“Absolutely not,” Tap warned, the tip of his blade raised and aimed at Armaros’s throat. “You don’t even look at her. I will kill you where you stand.”
“There’s no need for ugliness. As we discussed in Vincara, that lovely little Nephilim has been chosen for our repopulation initiative. Demon mother or not, she’ll make us some very useful angel offspring.” Rage flowed through me, hot and thick. He didn’t wait for a response before continuing, “We’ve waited years for you to reveal yourself, Seraphina. Your father did anexcellent job of hiding you away. I was reasonable the last time we met, because I couldn’t be sure it was you under that robe.” His head tilted to one side. “I couldn’t sense you properly at all then.” He inhaled deeply, eyes sliding closed. “But I can now. And you’re definitely ready to be matched. Even if you did dishonor yourself by spreading your legs for a demon.” He sneered. “Apples not falling far from trees, and all that.”
Tap unleashed a guttural sound of rage, and Armaros stepped back as Tap swung his blade.
“Come home, with me, Seraphina. Fulfill your highest purpose as a Nephilim.”
My stomach turned at his words. “Heaven has never been my home,” I replied softly, wishing I could summon the strength to be louder. I forced myself to stand taller, and push my shoulders back, pretending to be brave as though that would make it real.
“You mustn’t judge based on how things used to be. You’ll see, things are much improved for Nephilim since these three left.”
“Left?” James huffed. “Weescaped. Nothing that comes out of your mouth is the truth.” The Nephilim’s disdain for him was obvious, and when his eyes met mine, the plea for me to believe him was clear.
“Come now, James. I know your memories are probably a bit darker than I’d like, but privileges have been reevaluated. Everything is different now. And just think, if you’re a carrier for a talent that’s useful to us all, you’ll be rewarded even more handsomely.” He turned to face me again, and I had to force myself not to shrink away. “Come with me, Seraphina. Despite the nature you inherited from your mother, Heaven is where youbelong.”
Behind him, Seir had quietly activated the gate to Everwood, and the other Nephilim edged right up against it.
I set my jaw, trying to be smart about whatever was about to happen. “No.”
His pleasant expression disappeared, and Tap stepped even closer to him, rage pouring off him in waves.
“You request death by coming here. A slow, painful one for threatening her.”
He was smug. “You wouldn’t dare. To kill me would be to incite a war between Heaven and Hell.”
Seir shook his head, a smile that was too sharp to be friendly on his mouth. “I very much doubt you’re worth that much, Armaros. You’re nothing more than someone who sits in a fancy chair somewhere and directs people to do his dirty work and useless errands. Nobody will miss you.” I gasped, his words intentionally incendiary. I wasn’t sure what he was playing at until Armaros began to tremble, a vein throbbing in his forehead and red streaks forming around his eyes.
“How dare you?” he boomed, and it was then I realized how unhinged he truly was. He raged, spit flying and the cords in his neck strained to snapping. “I’mthe one who has figured out how to match angels and Nephilim for the best Voice outcomes in their offspring! All I do, I do for the good of Heaven. My initiative is the best possible scenario for you. Agift!” He swept his arm, vaguely indicating that he was including me and the Nephilim in his statements. “All of you are an abomination! None of you should have existed in the first place. Your parents stepped out of the light and fornicated with humans and witches and evendemonsto create you. At least this way, you can be useful. You can earn your place in the glory of the celestial plane. You should begrateful!”
“Grateful?” Tap boomed in response. “For what, exactly? Imprisonment? Rape? Forced impregnation? Death? You’re insane.”
“Such crude words!” He snapped. “I’m bringinglifeback to Heaven, there are several new babies thanks to me!”
Brinda gasped, and I did my best to hold my body stable, to not draw attention as I took tiny steps toward Ramsey.
“How many women would I be joining?” I asked quietly.
Armaros grimaced as though disgusted. “The previous vessels we managed to successfully breed were weak, but their progeny shall be strong. They’re being raised by deserving parents, and they will want for nothing.” He spun to me, a wild look in his eye. “Which is why we need her.” He seemed to remember that Brinda was there too and turned her direction. “Them. We need them.”
“You will never have either of them.” Tap stepped forward, blade raised. “Or any other Nephilim.”
Seir grabbed onto the sleeves of both James and Harmon, who in turn both held Brinda, and pushed them through the gate. He paused and followed only after making eye contact with Tap.
Ramsey quickly padded several doors down.Come with me, mistress! I will keep her safe, demon.
I hesitated, and that was a mistake. One heartbeat too long, and the plan was given away.
As I moved to follow my hellhound, the councilman pivoted and snatched at me, grabbing the fabric of my shirt. Tap rushed forward but the councilman was faster, spinning us toward the nearest active doorway.
Chaos reigned, a whole world of things happening in the space of a breath.
Ramsey barked, running and leaping at me as Tap’s eyes went wide, his arm reaching for me as his blade swung down, the heavy sound it made cutting through the air forcing my eyes closed. Magnus’s booming voice echoed through the great halland then we were gone, my breath knocked from my lungs as we landed in a foreign place.
Chapter 38
Phin
Igrunted, struggling against the councilor’s grasp as I tried to get my lungs to expand. My heart sank when I realized I couldn’t see the portal we’d come through, and that Ramsey hadn’t made it in our jump. “Show me the door?” I whispered to the breeze, and the portal was visible as though it had always been right there. I breathed a little easier. According to this new facet of my gift, we were in a place called Prawlin. I didn’t even know what realm that was in, but at least I had a name.
