Melek’s eyes grew intense. “I never put it all together—whatresistreally meant—but I’m getting it now. It’s bigger than just disagreeing with him. It’s notlistening.Not believing a word that comes from his mouth. Not inviting him in by agreeing with anything that comes from him. Because if we don’t believe him, he’s powerless! He’s immortal, Jann.Not mortal.His power isn’t in this world. It’s not in the flesh and blood. It’s to make us fear. He feeds on it. It strengthens him—the more afraid we are, the more those around us fear as well.Think about it.He causes pain, makes threats, tempts, seduces, taunts, and promises death… but any time someone dies, it’s always at the hands of someone who’s listening to that fucker!”
I blinked, shaking my head, scrambling to remember—I was sure I’d seen more than one… Nephilim who had fallen at Lucifer’s hand…
Hadn’t I?
Melek, obviously following the train of my thoughts, shook his head. “I know what he’s got on you, Jann. I get it. But don’t you see—those words, that fear, that’s the real power he holds. If you refuse it. If you reject him—resist—he has no power over you.”
I swallowed hard, as a tiny kernel of hope bloomed in my chest. I stifled it immediately. Because Iremembered.
Melek must have seen that light in my eyes, because he spoke faster, keeping his chin high so that blade wouldn’t cut his throat. His gaze never left mine—and his words, so sure and full, everything I’d ever wanted to hear, mingled with the memories of very real moments I’d faced down evil…
“Jann… he is a creature of the night, of the supernatural, the spiritual realm. His battle is for the heart and mind. I never saw it before—none of us did. But we see it now. Hecan’twin if we resist. If all of us tell him no—”
Lucifer gripping my throat, his eyes glowing with that unholy light. His voice… so cool, so unflustered… yet, describing the most horrific events in minute detail…
“—Yilan’s out there clearing the path. Taking the palace withourmen. All men with yellow eyes just months ago. Now they resist. They stand together. There are Centaurs and humans and Nephilim fightingtogether.Fuck, even Hever’s helping. That’s what emerges when fear isn’t driving every decision—a world without Lucifer and hismindfuck.”
“It doesn’t matter whofearshim,” I said hoarsely. “It matters what he’s capable of.”
“Unless you fear him, he’s not capable ofanything,”Melek hissed, his conviction rock-solid.
I wanted to believe him. I wanted him to be right. I’d never wanted to be aGolden Eyes.He knew that. So did Lucifer.
But Lucifer also knew what Ihadwanted.
“You can have it all, Jann… Or none of it. There’s no middle ground for you. Bring me the head of Melek Handras and give his power to Gall, and with that gain everything you have ever wanted. Or don’t… and lose it all.”
“Jann—”
“Melek…I can’t risk it.He’s going to take Diadre—and our son—”
“Jann,no!”
I gasped, turning on my heel as Diadre materialized from behind me, her face a mask of horror—and the bondflooded with love.
…Images flickered in my mind, pictures of Lucifer’s intentions, solidified, until I could see nothing else—my mate torn and battered, tortured and bleeding. My son, cut out of her body and held in the dripping hand of a bloodthirsty Lucifer, far too soon. That tiny, perfectly formed, but ill-equipped body, unable to take even his first breath as he trembled in the palmof the most powerful being in existence… Lucifer. Smiling at me as he closed his fist and crushed my son—
“NO!” I whirled back to Melek, keeping the end of my spear pointed at him as he backed up a step. He froze when I turned on him. “I’m not listening to yourtheories.I won’t gamble my family on a hunch.”
Melek grunted. “It’s not a fucking hunch.”
“You have ideas and thoughts, but no proof—”
“Why hasn’t he killed me… ever? He’s been in my presence a dozen times. If his power is so great, why hasn’t he done more than cause me pain? I’ll tell you why, because hecan’t.The pain he has inflicted has only come when I let myself fear. The moment I stood firm, themomentI refused him, he disappeared.Every time.When he had me, broken and gasping at his feet, did he kill me then? No. He turned to Gall and insisted Gall do it.Gall,Jann. Why? Because he knows Gall was darkened by the death of Gault, and if he can get him to kill me too, Gall’s heart will be burned out of his chest.”
“You don’t know that—”
“I do—and you do too. You’re just too fucking terrified to admit it.”
I snarled at him. “I’ve carried youthrough this.You wouldn’t even be here without me!”
“That’s my point—we’re in this together. If we both resist him—if our mates resist him too—if we all stand and bring anyone with us who’s willing to listen—”
“Always the fucking Commander, with your speeches and yourinspiration.But guess who bleeds and dies when the darkness descends, Melek?Guess who pays the price for your ideas if you’re wrong?”
His face went flat. Eyes narrowed. I nudged him with that spear again and he flinched, but his teeth remained gritted. “You’re my brother. I’m not going to kill you—”
“Enough of the fucking noble bullshit, Melek! I’m done with—”
