Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hack
I’m keeping tabs on every one of those fuckers suggesting my chosen should be killed.
Starting with Zhang. I will peel off every one of his scales—one by one—and watch him bleed out while my brothers steal his belongings from his home.
He can blow his fire all he wants, it won’t do shit to us demons.
When Hekate suggested a punishment, I nearly lost my fucking shit. Slay and Pierce had to hold me back from storming out. Slash, my favorite brother now, was ready to go to battle with me.
“Do you believe that guy?” Slash is pointing to the giant television taking up a whole wall at the back of Samhain’s office, lips curled with disdain. “Fucking dragons. I remember when he first started out and asked us to be gentle with his father’s soul.”
We all grunt, the memory from a few centuries ago fresh in our collective minds. Zhang’s father had been Dei of the Fyreborne for longer than we can count, those fuckers live forever. Hell, Zhang himself is five thousand years old but he’s only been a Dei for around eight hundred of them.
“I don’t think he was ready to be a Dei, he was having too much fun on Earth, studying at all the best schools the anthros have to offer.” Pierce’s tone is the opposite of judgmental and I’m going to ignore the respect it holds for that motherfucker.
“He’s doing his job. With no horse in this race, he’s following the Rule of the Moirai.
” Sitting in Samhain’s gigantic chair, Slay puts his feet up on the desk, crossing them at the ankle.
He doesn’t bother to expand on his comment and I get that he’s being objective because none of us are capable of thinking straight.
Okay, I’m not capable of thinking straight, the others are slightly more coherent.
“I don’t give a shit if she decapitated the entirety of the fucking Thirteen. She was protecting herself and Danika.” I take my eyes off the screen and point an accusing finger at Pierce and Slay. “Hell, she was protecting you two as well.”
“No one is denying the reasons, Hack. Slay just means—”
I cut Pierce off. I don’t need to hear another word from his treacherous mouth.
“I fucking know what he meant, brother. But I’m telling you, if they execute her, I won’t be held accountable for my actions.
And none of you will stop me.” I don’t need to add that my control will be gone, my morals a thing of the past. If anything happens to Sage, my demon side will be the only thing about me that exists and forgiveness won’t be an option.
“I have to say, Regina surprised me.” Slash speaks like he’s trying to figure out quantum physics, his voice is low and his brow is furrowed in concentration. “If she were in on Rafi’s plan, wouldn’t getting rid of Sage be to her advantage?”
I growl then throw some award-looking trophy sitting on top of the credenza clear across the room. Nobody is getting rid of Sage. For a short second, the crash against the wall and the hole it leaves behind are oddly satisfying.
“Shit, Apollo is speaking.” Pierce points to the screen then lowers himself on the high-backed chair, elbows resting on his knees and fingers steepled at his mouth.
My head turns so fast I’m surprised I don’t get whiplash.
This is important. Apollo is just one voice, but he’s always been fair and even tempered.
It’s why Zeus appointed him Dei instead of going himself.
That, and because that bastard is too busy fucking his way through the worlds to care about ruling anything but his dick.
I’ve lost count of the number of times Hera has told him to fuck all the way off.
“If we all could approach this matter with logic and facts, I think it will be much easier to come to an agreement.” Apollo commands the room, even more so than the Grandei, who has always held his status over everyone's heads.
“Before the tragic event, the investigation shows that Rafi had, indeed, broken the rule of the Moirai.”
With my fingers entwined over the top of my head, it’s taking every ounce of self control to stay standing and not run out of here. I’m hanging on by the threads of my sanity and it won’t take much for them to snap.
On the screen, Apollo opens a leather-bound file, papers neatly stacked inside, as he searches for whatever it is he needs.
“It all starts with the murder of a witch…” He runs his finger down a page then nods. “Yes, here it is. Trina Galdur.”
Rafi’s brother cuts in, a sneer curling his lip. “That was a lamia’s doing from what the witness reports say, so I don’t see how it has anything to do with my brother.”
All eyes turn to Regina, who doesn’t flinch nor pale.
“Gentledei, I am not the keeper of all my kyn. Contrary to most sitting at this table, I do not micromanage the daily lives of my monsters. That being said, the appropriate punishments will be doled out for these unfortunate killings. You have my word, Dei Hekate.”
