As I watched, the already dimmed lighting seemed to waver in the room.
“Legionnaires,” Marna murmured next to me.
Hundreds of demons swarmed above us. I held my breath, feeling helpless and ill at the sight of their attack on the room. Every few seconds one of the spirits would dart down and whisper in an unsuspecting ear. Within one minute there were more people flocking to the bar, and the dancing was steamier. Two guys got into a fight on the dance floor, and bouncers ran to break it up while people around them screamed.
Ginger and Marna looked at Kaidan and me, staring purposefully back and forth between the two of us—at our bond. Crap! Kaidan moved away from me and went straight to the bar. I gave the twins a nod to thank them for the heads-up, then turned when someone bumped me.
A girl, no older than twenty-one, staggered by and after she passed us she bent over and threw up. People around her screamed. Her puke splattered up on the heels of the couple nearest her, and they spun to face her. The offended woman’s aura was dark with rage, worsened by a whisperer pouring its vile message into her head. She poured her drink over the girl’s back, causing her to stumble to one knee. A demon swooped down on the man, who lifted his beer bottle as if to throw it at the girl.
“Don’t!” I yelled.
The man looked up at me with haunted eyes.
“Don’t you dare,” I said breathlessly, going to the girl’s side. The man slowly lowered his arm, seeing Kopano and Blake watching.
I helped her up by the arm. Yes, it was stupid of me, but my secret had already been revealed. I was working for the other team, so these demons could just kiss my heavenly booty.
“Donna?” the drunken girl mumbled.
“No. Do you have a friend here named Donna?”
She looked around, bleary-eyed, without responding. I led her to the end of the bar, half carrying her, and reached over to take napkins from a pile. I wiped her face and dabbed at her hair. Another girl her age ran up to us, out of breath.
“Oh my gawd! There you are, you stupid hooch! I thought you were going to the bathroom. Rob keeps asking about you. He bought us another round. Come on.”
“Are you Donna?” I asked.
“Yeah. Why?” She looked at me for the first time.
“Your friend just got sick. Maybe she should go back to her room.”
“Excuse me? Who do you think you are, telling me—”
I didn’t have time for this. I used my influence. “If you care for your friend, take her back to the room.”
She looked at me with big eyes as she dealt with her inner turmoil. Then she glared at me, pulling her friend’s arm around her shoulder and walking off in the direction of the exit.
Oh, thank goodness. I sighed. A whisperer swooped down on me, then another, shouting their telepathic messages.
“What was that? You disgust us!”
Kopano sidled up, looking serious.
“Leave her,” he told the whisperers in his low, ominous voice. “She’ll get what she deserves soon enough.”
It worked and they left me alone, a shiver rippling over my skin at the double meaning of Kope’s words, whether he meant it or not. Would I survive this night?
The demons had to be destroyed. If it took my death to make that happen, so be it. It broke my heart to think of Kaidan left behind without me and how he would cope with that, but he would cope. And we’d be together again someday, in a different way, but together nonetheless. I tried to gain confidence from these thoughts, but my heart was too heavy.
My Neph friends had formed a box around me, and I wondered if they were trying to protect me from whisperers or keep me from helping any more humans. Whatever the reason, their close presence gave me strength.
Kaidan returned to us with a double shot of something amber-colored over ice. I got a strong whiff of bourbon, which made me want to kiss him again. His eyes captured mine and held them as he tipped back the glass until it was drained.
The sons of Thamuz returned to us, holding their drinks and looking repulsed by our presence. They signaled for us to move, and we followed. The music thumped through my whole body. The fierceness on the faces of my surrounding allies fueled me.
We came to a set of double doors with a sign saying LUNAR ROOM. My body was alight with adrenaline. In the Lunar Room of the Galaxy Nightclub, heaven and hell would meet.
Pharzuph practically burst through the doors, his avid eyes on me. He frowned.
