𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ― j. grace ¹ ✓

twenty-one

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ELECTRIC LOVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
[ N A T A L I A ]

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NATALIA WAS LIVID, to say the least. She thought she had seen the last of Khione at Boreas' palace, but now she just had to see her again. With her luck, she really wasn't surprised.

"What've you done?" Jason demanded.

"Oh, so many things," the snow Goddess purred, and Natalia clenched her teeth in anger as she watched a dagger of ice grew in her hand. "Your sister's not dead, if that's what you mean. She and her Hunters will make fine toys for our wolves. I thought we'd defrost them one at a time and hunt them down for amusement. Let them be the prey for once."

The wolves snarled appreciatively.

"Yes, my dears." Khione kept her eyes on Jason. "Your sister almost killed their king, you know. Lycaon's off in a cave somewhere, no doubt licking his wounds, but his minions have joined us to take revenge for their master. And soon Porphyrion will arise, and we shall rule the world."

"Traitor!" Hera shouted. "You meddlesome, D-list Goddess! You aren't worthy to pour my wine, much less rule the world."

Khione sighed. "Tiresome as ever, queen Hera. I've been wanting to shut you up for millennia."

Khione waved her hand, and ice encased the prison, sealing in the spaces between the Earthen tendrils.

"That's better," the snow Goddess said. "Now, Demigods, about your death—"

"Oh, I see now," Natalia said, her expression absolutely terrifying. "It was you who tricked Hera into coming here and convinced Zeus to close Olympus."

The wolves snarled, and the storm spirits whinnied, ready to attack, but Khione held up her hand. "Patience, my loves. If she wants to talk, what matter? The sun is setting, and time is on our side. Of course, Natalia Flynn. Like snow, my voice is quiet and gentle, and very cold. It's easy for me to whisper to the other Gods, especially when I am only confirming their own deepest fears. I also whispered in Aeolus' ear that he should issue an order to kill Demigods. It is a small service for Gaea, but I'm sure I will be well rewarded when her sons the Giants come to power."

"You could've killed us in Quebec," Jason said. "Why let us live?"

Khione wrinkled her nose. "Messy business, killing you in my father's house, especially when he insists on meeting all visitors. I did try, you remember. It would've been lovely if he'd agreed to turn you to ice. But once he'd given you guarantee of safe passage, I couldn't openly disobey him. My father is an old fool. He lives in fear of Zeus and Aeolus, but he's still powerful. Soon enough, when my new masters have awakened, I will depose Boreas and take the throne of the north wind, but not just yet. Besides, my father did have a point. Your quest was suicidal. I fully expected you to fail."