NEW ~ FR*EE in KU

When her coven is attacked, Valentina is the only survivor. She is sworn to protect the Original Tarot, and when half of the Major Arcana is destroyed, she goes on a hunt to find the gods that can help her.

EXCERPT

“Why do you want to help me?” Valentina finally asked, eyes still fixed on the ground. “I came to you, okay, but during the Test, I also visited other gods, and most of them didn’t want me there. Jove was surprised, but Elias refused to talk to me, and the one who is Death pushed me off a roof. Not to mention he shot me first. And Osiris helped me only after I promised I would leave him alone forever.”

Loki let out a heavy sigh. He remained silent for a minute, lost in his own thoughts, trying to come up with an answer. Valentina looked up at him, and she was relieved to see he was gazing ahead, in the distance, at some birds chirping and playing on the green, lush grass. She could look at his profile, admire the perfect curve of his neck, and wonder just how it would feel to run her fingers through that long, brown hair of his. He always wore it in a low ponytail, and wild, stubborn strands always escaped their trap. He looked so young and boyish for someone who’d walked the Earth for thousands of years. She was so lost in her daydream that when Loki turned to her, his green eyes boring into hers, she forgot she was supposed to look away. Was she, though? Blue eyes lost themselves in green, godly eyes, and Valentina felt like time itself had stopped. She licked her lips and asked again, this time in a whisper. An almost pleading whisper…

“Why are you helping me?”

He stopped, and she stopped, too. They were standing in the middle of the alley, people passing them by as if they were invisible to them. Loki stepped closer to her, and Valentina suddenly felt the urge to lift herself on her tiptoes. He was so tall, and she felt so small and fragile. She resisted the urge. And when his warm hand cupped her cheek, she also resisted the urge to close her eyes, moan in contentment, and lean into his touch.

“When you came to me, on that rainy day, your hair disheveled from traveling through so many dimensions, your eyes filled with fear and confusion… You were there only in your etheric body, but you felt so real to me. A little girl, lost in time and space, being thrown from one place to another relentlessly. How could anyone refuse to help you?”

“They did… one by one.”

“Then, they don’t deserve you. They don’t matter. You’ll find them, you’ll put them in your cards, and you’ll move on. With me by your side. I will help you, Valentina De Rossi. I will help you save the original Tarot and become High Keeper of your coven. If only…” He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. So close to her lips, so close…

“If only what?”

“If only you give yourself to me.”

She felt like her heart had stopped beating. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself in time. His eyes told her he wasn’t done yet.

“And then, I will help you find another aspect of the Trickster, the God of Mischief, and put it in your card. It doesn’t have to be me. I don’t have to be your Hanged Man. I could be your mate, instead. Your partner in crime.” He smirked mischievously. “What do you say, love? You and me. The witch and the god. Let’s save the world and live happily ever after.”

His thumb reached the corner of her mouth, and just as he was getting ready to swipe it over her lips and lean in for a kiss, Valentina pushed his hand away and took a step back. She scowled at him.