A pulse of light went through my cord and I felt it—felt him—breaking through my shields, filling me, becoming a part of me. It took just a second— a secondand I was surrounded by him. I washim. There was no me in here, there was no room. It was all about him, always had been.
I couldn’t breathe anymore. He was there, under my skin, his heart beating next to mine. His thoughts were mixing with my own until all I could hear was him.
He opened his eyes. A light that had never been there before glowed from behind them.
Seth smiled.
Light crackled and flashed, and the world fell away.
I was shaking— no. I was being shaken. The pain receded slowly, leaving behind a raw stinging that covered every inch of my body. That, too, faded as my body was rocked back and forth. There were voices droning in the background, overshadowing the soothing words being whispered.
I inhaled deeply, breathing for what felt like the first time. There was so much in the air around me. The heavy scent of pine tainted the edges. I tasted spice and sea salt on the tip of my tongue.
“Agapi mou, open your eyes and talk to me.”
My eyes fluttered open. Everything… everything looked different—sharper and magnified. Lights dazzled, and colors shimmered in amber. I focused on the man cradling me. Eyes the color of heated silver stared down at me. They widened, pupils dilating. Shock shot across his striking features.
“No.” That one word sounded like it had been torn from the depths of Aiden’s soul.
A popping sound filled the room. Footsteps encroached upon us. Shapes came into focus, one burning brighter than the other.
Apollo peered over Aiden’s shoulder and swore. “Let her go, Aiden.”
His arms tightened around me instead, holding me close to his chest. To the end, I thought… foolishly brave and loyal to the end…
“Let her go now.” A door slammed shut somewhere behind the shining god. “She’s connected with the First.”
The First—my whole purpose for existing. Mine. My other half. He was here, waiting. Already inside me, seeing what I was seeing, whispering to me, promising me that he was coming. Seth. Mine.
And they all were going to die.
I smiled.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Short and sweet—Thank you to Kate Kaynak and the wonderful team at Spencer Hill Press: Marie Romero, Patricia Riley, Rich Storrs, and Rebecca Mancini. Another big thank you to Kevan Lyon, for being an awesome agent. Each time I write these, it gets harder and harder to make sure I’m getting everyone. So a big thank you to everyone who has supported the series and has wanted to take part in Alex’s journey, and who has kept me sane during the process.
Photo by Vania Stoyanova
Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. Well, mostly. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel, and her hyper Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her time writing short stories… therefore explaining her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes Adult and Young Adult Urban Fantasy and Romance.
Come find out more at: www.jenniferarmentrout.com
Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title
Advance Praise for Deity
Praise for Half-Blood
Copyright
Title
The Covenant Series
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title
Advance Praise for Deity
Praise for Half-Blood
Copyright
Title
The Covenant Series
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title
Advance Praise for Deity
Praise for Half-Blood
Copyright
Title
The Covenant Series
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Acknowledgements