If Gall didn’t start speaking quickly, there would be a frenzy.
I tensed. Yilan placed her free hand on my shoulder and pressed down. We had to stay out of this.
“Good evening!” Gall shouted, and by some trick of the narrow streets lined with tall buildings, his voice projected far into the night, echoing through the city. “You are here to see your king return—and you will not be disappointed—but my announcement will be brief.”
Yilan and I looked at each other. Gall didn’t sound likeGall.
My skin crawled.
“I have been away, preparing for the future.Ourfuture. Together. I have much I want to share with you, but my arrangements aren’t quite complete. I look forward to sharingeverything I’ve learned, and all the plans the queen and I have made, with you soon. I needed to speak with you tonight, because a crucial stepping stone in our journey forward—our journey to the fullest life possible—will be the Winter Solstice rituals.”
The rumble started quietly, but when the crowds realized he wasn’t going to continue until they’d cheered, they obliged him, raising fists and voices alike. I frowned. In Nephilim culture, Winter Solstice was a time for celebrating the final battle with the elements—the expectation that the coming season would only improve.
The mediums and witches marked it with their rituals, and profited from the superstitious amongst us. Most of the men I knew—those with money and influence—used it as little more than an excuse to feast and get drunk and take women. However, it appeared Gall—or rather, Lucifer, had other plans this year?
Gall nodded smugly as if he’d heard my question, his cheeks red in the chill air, and eyes shining. “In the past year, I’ve walked the length of this land, conquered every nation on the Continent, and returned to you.”
More cheering, though even Gall seemed to sense the falter in this one—whether they liked it or not, the Neph knew theconqueringhadn’t been done by him. His expression tightened at their lackluster applause.
I ground my teeth.
“…this year, our Solstice rituals will bring awealthof power, which I will bequeath on you. My queen and I will carry you into the last of the battles required to truly rule the world!”
More lies. More cheering.
“Part of the celebration of victory, must be the defeat of our enemies.”
At the word, a long, low growl vibrated up and down the nearby streets, the Neph voicing their contempt forme.
Gall nodded his agreement. “My gift to you, tonight… to prepare all of us for the coming rituals and triumph… I am announcing ahunt.”
Most of the Neph went quiet. A hunt was generally only offered to the highest ranking and most powerful of our society. The rank and file would not be invited—and they weren’t happy about this reminder of their lack.
A bead of cold fear began between my shoulder blades, and trickled down my spine.
“Not a normal hunt,” Gall assured them, smiling smugly. “Acleanse,if you will. Our city has been overrun with rats—vermin whose eyes are blind to the strength and power before them. Hearts and minds that seek to undermine us, and steal the power I’d offer you for themselves. But I won’t allow it! I will remove them—wewill remove them. Clean our streets and our hearts, so that we might meet the change of seasons withonlythose of strength and victory present. You, my Nephilim brothers—all of you—will eat your fill of our insidious adversaries. Those among us who claim allegiance, but whose thoughts and actions betray their true motives. Do you have a servant who questions your authority? A woman who attempts to refuse you? A lazy slave? Bring them to the hunt. Any within your household whose lives stand in defiance of all we have conquered and earned? This is your moment, brothers. Release them to the hunt. Then prepare to eat your fill.”
I began to back away from the edge of the wall, pulling Yilan with me, as a rumble of cautious approval rolled through the Neph.
‘No, Melek—he can’t know—’
“Throw any you suspect into the streets, then lock your doors. Two hours from now, when the bells chime, you are free to take whatever you find. Free tohunt.Free tofeast.”
The rumble became a rising cheer. I took a stronger hold on Yilan, as Gall reveled in their thrill.
“Return to your homes. Find your slaves and women—lock away any that you value, who uphold your house. Because when the bells chime, the Nephilimand their houndswill be loosed, to make certain the city is clear of any soul that isn’t protected by Neph. We will meet the coming year with our nationpure!”
The roar that rose was unbridled. It battered the air and shook the streets.
I froze at the mention of the hounds. The soul-sucking, hellishcreatureswho fed on the soul, and killed without thought.
Yilan. Diadre. The Centaurs. The human allies. The slaves who’d—
Without another thought, I whirled, whipping Yilan up, into my arms, and into the night sky, clawing through it, flapping to catapult us out of the city.
‘Melek—we need to hear what else he says!’
‘No.’
