38. AMBS
~ MELEK ~
I lay on the floor, trying to breath away the dizziness from Jann’s blow. Through squinted eyes, I could see my brother put his arm around Gall’s shoulders and murmur in his ear. Gall’s expression swung between fierce cold, and dazed confusion. While they believed I was down, I reached out for my mate.
‘Melek!’Yilan’s voice was frantic. Because she worried for me? Or because she was in danger?
‘I’m still here.’
‘Thank God. I brought the army. The humans are moving ahead of us, dousing all the lights—I can shroud when it’s dark. I think something was blocking me earlier. At least for now, there’s no barrier beyond weariness. Pray there’s no more interference. Soon, we’ll be fighting, anyway. We’re coming. Just hold on.’
My lungs wanted to freeze, but I pushed the fear aside.‘I’ll take care of Gall. You worry about what’s in front of you. That was a lovely touch, taking out the guards here. Lucifer’s on hisway and raising the alarm—watch out for him, but don’t let him make you fear. I think I’ve figured out how to best him.’
‘What? How?’
As quickly and succinctly as I could, I showed her what I’d seen, and what I’d learned… and what that quiet voice kept insisting.
‘…He can’t kill us himself—have you noticed? He whispers, and threatens, and causes pain, and tempts and seeds fear… but he never touches any of us himself. Healwayspresses someone else to do it. Someone who fears him, or has been persuaded. Think about it! The Prince of Lies—hehasto convince others to destroy themselves, or someone else. He is insidious and clever, and fucking evil… but he can’t touch you, Yilan. He can make you feel pain, and that makes you believe he could steal your life. But the threat to your flesh isn’t from him—it’s from those who listen to him. And they’re only a threat as long as they’re listening. That’s why we’re being told to resist. Don’t let him scare you, or draw your focus. He can’t touch you… he only presses others to do it.’
‘What about… what about Gall, and that awful power—’
‘It’s still Gall. Gall’s decision. Gall’s intent. Gall isn’t resisting… yet.’
‘Istral and the healing?’
I didn’t have an answer for that, but I knew it didn’t matter.‘Whatever happened that night, I’m confident, Yilan. He can’t kill you or me. He can’t take our lives. He can only convince others to do so.’
There was a pause as she hesitated. When she spoke again, I felt both the hope and the fear in her.
‘What if the others are listening to his threats?’
‘Show them the truth. No matter what he knows, he can’tforcethem to do anything. Only scare them or tempt them into it.’
‘He’s so fucking persuasive and frightening…’
‘Which is why wehaveto resist. The others… You can show them while they still believe he has the power—convince them!’
‘I don’t know, Melek—’
‘I do. We know how to win this now, Love!’
‘I hope so, but…’she faded out for a moment, the link growing weaker as she moved away.
I stretched for her in the bond.‘Don’t lose heart—and keep yourself safe!’
‘The fuck I will,’she muttered in return.‘I’m not stopping until the rapists are all dead, and you’re free.’She faded again, then rushed back in.‘…We’re leading them on a chase. A good chunk of Neph are about to die at the hands of their former brothers.’
‘Go. I love you.’
It was as if her breath caught, though I couldn’t hear that through the bond.‘Nowyoube safe,’she finally sent.Then, with a rush of love, and wicked delight, she sent me the image of herself slipping up behind a Neph guard, standing at a corner, waiting in ambush.
The only sound he made in death was the thud of his body crumpling to the floor.
‘That’s my beautiful, frightening mate,’I sent, praying she couldfeelmy smile.
‘Be safe, Melek.’
‘Be safe, Yilan. I love you.’
