Isabella sneered. “Witches and vampires will never be allowed in. So, who’s going to spread your lies, hmm?”
“They aren’t lies.” Dante snapped his wings. “Humans will bring the truth about the realms with them when they die. They’ve always held the truth. Their souls are proof. It’s fitting that they’ll be the ones to tell the Eternal Realm how things really are.”
“Humans?” Isabella scoffed. Cenric stirred at her feet, body twitching, but she didn’t spare him a glance.
“Yes, humans,” Valac declared. “No matter what happens here, the truth of magic and mortality will spread through the Human Realm. We have humans, witches, and vampires ready to spread the message wide. Even humans who don’t believe what they hear will carry the knowledge. When they die and enter the Eternal Realm, they’ll see it’s real and spread the word. You can’t stop this. You will face the consequences of your lies no matter what. Your own people will bring them to your door when they hear.”
Isabella’s mouth fell open.
Satisfaction wound through Luc like a snake. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Mother. You can welcome this change. Be the one to bring truth to the Eternal Realm. You can welcome witches, and then when humans come bearing news of thereality of mortality and magic, it won’t be a problem. Their message will reinforce the change you facilitated rather than undermine your authority.”
Malachi rose behind her, coated in blood. “No.”
“Soyouchoose chaos?” Luc stared the massive Eternal down. “Youchoose to fight against what is real to maintain your power?Youchose upheaval in your realm when Eternals hear the truth?”
“Your plan won’t work.” Malachi pushed past Isabella, who stood as if stunned. “Eternals won’t listen to humans. What do they know of the universe? Nothing will change.”
“That’s not true,” Hollis shouted, his eyes wide and flaming. “Eternals are already questioning the Realm of the Damned.”
“And you encouraged them?” Malachi strode to Hollis and gripped him by the throat. “Your duty is to protect the realms.”
Luc’s fangs pierced his smile. “Sounds like he has been.”
Malachi’s glare landed on Luc. “No. This ends now. Your message will not get through. All in the gateway will fall in line—swear unbreakable oaths of silence—or die.”
Gasps echoed around them, fear in the faces of guards and Luc’s supporters alike.
“Traitor,” Hollis choked out, fire burning in his eyes.
Luc tasted smoke. His fire burst forth and crackled in the air around him. “Killing us changes nothing. Even if you slaughter us all, leave no witnesses, and hide your betrayal from the rest of the Eternal Realm by claiming any missing guards fell to Earth, the truth of magic and mortality is coming.”
“We’ll see about that.” Malachi’s burning eyes flared. “Well, you won’t.”
Permanent death. Luc hadneverbelieved the council would go that far. Maybe he was a fool after all. He’d had no idea what power he’d gone up against. He’d believed a sense of morality—fucking decency—sat at the center of everything, even if the council had been corrupted by power.
He’d been wrong.
It seemed the ultimate rule only existed when it was convenient. How many others had died and been wiped from the universe to uphold lies?
Fuck. Luc had failed. He’d lose everything.
His mate.
His chance to fully reconnect with his brothers.
But it was worth it. If he had to go, this way was better than any other. Malachi was wrong about one thing. Change was coming. Human voices would be heard even if Luc wasn’t around to see it. In the end, the truth would prevail.
Luc’s heart bled at the loss of his mate, but Dex would see this fight through when he passed through the gateway, and Luc’s damned soul warmed as he pictured it.
“Luc!” a faint voice screamed.
Luc’s heart stopped, and ice slid down his spine, cold cutting through his raging fire.No. He turned, gripping Onyx for support.
In the distance, Dex ran through the swaying grass, his face flushed and eyes wide. “Luc! I’m here. I stand with you. We can do this together.”
What?
Luc’s eyes filled with tears, the drops turning to steam as they fell. His fire burned too hot to stand. His mate was here. His Dex. Love shone in Dex’s wide eyes as he ran as fast as he could. He’d come for Luc.
