Page 88 of A Game of Monsters

“Duwar did not use me in the sense you think,” Duncan said, dropping his hand from my face. I found myself leaning into thin air, wishing he would touch me again. It was all I craved – but then I looked to Erix and reminded myself of the line I’d crossed in Lockinge.

Rafaela saved me from my thoughts, by finishing Duncan’s revelation for him. “But Cassialwilluse Duwar, the source of chaos and power, to bring an end to the fey. He has the power behind him. And Althea will not be the only one to die if we act before we are ready.”

“If Cassial wanted Althea dead, she would be.” I knew it, deep down, as if someone whispered the truth into my ear. “He needs her…”

Gyah’s lips curled over teeth. “Exactly why we must turn back for Wychwood now.”

“We will, I promise.” Rafaela’s eyes turned north, out toward the endless sea. “But Robin is right. Cassial will need a fey once his body is not compatible for the power source. She is safer with him, as much as I know it is hard to believe that, it is true. No harm will come to Althea as long as Cassial wishes to utilise Duwar.”

Duncan nodded to himself as if agreeing. “What is it you… suggest, Rafaela?”

“First, I must return home. There is something I must see through to give us a chance in this battle.”

“Hand us over to the Nephilim waiting there?” Erix asked, a growl edging his words.

Rafaela shook her head, braids catching in the harsh winds, whipping them like snakes around her tired face. “The only Nephilim left on Irobel are those imprisoned in labradorite, which is exactly the reason why you all were being sent there. The same ritual Robin wished for information on…”

“All this because the gods warred for power,” I spoke my thoughts aloud.

“Power that belonged to neither… of them,” Duncan said, still struggling in his weakened state.

“You are both correct. This is a war of the gods’ puppets,” Rafaela said. “One that has been in play for too many years to imagine. A being, like Duwar, is very much determined by perspective. One’s monster is another’s Saviour. Look at Cassial; his actions determine he is the worst of us all, and yet people still follow him.”

“Blindly,” I added, pushing to standing as my thoughts raced with all the half-truths Rafaela had shared previously with me. “You told me that the Nephilim bound in labradorite were there because they believed in Duwar, they wanted to use the demon – the power source. Was that more lies?”

“Lies, yes. But lies to protect you,” Rafaela said. “All said in good faith.”

That was something I could relate to.

“Look how that turned out,” Gyah growled. “With Althea captured, Elinor Oakstorm dead, the world in the hands ofyourpeople.”

“The Fallen arenotmy people. They are Nephilim who forgot their way a long time ago.” A storm passed behind Rafaela’s eyes, and for a moment I saw the power in her again. A focus. A fiery determination that dwindled the light of any belief. When she spoke again, it was with a clear voice of authority, the same that I had last heard when we fought beside each other. “But the Faithful, we will help you, just as Gabrial prophesied. And I swear that I will help right these wrongs. Be it on my life, Cassial will fall.”

“On your life,” Gyah spat, vicious tears streaking down her face. “I will hold you to that.”

“I know, Gyah Eldrae.” Rafaela faced each and every one of us. “Now, shall we take this conversation to more comfortable lodgings? Irobel is a day at most away. Before we reach the boundary of the isles, it is best you understand the truth. All of it. Starting with the previous Game of Monsters and how we will prevent it from occurring again–”

“Not yet,” I interrupted, eyes fixed to my boots.

My distress must have been obvious, because both Duncan and Erix called for me at the same exact moment.

“Darling.”

“Little bird.”

I felt as though I was seconds from combusting.

I lifted my gaze, aware that everyone was looking at me. In the face of chaos and disorder, I found myself most comfortable when taking control. So that is what I did.

“Gyah,” I said, facing my friend, reading the agony in her face like the lines of a recently written obituary. “There is currently a room belowfullof Nephilim who may be dead, or may still be hanging onto life. If the cold hasn’t killed them, do you feel up to extracting some information from them about the state of Durmain and Wychwood? Maybe insight into Cassial’s immediate plans, knowledge into where he is keeping Althea and for what purpose?”

It was wrong of me to ask Gyah to do anything, but she was not the type to simmer in anxiety and do nothing. She found comfort in action, and the promise of more vengeance. From the spark of light in her eyes, I knew I was right.

“I will not be long,” Gyah said as focus took over her mind. “If you hear screams, ignore them. They won’t belong to me.”

I pitied the Nephilim who may have survived my magic. They wouldn’t be so lucky after facing Gyah.

“Rafaela,” I said, her name lodging in my throat. “You can help clear the ship of the dead. Feed their flesh to the ocean dwellers for all I care.” I found it hard to hold her eyes, knowing that the lies she’d revealed still had more lies beneath them.

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