Page 64 of When Monsters Fight
Was she serious right now? “Shemyaza sacrificed his life because he believed that we could fix this world. I went to hell becauseIbelieve we can fix it. And Lucifer believes she can too. All we need is a little time. If we can get her away from the Dominion, we can figure out the rest. Otherwise, how long do you think it’ll be before the Dominion find you? How long before they take this base?”
“We’ve managed up until now,” she said.
“Because of me,” Gabriel snapped. He exhaled through his nose to rein in his emotions, and when he next spoke, his tone was cold and cutting. A tone I’d never heard from him before, one that both sent a shiver up my spine and excited me. “Ikept you safe.Ikept their eyes elsewhere, but I’m no longer there. I’m here, and there is nothing stopping them scouting this region. It won’t be too long until they find you. You think you’re safe? Think again.”
She looked away, pressing her lips together.
My gaze went to Oliver, who’d taken a step forward then back again, as if rethinking his interference.
“Your father and I had a deal,” Gabriel continued. “I gave him autonomy of this base. I gave him control, and he gave me his word that when the time came, he would fall under my command.”
Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that this base belongs to me,” Gabriel said bluntly. “I’m saying that Gregor wasmysecond-in-command, and now so are you.”
She pushed back her seat and stood, body vibrating with indignation. “You think you canforceus to fight? Use us?”
“No,” Gabriel said. “I can’tforceyou. If you don’t help us, then we’ll do this without you. And once we win, once this world is free of the celestials, I can promise you that your people will not be welcome in the free cities. You can remain here, underground, hidden like the cowards you are.”
“If I’m not mistaken, won’t all celestials be pulled back to heaven when the balance is restored?” She arched a brow, her tone cocky. “Which means you won’t be here to stop us.”
Yeah, I didn’t like this bitch. I didn’t like her one bit. “You don’t know that. None of us do. Lucifer could help make it so that some celestials stay. Maybe she’ll restore the watchers and have them stay. You want to take the risk, then on your head be it.”
She dropped her chin again. “You’d make all these people suffer because of my decision. How is that fair?”
“Fair? What fucking world do you live in? Life isn’t fair, but maybe being tucked up down here, all safe and warm, means you’ve forgotten that.”
“Your father knew better,” Gabriel said, reminding methat I was supposed to let him take the lead. I stepped back and snapped my mouth shut as Gabriel continued. “Gregor knew what was at stake and what needed to be done. We had an agreement.”
Storm’s throat worked for a moment. “Yes, well, he’s dead, and the agreement died with him.”
“Only because you choose to let it. Gregor was a good man. An honorable man. A courageous man who believed that this world could be saved. I’m sorry to see those qualities didn’t pass to you.” Gabriel turned to the door. “My people and I leave tomorrow evening. In the meantime, we’ll be occupying the eastern sector of the base.”
“What?” She leaned forward, fingertips pressed to the desk. “That sector is closed. Father said it was off-limits due to radioactive?—”
Gabriel gave her a flat look.
She straightened, comprehension dawning on her features. “He lied.”
“He told everyone what we agreed that he would. The east sector is for me and my soldiers. I have the codes to access it. If you decide to honor the agreement, you can send troops to join us there at 1700 tomorrow.”
“You can’t bring those monsters in here!” She rounded the desk toward us. “I won’t allow it.”
“I don’t want to hurt any of your people, but if you attack mine, then wewillretaliate.”
“So much for wanting to protect humanity,” she sneered.
I was so done with this bitch. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, and if you sneer at him one more time, I’ll slap your mouth off your face.” I looked across at Oliver, still standing silently in the corner. “Well done on choosing a leader. You did fucking great. I bet your buddy is super proud right now.”
Storm made a soft sound of indignation, but we were already exiting the room.
“Slap her mouth off her face?” Gabriel said, amused.
“Whatever. I was angry, okay?”
“Well, I’m flattered that you jumped to my defense. Those sneers she was throwing my way were beginning to get painful.”
Bastian smiled. “Your face went all red.”
