Nodding, Dagon wiped at his neck. His gaze returned to Cherise. “I have to have the woman. She is a blood tie to the Source. Azura needs her body to enter this world. If I help her cross over, she will free Shala.”

When he took a step forward, Menyara blocked him. “Azura can’t do that.”

“Cam—”

“Dagon … Shala’s dead. You know she is. Noir killed her long ago. Use your powers and ask your mother. Look into your heart and tap the Source yourself. You know I speak the truth, honey.”

Shaking his head in denial, he staggered back. “No. She lives. She has to. I gave up my freedom … my life for hers. That was the bargain I made with them.”

“They lied to you and I’m sorry. A part of her essence still exists in Eleos, but the Shala you knew … they destroyed her centuries ago.”

Dagon stood frozen, as if the words were so much more than he could bear to hear.

Tears welled in Kody’s eyes as she saw the raw pain in his. She felt terrible for the ancient god.

A tic started in his jaw as a single tear slid down his cheek. “I should have known better than to trust my father when he swore to me that he’d never harm her. I should have known he’d never keep his word to me.” His lips trembled as he met Menyara’s gaze. “Did she suffer?”

“No.”

But they all knew she was lying, too.

Placing his hand on Dagon’s shoulder, Xev ground his teeth. “I’m so sorry.”

Fire rolled over his shoulders, forcing Xev to jerk his hand back with a grimace. Dagon pulled a small, ornate bottle from his sleeve. “They wanted me to give this to the woman so that Azura could be reborn into her body.”

Menyara shook her head. “Don’t do what you’re thinking, Dagon.”

An evil smile spread across his handsome face. “Why not? A little divine retribution might go a long way in making all of us feel better.”

“Do I want to know what you’re thinking?” Xev asked.

“Not if you wish to remain in one piece. I’m sure your mother would rip you to shreds should you participate in my plans to have Azura reborn as a pig.”

Suddenly, there was a deep, dark crash of thunder followed by lightning so bright, it was blinding. It shook the entire building.

Nick grabbed the back of the couch to steady himself. “What the hell-monkey visits us now?”

His features pale, Xev went to the window and opened the curtains so that Nick could see that it wasn’t just the Memitim on the street. The sky was now filled with more birds than he’d ever seen in his life.

At least to human eyes they appeared as birds. With his perspicacity, Nick saw them for what they really were.