Page 75 of Thorn & Ash

“Who are you, really?” Evander demanded. “You aren’t just some lesser goddess. No one knows that much about Tartarus or Pandora’s box.”

Trivia wagged a scolding finger at him. “Someone is too smart for his own good. That won’t do, Evander.”

Evander snarled, his wings stretching wide. Claws extended from his hands, and red burned in his gaze. If this traitor had anything to do with the destruction of his realm, he wouldn’t hesitate to end her existence.

Trivia merely raised her eyebrows. “Impressive. But no match for me, I’m afraid.” She spread her arms, and the ground rumbled and cracked, forming great fissures around Evander.

His wings flapped, raising him from the ground before it could swallow him whole. But from within the cracks sprang thick roots, winding around him. He frowned, his eyes widening as he remembered how Mona’s brambles had done the same thing…

Earth magic. This goddess possessed earth magic.

The roots tightened, constricting around him, the bark grating against his skin. His blood boiled, raging from the restraints. He thrashed against them, struggling to break free, but the roots held fast, gripping him like chains.

“You—” Evander’s words were cut off as a long root snaked around his mouth, gagging him. He choked on the bark, the damp and earthy taste filling his mouth. Gritty and bitter. Tough and unyielding. The taste of it was everywhere, drowning his senses. He struggled to free himself, but the roots had hold of his arms and legs now, too. They were inescapable.

Trivia had essentially created a brand new forest here, blocking them from view. No one knew Evander was here. No one would know if she obliterated him. He stared at the dog, hoping he would bark or make some noise to alert someone to their presence… but the creature was sitting happily on the ground, scratching behind his ear with one paw, oblivious to the grimness of the situation.

Thank the gods Mona hadn’t followed Evander… He regretted sneaking off like that, but this was exactly the reason why he didn’t want her with him.

Trivia drew closer to him, all smugness gone from her face. Only pure rage remained. “I am Pandora,” she hissed. “My magic has been trapped for far too long, and I plan to unleash it. I will have my revenge. Starting with this wretched realm.”

Evander stared at her with wide, disbelieving eyes. It couldn’t possibly be true…

Trivia—Pandora—laughed at the bewilderment on his face. “I know. I’ve hidden my identity well, haven’t I? But the gods will pay for what they did to me. They were angry with Gaia for trying to replicate the Triple Goddess’s power with triplets.”

Shock rippled over him, and for one stunned moment, he stopped struggling against his restraints.

“Oh, yes,” Pandora said, delighted by his reaction. “There are three sisters. Prudence, Pomona… and me.”

No. She had to be lying. She had to.

But the evidence was all around him. Earth magic, so potent it could only be born of a goddess.

Pandora. How? Pandora was an ancient being; her magic had been trapped eons ago. There was no way she could have been living among them for so long without anyone knowing.

“When the gods found out, they punished Gaia. She tried to protect her children, but she could only save two. The third one was captured by Janus himself. As punishment, he imbued the child with the soul of Pandora, bringing all her pain and misery to life in a newly born vessel.”

Gods above. That was how she’d done it. Pandora had been reincarnated as Mona’s sister. Now, this goddess before him had all the anger and resentment and anguish of the original Pandora, whose essence had been trapped within that box.

“Evander!” shouted a voice.

Evander stiffened. Mona. She’d gone looking for him after all. His chest swelled with part relief, part horror. What would Pandora do to her?

“Shit,” Pandora muttered, glancing over Evander’s shoulder. “I was going to simply destroy you, but it looks like we’re out of time, handsome. You’ll have to come with me. Can’t have you telling the others my secret, now, can we?”

Evander’s protests were muffled by the roots in his mouth. He choked and gagged, struggling to breathe. Red bled into his vision, his demonic side thrashing and desperate to be unleashed. And, oh, how he wished to release all of Typhon’s terrible power on this goddess before him.

But her magic was too strong. Far stronger than Evander had anticipated.

Pandora knelt next to the dog, scratching behind its ears. “Sadly, you can’t come with me, sweet thing. Go home, Cerberus.” As she stood, the dog obediently bounded off, disappearing between the trees.

Pandora waved her hand, and her roots slid Evander forward. The golden glow of the portal of Elysium burned against his gaze.

Realizing what was happening, Evander thrashed more intensely, screaming against her hold on him.

She was going to take him through the portal.

“Evander!” Mona’s voice grew closer.