Page 86 of Reluctant Rebel

“I figured,” Brax grunted. “My reaction was much the same. I don’t know why this is happening to you now, Jinx. But we’ll find whoever is responsible. I promise.”

“You don’t think it’s Z?” Jinx asked, glancing between Mikhail and Brax.

“I honestly don’t know. It could be. He’s capable of so much more than we ever dreamed,” Brax admitted dourly.

“Like killing children,” Mikhail said.

She placed her hand on Mikhail’s arm, offering comfort. “I’m so sorry.” It wasn’t much, but it was all she could think to say. His tense muscles relaxed under her hold, and he gave her a small smile before excusing himself. She looked at Brax. “Is he okay? Maybe I shouldn’t touch him in public. Or at all.” Her mind began to spiral. Was she taking liberties she shouldn’t?

“It’s not you,” Brax said quickly. “It’s not even him. I think I’m the one to blame.” He shot her a sheepish look. “We just had a big heart-to-heart, and some stuff came up. He’s going to be stuck in his own head for a while.”

She looked across the room where Mikhail was talking with Gage. “He looks … sad,” she decided. “Sad and stressed.” His shoulders were more rounded than usual, his lips were drawn into a tight line, and his brows were furrowed. His usually bright green eyes were dull and downcast, with dark circles forming underneath them. He was a far cry from his happy, confident self.

“That’s exactly what he is. I am, too,” Brax confessed, holding his hand up. There was a fine tremor in it. “I don’t see it stopping until we defeat Z.”

“Which we will,” Jinx said firmly. “We have the list. You have a plan in motion to protect the people. You both have new powers that will help defeat Z. Wewillget him.”

“Ah, you’re such a joy, Jinx,” Brax rumbled, pulling her close. “What would we ever do without you?”

“Not something you need to worry about,” she promised the big teddy bear.

Brax nodded, but he was frowning. “Even if things don’t work out with you and Mikhail?” he asked tentatively.

“Even then.” Her words were firm, but she wasn’t sure she believed them. Was she going to be able to be around Mikhail as nothing but friends now that they’d slept together?

Brax breathed out an exaggerated sigh. “Phew!” His expression turned serious. “I’m happy for you guys. And I want it to work out. But I understand how complex the situation is. For both of you. Just … don’t forget to protect your heart, Jinx.”

She nodded but didn’t respond. Besides, what could she say? She was fairly sure it was already too late.

35

Mikhail leaned back in his chair as he read over the list Draven handed him. “We've made good progress. Seventeen vampires, twelve fae, nine shifters, and four dragons are now safely tucked away in Hell.”

Brax snorted and sat his butt on the edge of Mikhail’s desk. “Who would have thought Hell would be the safest place we could find?”

“I told you Lucifer is a good guy,” Sabre teased her mate, making him grumble. She looked at Mikhail. “He’s doing his best to secure the human descendants.”

Mikhail nodded. He was grateful the King of Hell was on their side. “And how many are confirmed dead?” he asked, though he dreaded the answer.

Draven sighed deeply, a rare display of weariness from the usually unflappable angel. “Across all seven lines? The latest count is five hundred and two.”

“Five hundred and two?” Mikhail echoed, his voice hollow. The number was staggering.

“Holy shit,” Brax muttered, his usual tanned features turning ashen. “I think I'm going to be sick.” He clutched his stomach, the reality of the slaughter hitting him like a physical blow.

“We knew it would be bad,” Mikhail said, trying to sound rational, though he felt just as nauseous as Brax. “But this ... over half a thousand people?”

“And these are just the ones we’ve been able to confirm,” Draven pointed out. “Thanks to the list and the diary discovered in Zagan and your mother’s rooms.”

Brax shook his head, his eyes wide with disbelief. “No wonder the Heavens are shaken. We can't afford losses like this. We're screwed if it keeps up. Thesoulsare screwed.”

Mikhail turned to Sabre, hoping for some reassurance. She was always his rock. The last week had been spent fortifying their defences, working through the list to find survivors and victims, and investigating all the reports of people suddenly doing or saying things they typically wouldn’t. Z’s influence was spreading like a cancer.

“Five hundred is an impressive number. Not as impressive as my body count, of course,” Sabre added haughtily. “But it’s up there. We’ll stop him before it gets any higher,” she promised, turning serious. “We’ll stop him. And when we do, the ones he killed will have a chance to rise again. Their souls will be reborn, given another shot at this life thing. It's not the end for them. For now, we focus on the living.”

Her words hung in the air like a lifeline. Mikhail looked around, glad to see the colour return to Brax’s cheeks. Draven’s stern features softened, if only slightly, as he nodded in silent agreement to Sabre.

“Okay,” Mikhail agreed. “Brax, your soldiers are doing brilliantly. Can you have Draven keep liaising with them to get more people into protective custody?”

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