The frenzy had stopped. Every Nephilim in the Coliseum stood frozen—some in comical poses, mid-blow or fall. But that wasn’t what dropped my jaw.
High overhead, standing in the air, stood Lucifer.Glowingwith power and malicious delight—and he held Istral against his chest.
She wore a long, flowing white gown that put me in mind of a nightdress. She, too, was frozen, but apparently in fear, her eyes wide pools, arms pinned to her sides by Lucifer’s grip, and her feet kicking weakly in the air.
“I can’t leave you alone even forone night?”he roared, though his eyes gleamed as if he thoroughly enjoyed himself. “I can’t allow my grandson one evening of freedom without youkillinghim?”
The tiny spark of hope I’d had began to die. But Yilan gripped my shoulder and shook.
“Do you forget who gave him his power? Do you forget who ownsyou?!”Lucifer roared.
The Coliseum snapped back to life, the Nephilim falling apart, sprawling, dropping each other, dropping to their knees, or cowering as Lucifer’s eyes glowed.
Yilan trembled, her eyes locked on Istral.
“Perhaps this is precisely what we all needed,” Lucifer sighed, as if he were the long-suffering parent. “Perhaps after this, you’ll remember who truly holds the power here. Calm yourselves, my sons, and grandsons, and descendants. Calm yourselves, Nephilim. Watch… and remember.”
He blinked out of existence in the sky—Istral as well. Yilan and I both gasped, but before we could do more than inhale, there was disruption on the stage, and that eerie light emanating from Lucifer appeared again.
With short, sharp instructions, he cleared the stage until all that remained were the Advisors, who—at his command—carried Gall’s limp body to the front where every seat in the Coliseum could see it.
Jann’s face was lined, ragged.
Istral shrieked when she saw Gall, and struggled against Lucifer’s grip on her. But he only laughed.
“Don’t worry, sweet girl. You’re about to have your chance—watch closely, Neph. Watch close and remember: Power, true power over death and life, ismine—and I can impart it however I choose.”
Gripping Istral at her shoulders, he turned her to face him and leaned down until their noses almost touched.
She struggled and wept, pleading for Gall.
Lucifer gave her a small shake, and his gaze sharpened. “If you really want to help your mate, if you really want to see him safe and empowered, you’ll stop weeping andlisten.”
Istral froze, eyes wide, once again entranced as she had been down in the ritual chamber.
My stomach turned.
“Very good, now, listen…” Every able body in the Coliseum swayed closer as Lucifer leaned into her ear. We couldn’t hear a word, but Istral’s eyes widened further, and she began to tremble.
“What is he doing?!” Yilan hissed. Neither of us moved.
Then Istral’s head snapped sideways to look at Lucifer as he straightened again, nodding, his smile smug.
“You are the queen of our people—the first in generations,” he said. I would have sworn he whispered to her, but his voice carried throughout the Coliseum. “...and you carry the heir of my line. As a reward, I give youmypower. Power over life. Power over death. Power over whatsoever you choose. Your mate lies dead… but his life is in your hands.”
He stared at Istral, who blinked. Her lips moved and Yilan twitched, but we gripped each other.
“Are you ready?”
Istral nodded, then Lucifer released her.
The moment his hands left her, she threw herself across the stage to slide to Gall’s side, weeping and crying, calling for him.
I felt Yilan convulse, and saw tears track her cheeks as surely as mine.
We held each other, watching the most precious person in her world, grieve for the most precious person in mine.
Please, God—