Hekate nods in appreciation, a small smile ticking up the corners of her mouth.
I cock my head to the side and before I can speak, Slash blurts out, “What was that?”
There’s no answer to that question, yet, but something is off. Something is not as it seems.
“Be that as it may,” Finnegan, the Dei of all shifters begins, his blue…everything almost blinding in the orange glow coming from the windows. “I find it difficult to tie the murder of this witch to Dei Rafi. He has no control over the lamia.”
“Oh, please. Since when do lamia have morals? For the right price, most of them would sell their left tit, consequences be damned.” I grin at Samhain, grateful that his loyalties never fucking waver. “No offense, Regina.”
“None taken, Samhain.” Her tone says the exact opposite and everyone at the table knows it.
“Can someone tell us why a fucking nephilim was involved in this whole thing? And why hasn’t he been called in for testimony?” Fuck. Lyka picked up on that. I swear werewolves have a sixth sense.
“No one has been able to find him.” Grandei sniffs out his disdain at having to answer for his kyn. They’re usually the perfect goody two shoes, except professor Haught was a fucking snake.
“Do you mean Professor Haught? Because that man…erm…kyn, I mean, stalked me for like, ages. Then he tried to have his way with me. He was there when Trina was killed and he’s the one who took Danika. I know, because I saw him.”
My heart constricts at the sound of Sage’s voice, and when she starts her little monologue, ticking off every fucking wrongdoing that bastard did, I try like hell to communicate through my bond with her.
She must stop there. If she mentions the other shit he did, she’ll have to account for the mass killing in Faloria, not to mention the charred bodies in Staten Island. From what Slash said, it was brutal.
“Fucking unacceptable. What say you, Grandei? One of yours actually kidnapped my sister?” Desdemon looks like he’s about to blow a fucking gasket and usually, he’s the calm and collected one.
“As Dei Regina said earlier, he shall be dealt with. As soon as we find him. But I fear we are deviating from the original crime, here.” Atlantis is trying to take the spotlight away from his kyn and it works.
Normally, I’d say grill him, but the more questions they have about the professor, the more trouble that means for Sage.
“I have a question.” Sylvaris raises her tiny finger in the air, her rainbow wings trembling like she’s nervous to speak up. “Where was Sage taken when she was kidnapped? The location could prove to be a deciding factor.”
Behind me, Slay’s shadows stir all around him as he stands and walks over to me, voice low and gravelly. “This is taking too long.”
“At least there’s a debate. It should work in Sage’s favor.” Pierce is right. The more they try to get to the bottom of this mess, the better the chances of taking death off the table.
“It says here she was found in Faloria. Oh…guarded by a fenrir? Is that true?” Apollo’s kind eyes lift and stare straight at Sage.
It’s so rare for Loki’s kids to be anywhere but with him that even the Dei of Gods is taken aback by this.
“I had an audience with Loki, the god of chaos,” Regina speaks up. “He confirmed that his son, Fenn, under his own admittance, was under the influence of a djinn.”
“Remind me to buy Loki a bottle of our finest faerie wine.” Slash grins, rubbing his hands together like he can feel this going our way.
“Yes. He was taking orders from a djinn while I was being held hostage in a cave. The djinn died when the cave collapsed. The only reason I’m even alive is because there was another prisoner and she…
” Sage’s breath hitches, her whole body starts shaking like she’s reliving the moment all over again. “She saved my life.”
“Do you know who this prisoner was?” This time it’s Hekate asking the question and, contrary to minutes ago, her empathy is clear in her tone. But there’s something else…I just can’t put my finger on it.
“I just know her name was Saffron.”
The collective gasp around the table is deafening as twelve sets of eyes look straight at the Dei of Elementals. Twelve, because Sylvaris is up and out of her chair, wings flapping and delicate hands covering her mouth.
“Oh, shit.” Slay is the first to react.
Then comes Pierce. “How did we not see this earlier?”
“No fucking way!” Slash is next and I’m standing there, lost, because I’m too hyper focused on my chosen to see the big picture.
“What the fuck? What’s going on?” I take my eyes off the screen for a millisecond to look at my brothers.
