“Sector Marshall, you are strong inside and out. Too comely for your own good. You understand your moral boundary and never do you waver. You covet matters of the heart and value the opinions and thoughts of those you care about. How did I ever decide to gift you to my child?” I shake my head as I take in this treasure.
A dark laugh pricks the silence as Demetri himself strides our way.
“It seems I’ve interrupted a rather amusing confessional.” He nods my way then to the Sector.
“Yes,” I say. “That you have. “Sector Marshall was just sharing his displeasure with me.”
“With the situation,” he corrects.
“With me.” I nod as I look his way. “Let’s make no bones about it. You blame me for this disaster that’s befallen mankind, which, in fact, is not my error.”
Sector Marshall’s chest expands. “Perhaps not your disaster entirely, but Your Grace, there is much you can do to dampen the effects of this plague.”
“Virus,” Demetri corrects. “And I will graciously take full responsibility. My, my Sector, it seems you’ve wound up my ladylove. Whatever shall I do to punish you?”
Sector Marshall growls at him, low and animalistic. “You punish me daily on the planet we’re both subjected to endure. You punish me with your presence, with your actions, and with your wicked heart, your wicked intent.” He turns his fury back my way. “And Your Grace, you punish as well. You punish your people by standing by and allowing this creature to torment those poor souls. You punish your child by denying her an open line of communication with you. And you punish yourself by insisting on engaging with this beast. I should have put an end to this farce centuries ago.”
“Enough!” My voice riots over the expanse, causing the water to ripple away from me at once. “You do not have a say in what I do or with whom I engage. Something needed to be done with the Nephilim. A destiny designed.”
Sector leans in. “And you didn’t need him to interfere. Had you inquired elsewhere, a more amicable, peaceable solution could have been found. Instead, you took the bitter war your hearts were waging and plagued the world with it. This no longer involves the Nephilim alone. Souls have perished. Destinies destroyed. Economies crumbled. Entire countries thrown into abject poverty overnight. There are bread lines, and lines at the crematorium. Ask yourself this, Candace—was this charade worth it?”
I float a notch into the expanse above me as his voice rises to undue levels.
“Mind yourself, Sector,” I warn.
“Or what?” he roars so loud, a crowd has amassed along the shoreline.
Demetri’s chest bucks with a laugh. “One minute it’s Your Grace, the next you’re merely Candace. I do believe he’s spending far too much time with those ornery humans. They are ardent lovers of themselves, unable to show an ounce of reverence where reverence is due. There must be some way we can punish him.”
I glance his way. “There is nowe,Demetri. There was never awe. That’s where you went wrong. That’s where I went right.” I lift a brow to Sector Marshall. “Don’t worry. There will be no penalty for your outburst. Heaven does know that being forced to reside Earth side is enough to sand down even the steeliest of sanities. Be gone. I’ll take care of what I must.”
The Sector nods my way. “If I may, I’d like to observe a moment longer.” His nostrils flare to the Fem among us. “What havoc have you come to flaunt in her presence?”
“Havoc?” Demetri’s smile disintegrates. “I’ll have you know, Marshall, I bring no havoc, only solutions.” His lips flex in my honor. “Your Grace, I have come to let you know this disaster shall pass as quickly as it came. The serum is well in supply.” He sharpens his eyes over at Sector Marshall. “And all will receive it.” He curls a malevolent smile as he nods to the two of us. “Enjoy the visit.” He stalks off, evaporating as he glides over the surface of the water like the serpent he is.
“Your Grace.” Sector Marshall bows his head my way.
“Silence. I’ve heard enough from you. Why aren’t you minding my daughter? If there is havoc on the planet, surely the two of you should shoulder some blame. Don’t answer. Those are rhetorical questions for you to ponder when you’re back in that castle you’ve afforded yourself.” I tip my chin up as I look to the shore. “Aurora.” Her name comes from me with an undue calm, and yet the winds stir the waters to unruly waves at the mention of her.
A flash of light emits from the Falls and quick as a lightning she lands before me.
“Aurora.” I bless her with her name once again as I take in this pasty, yet rowdy, version of the daughter I know.
“How do you like me now, Mother?” She does a little curtsy.
“Oh, as if poor Melody Winters’ body hasn’t been through enough. And how is Cassandra Graham doing in there?” I squint as I look into each of her eyes. “You’ve colored her locks twice already, and now it’s the same daring shade of amber that her mother wears. It was golden just the other night.” I frown at the thought. “You know I don’t approve of modifying the host. Please, Rory, you’re building quite a case for a reversal of my possession liberties. Do refrain from imposing anything permanent on the girl.”
A laugh bubbles from her. “Oh, Mother, why are you always such a drag? I’m having a ball down there. I’m coveted by women for the treasures Melody has amassed. I’m wanted by men for this body.” She takes a moment to scowl at Sector Marshall. “And I’ve donned an interesting alliance. Hurry, Mother, and send me back. I’ve always suspected Earth would be terrible fun, and now that I get to see it for myself, I don’t want to waste a moment of it.”
“Terriblefun,” Sector Marshall says mostly to himself.
“I see.” I take a breath as I look to my precious daughter. “In that case, I’ll try not to steal too much of your time. Listen, child, and listen well.” I stride over and maintain my gaze over hers. “It’s time.” I nod. “Everything we spoke about will come to fruition. You know what you must do.”
Her countenance grows instantly somber as she closes her eyes a moment.
“Yes, Mother, I do.”
“I gather you won’t disappoint me?”
