‘We can do this. Together. Lucifer can’t win if we truly resist. Hecan’ttake us—and even if our swords fall, we die free of his bullshit! Keep fighting brothers and sisters. Victory is in our grasp!’
There was a mighty roar that rippled through the hallway, and echoed away down the adjoining chambers. I danced through that line—taking my blade to the throat of one Neph who darted past my ally, and severing another's spine at the base of the neck when he wrestled a Shadekin to the floor.
Then I was through, and the shadows on the other side were dim enough to allow me passage through the locked doors and into the banquet hall, where my mate stood with his life in the hands of his son.
48. Provide & Protect
~ MELEK ~
My son shook, that blade trembling against my throat, the sting of it growing as Gall roared with such force, spittle hit my face, and his body quivered.
Then Yilan appeared from the shadows behind him, her blade drawn and bloody, eyes furious. She appeared only feet behind him, creeping on silent feet, blade at the ready, every line of her body a deadly promise.
“Yilan,no!”
Gall jerked, and the axe jerked inches away as he turned. Praying I was fast enough, I used the hairsbreadth of space to push his elbow high to keep the blade away, then as he roared and whirled back, I dove past him, tackling Yilan to the ground. I threw an arm over her head as we rolled, then crashed into one of the thick table legs—a wave of Deja-vu squeezed my heart, reliving the moment when I’d first seen her in Gault’s tent, and tackled her as an enemy—but there was no time for nostalgia.
My mate hissed like a cat as a shadow fell over us. With a grunt, I flipped her, rolling to my feet between her and Gall—but I was too slow.
I’d only made it up to one knee when the blade of the halberd that extended from the top of the weapon like a spear, flashed then went still, pointing directly at my throat once more. I froze.
“Melek—!” Yilan breathed. I snapped a hand up in a gesture for silence, and slowly scanned up his body until I found Gall’s eyes.
My son stood over me, shoulders broad, marble arms extended to hold that weapon steady against my flesh. Strands from the warrior’s length he seemed determined to earn, splayed over his shoulder. The lights from the sconces on the wall high behind him, made a halo of light, casting his face and body into deep shadow. His eyes glowed out from that darkness, with an avid light I didn’t recognize. His chest heaved like a bellows.
Gall was stressed. Overwhelmed. Andangry.
Slowly, I raised both my hands, palms towards him in surrender. “Gall—”
“Why did you do that?!” he snarled, looking furiously back and forth between me and Yilan over my shoulder. I hadn’t heard her move, but I was of no doubt she was crouched under the table, ready to run—or fight. I hadn’t given her room to get out.
I frowned. “Do what? I won’t attack you—”
“I moved the weapon, and you went forherinstead ofme.Why did you do that?!” he roared.
I locked eyes with him and gave him a moment to breathe, and hopefully calm before I answered. “I told you, Gall. I won’t hurt you. I’m trying toprotectyou.”
His heavy brows pinched, lines appearing on his forehead. Confusion shadowed his gaze. “But—”
“Gall, please… please don’t hurt him,” Yilan breathed. “Please. We’re going to have a baby, and—”
“I’m having a baby too! Grandfather’s got her! He’s got my Izzy!”
Eyes wide and suddenly red, Gall made an awful, howling cry and his body began to shake.
“Son, it’s okay. No one’s going to touch you—”
“It’s not okay!Stop saying it’s okay!”
I startled when the weapon moved, but to my relief, Gall yanked the halberdawayfrom me and stumbled back a step. Then another. He hissed to himself, letting go of the halberd with one hand to smack his own head.
“Gall,no!”
A low, strange noise began in his throat, and he screwed his eyes tightly shut, shaking his head. Muttering under his breath.
Then his eyes flew wide, round, wild and he whirled towards the doors, throwing the halberd off to the side where it clattered on the stones. Then he rushed back to it—only to catch himself as he leaned down to pick it up again and whirl.
“Melek, what’s going on?” Yilan whispered at my back. I took her hand and pulled her out from under the table, and we watched my son endure torment.
