BONUS: UNEDITED Aiden POV Last Chapter

March 16, 2020

Exclusive: The last chapter of Deity in Aiden’s POV 

CHAPTER 34 

Not going to lie to myself. Hearing Apollo say Seth needed to die made me want to hug the guy. By far, it was the smartest thing the god had ever said, but… 

“What?” demanded Alex, her voice pitching in horror.  

Apollo turned back to the window. “You would have to kill him, Alexandria. As an Apollyon, you will be able to.” 

Alex paled, and I knew the idea of killing Seth horrified her. As much as I hated to admit it or even acknowledge the fact, there was a bond between the two that even I feared I could not always breach. 

“I can’t do that,” she said.  

“You can’t?” Lea sparked to life. “He killed my sister, Alex! He killed those Council members.” 

“I know, but it’s… it’s not his fault. Lucian has warped his mind.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “It wasn’t his fault.” 

Lea’s lips thinned, and I moved closer to Alex. “That doesn’t make what he did okay.”
 

“I know that, but…” Alex’s gaze fell to the cake.  “There has to be another way.”
 

“I know a part of you cares for him,” Apollo said quietly. “You were… built to feel that way. A part of him is you and vice versa, but it is the only way.”
 

Built to feel that way? If I could, I’d carve out that part in Seth.  

 Alex swallowed “Is there another way, Apollo?” 

“Does it matter?” Lea slammed her hands down on the table. “He needs to die, Alex.” 

Alex flinched.
 

“Lea,” Marcus said gently.
 

“No! I’m not going to shut up about this!” She shot to her feet, her face flushing. “I know it doesn’t seem fair, Alex. But Seth killed those people—my sister. And that wasn’t fair. And it sucks. I even thought Seth was hot, but that was up until he incinerated my sister. You like him. That’s great. You’re a part of him. Awesome. But he killed people, Alex.” 

“I understand that, Lea.” Alex looked around the room, my gaze settling on me, and when she spoke next, I had a feeling she was directing these words at me. “Everyone keeps saying there’s hope. Maybe we can save him. And Artemis mentioned something about power going both ways. Maybe there is something to that.” 

Pain lit up my chest, and I wanted nothing more to back her up, but I couldn’t on this. It was too dangerous.  

“You loved your mom, right?” Lea asked, her hands trembling. “You loved her even after she became a daimon.” 

“Lea,” I cut in sharply, eyes narrowing. Bringing up Alex’s mom was going way too far.  

“But you knew she needed to… needed to be stopped,” she rushed on before I could silence her. “You loved her, but you did the right thing. How is this any different?” 

Alex recoiled like she’d been slapped. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t speak. The ache in my chest grew. Putting Alex once again in a situation where she’d have to hurt—to kill someone she loved wasn’t fair. No one should have to face what Alex had and would have to.   

“I think that’s enough for today,” Marcus interjected. 

Lea stood her ground for a few more seconds, but then stormed out of the room. I was grateful when Alex hadn’t followed her. That conversation wouldn’t end any place good.  

“She’s in a dark place right now,” Marcus said. “She hurts. Maybe later she’ll understand that this is hard for you, also.” 

“It’s not as hard as it is for her.” Alex tucked my hair back. “I just can’t… the idea of killing him makes me sick. There has to be another way.” 

Apollo glided toward her, and I stiffened. “All of this… can wait. Today is your birthday, your Awakening.” 

“Yeah, well, I don’t know what’s going on with that.” She stared at her palms, frowning. “I feel the same. Nothing’s happened.” 

“When were you born?” Apollo asked.
 

“Uh, March the fourth.”
 

I grinned.  

He arched a brow. “What time, Alexandria? What was the time of 

your birth?”
 

She pursed my lips. “I don’t know.”
 

A dubious look crossed Apollo’s face. “You don’t know what time 

you were born?” 

“No. Do people know that?” 


“I was born at 6:15am,” I said, failing to hide my grin. “Deacon was born at 12:55pm. Our parents told us.”
 

Her eyes narrowed. “Well, no one told me… or I forgot.” 

“Marcus?” Apollo asked.
 

He shook his head. “I don’t… recall.”
 

“Well, you obviously have not hit your time of birth yet.” Apollo pushed away from the window. “I think we have had enough serious talk for the day. It is, after all, your birthday. A time for celebration, not making plans for battle.” 

Alex shuddered, and in that moment, I wanted everyone in the room to stop talking. I wanted to pull her into my arms.  

“You will be fine.” Apollo placed his hand on her shoulder, and damn if I didn’t like that, which was messed up. “You do not feel the bond from where we are, so he cannot connect with you. You will be fine.” 

# 

Alex kept watching the clock, and I knew she was obsessing over every second that passed.  We sat together on the couch. No TV. No music. Just us. Most would be surprised by the fact Alex could actually sit and not talk or be moving around. Sometimes that even surprised me.  

“Stop it.” I grabbed her hand, pulling it away from her mouth. “Since when did you become a nail biter?” 

