Caelum had been here. In his domain. Walking his corridors. Touching his wards. Studying his defenses. Multiple times. While wearing the hollowed-out remnants of souls he'd murdered.
And Dante had never known.
His darkness erupted outward in a wave of black rage, filling the room, darkening every corner. Frost formed on the windows.
"All of ours," Seraphina said, her tone deadly quiet in a way that promised violence if there was anyone left to inflict it on. "That's how he knew exactly which wards to target. He studied our defenses from the inside."
"While wearing the stolen souls he'd drained." Thessa's form flickered with anger rare for her gentle nature.
Dante forced his breathing to even out through sheer force of will. The fury wanted to consume him, wanted to rage and destroy and hurt something for the violation. But Caelum was already destroyed. Already erased from existence, consumed soul and all until nothing remained.
There was nowhere left for the rage to go except inward.
He wrestled his power back under control. "The Mourned realm needs a leader," he said slowly, pulling the conversation back to the present.
"Yes." Gabriel held his gaze. "Someone who can restore genuine peace. Help souls find real rest, not false paradise. Undo the damage Caelum did to the very concept of natural death."
"You want the position."
"I want to make this right." Gabriel's voice was determined, certain. "I want to give those souls what they deserved from the beginning. Honest guidance toward natural rest. No harvesting. No draining. No paradise prisons. Just peace for those who are ready for it."
Dante looked at the other three Death Lords. Seraphina nodded once, sharp and approving. Vex's look was thoughtful but clearly in agreement. Thessa smiled gently, her form brightening slightly.
"The five courts need to be balanced," Seraphina said. "Gabriel knows the Mourned realm better than any of us. He opposed Caelum's plan from the beginning."
"The realm calls for him," Thessa said softly. "I can hear it through the boundaries. It wants someone who understands peace without domination."
Dante studied Gabriel for a long moment. Shadows still testing, searching for deception. But all he saw was remorse. Determination. A core of compassion that Caelum had never possessed.
"The Mourned realm accepts you?" Dante asked.
"It does." Gabriel's voice was quiet but certain. "I've already begun the work of restoration. The souls there recognize me from before Caelum's corruption."
Dante's shadows settled. "Then you have my support."
"Mine as well," Seraphina said.
"And mine," Vex added.
"The death realm approves," Thessa said softly, and something in the air seemed to resonate with truth.
Gabriel straightened, standing taller. "I won't fail you. Any of you."
Through the bond, Dante felt Brynn.
Felt her reaching for him across the distance, awareness flooding through their connection. Felt the moment she remembered yesterday, the kiss, the promise, the tomorrow you give me everything.
Desire pulsed through their connection like heat. His body responded instantly, pulse quickening, skin warming, breath catching.
Mine, his shadows whispered.Waiting. Wanting. Ours.
"If that's everything—" he started, already turning toward the door.
"Go." Seraphina waved him away, amusement clear in her voice. "You don't want to keep her waiting too long."
"Try not to break anything," Vex added, his smile turning knowing.
Dante ignored them. "Get out of my court."
