“Go,” I said to her softly, grinning and reaching for her mind to show her everything we’d learned about Lucifer. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes went wide. “This piece of shit won’tbe here in a few minutes, so he won’t own you anymore. Go to Teen, who can help you find work, or hide, and approach the Shadekin who’ll free you when this awful night is over. Whichever you prefer. But get out of here.”
The man, whose life I held, growled as he watched his slave sprint away into the darkened hallway. My allied Neph smiled. So did I—and then I leaned around so this asshole could look at me from the corner of his eye.
I could have remained invisible to him. Could have let him feel the slide of my blade from an unseen ghost. But I wanted him to see me. I wanted him to know who’d taken his life.
“You’re a sick fuck. Or should I say, youwere,”I hissed. Then opened his throat like a ripe melon, letting him drop to the ground. He choked, grabbing for his own neck like he might keep the blood from spilling.
I caught eyes with the green-eyed Neph, chuckling and wiping his blade on the carpet, preparing to return to the fight. “Thank you,” I said.
He nodded once, then we both turned. Him, to return to his fighting.
Me, to hunt this fucking Council down, one by one, and hopefully light a fire under Lucifer’s ass in the mind of any Neph I met while I was at it.
45. Fight for Love
SOUNDTRACK:The Serpentby Besomorth
~ MELEK ~
Sometimes Gall ran because he was afraid. I wanted to give him a chance to run off some of his tension. But the closer we drew to the great banquet hall in the palace, and the more he ignored the fights we passed, not even calling for assistance, the more concerned I grew.
When he sprinted around the final corner into the massive corridor lined with double doors, into the banquet hall, I was pushing to keep up with him. I didn’t know how Lucifer had done it, but my son was stronger and faster than he’d ever been.
The implications worried me a great deal.
Gall shoved through the closest set of doors to the banquet hall, and tore inside. I slid on the parquet floor as I entered and turned to follow him, almost losing my feet. Luckily he hadn’t thought to take that corner and wait for me where I might be off-balance. He ran straight to the opposite wall, leaped onto themassive, empty table, and tore one of the shining halberds—an axe on a long handle with a spear blade rising from its tip—from the wall where it was mounted, crossed with a spear.
With another leap to the floor, Gall whirled to face me, swinging the weapon’s axe head in a wide arc, his chest heaving after the run, but his eyes bright as he silently dared me to come closer.
Needing to catch my own breath, I silently considered how to reach the shield and buckler on the wall, before Gall reached me with that axe.
I raised my hands. “Gall, that isn’t necessary. I’m not going to kill you.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he roared, teeth bared and letting his weapon slip to his side. But I saw the flash of fear in his eyes, right alongside the fury he was building to give himself courage—and it just galvanized me. My son was still in there. I was sure of it.
“Of course it matters. I’m not your enemy, and you’re not a bloodthirsty—”
“Leave.” Gall muttered.
I blinked, but he didn’t stop. “Leave. Not just this room. Leave this palace. Leave this city—leave Ebonreach.Leave!”he shouted. “Leave this nation, because it belongs to me, and this is your last chance. If you want to live, youleave.Be over the mountains before dawn. Or I will kill you.”
“Gall—”
“I amnot a child!I’m not the weak, piddling puppy you knew! I’mstrongnow.”
“You’ve always been strong, Gall. That’s why I’m here. Because I know you’re strong enough to beat this.”
“The only thing I have to beat isyou.”
“This isn’t you, Son,” I said calmly, still showing him my palms, but slowly inching in a circle so I could get closer to thatshield in case he came at me. “I know you. I know this isn’t how you want to live.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he hissed.
My spine locked when Gall smiled, and there was nothing of the sweet, innocent boy I’d known, andonlyLucifer in those malicious eyes. Then he hefted the halberd. “I’ll use this to cut off your head, and deliver it to Grandfather,” he declared, panting and swallowing.
“No, you won’t.” It was risky to defy him outright, but I had to keep him talking. “I know you’re still in there—my son. My beautiful boy.”
“I was neveryourson!”he snarled. “Yourboyis now a king! He is strong! He will father the next king! I know why you’re here, and it’s not going to work!”