She shrugged and then she took a little breath. “Do you think I’m weak?”  

“What?” Did she really just ask that? I tugged her over so that she was in his lap, her legs stretched over the cushions. Probably not the smartest thing considering anyone could walk in on us, but I’d been dying to hold her ever since Apollo made his announcement. “Good gods, you’re one of the strongest people I know.” 

She stiffened as she eyed the door and then, willing to be reckless as ever, placed her cheek against my chest. My heart jumped as she pulled out the rose, fiddling with it. “I don’t feel very strong.” 

Wrapping my arms around her, I held her tight to my chest. “Because of what everyone was talking about today?” 

Her gaze fixed on the rose. “Lea had a point, you know? I faced down my mom, but I can’t… do that with Seth.” 

Hearing that wasn’t easy. As much as I loathed Seth’s very existence, I would never want Alex to have to face this. I placed my chin atop her head and said the words that tasted like venom on my tongue. “Apollo was right. He’s a part of you. In a way, it’s different than with what happened with your mom.” 

“It is different. My mom was a daimon and there was no coming back from that.” She closed her eyes. “He’s still in there, Aiden. There has to be another way. And I think Apollo knows, but he’s not telling us.” 

“Then we’ll talk to Apollo. He mentioned the oracle, and maybe something has changed.” I dipped my head, brushing my lips along her smooth forehead. “But if there isn’t another way…” 

“Then I have to face it. I know. I just want to make sure before we decide he needs to be… killed.” 

I covered her hands with mine. “Maybe we need to go see this new oracle. Who knows? She may be able to tell us something, visions or not.” 

“That is if we can get Apollo to tell us.”
 

“We will.” 

She smiled up at me, and my body and my heart responded the curve of her lips. Gods, I could never grow weary of seeing her smile. There was a certain level of abandonment behind her smiles, a gift of a love she gave so freely and recklessly.  


“You’re amazing,” she whispered. 


I grinned. “What makes you say that?”
 

“You’re easily the most sup—ow!” She yelped as she jerked her hand free from mine. “Something stung me.”
 

I straightened, gripping her wrist in a gentle hold. Tiny drops of blood cover the top of her left hand. “Alex, you’re bleeding.”  

Alex stared at her for a moment and then she sat up quickly, her gaze swinging toward the clock. “It’s happening.” 

For a moment, I was frozen. It was happening? Why was there blood? No one mentioned blood. The words came out hoarsely. “It’ll be okay.” 

Her face tensed as more blond appeared on her hand and then she lurched free, standing. “Oh my gods…” 

I shot to my feet, my heart thumping. “Alex, what can I do?” 

“I don’t know. I didn’t—” She gasped as blood appeared on her arm. “Oh gods, the marks—the marks are like tattoos.”  

No. No way. Her whole body would be covered. Bile rose in my throat.  

“Gods,” I said, reaching for her, but she backpedaled. I swallowed as my gaze locked with her panicked one. “Alex, it’s going to be okay.” 

She kept moving backward and then she stopped suddenly, her face flushing and then droplets of blood appeared. A scream parted her lips as she dropped to her knees, doubling over, hands curling into the empty space around her face.  

“Oh… oh man, this is gonna blow,” she gasped.  

Heart racing and throwing itself against my ribs, pure terror ripped through my insides as I knelt beside her, wanting to comfort her, but knowing I could not touch her. There was nothing I could, absolutely nothing!  

“Just… take a deep breath, Alex. Breathe with me.” 

She let out a strangled laugh. “I’m… I’m not having a baby, Aiden. This is—” Her body convulsed and she screamed again, planting her hands on the floor. “Okay… okay, I’m breathing.” 

Gods, this… this was killing in a way nothing ever had. I inched closer, hating the helpless feeling.  “Good. You’re doing really good. You know that, agapi mou. You’re doing great.” 

Tears streamed down her face as her back bowed and then her legs gave out. Carefully, I helped her lay on her stomach. My gaze traveled the length of her, sucking in horrified breath. Spots of blond soaked through the back of her jeans.  

The door opened, and Marcus barreled in. “What the—oh, my gods, is she okay?” 

“Shit,” Alex whimpered. 

“She’s Awakening.” I didn’t recognize my own voice as my hands hovered helplessly above her rigid body.  

 “But the blood…”Marcus moved closer. “Why is she bleeding?” 

Alex eased onto her side. “I’m being tattooed by a giant, mother fu—” Another strangled scream cut off her words. 

“This is… wow,” Deacon said from the door. 

“Get them out of here!” she screamed, jackknifing on the floor. “Gods, this sucks!” 

“Whoa.” Deacon murmured. “This is like watching a chick give birth or something.” 

“Oh my gods, I’m going to kill him.” Alex’s shoulder’s shook with each breath. “I’m going to punch him—” 

“Everyone leave,” I yelled, swinging toward the door. “This isn’t a godsdamn show.”  

“And I think he’s like the father,” Luke said.
 

