Page 83 of When Monsters Rise
Iwanted to punch him in his beautiful face.Iwanted to scream and cry, but these were the emotions of the human whoShemhad found on the road.Thewoman whoI’dbecome while in his company knew better.Sheunderstood why he’d made this sacrifice, even though it tore her up inside.Sheunderstood it because she would have done the same.
Iswallowed against the bitterness in my throat. “Thankyou for telling me.”
“Willyou respect his wishes and mine?Waita while before telling everyone?”
IfIwaited, thenIcould weed out all the people that might turn against us.Jilyanacould stay in the dark a little longer. “I’llwait.ButBeeandBastianare in the circle of trust.”
Henodded. “Sothis meeting?Doyou still need it?”
HethoughtI’dcalled the meeting to tell everyone thatIcould fix theMorningstar.Mylips curled in a thin smile. “Thismeeting is about clearing out the trash.”Iindicated one of the pews pushed against the wall. “Takea pew.”
Ireturned to the group, now engaged in conversations of their own.
Sarqwalked over to join me at the front of the room, and after a moment,TumielandZaqfollowed.Theyflanked me, arms crossed, silent and waiting, lending me support for whateverIhad to say.
Ishould have spoken to them first,Iguessed.Touchedbase and grieved alongside them.Theywere my family, andIshouldn’t have retreated from them.Butthere’d be time to connect with them later.
Rightnow,Ihad some rats to dispose of.
“Whatis this about?”Baraqeldemanded from his spot by one of the stained-glass windows.
“Settinga few ground rules.”
“Andwho put you in charge?”
“Youwill,Ihope.”
Hiseyebrows went up, and he let out a bark of laughter. “Shemyazais gone.Ourhope is gone, and you…you no longer matter.”
“Doyou truly believe that?”
Hiseyes narrowed.
“Oris that grief speaking?BecausegriefIcan accept, but dissention and traitorous thoughts,Iwill not.”Mytone was cold. “Shemmight be gone, but we’re still here.Allof us—humans, watchers, and celestials.We’restill here, and so there’s hope.Istill have a connection to theMorningstar, andIwillfind a way to fix things.Itmight take longer, butIvow to you,I’llmake it happen.Sothe question is, who’s with me?”
“Weare,”Sarqsaid, speaking forShem’stroop.
“Youhave my reapers,”Erelimadded.
“Andme,”Gabrieladded. “Forwhat it’s worth.”
“We’rewith you,”PenemueandAmarossaid.
Butmy focus was onBaraqel.Hewas the oneIneeded on board.Theone who controlled the scouts who made up the bulk of our watchers.
Helocked gazes with me. “ShemandImay not have seen eye to eye, butIrespected him.Hewas…a friend.Imade a vow to him a long time ago to protect humanity, to find a cure for the sickness that he unwittingly created.”Heshot a glare inJilyana’sdirection. “Iwill not turn from that vow now.Youhave me and my scouts.”
Theknot in my chest eased a little, but not all the way because there was still one more step. “Anddo you have your scouts under control,Baraqel?”
Hiseyes narrowed. “Youinsult me with that question.”
“It’snot my intention to insult you.Ineed to know what you would do to a scout that betrayed you.Toa scout that voices traitorous thoughts at this delicate time.Whatwould you do to a scout that considered giving the humans to theDominionto save their own skin?”Ilooked right atMenuqelandCarielasIsaid the words, and their faces drained of color. “Whatwould you do then,Baraqel?”
Baraqelfollowed my gaze, comprehension dawning across his terrifying features. “Whatdid you do?” he demanded of the pair.
“Nothing,”Menuqelsaid. “Wehaven’t done anything yet.”
“Butwe should,”Carielreplied, defiance etched across his face. “TheDominionmadeMichaelwhole, and if we give them the humans, then they can—”Baraqel’shand whipped out, talons slashing acrossCariel’sthroat.
