“Dearly beloved”—she expands her arms, and a pair of translucent wings bloom from over her shoulders, long and wide as doors, so achingly beautiful they pull me into a trance—“we are gathered here today to announce the victor in the war bequeathed in my daughter’s honor. Skyla, please step forward.”
I glance around, panning the area for my father.
“Excuse me,” I say timidly. “I think maybe Dad should be here, too.”
Rothello scoffs at my request. “Did she just request her daddy?” All of Ahava breaks out in titters as I glare over at him. Rothello’s long, dark hair falls in sheets over his face as he chortles along with the rest of the assembly.
“I requested my daddy because he helped strategize with Celestra,” I say it far louder and sharper than anticipated, and too bad if he didn’t like it because he just pissed the hell out of me. “And if you’re going to crown Celestra the victor, as you should”—I continue with my curt tone—“then he deserves to be here to see it.”
The crowd dies down, a few gasps go off in the distance as if what I had uttered, and the tone which I had said it in, were nothing short of blasphemy.
My mother nods. “I’m in agreement. Nathan, step forward.”
My father bristles out of the crowd and takes his place by my side. He clasps his hand over mine, and I give a gentle squeeze.
“I’m proud of you, Skyla,” he whispers. My father’s entire being radiates a comforting paternal love that I drink down like water. He’s his younger self here, almost entirely unrecognizable to me, but the tiny scar above his cheek remains, his blue-green eyes still twinkle with indescribable joy.
“Let us review the general course of warfare.” My mother glares over at me with a bleak look. “Eight victories belong to Countenance—three triumphs to Celestra.” The crowd booms enthusiastically, all Counts I assume.
I glance back at Logan and Gage. Logan shakes his head and holds up four fingers for a moment. He’s right. There were twelve regions.
“Excuse me,” I say over the noise of the crowd, and the volume decreases significantly. “I thought we took four?”
My mother tilts into me with an ironic, sarcastic, nod.
“Regions one through eight were clear Countenance victories—be it through traditional warfare or by forfeit of the enemy.” She expands the girth of her wings as she inhales deeply. “Regions nine through eleven belonged to Celestra.”
“And the twelfth?”
“Ahava.” She takes a few steps forward in my direction. Every eye is on her beauty. Every beating heart has stilled to hear the words about to expel from her lips. “The sword of the Master.” She glances around at the crowd. “The war was judged by many merits, one of the most important being sacrifice. The three rounds forfeited by Celestra were done so out of mercy, thus effectively reducing their strength as justified victories.”
That still leaves the Counts with one extra win.
“But the final region, Ahava, called for a brave and mighty warrior to walk through fire, to arrive at the throne with dignity and grace until the elders revealed the sword of the Master. That realm alone held the might of all twelve regions. The overwhelming victory of the faction war, noted and recorded by the Justice Alliance, is relegated to Celestra.”
A rush of voices light up Ahava. The sound of thousands upon thousands of angels surge in triumph. This was a long, hard-won victory that gleams as bright as gold.
My father pulls me into his arms and lands a tender kiss over my forehead. Logan and Gage each offer me a congratulatory embrace.
“We did it.” Logan pierces me with his amber eyes, and I nod, mesmerized that indeed we did take down the Counts.
This is it. The moment I thought perhaps would never come.
“The coronation ceremony will take place once proper arrangements are made.” My mother’s voice charges over the crowd until all eyes and ears are back upon her. “At that time, the sword of the Master will be gifted to the overseer of the faction councils. This officiate will have the power to debate verdicts and freely bring concerns to the Justice Alliance. The gift of the edict will be hers to use at her discretion.”
My spirit soars. A surge of confidence rises in me like I’ve never felt before. It’s as if I had finally stepped into being. The woman I was destined to become had materialized, and it was me all along. Gone was the spirit of the girl, replaced with the evolution of a stronger woman, one who knew where she had been and where she was about to go—one who didn’t need a single man to define her, yet accepted love as the bonus it was because it truly is a gift.
