I suppose I should feel comfort from the fact it at least slowed them down. “Don’t you have better and more important shit to do than to undermine me?”
“Not really,” Abaddon replied. “Most other things are boring and easy. This was at least a temporary challenge.”
Is that a compliment? It was hard to tell with him.
Hudson pulled out a piece of paper from the folder and laid it on the coffee table. I leaned forward, recognizing my grandmother’s handwriting, and as I scanned the words, I sucked in a breath. This was the original pact she had tried to get the factions to sign between Leon, the king of vampires; Hudson, the ruler of shifters; and me, representing the elementals. But Leon had thrown a tantrum and shredded it. Luckily for us,Hudson and Dave swapped it out with a fake, as they didn’t trust my grandmother.
I’d forgotten we had made plans to examine the pact for magic. Indigo was adamant she could understand the ramifications if everyone had signed as planned.
“Can’t you look at it?” I asked my father.
He shook his head. “I’m not blood related.”
I frowned. “But it’s Indigo who is going to pick apart the magic, not me.”
My father popped open the can of soda and took a long drink with a sigh. “You need my power, but your grandmother’s bloodline to see beneath the surface. If I look, it will most likely burst into flames or try to curse me with some pathetic attempt at control. Neither would work, but we’ll have then lost the pact.”
Lucifer waved his hand. “When you are ready, niece.”
“If I do this, I want a double helping of cabbage rolls,”Indigo bartered.
“Fine.”
She pushed forward, and my body expanded to accommodate her shape. She rolled her eyes at my father.
“Don’t antagonize the angel of death.”
“But it’s so much fun.”
We have different definitions of fun.
Her hands grazed over the paper, and she hummed as the magic nipped at her fingers. I listened to her musings as she made conclusions without spilling the beans to everyone else. Then she retreated, allowing me to take control. Interestingly, she left behind some of her features; sharpened teeth, elongated nails, and a heavy hum of power in my veins. The weight of what my grandmother tried to do settled in my chest, making it ache.
“Anyone who signed this was bound by powerful magic to give Eloise access to their power and magic. Through you, she would have had access to the pack.”
“Cora?” Hudson whispered.
I glanced at him. “Yes?”
“Why are you still holding that form?”
Because I felt a little threatened, and even though he would never hurt me, I had two archangels in my apartment that I couldn’t say the same about. I felt protected, stronger, and like I could hold my own.
He saw all of that play out in my eyes and nodded. “Even if she had access to my and Leon’s power, it wouldn’t have been enough to fuel a revolution.”
This was going to be a little tricky. Despite their supernatural status, other factions often rejected magic, meaning they neglected the logic of where their power came from.
I dragged my lip between my teeth and winced at the sharp sting of my teeth. “The people throughout all the factions worship, revere, and trust their elected leaders.”
“Okay,” Hudson drawled.
Yes, Principal, I am getting to the point—but you won’t like it.“With that worship comes power.”
Abaddon sucked in a breath, having put the pieces together.
“All elected leaders are powerful,” Hudson said carefully.
My lips tipped up in a sad smile. He still wasn’t getting it, or more likely, he didn’t want to get it. “There’s something intangible about the power that comes from the masses, but it’s undeniable that with supernaturals, it gives their chosen leaders strength. You draw upon it to ensure you have the mental and physical strength needed to rule.”
