A moment later, Istral cried out with joy. Gall sat up and looked around, confused.
Then he saw her, and a strange call broke in his throat. He grabbed for her, pulling her to him—and she went willingly, her white dress now marred by the blood smeared all over him—but neither of them cared.
“It can’t be,” Yilan breathed. “It can’t. Lucifer doesn’tsavelives.”
A roiling unease churned in my stomach, but Yilan and I stood together, gaping, as Gall scrambled to his feet awkwardly because he wouldn’t let go of Istral, who clung just as tightly to him.
When he was upright, he swayed and she steadied him. Then she said something to him and smiled, and he looked out into the crowd of the Coliseum, his eyes wide.
Both eyes.
Blood covered most of his face and half his chest, it smeared the sleeves of his shirt, and left trails and spatter on the stage.
But Gall was whole, and alive.
Then, as the Coliseum began to rock with excited babble, Gall took Istral’s face in his hands and kissed her.
And the Nephilimroared.
When the pair broke apart, Gall looked at the Nephilim, now cheering and roaring, pumping fists and jumping up and down, chanting his name.
Gall didn’t see Lucifer behind him, glowing, raising hands, an expression of ecstatic bliss on his face as the Nephilimworshipped.But when he tried to draw Istral away, he was met by the Fallen, smiling, eyes glazed with perverted delight, who placed hands on both of them and leaned down like a kind uncle.
“You see, Gall?” Lucifer intoned. “You see the power of your queen?Do you see her, Nephilim?!”He shouted to the Coliseum, which erupted with roars and shouts so deep, the stone walls shivered. “This is the power that leads you! This is the power that ismineto give, and I give to this pair—my Grandson and his Mate. Your king and queen. Never doubt, Nephilim, that when you stand in their presence, you stand in the presence ofmy power.The power over life and death. The power of theimmortal!Watch and see, Nephilim! Watch that power take the continent, and the world—watch your immortal king!”
My stomach churned with queasy unease, as Lucifer nodded to receive the adoration of the Nephilim masses, then turned Gall and Istral away and led them off the stage.
As they went, we watched helpless, while Gall tearfully clung to Istral with one arm, and Lucifer with the other. Istral gazed only at Gall, ignoring the darkness that walked alongside him.
Then Lucifer murmured something to Gall, and he lifted his head to look past her towards the crowd, just before they disappeared. He raised a single hand in a gesture of childish delight, and the Nephilim responded—chanting his name until the entire arena shook.
‘We have to get out of here,’Yilan breathed in my head.
I nodded, so stunned, my knees threatened to give way, but I stomped my feet under the cover of the Nephilim roars, thenwrapped her in my arms as she shrouded us, and launched from that wall.
I couldn’t resist flying towards the stage, trying to catch a glimpse of Gall—but he was gone, behind the curtains with Lucifer and Istral. Instead, I saw Jann, standing at the side of the stage, utterly still. Gaping in the direction in which the threesome had disappeared.
14. Meanwhile…
~ DIADRE ~
“I’m sorry to intrude on your time off, but it’s the only time I’ll be alone,” I murmured to the servant woman that Caelan had recommended. From what I gathered, she had an extensive knowledge of herbs, and acted as something between an apothecary and a midwife for the servants and slaves in and around the palace. Caelan claimed she’d proven her discretion time and again. I hoped she was right. These people all knew me and knew who Ibelongedto, but it still felt risky, somehow, to speak of truly personal things. As if my mask might slip.
None of the women here knew I was a Fetch, except Caelan.
This woman’s name was Teen. Her shoulder-length brown hair, which was just beginning to gray at the temples, swayed as she waved off my apology. Her eyes were kind… and tired.
A low, distant rumble raised my head—was it thunder? The air groaned. Teen winced, and looked out the small, high window in her dark chamber, though night had fallen, so the only light came from her candles and a lantern in the corner.
“The Neph are celebrating,” she said, her brow furrowed.
“That’s them?!” I blinked—the Coliseum was a mile away as the crow flies. A mile of city. To hear them all this way…
Teen tore her eyes from the window and nodded, then gave me a kind smile. “We’ll hear everything when they return. For now, let’s make use of our time. How can I help you?”
It took me a moment longer to shift my attention from what must be happening out there. My jaw clenched.
When Jann insisted that I stay behind—that none of the Advisors were bringing their slaves, so it would be odd if he brought me—I waspissed.Especially when I learned Melek was taking Yilan.
