Rory bounces over and wraps her arms around Logan as if she were about to accost him.
“We’re not afraid of either of you.” She widens her eyes over at Gage. “And don’t think for a moment I’m not going to help my people. You think you traded a formidable opponent for the lesser, but I’m about to prove you wrong.”
Wow, Rory is letting Gage know she’s not doing him any special favors.
Chloe scoffs.She’s putting on an act.
I don’t know, I say.She did ask if you wanted to join wicked forces with her. I think she’s looking to take the throne and own it. She feels slighted because destiny gave her the shaft. I’m the child my mother venerated, not her.
Chloe groans.I’m familiar with the feeling. I was never enough for my parents. They never wanted a girl. My mother had one serious hang-up about having a daughter, and look how well I turned out?
My heart cinches at the thought. No wonder Chloe morphed into a piranha. She’s been dealing with rejection from the day she was born, literally.
Don’t you feel sorry for me, Mess. I still don’t care about you.
“Don’t worry. I’m not pulling out the tiny violin,” I whisper as I stride over to where Logan and Gage look ready to kill. “What’s with the meeting of the minds?” I shoot Demetri an icy look.
The devilish Fem broadens his smile my way. “Chloe, you’ve switched sides, I hear.”
“Everyone has switched sides,” I snip and sound decidedly like Chloe in the process.
Demetri’s chest expands with his next breath. “Not to worry, all of you will be switching soon enough. Gage is the leader of the Factions. The Fems hold the high ground. And soon we will unveil a peace treaty that will be impossible to resist.” He looks to Rory. “Don’t worry, my love. You will be cared for. We have a special place in our kingdom just for you. A place of honor.”
“No, thank you,” Rory bleats it out, and I’m a touch proud of her for it, even if Chloe is right and it is an act. “I’m sure whatever it is you have cooking won’t be in the least as appetizing as what we have to offer. Our serum is at the finish line.”
Logan nods. “Round one of our inoculations is complete. That means every Nephilim out there is covered. And round two will be distributed in weeks. There will be no round three. You can guess why.”
Gage takes a breath. “Because you’ve found a permanent solution.”
“That’s right,” I say sharply. “Your little wicked playground games are over. There is no reason anyone needs to side with you.”
Gage pierces me with those cobalt eyes. “Not even you?” His cheek glides up one side. “Don’t worry, Chloe. Once everything is revealed, you’ll come with your tail between your legs apologizing to me. And I will accept that apology.”
Demetri nods. “That’s right. Soon, the Fems and Celestra will be working side by side.”
Logan shakes his head. “No, we won’t. We’re not interested in sharing the celestial spotlight.”
Bree tackles me from behind and sweeps me a few feet away.
“Let them haggle it out, Bishop. Who the hell cares where the supernatural pieces land? We’ve got a party to plan.” She pulls Emily into our midst. “I’m thinking strip clubs and tattoo parlors.”
“I’m on board.” I’m quick to nod to the lunacy. “What other vulgar, outlandish, completely out-of-control freaky things can we do to her?” I glare over at Rory without giving it a second thought.
“Relax, Bishop.” Em chuckles. “Tone down the hate. You’re on the same side now. You should play nice.” She tips her head back. “Oh, that’s right. You’re still operating under that whole tell-’em-you’re-for-’em-and-then-stick-the-knife-in-their-back-when-they’re-not-looking plan.”
“Chloe?” My voice drops a register and both Em and Bree look at me funny.
Chloe chuckles.Oh, stop making me look stupid, Messenger. You and I both know I wouldn’t do that. I invited you into the holy of holies. To stick a knife in your back would be sticking one in my own—literally and figuratively.
“Lovely.” I give a few quick blinks. “Never mind. Em, what do you suggest?”
“Isn’t she afraid of heights?” Her pale face turns a notch to spy on Rory, and I’d swear the lights just dimmed. “We could push her off Devil’s Peak.”
“Emily Morgan!” I snap. “She rescued your brother and that’s the thanks you have for her?”
It’s true. Em’s brother was one of the Viden youth who Wes turned into a Spectator—a monstrous zombie about as tall as an evergreen. But since then, with my intervention, they’re pretty much back to normal. Ezrina put some sort of default system into them and they have the ability to revert to their zombie state if needed.
Em grunts, “Fine. But for your information, I don’t think a shove to the jagged rocks below would have killed her. Rumor has it, the last time she jumped, her mother made sure she sprouted wings and she floated down as soft as a feather. But we could try to kill her for the fun of it.”
