I pull Logan’s hand to Skyla’s. “Take care of one another. Rejoice, have a party.” I can’t help but laugh with genuine joy myself. “There’s somewhere I need to go right now. And I’m hoping this little trip will save all of us a hell of a lot of trouble.”
Skyla nods, her eyes widening. “Do what you have to. We’ll be waiting for you. We love you.”
Logan pulls me in again and lands a kiss to my face. “Get out there and kick some ass, Gage. We’ve got your back.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
I take off, walking right through the Paragon fog until I land where I began this wild ride of a day—right in front of Demetri Edinger’s door.
I don’t bother knocking. I head right in and find him in the exact spot I left him in, alone, with a whiskey neat in his hand, the same cold look in his eyes.
“Son.” He lifts the glass in my honor, and the amber liquid reflects the flames licking their way out of the fireplace behind him.
“Never call me that again.” I head over. “I’m here to give you my formal resignation. I’m not your son, your pawn, or your king. I am fully and wholeheartedly committed to Celestra—my wife’s people, my people. I demand that vaccine distribution come to a halt.”
“But Gage”—that ridiculous ironic smile of his crests his face—“the world is in great peril. It won’t survive without it.”
“Science is licking at our heels. It’s on the verge of a vaccine. Or hell, Ezrina and Wes will whip one out. You no longer have my permission to run this crooked show. I’m out.”
His chest pumps with a dry laugh. “You’re out?” He looks amused at the thought. “My dear son, I don’t need your permission to run this crooked show as you call it. You see, you already gave the ordinance. And I most certainly accept your resignation. I understand you have a mind of your own. It was never my desire to hold you against your will.”
“No. You just made sure I bent to yours. You are a liar. And you have deceived me for the very last time. If you won’t halt the damn vaccine distribution, I’ll do it myself.”
I give him a firm shove, a powerful blow that sends him exactly where I intended, right into the flames of that overgrown fireplace of his.
I take off and I don’t look back.
We’re fighting a whole new war—this time on opposing sides of the field.
And I know just who to call to watch my back.
24
Logan
God reigns.
Never before have I felt the glory of His presence shining down over us the way I did on the beach that day.
Almost a week has passed and the shitstorm of Demetri’s fury still rages. Try as he might, Gage can’t stop the distribution of that vaccine. Althorpe has it, and is running to the four corners of the planet with it. After that fiasco with Rory, not a single Nephilim has run out to get it, with the exception of those few expats who still plead their allegiance to the Fems. But my God, there are less than a handful of them. It turns out, the only way to hide the markers from that rather expository vaccine is to take the sister inoculation—the serum the Fems are holding close to the vest that not only deflects the efforts of the vaccine’s tattle-tale component, it hides the markers permanently. The holy grail, and they have it all. Demetri is coming at us with a two-pronged punch. And as much as I hate to admit it, it’s damn brilliant.
It’s the night before Valentine’s Day—the day that Mia and Rev are set to marry at Marshall’s estate. Lizbeth was campaigning hard to host the big event at Demetri’s hall of horrors, but Skyla was able to talk some sense into her sister, and thankfully we won’t be anywhere near that cursed haunted house.
It’s an odd time for a wedding regardless of where it’s held. The world is aching, so very ill. And that’s precisely why Skyla, Gage, and I have decided to hold a meeting at the Havers’ old barn. It’s time to let them know whatweknow. It’s time to rally the troops and share some hard truths.
It’s late in the evening, and the barn is filled to capacity. Barron has shown up but not Emma. She’s still very much pouting. I’m sure she’ll come around, but she sees Gage’s return as a betrayal and she needs time to lick her wounds.
The Retribution League is here, front row as usual. Chloe has bothered to show, ever so full of piss and vinegar. Gage sits between Wes and Coop, our new brothers, right along Brody and Ellis. And, of course, Skyla sits next to me. And since it’s late, and we’re not in the mood to drill into anyone’s head that Skyla is, in fact, herself, I get to play the part of her mouthpiece tonight.
“Thank you for coming.” I stand to face the crowd. “My Nephilim family. As you know, our world is in disarray. Althorpe and the Fems have the vaccine, and it seems to be working.”
“And when willweget it?” someone shouts from the back. “My family is suffering. We’re afraid. We see images of bodies piling up in the streets. We see the terror this virus can bring. We need this vaccine, too.”
“I agree,” I say. “And it’s coming. Ezrina is working overtime to make this possible. A new serum is being formulated as we speak. One that will dovetail with the vaccine and our markers will remain hidden.” I glance her way and she offers me a nod. “She’s given me her word she’ll have it in less than a week.” Those were her very words before I took my position at the front of the room, and if Ezrina says it’s true, you can bet it’s gospel.” I look to Skyla and my heart breaks as she sits by my side like an angel with a broken wing. “And by week’s end or sooner, when our new serum is ready to combat the curse that the Fem’s have imposed on us, it’s not going to be me who stands here to tell you the news. It’s going to be Skyla. She is your protector, your adversary. She is the queen of our people. Do not disparage her with your doubt, your criticism. But give her your honor, your full trust. She not only deserves it, she has earned it.” I look to Gage. My lips purse as I contemplate on how to go about this. No matter how many times I’ve spun this in my mind, I can’t decide on how to stick the landing. So I opt for something short and sweet. “And on that note, Gage Oliver is back. He has denounced the Fems and is fighting for our people. He will aid in unraveling all that he has done.”
Gage steps forward as the room fills with gasps and murmurs.
“Brothers and sisters.” He takes a slow breath. “It is with a humble heart I ask your forgiveness. But do not give it to me freely. Allow me to earn it. I’m returning what rightfully belongs to Skyla, to you—your power. And I’m fighting with you, elbow-to-elbow. We will prosper. We already have the victory, we simply need to reach out and grab it.”
