the one who stands in her way!"

"Again, you're too late. I know, because I was there. I'm the one who killed her."

"You are no God Killer."

"I was." I huffed. "That's not even the point. Nemesis, Eris is dead. You missed the whole, Berserkery shit show that she and Loki planned. They failed. We won. Long live the new Queen."

"You?" I think she started to believe me now.

"No."

"Good. If you did not join him on the throne, then Eris still won." A whip cracked through the air, startling me as those massive wings of hers suddenly launched her above our heads. "I do not fear the Dark King. Without her, he is nothing."

"Do you want to do this, or can I?" I ask Cain.

"Seriously?" Apollo groaned. "She wants to kill you, just end it already!"

Another crack of the whip, and as Cain blocked the strike, he caught the end like the badass he is and pulled. That was answer enough.

"And? Who doesn't most of the time?"

That makes him think. "I used to believe you purposefully looked for trouble, but I think I was wrong. I mean, sometimes you do, only it does just have a way of just finding you too doesn't it?"

"It took you how long to work this out? Now, who is weak of the mind." I roll my eyes as Cain joins us.

Looking over to where Nemesis laid her wings curled up over her body and just like her mask o my face did, her whole self just shimmered away into nothingness.

"I've never missed drinking more than I do right now," I admit. "How many more of these sheep does Eris actually have?"

"I'd never even heard of this one." Cain frowns.

"I doubt there are many more out there of their status. I wonder where she came from though, I almost felt sorry for her." Apollo looks to where she had been. "I better go anyway. Art is probably having a meltdown by now. See you at the party tomorrow night?"

"Can't wait. I'll be the one getting a buzz off the apple juice." He leaves laughing and as soon as we're alone again, I look to Cain for answers.

"Not a scratch on me, promise." He smiles, and in the next second, we're home again. "He makes a good point though. Where did she come from?"

"The realm of brainwashed cult followers?"

"I doubt that's a thing."

"I don't." I sigh. "Tomorrow I'm going to see Richard again. For real this time, because I need him to fix all of this."

I hide my face in my hands, taking a few deep breaths as my earlier courage fades and I'm tempted to just curl up in the corner forever.

"It doesn't need fixing, you're not broken. A little bent, yes, but under this kind of pressure it's going to feel that way." He pulls my hands away and seemed to study me now with a curious expression that faded into that look that I only ever saw. "You're the diamond, Elle."
I feel the first little crack fuse back together, then another and another.

"Sparkle, fucking, sparkle."