“It was years ago, Hack. Don’t you remember? It was all anyone could talk about.” Pierce is standing now, and before he can tell me more, the Dei of Elementals flies over to Sage and places her hands on her shoulders.
“Did you say, Saffron?”
Sage nods, tears falling down her cheeks like errant rivulets.
“Yes. She was kind and helpful. The only reason I survived my time in those caves is because she guided me through the whole transition. And she also helped me communicate with my chosen. She held my hand.” Sage is a blubbering mess as she recounts her time with Saffron, and it’s only when Sylvaris wraps her arms around Sage’s neck in a hug that’s usually too familiar for a Dei, that it finally dawns on me.
“Oh, fuck. How did I miss this?” I barely whisper the words because things are clicking together. I wish it made me more optimistic, but all it says is that this is much deeper than any of us ever thought.
“She was my sister,” Sylvaris finally says, a whispered breath that knocks everyone on their asses.
“In lieu of this new information, I think we can all agree that Rafi’s death was warranted.” Desdemon doesn’t even try to hide his sinister smile.
“I resent that. My brother was—”
Des is up and out of his chair faster than a demon in heat. With his elbow pressed tightly against Reilly’s throat and his teeth elongated to long, sharp canines, he looks ready to destroy.
“Your brother was a rapist and a disgrace to the very sanctity of this body of rule. Do not give me a reason to have you join him in the Great Library.” Desdemon doesn’t back down. Not even when Atlantis’s booming voice gives him the order.
“Dei Desdemon, you will regain your seat. Now!”
When my eyes search out Sage, she’s whispering to Sylvaris, who’s laugh-crying at something. I feel like an intruder, watching what I feel is a special moment between the two, but this fucking thing needs to end before I lose my fucking mind.
Des pushes—slams—Reilly back against the wall, clapping his teeth at him as though he’s about to bite before he goes back to his chair. There’s no fear on his face. He knows nothing can touch him because defending the honor of his sister is not surprising. On the contrary, it’s expected.
“I think we have enough here to make a well-advised decision.” Grandei slams the gavel onto the wooden table and everyone goes back to their places. Well, except Sage who, still bound by whatever magic Atlantis wrapped around her, can’t move an inch.
“If I may?” Apollo cocks his head to the side and narrows his eyes, speaking to his equals, yet looking straight at Sage. “There is still the matter of this kyn. What is she and how does she even exist?”
“The birds and the bees comes to mind.” At Sage’s quip—albeit under her breath—a few of the Dei chuckle, but Reilly, who is back at his seat, sneers up at her.
“The disrespect alone earns her an execution.” I will fucking kill that bastard.
“Nonsense.” The Dei of Gods has a sense of humor at least. “I understand, Miss Bayley, and we do have quite a few hybrids among us in The Shade and elsewhere, but my question is more about the third kyn in you.”
“If I may?” It’s Hekate’s turn to speak, and I have a feeling her truth won’t go over too well with the rest of the Dei. Without a conscious thought, I inch closer to the door, as if it’ll save me time if I need to run out.
“Speak.” For someone who’s about to get the surprise of his life, Atlantis is sounding way too nonchalant.
“Sage is my daughter.” Only a few gasps around the table, but they’re fake. Everyone, by now, has heard the news about Hekate’s child. That kind of rumor spreads like wildfire in The Shade. “What you may not know is that her angel side is from none other than Atlantis.”
This time, the gasps are real, and when I turn my gaze to Atlantis, all I see is disdain. It shouldn’t shock me, he’s always been a purist.
“I demand proof of this.” With Atlantis’s words, the brief contemplation of ripping his head off flits through my mind, wondering if I could even get away with it.
Hekate rolls her eyes and doesn’t regale him with an answer. “The witch in her is from Baba Yaga, who carried her as her own after betraying me and telling me I’d lost my baby kyn.”
“She’s an abomination. A threat to the balance created by the Moirai,” Lyka cries out, his face exactly what I’d expect if he were sucking on a lemon. “Off with her head.”
Fuck this.
Before any of my brothers can hold me back—thank fuck their eyes are glued to the television—I rush out of the room and reach the stately wooden double doors, slamming them open.
All eyes are on me as I reach Sage and wrap her in my arms, my voice low, growly, and utterly deadly.
“She. Will. Live.”