My mother and the three men by her side take their seats over the lake and pass a series of glowing clipboards amongst themselves as the mass of humanity fizzles out of existence. Chloe and Holden remain, as does his father, Arson Kragger with his pale, sickly skin, his white hair, yellowing at the tips. Marshall remains, as does Logan, Gage, my father, and both Ezrina and Nev.
My mother looks over at me. “A motion of disobedience was filed against Holden and Arson Kragger for the abuse and imprisonment of Celestra.” She gives a stern look my way.
I glance at Marshall and smile. My mother’s time is far better spent removing Kragger scum from the planet rather than a generous Sector like himself.
“The Justice Alliance has reviewed the records and finds no legal grounds to charge either father or son with malice. The manner in which they negotiated hostages was clearly outlined in the field guide for prisoners of war within the factions. Thereby the case is dismissed.” She sounds her ruby gavel, and it rings out like a gunshot. Both Holden and Arson exchange high fives, but only Arson disappears. Figures. Holden’s such a douche he probably wants to stick around for the rest of the show.
I take in a breath and choke on the words that beg to fumble from my lips, but nothing comes. It’s safe to say the Kraggers are going to make my life a living hell once we get back home.
“Onto the matter of Sector Marshall Dudley regarding the complaints filed against him by Logan Oliver.” My mother frowns. “I’ve reviewed this case personally. You, Sector, have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect my child when I, myself, have turned a blind eye to her plea. These tests were from me. When you approached me all those centuries ago and asked for her hand in marriage, I was skeptical. But you remain stalwart in your affection for her, risking your own being to do whatever necessary to help the one you love. You have fiercely impressed me, thereby the former ruling has been reversed.” She sharpens her gaze over at Logan. “Do refrain from frivolous liable suits where extreme measures of mercy are your only clause for complaint. Especially when the accused was stepping outside of spiritual bounds to assist the one you profess to love and adore. Though the Master created the Sabbath for rest even he has been moved by mercy to heal the sick when they called at that unfortunate hour.” She sounds her gavel once more, and this time I more than approve.
I head over to Marshall and offer a tight embrace. My entire world would crumble in an instant without him. It already has with Logan gone. And if I’m to be the overseer, I’ll need Marshall now more than ever before.
“And, finally, the matter of retrial per the request of my daughter”—she offers a brief depleted smile—“on behalf of Ezrina MacHatter and Heathcliff O’Hare.” She makes a sour face while inspecting the luminescent clipboard before her.
I glance over at Ezrina with her bent back, her face lifted high with hope while her hair fans around her like a wreath of flames. Nevermore sits on her shoulder, his head equally cocked and fixated on what my mother is about to say. “Let the record show that the Justice Alliance has given due diligence to the case of the accused, who were originally tried centuries past, regarding the renegade slaughter of the Countenance people. Let it also be known that the matter of Skyla Messenger and Logan Oliver, who have committed crimes equally negligent and without the proper endorsement of authority, has been resolved. Upon juxtaposition, the Justice Alliance has deemed t
he initial ruling against the accused stands, as does a guilty verdict against you, Skyla”—she sighs with her eyes closed a moment—“and Logan Oliver for negating to initiate proper license to carry out such malfeasance against your Nephilim brothers, though you regard them as your enemy.” She sounds her gavel. “All of you—guilty as charged.”
Nevermore lets out a bloodcurdling cry. A snicker of laughter bubbles from behind, and I turn just enough to find Chloe eating up every word.
Crap.
“What do you mean guilty?” I race forward to the edge of the waterline. “If the Kraggers were following the proper imprisonment and torture techniques for Celestra then doesn’t stopping the enemy from hurting your people qualify as a legalized form of warfare?”
“On what planet?” she snipes back.
Chloe lets out a soft laugh, and a rage brews in me. My vision blurs from my newfound anger.
“On fucking, Earth,” I shout loud as a cannon blast.
Ahava stills. No one says a word.