“This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I said to get her different clothes,” he said to Kaidan. Pharzuph grabbed my arm and pulled me forward, not caring to hear a response from his son. I met Kai’s steely stare and knew those eyes would be on me all night.
With a deep breath in my chest, and a prayer in my heart, we entered the summit.
Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.
—Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
LUNAR ROOM
Nine sets of blood-red eyes landed on me, making adrenaline run a race through my body. Everyone was there except my dad, Rahab, and Jezebet. The nine Dukes present looked me over with complete disdain before nodding at Pharzuph with admiration for my capture.
Pharzuph shoved me forward, a proud look on his face, and said, “Go sit down until we’re ready to deal with you.”
I moved, sensing my allies close behind me, and took in our new surroundings. I’d never been able to picture this final summit—and now here we were. I wouldn’t have imagined this most deadly fight taking place in a swanky VIP lounge.
The room was all black, like the main club, with similar stars twinkling overhead. The same music played, only at a lower volume. Tables shaped like phases of the moon and modern, black leather seats filled the floor space. The lounge area surrounded a circular dance floor with a gleaming black surface that reflected the ceiling’s stars. Next to the entrance was a bar with a middle-aged male Neph bartender I didn’t recognize. He ignored us and focused on the Dukes, who gathered around the bar, talking and laughing as if this gathering were nothing but a social event.
Long, black couches lined the walls of the room. We went to the end of the lounge and sat against the wall. Kaidan, me, Marna, then Ginger sat on a couch together. Blake and Kope sat on the next one. We didn’t have to wait long for others to begin arriving. The Neph all came to this far side of the room, then spread out their numbers along the wall couches, acknowledging one another with nods but never talking.
Kopano’s two older brothers approached and sat next to him. More allies! My hope grew at the sight of the three of them sitting on the next couch in stoic silence. His brothers had the same large body frame as him, but their eyes were deep brown.
A gross sensation slithered through my belly when Caterina came in, the tight bun in her hair looking like it would give a normal person a migraine. As she walked toward us and sat on a lone couch, she smiled at me—the creepiest smile I’d ever seen. I guessed she knew why we were gathered and was looking forward to it. I found the twins glaring murderously at her, so I gave Marna a discreet elbow to the arm to make her stop.
Duke Jezebet walked in then, and Caterina sat up taller, watching the Duke of Lies with adoring reverence. The stunning Russian woman in her crisp gray suit never even glanced at her daughter. Instead she scanned the Neph until she found me. Our eye contact lasted only a brief moment, but seeing the lack of hate in her eyes and knowing she was an ally lifted my spirits, while also making me long for my father.
I felt Kaidan stiffen next to me when Pharzuph and Astaroth looked our way. Then Astaroth gave a shake of his head and they went back to drinking. Marna inclined her face toward me and Kaidan, leaning forward enough to check our bond. She gave a small nod. We were good. Kai relaxed again. It made me wonder how long his buzz would last and hide the bond. Probably not long. All of our secrets would be revealed soon.
Watching the Dukes socialize, unconcerne
d about a so-called mercenary Neph girl, gave me a strange sense of resolve. They believed they were untouchable. They saw their enemy tonight as just one girl. One stupid girl who might be working with someone, but their complete lack of concern showed their weakest flaw.
Foolish pride. We would use it against them.
Though my resolve empowered me, my body still behaved with traitorous nerves when I thought about how I no longer had the sword, and no clue how else to physically get rid of these demons. Kaidan bumped his leg against mine when I started chewing my thumbnail. I dropped my hand. Okay. Nobody was going to try to kill us this very minute. I sat up straighter.
A young Asian man walked in with a green badge, looking like he could be a Chinese actor—Melchom, the Duke of Envy. His shiny black hair was a few inches long and he styled it much like Blake’s. I glanced at Blake, who was staring at his father’s new body with awestruck horror. He quickly schooled his facial expression when Melchom looked over and inclined his head. Blake returned the gesture.
While the Dukes warmed up, drinking and laughing, we all stared blankly around the room, doing our best not to draw any attention to ourselves. I counted ten of the twelve Dukes.
