Page 57 of Wrath

“Everything. But nothing more so than nightmares willingly helping the humans.” A shiver danced across my skin, lifting the fine hairs on both of my arms. “I can’t help but think this is a trap. A ploy. A way for us to lower our defenses.”

Devlin once again shifted his eyes to me before facing the front once more. “Aren’t you the one who always says that nohuman—or nightmare—is inherently good or bad? That not one species is considered innately evil?”

I momentarily lose my capability of speech. Ihadsaid that…more than once.

“Why is it so hard to believe that some nightmares never agreed with the way things were run? That they never wanted humans to be slaves? Maybe Lilith’s blessing gave them the courage to finally do what is right. Maybe they were looking for an excuse to join us for a while now, and they finally found one.”

I hadn’t…

I hadn’t considered that. Not truly.

Logically, it stood to reason that every species had—as cliché as it sounded—good and bad apples. They weren’t so different from humans in that way, with the capability to both love and hate. I had met nightmares who had actively joined the human resistance and helped our cause.

But I’d also met nightmares who sought to kill, harm, and torture anyone they deemed as lesser. For the longest time, I believed that the latter group made up the majority of nightmares, but what if I was wrong? What if there was a middle ground that I refused to look at—nightmares who were too frightened to change the status quo without a little push?

“That isn’t to say that every nightmare we’ll meet today is truly on our side,” Devlin continued. “Some could be traitors. Others could be undecided and want to back the winning team. But I think you’ll find that my brothers and I aren’t as different as you’ll believe. You’ll be surprised by how many are sympathetic to your cause.”

A companionable silence settled between us as I turned over Devlin’s words in my head, looking at them from every angle and direction.

I’d held on to my own biases for too damn long. It was well past time for me to look at the world as it truly was—as shades of gray instead of black and white.

After only two more hours, the trees began to thin, giving way to a clearing lining a shallow stream. Over a hundred tents bordered the bank, all of them varying in size.

Just like when we arrived at the last camp, every eye turned to stare at us as we approached. My stomach churned uneasily, but I forced myself not to look away, forced myself to maintain eye contact with each and every person I passed. Humans. Mages. Vampires. There were a handful of other nightmares as well.

I spotted a genie laughing with two humans. Behind them, a mermaid swam through the stream, its azure tail a startling contrast to the murky water.

A little boy waved to the van as we drove by, and I felt my heart drop in my stomach like a chunk of cement.

“God, he’s just a kid,” I whispered. “Please tell me he’s not fighting.”

“Davia told me that the camp is a sanctuary for refugees,” Killian piped up from the back. I hadn’t even realized he was awake and paying attention. “Humans from the other kingdoms will flock here for protection.”

Out the window, I saw what appeared to be a playground in the distance. Over a dozen kids ran around, their laughter rending the air.

Staring at their young, smiling faces, I remembered all at once what we were fighting for.

It wasn’t for me or my mates. Not truly.

It was forthem—the innocents. If I could give them a life where they didn’t have to fear for their safety, didn’t have to constantly look over their shoulders, I would.

Steely determination filled me, bolstering my resolve, and I worked to reapply my impassive mask.

If Aaliyah wanted a fight, then she’d fucking get one.

Never again would I allow a child to go through what I had.

Never again.

Devlin pulled the van to a stop, and I unbuckled myself.

“Let’s do this,” I said stiffly.

We had an army to stop, a bitch to kill, and seven kingdoms to claim.

Game on.

NINETEEN

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