"I heard he eats a god a day. Is that true?"

"Does he even sleep?"

"Oh my, does he sleep with you?"

The barrage of questions keeps coming, and surprisingly, it's mostly the women who have those curiosities. Out in the open, they snub him, but secretly, they wonder what it would be like to be with someone of his notoriety.

"If you'll excuse me." I force a smile as I elbow my way through the growing crowd, doing my best to evade these hypocrites. Ze is not some zoo exhibit for their amusement, and I have no interest in telling them anything they might use to start some new rumor that will paint him in an even worse light. To avoid more of the same questions, I make a beeline for the double doors that lead to the inner gardens.

I take a deep breath as I fit my back to the cold wall. I suppose no matter what world you're in, people will behave the same—be they mortals or gods. There's the same hunger for gossip; the same joy at someone else's downfall.

These damn people hate Ze so openly, but they're still hungry for more information about him. Due to him being so private and closed-off, I don't think too many things are known about him other than the fact that he's scary.

And that he can kill gods, which seems to be a skill not many have.

"Enjoying the party?" a voice asks from deep within the shadows.

I raise my brows as I search for the source.

Small, graceful steps reveal a lithe woman dressed in a red gown. Her hair is in a slick bun at her nape, her makeup sultry and heavy. Her green eyes are entirely kohl-lined in black, emphasizing the color of her irises.

"Yes." I nod, mustering a pleasant smile.

I assume she's going back inside as she walks by, but she surprises me by taking a spot next to me and leaning against the wall.

"The crowd can be a crush. I've never been a fan of these events, but Arwyn looks lovely," she comments.

As I was about to put my guard up thinking she's looking for more gossip on Ze, she surprises me with her kind remark.

"She is beautiful." My lips pull into a smile. "And she looks so happy. I'm glad the ball turned out so well for her."

"It is by far one of the most successful debuts I've ever been to."

"You've been to a lot?" I blink.

She nods.

"Hundreds. But that is to be expected at my age."

She doesn't offer a number, but the implication is enough to note she's old—very old.

"This is my first one. I've only been in Aperion for a short time."

"You are human, no?" She tilts her head to the side.

"Does that bother you?"

"No, of course not. I am not a snob. I have nothing against humans or any other mortal species. We have created them, have we not? Why should we look down on our creations?"