Venus Rising Deleted/Altered Scenes and Snippets

Killing Grace

Will this even count as a divine death? I wondered. If I killed the grace, would Persephone even register it happening? My powers had long since fled.

You're a goddess.

But I hadn't felt like a goddess for a very long time. Not since I'd been glamoured to look like Elise, my powers stripped away by poison and betrayal.

That doesn't matter, the voice sounded so self-assured as I crawled toward the crumpled grace.

So familiar yet so strange.

What my voice would sound like if I weren't so broken.

You are greater than your powers, more than your looks. You stood up to Zeus, you cowed Poseidon, you created a brand new god and trained a brand new goddess. You've found Hades, found the weapons, now all you need to do is finish the last step. The blood of Chaos runs through your veins. Act like it.

Drawing in a steadying breath, then another, then another, I inched my way across the room.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. Gripping the Steele, I tried to maneuver myself into position to cut her throat despite the dizziness overwhelming me.