Page 1 of Crimson Skies

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“Canyou guarantee the safety of the people of this planet?”

Takei Satoru’s voice echoed around the security council chamber, his somber tone adding to the gravity of the summit taking place at the headquarters of the United Nations.

Out of the corner of his eye, Cassius Black saw Victor Sloan shift. The movement was so infinitesimal he doubted anyone else in the room noticed.

The head of Cabalista maintained a neutral expression while he observed the Japanese Prime Minister from where he sat a short distance to Cassius’s left. Cassius was the only one who could tell Victor was annoyed right now. He swallowed a sigh.

It’s a good thing Morgan isn’t here.

His lover would definitely have taken a bite out of Satoru by now.

Cassius leveled a steady look at the man who currently held the presidency seat of the security council, a position he suspected none of the other members envied. It wasn’t every day the human leaders tasked with keeping international peace on their planet faced the threat of an impending celestial war that could destroy their very universe.

“No, I cannot guarantee that,” he said calmly. “No one can. Not even the Gods themselves.”

His reply sent an uneasy ripple through the assembled heads of state. The only people who did not stir were the ones who commanded the organizations that governed the magic users and otherworldly on Earth.

Victor had been with Cassius when Atropos had told them their final battle with Elios would have Earth as its stage, as per the vision she had already granted Regina Bvarvik, the seer of the Dryad royal court. As for Amal Kazmi, Henrik Viken, and Ren Guiying, Victor had informed his counterparts at the other agencies of the eldest Moira’s warning shortly after they’d freed his and Morgan’s Goddess sisters in the Seventh Purgatory and reclaimed the Sword of Wind from Elios, a couple of weeks back.

Cassius could practically read the thoughts of the council members observing him with calculated looks. Most clearly wished the Fallen would return to their own realms. More than that, they wanted Cassius off the planet. Even though he was the one who had done the most to protect their realm from the unseen dangers lurking in the shadows since the Fall, they were convinced Elios would not attack if he and the otherworldly who had been cast to Earth were no longer there.

He should have felt bitterness toward the men and women currently watching him like he was a living time bomb. Yet, he could not.

As one of the weakest races in all the known realms, humans had every right to focus on their survival. It was a debate that had started after the catastrophic events that had taken place in London and seen Theophile Serrano awaken as a demigod and the new South Star. With the whole world now aware of Theo’s ability to open stable doorways to other realms, there had been plenty of talk about making the Fallen leave in the past few months.

But there was also resistance.

Not everyone wanted the Fallen to be exiled from the human realm. The voices condemning the world’s leaders for their foolish strategy had only grown with time, especially after the arrival of Victor and Morgan’s Goddess sisters and the latter’s success in curbing the unholy plague Elios had unleashed upon humanity.

“I am aware of the prophecy regarding the war that is to take place on Earth,” Satoru said grimly, “as is everyone here. Still, if this war could be avoided, then it would be foolhardy for us not to follow an alternative strategy as the ones responsible for the security of the human race.”

A frustrated huff drew the Japanese Prime Minister’s gaze to the table on Cassius’s left.

Amal Kazmi was grinding her teeth and gripping her walking stick with white knuckles. Ren Guiying was glaring at Satoru and the council members like she wanted to give them an unfiltered piece of her mind. Henrik Viken pinched the bridge of his nose where he sat between the two women, his expression that of someone praying his associates didn’t flip their lid. He startled when Victor rose to his feet.

“What will you do if we leave Earth and Elios sends an army here?” Victor’s cold gaze swept the congregation, his presence even more commanding now that he wielded the status of a demigod. “Though our presence awakened Earth’s dormant magic after the Fall, Hexa won’t be enough to battle the monsters the God of Darkness will dispatch to this realm. Your modern weaponry couldn’t scratch a single war demon in San Francisco.” He furrowed his brow. “You won’t even last a day.”

Cassius masked a wince at his scathing tone. It was clear Victor had chosen to forsake his usual diplomacy today. Judging by Satoru and the others council members’ surprised expressions, it was the first time they were seeing the Cabalista head act this way. Frowns darkened the faces of several heads of state.

Kazmi and Guiying beamed at Victor. Viken put his face in his hand and mumbled something under his breath.

Cassius frowned slightly.I can’t say I blame him. Our attempts to persuade them to cooperate with us are heading nowhere fast.

It had taken a week to convince the U.N. Security Council to even convene this meeting. Their demeanor so far indicated that it would take more than Cassius’s words and those of the agencies’ heads to convince them to change their mind.

He was about to attempt to calm everyone’s ruffled feathers when his soul core throbbed with a resonance that made him blink in surprise. He looked around just as the doors opened.

Atropos strode inside the room on a golden haze of divine energy that warmed his skin and lit up the air. Shocked murmurs broke out. The council members shared agitated glances as they climbed hastily to their feet.

The Goddess’s presence had not been on the agenda for today.

“My brother is right.” Atropos walked up the main aisle and stopped next to Cassius. The Goddess acknowledged the reverent stance all in the room had assumed in her presence with a graceful nod. “Please, rise.” She met Satoru’s cautious gaze as he straightened from his deferential bow. “I understand your concerns, humans. But if we leave, Earth will be the first realm to fall at Elios’s hands. Your race will be wiped from the history of this universe as swiftly as a candle flame in a storm. I for one do not wish for that to happen and neither do the other Gods. Your species may be the youngest one created by the Heavens, but it is by no means without potential. Do not cast aside the only true chance you have of surviving this war.” She glanced at Cassius, her pupils flashing gold in a gaze full of an affection the whole room could no doubt read. “The Awakener at his peak is likely the strongest being in all the realms. To lose him and his allies will mean your demise.”

The Moira’s words reverberated around the chamber, an omen and a warning that had everyone in the assembly blanching.

“I…” Satoru faltered and swallowed. “We shall convene an urgent conference with our defense ministers.”

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