Omega Series: Omega Part 40

I flinched at the reminder of him mercy-killing the people who helped raise me.

Niko's gaze was steady, and I began to understand who he was better than I did before. "So I ask again. What's your greater purpose, kid? What would you do to see it happen?"

Tears rolled down my face. A week ago, I'd been desperate to leave the forest and eager to do what I thought I was supposed to: help humanity return to a time where people were happy and free. I had no idea what price would be exacted to do what was right.

Several days later, I was contemplating the ma.s.s murder of thousands just so I'd one day have the chance to change the world for the better for anyone who survived the G.o.ds, Cleon and me.

Niko drew a breath. "I also know there's something going on between you and Adonis. I hate the man, but I know he'd tell you this, just as Dosy would. There is no tomorrow without you, kid. There's no future where G.o.ds and men are not at war, where the human race has a remote chance in Hades of surviving. If you care about anyone Adonis or otherwise you'll do whatever you have to today so you can save their lives tomorrow."

Wrong person. Right message. I wanted to weep. My resistance yielded the moment he put it into perspective. The thought of Adonis in danger was as crippling as the pain. The bond between us ran deeper than even I suspected. How had I missed what he was to me? How had I not seen it from the first meeting?

Your name is seared into my soul. His claim had stunned me, and it was only now sinking into me how deeply he felt. He would do anything for me without hesitation and had told me to do the same survive. At all costs.

"I'll do you the favor of clearing out any other area Cleon wants destroyed, if you have time to give me a head's up. That's all I can offer," Niko said. "You need to decide if those you love are worth you choosing to be on the winning team."

If I followed in Cecelia's footsteps, I'd never be able to do what I had to. But choosing this path meant I, too, would bear the taint of this war. I, too, was destined to become a different kind of monster. The worst kind, if I had to guess, with the power of a G.o.d and controlled by a maniac with delusions of ruling over G.o.ds and men.

Niko rose. "You have two minutes before we drag you back down to the caverns to join Cecelia."

My gaze went to the city. I ached for Adonis to be here or for Herakles to guide me. I ached knowing I'd judged both of them for what they'd done to others when they didn't have the luxury of a choice.

Mostly, I hurt knowing Niko was right, as had Adonis been, when he claimed I'd have to risk unleas.h.i.+ng the apocalypse in order to become who everyone thought I was.

I was made to believe an Oracle with incredible power could face a G.o.d, but only just learning that it took a monster to face another monster. I had to survive, because someone had to defend my world, no matter what that made me.

"Forgive me, Artemis," I murmured and climbed to my feet. With a deep breath, I looked back at Niko, whose expression was emotionless, then faced the city again.

I spread out both hands and gathered the ribbons, herding them together so I could grip them better.

Choking back a sob, with tears blurring my vision, I crushed them between my hands.

The ground beneath the wall shook, and the area I'd targeted began collapsing in upon itself. Artemis' pristine white temple went dark and then crumbled. It was followed by the apartment buildings full of people I'd never meet, the school and police station, the businesses and townhomes. Everything and everyone was turned to rubble instantly and toppled into the sinkhole forming beneath them.

"Incredible," the Magistrate whispered, awed by the sight of destruction.

You are forgiven, came the soft, sad whisper of Artemis from the depths of my mind.

I dropped my hands, not caring about the hot tears sliding down my cheeks or anything else in the world. The raw pain inside me was worse than anything Cleon could inflict upon me. It stemmed as much from what I'd just done as knowing this was just the beginning.

To survive, I had to become a monster like everyone else around me.

To save my world, I just might have to destroy it first.

Omega Series.

Omega.

Theta (2016).

Alpha (2017).

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About the Author.

Lizzy Ford is the author of over forty five t.i.tles written for young adult, new adult and adult romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling "Rhyn Trilogy," "Witchling Series," "Zoey Rogue" and the "War of G.o.ds" series. Lizzy's books span multiple subgenres of romance, to include contemporary, paranormal and dystopian, among others.

Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring. Her books have been featured in Publishers Weekly, Romantic Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Kirkus Reviews, and many other places. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, sister, three dogs and a cat.

Lizzy's books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and n.o.ble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords.

Also by Lizzy Ford ....

Non-Series 2014 & 2015.

Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book).

Highlander Enchanted The Door (2015).

History Interrupted Time Travel Romantic Adventures.

West East North (2016) South (2017).

Omega Beginnings Miniseries individual episodes Alessandra Mismatch Phoibe.

Lantos Theodosia Niko Cleon.

Herakles Omega Beginnings Miniseries complete set Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) new adult science fiction serial Severed.

Trapped Exiled Revealed Escaped Heart of Fire s.e.xy dragon s.h.i.+fter.

Charred Heart Charred Tears.

Charred Hope Incubatti Buffy meets 50 Shades Zoey Rogue.

Zoey Avenger Rhyn Trilogy new adult paranormal with demons Katie's h.e.l.lion.

Katie's Hope Rhyn's Redemption Rhyn Eternal Death finds love Gabriel's Hope.

Deidre's Death Darkyn's Mate The Underworld.

Twisted Fate War of G.o.ds paranormal with G.o.ds, guardians and exceptional humans Damian's Oracle Damian's a.s.sa.s.sin Damian's Immortal The Grey G.o.d.

Damian Eternal Xander's Chance.

The Black G.o.d Hidden Evil paranormal with angels and four hors.e.m.e.n Hear No See No (2015).

Speak No (2016) Unnamed Series Unnatural (2015).

Unmade (2016) Omega Omega (2015) Theta (2016).

Alpha (2017) Anshan Saga new adult science fiction romance Kiera's Moon Kiera's Home (novelette).

Kiera's Sun Santa's Ninja Elves (short stories) Natasha & Hunter Non-series t.i.tles 2011 - 2013 Star Kissed.

A Demon's Desire The Warlord's Secret Maddy's Oasis Rebel Heart.

Witchling young adult paranormal Dark Summer Autumn Storm Winter Fire.

Spring Rain Broken Beauty Novellas new adult dramatic fiction Broken Beauty Broken World.

Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal Cursed Chosen (2015) Writing as SE Reign, erotica writer 101 Nights.

Claimed Tainted Crushed.

Volume One Box Set (Serials 1-3) Tempted Captured.

Twisted Volume Two Box Set.

Cornered.

end.