Then Duke Rahab entered with his deep purple badge, and a hush settled. I swear a chill swept the room as the Duke of Pride’s eyes scanned us, flashing bright red for a whole second when he saw me until he composed himself. He turned to his comrades and smiled tightly. Someone turned off the music. Marek came through the doors behind Rahab and closed them, locking them from the inside and standing guard. The momentary silence was deafening.
Rahab nodded to the Dukes at the bar, and they all filed into the lounge, sitting at the small tables that circled the dance floor. Rahab made his way to the center of the black circle and stood with his hands clasped behind his back like a dictator. He seemed to have aged since I’d seen him a year and a half ago—his face looking gaunt and too dour to be handsome. He was tall and elegant, but too thin. I was surprised he hadn’t opted for a new body yet. Maybe his overabundance of pride caused him to hold out longer than the others.
He began speaking in his rich, loud, French-accented voice.
“Good evening, Brothers . . . and Sister,” he said. “Thank you for your presence on such short notice. We hope to resolve a delicate issue as quickly as possible so that we can all move on to more pleasant things. Our favorite city awaits.” Chuckles and smiles filled the lounge. “We begin by calling forth the messenger Azael to oversee this summit and report back to our Lord Lucifer at the conclusion of our events.”
I braced myself as a frightening hissing filled the air. Azael with his lionlike features ascended up through the shining black floor right in front of Rahab. His wings spread wide for one moment before closing tight to his hazy back. The sight was jarring, but I was so glad to have Azael present.
“Thank you for joining us, Azael,” Rahab said. “We hope not to keep you long.”
The demon spirit inclined his head in a nod.
To the Dukes, Rahab said, “Let us summon the Legionnaires.”
Again with the horrible cacophony of hisses. On cue, the black walls began to spew smoky spirits into the lounge from all directions. I couldn’t wait for them to be gone. Forever.
The room dimmed as it filled with the spirits, and I turned my night vision on full.
When everyone was still, Rahab looked toward the doors.
“Son of Shax,” he said to Marek. “You are in charge of listening for interferences during these proceedings. Tonight’s events will require the full attention of the Dukes. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Marek said, with a slight bow at the waist.
Regret filled me as I thought about our lost ally, Flynn, and how the door watch would have been his job. It would have been a huge advantage.
Rahab looked over the crowd, a scowl on his face as he surveyed the hundred-plus Nephilim. When his eyes stopped on me, they turned a vivid red.
“Truly,” he said, “I never believed this summit would be called. But alas . . . the great prophecy is upon us. We can thank Brother Pharzuph for his quick work in bringing a traitor to justice this night.”
Murmurs erupted around the room, Dukes and Nephilim alike. Rahab motioned for Pharzuph to join him.
Instead of going to Rahab’s side, Pharzuph bypassed the dance floor, strolling toward me with a cocky grin.
Here we go. My insides fell to my feet.
I sat up straight, not moving, keeping my eyes locked on Pharzuph’s as he approached. When he got to me and saw that I wasn’t going to cower, he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet.
“Think you’re brave even without your weapon, huh?” He eyed me with disgust. “We’ll see.”
I kept up with him as he pulled me to the center of the room. My chest and face heated, but I worked not to show any fear. Pharzuph let me go, wiping his hand down his dress shirt and leaving me between the two of them. Rahab peered at me with sheer loathing.
“You can all see her badge,” Rahab said. “We had hoped it was a by-product of being ignorant of her legacy for so long, but even after working these past two years, her badge still holds the white of innocence.” He spat the word. “First the angels intervened to keep her alive, and then her father goes missing when we attempt to question him. But once we take care of his offspring we will find Belial, and he will be dealt with. He will burn for his traitorous ways.”
I expected the Dukes to cheer at this, but they were quiet, watching with shocked faces as they digested the way they’d all been deceived by one of their own and his offspring.