My mother slits her lids in my direction. Her lips pull in a thin straight line.
“Ezrina MacHatter, please step forward.” She tips her head back as Ezrina hobbles a few steps closer. “I damn your form to eternal servitude to the Countenance because it was your desire to extinguish lives in direct defiance of your elders. Let this be an example to the nonconformist among you who reason it is a good idea to do the same. Heathcliff, your form shall remain as a bird. Should the hunter’s bow pierce you—you’ll cease to exist.” Her gavel goes off, and I jump a little. Things have gone to shit rather quickly, and there’s nowhere to point the finger but me. On the bright side, at least things didn’t get any worse for the two of them. “One more stipulation.” Knew it. “A binding spirit shall keep your forms apart creating a chasm that projects into all eternity.”
Ezrina falls to her knees. Her face drops into her chest. Nevermore jumps on her back and expands his wings across her shoulders as if he were giving her a hug, shielding her from my mother’s impending wrath.
I open my mouth to tell my “mother” a thing or two just as her attention reverts to me.
“As for you Skyla—”
“Wait.” Logan steps forward. His amber eyes glow a peculiar shade of yellow. “Please”—he gets down on his knees—“if there is any penance due let it all fall on my shoulders. Skyla was merely an unwilling passenger who was dragged along for the ride. She did nothing wrong. It was my idea, my initiation. Spare her. Settle the blame square on my shoulders. That’s where it truly belongs.”
Chloe rolls her eyes and sticks a finger down her throat. I’d like to stick something down her throat, the spirit sword to be exact.
The Justice Alliance talks amongst themselves—and perhaps it had worked and Logan had swayed them, but there is no way in hell I’m going to let him fall on his sword.
“May I?” My father politely clears his throat a moment.
“Of course, Nathan.” My mother rolls out her hand for him to continue.
“I don’t believe you’ll find either Logan or Skyla guilty of malfeasance as you’ve suggested.”
“Nathan,” my mother bleats with disappointment at his anemic effort to save us.
“Logan came to me in the past,” he continues. “We strategized how to best clip the enemy in an effort to undermine their efforts on the war before it officially began. I believe it was you, yourself Candace, who gave me the authority as tactician and within that authority I advised Logan to destroy the enemy by any means possible, even death.” He gives a little bow and steps back into me.
Way to go, Dad.
I marvel at him wide-eyed for a minute.
She seals a steely gaze over him as if he had challenged her in an offensive manner.
“Very well.” She concedes a dim smile. “Orders to kill by an elder for the faction you are fighting is valid, thus disrupting the very basis for this case. Logan, Skyla, your case is thereby dismissed.”
My heart dips into my stomach. I blink back tears as my entire person swims with relief. I latch onto my father and hold on like a hurricane was about to sweep through. From the corner of my eye, Nevermore catches my attention. He nuzzles his face in Ezrina’s neck and gives a weak squawk. Ezrina rises, and a strangled cry comes from deep in her throat.
I let go of my father and take a step back because I know what comes next.
“Mine.” She hooks those terrible eyes over me. Her haggard frame scurries in my direction.
“No.” I latch onto my father’s waist as if it made any difference.
The nest of lightning quickens and churns high above the lake as all eyes feast on the spectacle taking place.
“Covenant,” she hisses. Ezrina turns to my mother. “Her body for mine—Logan’s for Heathcliff. Those are the terms delineated by your flesh, should the outcome for my love and I be anything but favorable.”
Figures. The one time Ezrina strings together more than three words and it’s to damn me.
“Very well.” My mother sounds her gavel and flicks a finger in the air as if bored by the entire scene.
“Very well?” I scoff. “You’re just going to stand there and watch as I transform into a hag that has to spend eternity submerging Counts in liquid Drano?”
“Yes, Skyla,” she balks. “These were your terms. The covenant has the seal of your word—of your authority,” she says that last part as if offering me a clue.
