The Immortal (Rise of the Warlords 2)

He glowered at her. “Why can’t you enjoy staying safe?”

“Because I’m a hardcore warrior with titanium ovaries.”

“We’ve discussed this enough.” He shook his head when she prepared to issue another protest. “You aren’t to interfere with my labor in any way. You are simply to stay within my sight line.”

And she had wondered why she hadn’t slept with him already. Exhibit A. “I’m starting to dislike you again, Astra.”

“Too bad. I care about your well-being, harpy.”

Disregard the thrill of his confession. “If that’s true you’ll let me shine, Astra!”

“You don’t need a battlefield to shine.” He kissed her brow and sighed. “The freeze comes in three, two, one.”

An undercurrent of aggression wove through the air, her body sensing what her eyes couldn’t yet verify. The freeze had indeed occurred, Erebus an imminent threat.

Would he strike early or delay?

“We should—” A trumpet sounded in the distance, and Halo tensed. He shouted, “Halo Phaninon!”

Ophelia stiffened as she scanned the area. “What’s happening?” Wait. Was that the trumpet, signaling a new test? Now? Without a secret meeting with the enemy, a tussle with a dagger, and a beastly transformation?

“A new labor has begun. A battle to the death.” Halo pushed her behind him and extended his arms, a blade suddenly clutched in each hand. Impressive. But she, too, withdrew blades at warp speed. He noticed, of course. “I am the one who makes the kill, Ophelia. You will stand down. Do you understand?”

She sheathed her weapons, grating, “Yes.” Victory mattered to her, too. Divide his focus in this upcoming battle? No. Unlike Halo, she knew how to play a team sport.

Twigs snapped, and leaves rattled. He braced...

The most majestic beast ambled past a thicket, chewing on a vine as it approached. The beauty of the creature left her jaw hanging. Thirty-point antlers made of pearl. A sleek raven pelt. Eyes like rubies, gleaming with resolve rather than rage.

Was this a trick? Mesmerize them and strike?

“This is your opponent?” But...

“Erebus can garner his combatants without your blood,” Halo remarked, his mind working in a far different direction than hers. Swords replaced the daggers in his grip. “That is good to know.”

Yes, but how had the Deathless done it? Had he used the Bloodmor—or whatever—on someone else? Someone frozen? A secret third, unfrozen person? Or had he flashed in an actual hind?

The latter seemed possible as the creature eased to the ground just outside of striking distance and bowed his head, shoving the tips of his antlers into the dirt, playing the part of willing sacrifice.

“Are you sure this is a death match?” Ophelia asked. “Hercules merely had to capture the hind.”

“I’m sure. There was a single blast of the trumpet. A death is required.”

But... “He’s not fighting for his life. Who merely accepts death?” Besides harpies with an endgame? “No way. Just no way. This must be a trick. Why not do the unexpected and let him live?”

“And learn what? That mercy comes with a high cost? No need. I already know. So. I will do this, and I will teach Erebus a lesson in the process. He hopes I’ll regret ending such a magnificent creature. He hopes the kill hurts and distracts me. But it won’t. I’ll regret nothing.” He sounded utterly unconcerned and completely removed from the situation. “An obstacle to victory is an obstacle to victory.”

Her stomach bottomed out. Would he consider Ophelia an obstacle, if he learned the truth about her involvement?

Halo strode forward and rendered the death blow, severing the hind’s head without hesitation. The body plopped to the ground. As blood gurgled, she halfway expected monsters to rise from the crimson pool.

A trumpet sounded in the distance—the end of the battle? Not something she’d gotten to hear before.

“No sickness this time,” he murmured, nodding with satisfaction. He flashed his swords away and surveyed the animal.

He’d gotten sick after the other battles? Not that this had been any kind of battle. “The labor is over? Just like that?”

“Just like that. The physical ease of the test means nothing. Erebus clearly had no wish to win this round. Instead, the god seized the opportunity to sow guilt and regret. To harken back to the years I spent at the Order, when I was forced to end another innocent soul. But there will be no guilt or regret. I am one step closer to ultimate success in every area of my life. The ascension and safety of the Astra. A certain harpymph...”

He looked positively wicked as he swung his gaze to her. Uh... What had caused this?

“Erebus receives a single shot at me a day. No loophole can change that.” A grin bloomed, slow and devastating. “He’s done for now. We are not. Considering we are the only two people in existence right now, there’s no reason to wait until tomorrow to claim my kiss.”