Page 98 of Lucifer's Mirror
“That’s a matter of opinion,” Hecate replies. “But let’s not get into it now. I’m just answering Amber’s questions.”
I remember Khaosti telling me that the females of his race can do magic, and I know that Hecate is a witch. But really—what does that mean? I haven’t seen any overt signs of her doing spells. Except maybe the age-reversal thing—she no longer bears any resemblance to the old crone I first met. She looks to be in her mid-thirties, at most, and full of life. But that’s a conversation for another time. Now I want to know about the gods. If only because the subject really seems to be rattling Khaosti.
“So why is the temple in disrepair?” I ask. “It doesn’t look as though anyone is worshiping this Selene now.”
Hecate shrugs. “Selene withdrew from the world a long time ago. No one knows where she went. And people forget.”
“My people don’t forget,” Winter says. “We follow the old ways. The old gods.” She casts a glance at Khaosti. “Not the new.”
Hecate sends Khaosti an amused glance. “In the cities, there were statues of Khronus. He loves to be worshiped.”
“What is he?” I ask. “I mean, what can he shift into?” I’m thinking it must be something pretty amazing if he’s so powerful.
“Nothing,” Hecate replies with a small smile. “He hated that.”
“Then why is he so powerful?”
“He’s a Beastmaster. He can force others to change into their animal form and then control their actions.”
That doesn’t sound good. Khaosti obviously agrees with me, as something dark flashes across his face. He looks more than a little uncomfortable with the conversation.
Is Khaosti a god?
Even thinking that seems weird. But then, what is a god? It has to take more than just an act of creation. I was never particularly interested in religion back on Earth. I wasn’t brought up encumbered by any one belief through my family. At least, not that I remember, so I can look at them all objectively. And none seem likely to be based on the truth to me. None of the gods on Earth ever seemed worthy of my devotion. In fact, the world is a mess, so if a god or gods exist, they’re either incompetent or have a really weird sense of humor.
But Hecate seems convinced these two gods actually existed, that they were like normal—okay, maybe notexactlynormal—people and had children. But that they also had the power to create worlds. It’s doing my head in.
I decide to go back to the bit that really interests me. “So people worship Khronus?” I peer at Khaosti. “Your dad. That must be weird. Unless they worship you as well—and that’stotallyweird.”
It’s Hecate who answers. “They worshiped Khronus for many thousands of years. But the people outgrew the gods, who expected much and did nothing in return. They turned away.”
“Until the devil appeared,” Khaosti says. “Then they were quick enough to turn back to us for help when they wanted our protection.”
“He’s right,” Hecate says. “When Lucifer appeared on the scene—he had the ability to move between worlds—he caused chaos wherever he went. Then, for a long time, his physical presence vanished, and he became weak, a ghostlike figure with only the promise of darkness.”
“But over the years, he grew stronger,” Thanouq says. “This is the history of my people. He came like a shadow of darkness across the land. And the ‘gods’ did nothing to save us. So much for answering our prayers.”
“They sent the guardians,” Khaosti snarls.
“Too little, too late,” Hecate says. “And many of them went over to Lucifer, making things much, much worse.”
“That’s hardly my father’s fault.” Khaosti is sounding a little frazzled now. Maybe even a little defensive.
I don’t think Hecate agrees. She gives a disdainful snort. “Really? You think the guardians were treated justly by your father? You think your brother believed he got a fair deal?” She stares at him. “If he did, why did he betray you and your father? Why did he risk his life to leave?”
Khaosti’s gaze flickers to me, then back to Hecate. “I don’t fucking know,” he growls. “That’s why I’m here—to find out.”
His words send a stab of pain through me. I’ve always known that the need to find out about his brother is the reason he’s here. It’s not about me, except in so far as I am Khaosti’s one lead to Khendril. But knowing that I mean nothing to him and having it thrust in my face are two different matters. It hurts. Maybe I’d thought—somewhere deep inside me—that the kiss had changed things between us.
Khaosti is still focused on Hecate, his eyes narrowed. “But I suspect you know,” he says. “And if that’s the case—why don’t you tell us?”
Hecate gives a small smile and gets to her feet. “All in good time. But right now, I think it’s time for bed.”
No freaking way. I have more questions.
But she’s already gone.
Chapter 47