“Authority…” I whisper. I glance back at Logan and Gage, and they both give a knowing nod. Chloe and Holden stand side by side, and a brilliant idea surges in me. “Yes?” I bite down on a smile over at Logan and Gage.
“Yes.” Logan nods assuredly.
Holy shit. This is perfect! A wave of shock and surprise rockets through me. I’m going to do this. I’m going to right all the wrongs right here, right now, all by my fucking self, and I’m amazed at how beautiful it is. My body seizes, and I jump with excitement. I bound over to Logan and lock him in a heroic embrace before bouncing to Gage.
“Yes!” I give a victorious cry. “Don’t ever let Chloe Bishop die, Gage! You hear me?” I dig my fingers into his shoulders and shake him with excitement.
“I hear you, Skyla.” He presses in a sweet kiss right over my lips. “I promise, I’ll reveal this to myself in a vision—then to you.”
I pull him in and hold him a very long time. This was the vision, and now everything is clear.
“Skyla!” My mother whacks that overgrown ruby stone against an invisible counter like she was trying to kill a spider. “Do let the rest of us in on this supposed stroke of genius.”
I look to Chloe and Holden and lower my gaze a moment.
“I, as the overseer of the factions, would like to decree my first edict.”
Ezrina and Nev both turn to face me.
“I, Skyla Messenger, charge Chloe Bishop with the death of Logan Oliver.”
“What?” Chloe steps over and gives a bold laugh at my proclamation. “This was war, Skyla. It was my duty to kill him.”
“It was treason. Logan was one of your Countenance brothers, and you killed him.”
“He was a defector,” she fires back.
“So were you.” I stand firm in my judgment. “Holden”—I turn to face the sniveling coward—“I have evidence you’ve been supplicating your Count round table meetings by soliciting sexual favors from minors which is perfectly illegal in any realm, and I damn you for ever touching my sisters.”
“Dude.” He tosses his hands back. “I thought we were good.”
“We were until you started to align my own family against me. Don’t think for a minute you’ll ever get near one of them again.”
“It was her idea!” He points hard at Chloe. “She’s got this sick vendetta against your entire family.”
Chloe growls as if she were unraveling at the wicked seams. “Everything yours was supposed to be mine, Skyla.”
My mother gives a placid smile. “You were a ruse—an imp
oster to divert the enemy. As soon as you achieved your purpose, you were discarded.”
“How dare you.” Chloe spits the words in my mother’s face.
“How dare I?” My mother enlivens with fury. “Does not the potter have jurisdiction over the clay? To form one for noble purposes, and the other for ignoble? Who are you to speak to me that way? You could have diverted from evil. No one ushered you into wickedness but yourself. Once your work was through as the ruse, you were to assist Skyla with her work as the overseer, but you’ve disqualified yourself by betraying her countless times over—as well as initiating the death of my husband, Stella Landon, and in, an effort to thwart the plan of the Countenance to raise a powerful ruler within their faction, you killed her eldest child.” She glowers over at Chloe. “Wrong child by the way.”
I take in a breath. Drake is destined to be one of the Counts great rulers? Is that what I’m supposed to believe?
“It was a female heir.” My mother slips her gaze to me a moment as if to offer me a clue. Mystery? Melissa? Either one seems impossible. Although, I suppose the silver lining is that Count and Celestra relations will improve dramatically since we’ll literally be related. “She will be a thorn in your side, Skyla. But not yet, not for a time to come.” She offers a complacent smile. “As for now, do issue your edict. This entire ordeal is running a bit long for me.”
“Right.” I cut a glance to my father, and he offers me a solid thumbs up. “Chloe Bishop is to live out her days in the form of Ezrina MacHatter to appease the covenant in which I entered into with her. Same goes for Holden and Heathcliff—now switch,” I say it sharp, but nothing happens.
Chloe starts in on a low-lying laugh. She builds to an all-out cackle as if I were impotent and, well, apparently I am because jack shit happened.
“Is this to be your first ruling?” My mother tips her head back.
I glance over at Chloe as her face fills with fear.
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