Page 74 of A Game of Monsters

Cassial’s eyes darkened at the mention of Rafaela. “Exactly. But in the end, her betrayal matters not. We have what we need, her efforts and the suffering she has experienced mean little. I’ve won in the end.” He snapped his gaze to Rafaela who stood stock still in the grasp of Nephilim. “Isn’t that right,sister?”

“It is not over yet,” Rafaela replied, chin jutting out.

“Is it not?” Cassial replied, sweeping a large hand out to us. “Our purpose was not to protect the keys, you knew that.”

Rafaela gathered something behind screwed lips, then spat out toward where Cassial stood. He didn’t even flinch.

“Why?” Althea asked, voice calm as a steady flame. “Why the deception?”

“You have been told what we wanted you to know, and you believed it because you were desperate for aid and blinded by Aldrick’s movements. The truth was we had come to your realm not to protect the keys, but tocollectthem. That was until one of our own betrayed us. But in the end, Rafaela will be forgiven, because without her involvement, I would never have known the impossible was possible.” He bowed his head at her, and she turned away in dismissal. “I should thank you, sister.”

“Do not be mistaken, Cassial.” Rafaela scowled, lips tensing a second before she spat on the ground. “I would destroy them all over again, if given the chance.”

“Shame that,” Cassial replied. “Truly a waste of such brilliant talents.”

“What do you want, Cassial?” It was the only question I could ask. He had Duncan in his grasp, he had planted the seed to the humans that we had deceived them, that we were the threat.

In answer, Cassial yanked Duncan’s head back up, forcing us to all look at his face again. Bile burned at the back of my throat at the state of him. I had done this. My attempts to protect the world had weakened Duncan. He was in no fit state to fight, and perhaps the demon within him had no desire to, either.

Then again, Cassial had confirmed that Duwar wasn’t a demon. Just power, a source of great power that the gods fought over.

I wasn’t sure what I could believe anymore.

“It is not my wishes and wants that matter, but those of my Creator. This fight began long before any of us were born or made, back during a time where monsters warred, when Altar tricked the Creator, offering a power that was promised to be shared, to his own children.”

“All this for a bit of power,” Gyah sneered. “Desperate.”

“Perhaps.” Cassial pondered his next words, deciding that the answer was not required. When he spoke again, it was to Duncan. He brought his lips so close to Duncan’s ear, a feral rage exploded within me. Before I could shout, the cold kiss of a dagger pressed against my throat. “We will show the rest of the world what the fey have done here – attempting to free Duwar again and successfully achieving it in you. This scene will be refracted across every mirror in every realm.”

“No,” Duncan fought out his refusal, surprising me.

Cassial leaned down, lips brushing his ear. “Do it, or find your lover’s neck split wide.”

Zarrel, as if proving Cassial’s threat, dug the edge of the dagger in just a little more until skin parted, and a bead of blood ran down the blade. There was no pain to greet me, not with the tidal wave of fury encompassing every inch of my body and soul.

“Please.” Duncan’s plea was as broken as his body. It pained me, the ache across my heart intensifying. “Do not hurt him.”

Even in his weak state, he still fought for me. I didn’t deserve it, not after what I had done to him.

“Do as I ask,” Cassial said, “and he will live. I promise–”

“Cassial lies!” Rafaela broke free, using the little strength she had to knock a Nephilim to the ground. “The Nephilim will harness Duwar’s power and eradicate every fey from this world.” The shout rang out across the church, echoing up the walls of glass and stone. “It is whywewished to destroy them. To prevent ruin unlike anything Aldrick could have wanted. It was theFallenwho–”

Her scream died in her throat. I didn’t need to turn behind me to know why. I could see in the reflection as Rafaela dropped to the ground, hands clasped before her. Blood trickled down her face, courtesy of the fist that had just silenced her by connecting to her jaw.

“Fallen?” Cassial laughed at the word. “We are theFaithful, Rafaela. The Creator’s favoured who only wish to give Him what was always desired. I am his Saviour, I will bring forth the world the Creator wanted for us, using the very power Altar refused to share.”

Rafaela pushed up on trembling arms. “You lost your way many years ago, Cassial. You are no Saviour; you arenoFaithful.”

“Gag her!” Cassial shouted, pointing at Rafaela. “I had hoped Rafaela would repent and see the light, but I can see that her poisonous disbelief runs deep.”

Outside the church, a chorus of shouts rose where the crowds were confused about what was happening inside the church. Had the humans who escaped told them of Duwar? Would they turn against us, or run from us like we were the monsters Cassial wanted them to think we were?

“Show the world,Duwar. I know you’re listening.” Cassial tugged hard at Duncan’s head again, snapping it back. “Let them see the truth of what happens here.”

I cried out, spittle flying beyond my lips. “Stop it!”

Erix roared and fought. Gyah and Althea attempted to break free. Only Elinor was left, silent, head bowed, as the stone drank the power from her blood.

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