“Lilith has reemerged,” The Divinity Pantheon Ruler, Ma’at’s voice booms across my bedroom, startling me from my task. Next to her is the minor deity, Oromos, in long robes that cover his reptilian frame. The creature likes to follow the goddess around like an accessory.

Eyes narrowed, I close my laptop and face Ma’at and Oromos. Her fiery gown and flame-colored hair blaze as she glides into the room until her tall frame dominates the space.

“I know. I felt her power stir last night,” I answer carefully.

“Can you find her? Or are you going to let her slip through your fingers again?” she asks.

Her reprimand rings through my ears, making me tighten my fists. “I was in the process of pinpointing her location when you walked in. The surge of power she emitted coincided with unnatural patterns that have been occurring in California.”

The goddess’ snake-like eyes search the room before they hone back to me. “When do you leave?”

I walk to my closet and pull out my bag. “I’ll be leaving now.”

Oromos slinks by her and gazes up at me through his reptilian eyes but remains quiet.

Her lip curls with derision. “Truly? I’m surprised you have not left yet.”

I gesture to my laptop. “I hadn’t left because I needed to make sure it was her power that I was feeling, and I had to research everything I could about her before I showed up at her doorstep. Now, is there something else you need?”

I know I shouldn’t snap at the being who literally holds my redemption in her hands, but I’m out of patience and irritated because this bloody search has taken too fucking long.

Ma’at fumes as she approaches me and slaps me soundly in the face. My head snaps back, and my body stiffens, but I do not cry out. It’s pointless. Thankfully, I’m not human; if not, her strike would have killed me.

“You’re an insolent pup, aren’t you, boy. So many years living, and you have yet to learn how to respect your betters.”

Teeth clenched, I remain silent. It’s pointless to argue with a higher being.

Taking my silence as surrender, Ma’at lowers her hand and glares down at me. “Bring Lilith and the Tenebrous back to me before it’s too late. Do not fail me again!”

Once they flash out of my house, I commence my plan to capture my prey.