Page 76 of A Game of Monsters

No. Althea and Gyah guarded him – even knowing what lingered within – and they still put their bodies before him, stolen weapons raised, bodies as powerless as mine thanks to the iron in their clothes.

“You welcomed punishment because you knew what you did was right,” I said, mind spanning between the labradorite thrones and Duncan. “They do not deserve you.”

“Not now, Robin.” Rafaela made a move, but I drew her back.

“You knew Cassial always wanted this?”

She locked eyes with me, and her pain was so evident I felt it like a bolt to the gut. “I did, and I had hoped we could solve this before this outcome was ever a possibility. But after you left me this morning, Zarrel turned on me. He used the hammer on me and drew out the truth of why you needed me.”

So many emotions rose up, threatening to choke me. All the same, Zarrel’s body was beneath me, brain matter leaking onto the old stone floor. I stepped over him, wishing the agony he suffered was great – he deserved it tenfold.

“I know you have questions, and if we survive this you will get answers to them all,” Rafaela said, just before she pushed me back and swung the hammer at another charging Nephilim. This one used a shield to block the blow, but the sound of connecting metal boomed over me like a wave.

“I’m sorry, Robin. But Duncan must die.”

I gritted my teeth, knowing she was right but still clinging to my final hope. “Let me accept Duwar, then you do what is needed. You end this.”

A fierce sadness passed behind her eyes, and then she nodded. “Get to Duncan – complete the transference and I will… finish this.”

Finish you.

The plan had always been so simple. This was how it was to end. But without being in Irobel, Rafaela couldn’t bind me in labradorite. Death was the only option. It was Duncan, or me. I knew what I preferred. But for that I had a room of warring angels and demons to get through.

My body buzzed with a rush of pure adrenaline. I quicky tore the dagger from Zarrel’s stiff, dead fingers and ran for Duncan. The Nephilim were so focused on Althea and Gyah as they fought side by side, they didn’t notice me come in from behind them.

I drove the blade into the middle of one of their backs. From the way their legs gave out instantly, I knew I’d severed an important nerve. The next Nephilim had some warning that I was to attack. Before I could thrust the dagger forwards, their wings spun, shielding them. Amongst the mound of feathers, the force ripped the blade out of my hand. Before they could turn their full might on me, Gyah pounced. She wrapped her thighs around the Nephilim’s neck, grabbed his head and twisted harshly to the side.

There was a sickly snap of bone. Nephilim fell to the ground, their body softening Gyah’s fall. She sprang up, turned fast and threw herself at the next. She spared me a glance, snarling teeth. Despite her Eldrae form being suppressed by the iron, she fought as though she had embodied the beast within her.

She nodded at me, then moved on, ready to tear at the next feathered warrior who stood in her way.

Althea fought with the grace of burning fire. Swift and sure, she danced with four Nephilim, holding them at bay, blade swinging without hesitation.

“I trust you have a plan,” Althea shouted, ducking beneath the thrust of a spear, before driving her stolen sword up and through the sternum of her opponent. “That’s why you chose to keep this from us?”

“I did – Ido,” I said, regretting the secrets. Hating that these would be the last words I ever shared with Althea.

My lips moved, preparing to offer the apology, but Althea silenced me before I could speak.

“Then I trust you, Robin. Fix this before we no longer have the choice.”

I gritted my teeth and nodded. There was so much I wanted to say, but barely time to breathe let alone speak.

I left Althea without saying goodbye. Duncan was my focus. It took surprisingly little effort to reach him – considering he was currently Cassial’s focus. But Cassial fought against Erix who, lost to his innate fury, fought even harder.

“Duncan.” I knelt beside him, careful to turn him onto his back, fearful of what I would find. “I’m here, I’ve got you.”

Blood soaked the side of his head, likely from where the fall had hurt him. I ran my hand down his clammy skin, feeling just how hot he was. My relief to find him breathing was short lived. I took his limp hand, and placed it to my chest, speaking to the demon instead of the man who harboured him.

“I accept your offer, Duwar. I allow you into me, to be used as your vessel.”

I held my breath, not sure what to expect. A few long seconds passed, but nothing happened. If I didn’t hold Duncan’s hand to my chest, it would’ve fallen helplessly back to his lap.

“I accept,” I tried again, mentally opening myself up. “Duwar, my body is yours. Take it, use it…”

Slowly, Duncan found the last scraps of energy and lifted his face to meet mine. He opened his eyes, enough for me to see the brilliant green of his iris. I saw pain; I found suffering and dread.

But I didnotfind Duwar in their reflection.

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