The War God's Woman 3

18. Broken Oracle

Adonis' scheme had been a long time in the making. He brought Sage to a hideout that was hidden high in the mountains. Looking down at the landscape below, Sage could see the river of fire – looking like a scarlet ribbon snaking a lazy path between the ashy shores. From this high up, Sage couldn't smell the sulphur or feel the lava's heat.

She crossed her arms, her expression cold and grim.

"Sage," Adonis called her name. "Have a drink with me." Adonis gestured to the seat beside him. Sage didn't want to sit next to this man, but she did want alcohol. Drink would numb her pain – even for a short time. Stiffly, she took the seat beside him and Adonis poured her a glass.

The alcohol seared her throat but had a sweet after taste that soothed. She tapped the glass with her finger, indicating that she needed a refill. Adonis grinned as he complied.

"I can feel your hatred for me rolling off you in waves."

"You don't care if I hate you or not."

"True." He conceded.

Sage picked up the bottle he was pouring their drinks from and examined it.

"But you don't have anyone else." She continued. "I've waited, for friends of yours to emerge and congratulate you on your promotion. But no one's come."

"Friends can betray you." He replied, a bitter edge to his voice. Sage glared at him.

"Yes, they can."

She set the bottle back down on the table with more force than necessary.

"I'll teach you to be more ruthless with your acquaintances." Adonis offered. "You can be my first little disciple." He poured himself a drink and Sage made herself not watch him as he brought the little glass to his lips.

The poison she'd slipped into the drink took immediate effect. Adonis' head snapped back and he groaned, overcome with an intense pleasure. Sage got up quickly and moved out of his reach, her lip curled in disgust. Eros' intoxicating venom filled Adonis with mind-bending pleasure, making his body shudder and twitch.

He fell from his chair and was on all fours on the ground, beads of sweat rolling down his face. If she had a weapon that could kill an immortal, she'd use it now. But Sage had nothing. All she could do was use this time to run.

She sprinted for the door, but just as her hand touched the handle – magic coils wrapped around her. Sage cried out as she lost her balance and fell to the ground, her arms pinned painfully to her sides. Rolling onto her stomach, she lifted her head and looked back at Adonis. His hand was outstretched, holding onto the end of the magical rope that was binding her.

Sage writhed and struggled to get free but the more she moved, the tighter the rope constricted around her – until she could barely breathe. Panicked tears filled her eyes and she looked desperately back at Adonis. He was still holding onto the rope, but his eyes were closed with an expression of ecstasy as Eros' venom gave him intense release.

Black dots filled Sage's vision. She kept struggling, a new idea in mind. If she could make the bindings suffocate her, she'd be free. Not to live, living held less and less appeal. But she'd have beaten Adonis at least. He wouldn't be able to use her visions.