Salt & Blood by R.L. Perez

Author:R.L. Perez [Perez, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: R.L. Perez

INSTINCTS

PANDORA

Having grown up in the Underworld, Pandora had seen all manner of demons. She’d encountered ones with horns, tails, fangs, claws, scales, and skin of varying shades of color.

But the hydra was something else entirely.

It was the biggest creature she had ever seen. And while the demons of the Underworld were intelligent, sentient creatures, this monster was all animal. No awareness in those all-black eyes; only bloodlust.

The ground shook as the creature tried to rise. Beside Pandora, Mona was frantically working to knit the ceiling back together with her earth magic. Hand still clutched in hers, Pandora returned to the task at hand, summoning as much of her own magic as she could. As soon as they closed up the hole in the ceiling with their magic, they would be able to trap the creature here. It would not be able to escape.

Then they could kill it.

But with the presence of this dark being, her memories rose up, threatening to drown her. From inside her, the soul of the goddess thrashed and raged, desperate to be unleashed, to join in the powerful fury of the monster. She could sense its energy, its kinship to the Titan magic used to create the box and all the creatures inside.

No, Pandora thought, gritting her teeth. You will stay put. You are not in control.

A deep, resonant part of her laughed in response, and a chill swept over her body. Cold awareness seeped into her, clouding her mind and weakening her resolve.

She was a slave to the memories, to the past life harbored inside her. And she would never be free.

Pandora’s magic flickered, and her arms went slack. Her stomach sank, and she had the urge to drop to her knees and cry out in despair.

I can’t win this battle. She will always control me. I will never be rid of her.

The darkness continued to rage inside her, slamming against the walls of her mind, desperate to be free.

Pandora wanted to give in. She was just so damn tired of fighting…

A shout rang out nearby, and Pandora’s ears prickled with recognition. Her head snapped up, and she locked eyes with Sol across the room.

The hydra had cornered him, drawn in by the brilliant sun magic flowing from his fingertips. He provided a diversion while Mona finished repairing the ceiling, but the distraction was too effective. The hydra was fixated on him. Saliva dripped from its fangs, and its maws opened wide, prepared to devour the sun god.

Something snapped within Pandora. All darkness, all uncertainty and confusion fled her body, and she lunged without thinking. A bolt of clarity speared through her, silencing the fury mounting inside her.

Save Sol. I have to save him.

The goddess’s presence within her vanished. The memories faded. Pandora could see nothing but Sol before her, fear creeping into his features. He glanced behind him, suddenly realizing he’d been backed into a corner as the monster closed in on him. Blinding white light burned from his fingertips, luring the beast closer. When Sol realized he had nowhere to turn, he dropped his hands, dousing the light.

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