Blue Blood (Series of Blood Book 3) by Emma Hamm (books to read this summer .txt) 📕

would eventually burn in Ignes’s cleansing fire.

She wanted to tell him, but her eyes were already searching for a particular figure. Jasper was just on the inside of the shield. The others stared at the man of fire standing before Nurin, but Jasper stared at her.

Mercy had come to recognize his expression. He was frustrated that he couldn’t get to her, but not worried. He had finally realized how strong she truly was.

“Step away from her.” Ignes’s voice was the crumbling thrum of magma touching water.

“I gave you power; you should be grateful.” Nurin tsked.

“I would have healed on my own.”

“It would have taken weeks to be returned to this. And I can give you more, my child.”

“I do not wish for more.” Ignes then completely dismissed Nurin, turning away from the god and reaching his hand out for Mercy. “Come. We are leaving.”

“You are not!” Nurin’s voice shook the building. “I created you!”

The flames around Ignes’s form contracted until he was the perfect outline of a man formed entirely of white-hot fire. “You created me. But you do not own me.”

Mercy shivered when Nurin’s power washed over her again. He was standing mere feet from her. When he snapped, she likely would suffer the brunt of his anger.

There was a faint popping noise behind her, followed by the softest of touches against her shoulder.

Everyone moved in slow motion. Time had not quite stopped, but it appeared to move at a much different pace. This time, Mercy was certain she wasn’t processing things faster in her mind. Time really had altered.

“Are you all right?” The honeyed voice behind her was all too familiar.

She turned and stared into the shadows. “How are you doing this?”

“That’s a secret.”

“You’re a man made of secrets and shadows, aren’t you?”

Some of the shadows bounced as though they were laughing. “Yes.”

Mercy looked back at the others who had only moved an inch or two. Ignes’s face was turned towards her, and somehow she thought he might see everything that was happening in real time. If any creature could, it was him. Behind him, she could see milky white eyes staring at the Shadow Man and her.

Likely whatever was inside the purple-haired woman also knew exactly what was happening.

She returned her attention to Pitch. “Did you get the timing right this time?”

The shadows bunched to reveal his handsome face. A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead as he leaned towards her and smiled. “Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then is this about me finding a master again?” She jerked her head towards Nurin. “Cause I’m telling you now, it isn’t going to be him.”

“No, I missed that boat.” Pitch finally formed entirely before her. Dressed all in black, he was wearing what appeared to be a fine trench coat made out of crushed velvet. He slid his hands down his chest. “Now I’m here to try and smooth things over.”

Mercy heard the pop again, and noise started clammering. She hadn’t noticed how quiet it had been while time was slowed. Her head whipped around to see everyone bursting into action around Ignes and Nurin, but they all froze when they saw Pitch.

“Hello,” Pitch said. “I’m back.”

No one replied.

“Well then.” He leaned down, hooked a surprisingly strong hand under Mercy’s armpit, and helped her to her feet. “Not the welcome I was expecting. Ungrateful.”

“Ungrateful?” A tall blonde woman stepped forward. Mercy didn’t recognize her immediately, but she bore a resemblance to Nurin. Once she was closer, Mercy felt power radiating from the woman.

Pitch’s spine stiffened. “Gaia.”

“What did you do?”

“I brought you the next piece of your prophecy, safe and sound. I somehow managed to get her out of the clutches of Malachi.” Pitch held up two fingers. “Twice.”

“And why would you do that?”

Mercy’s arm lifted as Pitch used her body to shrug. “Just did.”

“I don’t think you ‘just do’ anything. Why are you so invested? And how are you capable of teleporting into this building when you have not been approved to do so?”

“Secrets,” Pitch growled. He handed Mercy over to Ignes who enveloped her in his flames.

This power didn’t hurt at all. This power she recognized as it washed over her body. To the others, it might have appeared as though Mercy and Ignes had become one. And they had, in a way. He could surround her in this form and heal whatever wounds needed tending.

Thankfully, there were no serious injuries to heal. His magic searched her for any issues before he stepped away from her. The shirt remained intact. Apparently, she mused, Ignes had enough control to pick and choose what his flames feasted upon.

The woman with purple hair passed through the shield the thin man had erected. “Hello, Pitch.”

A soft smile spread across the Shadow Man’s face. Mercy hadn’t thought that was possible. Surely, such an expression would crack his icy face in two.

“Hello, Wren.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigar, and held it out towards her. “For E.”

“E doesn’t smoke,” Wren said as she took the offered gift.

“You and I both know that’s a lie.”

Gaia snapped, “Answer me, Pitch. Questions were asked.”

“I don’t answer to you.” He didn’t even look in her direction.

“Everyone answers to me. I am a goddess!”

Only then did he meet her furious gaze. “I brought you a piece of your prophecy. I believe the words you are looking for are ‘thank you’ and ‘please take your time as you catch up with your friend’.”

“You dare to say—”

Pitch interrupted her. “I dare much, Gaia. There is one last piece of your puzzle you need to find. Perhaps you should be expending your energy upon locating that person rather than interrogating me.”

Mercy shuddered as she felt the anger rolling off the goddess. Phoenix were very susceptible to emotions such as this. Anger, rage, and aggression ran through her veins. They made her blood rush and her fingers curl into claws.

She swallowed hard instead. Ignes flared a few times before he forced himself under control much the same way Mercy had