“How can this be, Brother Rahab?” Blake’s dad, Melchom, asked. “The prophecy was a myth! It called for a Nephilim of both light and darkness. We all know that is not possible.”
“Really?” Rahab asked smoothly. “We have reason to believe that eighteen years ago a guardian angel broke ranks and possessed a human to be with a Duke. Some of you might recall the angel Mariantha and her touching bond with Belial?”
“The traitor!” bellowed Sonellion, Duke of Hatred. He slammed a fist against his table, making it rock. Sonellion’s eyes lit up like glowing blood, along with several other sets of eyes among the Dukes. My breathing shallowed as their voices rose in anger toward my father. This was unscrupulous anger. There’d be no reasoning with these demons.
Breathe, I told myself. Just breathe. I looked above me where Azael hovered, watching me closely.
“Wait,” called a smooth voice. Everyone turned to Alocer, Kope’s father. “I am not sold on this so-called prophecy. How do we know it’s true? What proof do we have?”
Rahab frowned. “As you know, I have always been in the confidence of our Prince of Darkness. He called to me himself to tell me of the prophecy spoken through the apostle Paul. Do you dare to doubt him?”
“Of course not,” Alocer responded, narrowing his eyes at Rahab. “But I dare to doubt his source for this information. Who was witness to this prophecy? Besides the guardian angel of the apostle?”
“A trusted whisperer.” The Dukes broke out into groans, and Rahab had to raise his voice. “Our Lord took the prophecy with the utmost seriousness, and you should as well!”
“Tell us, Brother,” Jezebet said. “Remind us once again of the words of the prophecy.” She leaned on the table and tapped a French-manicured fingernail against her bottom lip.
“The prophecy stated,” began Rahab, “that a Nephilim born of both an angel and a demon would be the instrument used for a treacherous end to our kind. It foretold that this child would send every dark angel into the chains of hell for the rest of eternity.” His eyes were savage, and my head began to spin. “This . . . infant is the prophetic Nephilim sent by God to rid the earth of us! This”—he dramatically ran a hand up and down my profile—“is the best that God could do in His moment of desperation!”
A loud racket of shouting and laughter rose. I waited for Rahab to tell the rest of the prophecy, but he didn’t. H
e only stood there looking smug. And then I wondered . . . did he even know the whole prophecy? The part about their possible redemption?
I glanced toward my allies, who were all sitting up straight on the edges of their seats. Kaidan looked ready. Kopano gave me the slightest nod, almost imperceptible. The intensity of their eyes on me was a push. It was time. A boldness took me by the vocal cords.
“There’s more!” I loudly interrupted the Dukes. “You’re all being given a second chance at heaven!”
I stumbled sideways to the floor at the force of Rahab’s backhand to my face. My cheekbone throbbed with pain. I’d forgotten how much he loved to hit.
My allies were on their feet now, and sudden fear shot through me for Kaidan. He was poised to fight.
Rahab stood over me, staring down with pure malice.
“You. Will not. Speak!”
“What are we waiting for?” cried Thamuz. “Let’s kill her! No angels to stop us this time.”
Shouts of assent filled the air. I stayed on the floor, watching to see how it would play out.
“Wait!” hollered Melchom. “What is she talking about?”
“Lies against our Lord!” Rahab said.
“Let Jezebet decide if she’s telling truths or not,” Alocer suggested.
Grumbles sounded, but nobody stopped Jezebet as she stepped gracefully onto the circular floor in front of me. I stood, and she grasped my jaw in the thin fingers of one of her hands.
“Speak,” she said, and watched my eyes.
I talked as loudly as I could with her nails digging into my skin, but I kept my eyes locked on her crystal blue ones so that she could sense my full honesty.
“There is more to the prophecy. God is willing to forgive you and take you back to heaven. But those who still choose to stand against him will be damned to hell forever, just as Rahab said.”
The room was silent as Jezebet’s eyes narrowed at me, but the whisperers above us shifted like storm clouds. She watched me as she spoke, loosening her hold and then letting go.