I rose to my feet, ready to take all of them out. “Get. Out.”
 

They must’ve seen their own deaths in my glare, because a few seconds later, the door closed. Marcus remained, holding my stare. 

“She’s my niece. I’m staying.” He edged closer, and a almost near feral sound came from deep in my throat. He stopped, eyes narrowing on me. “Is it… is it supposed to be like this?” 

“I don’t know.” I turned back to her, feeling as if I couldn’t catch my breath. “Alex?” 

“Okay,” she breathed. “Just… just don’t talk. No one—” She jerked up, hands shaking.  

I dropped down beside her just as her body stiffened as if steel had been poured down her spine. Her eyes—those beautiful brown eyes—were wide and unfocused. My mouth dried as a pale sheen covered her complexion. The scream faded as her body folded like paper bag. I caught her before she hit the floor, pulling her across my lap.  

Alex opened her eyes and whimpered, and I would’ve given anything to make this stop, to take the pain away from her. Anything.  

“It’s okay. I’m here.” I smoothed the hair off her damp forehead. “It’s almost over.” 

“It is?” she gasped, squeezing his hand until I was sure she was going to crush my bones. “How in the fuck do you know? Have you ever Awakened before? Is there something—” A hoarse, weak scream interrupted her tirade. “Oh gods, I’m… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to cuss at you. It just…” 

“I know. It hurts.” My gaze drifted over and I forced a smile. “It can’t be much longer.” 

She squeezed her eyes shut as she curled toward me. Smoothing the hair back from her face didn’t seem to hurt her. If anything, it appeared to calm her, so I kept doing it, because it was the only thing I could do.  

Dipping my head, I whispered to her, calling her my love, telling her that I loved her. She’d stopped squirming, but I had a feeling she might be beyond hearing, but I kept on. All the while, I could feel Marcus’ gaze on me. There was a good chance he was going to punch me again, but it would be worth— 

Suddenly, her body jerked in my arms, going straight as a board. I cursed loudly as she kicked her head back. Veins in her neck pressed forward and then… 

“Oh my gods,” I said. 

A vibrant blue light darkened the veins in her neck, rapidly spreading across her face and her arms. The light faded and then it happened, and I could see it.  Glyphs appeared on her skin, blue and bright. So many of them that there didn’t seem to be one tiny patch of skin unmarked. They started to swirl sluggishly and then sped up, spinning in dizzying designs.  

I was absolutely stunned by what I was seeing for the first time in my life and probably the last—the marks of the Apollyon. I was awed. Thunderstruck. The marks continued to glide over her skin seamlessly.  

“Do you see this?” Marcus said, his voice hoarse. “My gods…” 

I could only nod. Nothing—absolutely nothing—in my life could prepare me for seeing this.  

“The Apollyon,” I whispered reverently, smoothing my hands through her hair. Alex was the Apollyon, and she was beautiful, and she was mine.  

The shimmery blue marks pulse intensely bright, shinning light through the whole room and then faded, seeping back into her skin.  

It was over. 

Thank gods, it was over. Finally.   

My shoulders slumped as I gathered her close, stretching out my legs so that her bottom fit against me. Tears pricked at my eyes. Gods, I was seconds from weeping like a baby, but it was over.  

But once the marks receded, Alex didn’t move. Seconds ticked into minutes, and panic punched me in the gut. I tore my gaze from her, landing on Marcus. He looked as pale as felt.  

“Alex.”  

Nothing.  

Panic quickly turned to fear and it sunk its claws into me. “Alex, baby.” 

Still nothing.  

“Gods,” I swore, turning my panicked stare to her uncle. “I don’t know what to do. She’s not moving.” 

Marcus said something, but I didn’t hear him. Bending over her lifeless body, I hauled her to my chest, pressing my forehead to hers. Only then did I felt her chest move slowly.  

“Come on, baby, talk to me. agapi Mou, come back,” I begged. And I was so ready to get on my knees and plead.  “Agapi mou, open your eyes and talk to me.” 

There! Movement. Her lashes fluttered once, twice, and then opened. 

Air halted in my lungs. Blood turned to ice in my veins. My entire world broke apart with the blessing of her eyes opening.  

They were not brown.  

Golden-colored eyes stared back into mine, eyes identical as Seth’s. Eyes there were not warm, but were harsh and devoid of compassion.   

“No.” The word burst from me, from my very soul.  

 A popping sound filled the room, and I sensed the presence of a god—of Apollo. He was behind us, the air crackling with tension.  

The god swore. “Let her go, Aiden.” 

Never. My arms tightened around her. I couldn’t—wouldn’t let her go. Ever.  

“Let her go now.” The door slammed shut somewhere behind the shining god. “She’s connected with the First.” 

My arms curled around her as words turned to ashes on my tongue. I shook my head slightly, my vision blurring. This couldn’t be happening. Not to us. Not to her.  

Alex smiled—smiled in a way that Seth would—and in that moment, my heart shattered.   

This wasn’t Alex.  

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