He eyes the gate speculatively, seeing exactly what I do: gray smudges spreading outward from the spot his blast made impact.
That attack cost him magic and energy, but if he keeps trying, the gate will eventually crumble, leaving nothing standing between him and the innocent angels inside the house.
“Your time runs short, Celine.” He meets my eyes, and I hate that it’s like looking in a mirror. “After I kill you, this estate and everything inside it will belong to me. No one will help you, and nothing will stop me from pushing this realm to its full potential.”
I yawn. “Boring villain speech. I stopped listening halfway through. Look, this is my house, and it always will be. It belonged to my mother, and her magic runs through my veins.”
“The law?—”
I cut him off with a sharp laugh, my lips curling into a smirk. “Maybe I’m more similar to you than we realized, because I don’t give a flying fuck about whatever law you pull out of your ass. This ismyhouse. The magic recognizesmeas its heir, and there’s no law higher than radiant legacy.” I tap my chin with my index finger. “Didn’t you teach me that between beatings?”
“Insolent,” he seethes, advancing toward the gate.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Insolent. Overly emotional. Weak. Pathetic. Embarrassing. Did I miss anything? You know, you need to get some new material; the old stuff is getting tired.”
His eyes darken as he sneers at me. I know that look. He’s imagining me dead, just like old times. It doesn’t unsettle me the way it used to.
In my memories, he was bigger, almost monstrous. His shadow was inescapable and ravenous, looming over me while I cowered. Too big to be beaten. I tried—gods, I tried my best—but I never believed I would win. I simply refusedto give up.
Of all my weaknesses, imagined and real, I’ve never been a quitter. Even when I left to create a new life, I couldn’t leave the past behind. I had to wall it off. Part of me always knew the day would come when I would have to tear the wall down and face my monster.
Without the shadow of the past, I can see that he’s just some guy. Shorter than Malach, in worse shape than Riven, and hideous, his ugly insides finally showing on the outside.
“You’re headed for a painful end, Daughter.”
His words are revealing. If I pay attention, I can use them against him. He’s furious. Being locked out of his house isn’t only humiliating; it makes him look weak, too. And that’s the one thing he can’t stand. He’ll either want me taken care of quickly before anyone finds out, or he’ll want to make an example out of crushing me and use it for political leverage.
A plan takes shape in my mind. If I want to end this once and for all, I need to make him an offer he can’t resist. “You want to humble me,” I murmur. “Prove you’re better, stronger, and more fit to lead.” I have no interest in being in charge, not here or in the Fringes. Living a life where I’m free to make my own choices and mistakes is all I’ve ever wanted, but that won’t compute for someone like my father.
“I don’t need to prove anything,” he snaps. “Everyone already knows.”
“Do they?” I raise one eyebrow and drum my fingers against the hilt of my sword. “Because I’ve asked around, and you have no idea the things they’re saying about you. Learning I’m alive after you told everyone I was dead will only make it worse.”
I’m guessing. I can’t be positive he’s the one who started the rumors of my death, but when his face twists with homicidal rage, I’m sure I guessed right.
“The othernishare tools, useful in their roles, but dull. They’re little better than the animals on that filthy monster realm.Why do I care if they gossip?” His gaze darts behind me, searching the courtyard. “Speaking of animals, where are the rest of your lovers?”
“Why?” I drawl. “Are you hoping to make a better impression? Because I’ve got to tell you, Dad, that ship already floated into the eternal beyond.”
He shrugs as if he’s bored, but his shoulders are too tense.
“I suppose you want the estate back.”
“It’s mine,” he snaps.
“Sure, whatever makes you feel better.” I wave my hand in a lazy arc. “Tell me, do you remember our old deal, Dad? The one where you said you would fuck off and leave me alone if I could beat you in a fight?”
His lips curl, and he steps all the way up to the gate—close enough to present a threat, but not close enough to risk getting shocked. “Ah yes. You never succeeded, did you?”
I shift my weight and glance at my feet. Bravado won’t make him agree; he needs to believe I’m nervous. And the best way to keep everyone safe is to face him one-on-one. I feel Malach’s eyes on me. He’s trying to figure out my angle, but it gives the impression he’s unsure of my skills, and S’lach notices.Perfect timing.
“Not yet, I haven’t.” I flash him a cocky smirk and let it drop a second later. “But I never say never.” I don’t enjoy pretending to be an unsure kid, but my time on Earth has taught me the value of playing a role. If outsmarting my father means taking a note from Alistair’s or Ciprian’s playbooks, I’ll gladly do it.
“You want to duel me for the estate?” Father cocks his head. I take a step back and force a smile. I’m going all in on his hubris. If he thinks the duel is his idea, he’ll agree to the plan before considering the risks.
“Sure.” I toss Malach a worried look, then lift my chin defiantly as I face the gate. “Yes. Let’s duel for the estate. We’ll duelto submission?—”
“No,” he snarls. “Dueling to submission is for children. We’ll duel to the death.”
