Hate

by K. A Knight

  “Draya,” Dume rumbles. “I will follow you anywhere. You lead us, and now they are asking you to lead them.”

  “Neriso, it is both a burden and an honour to lead your people. Choose wisely. Whatever you decide, we are here.”

  She stares at me in confusion. “Your choice, Little Monster, your choice.” I know this is what fate meant. I can’t decide for her, she must choose her path. It won’t be easy, it will be fraught with those trying to stop the change she signifies, and she knows this.

  The whole world seems to hold its breath as she deliberates. She looks at Lucifer who smirks at her. “I cannot allow you to leave, walker, the people have spoken. They trust you.”

  “And you?” she questions.

  “I will do my duty. The council needs replacing. Attraction or not, you must be worthy, or you will die.”

  “You will kill me if I fail these people?” she clarifies, a smile on her face.

  “Yes,” he retorts. “It’s time for new leadership, for a change, what do you say?”

  “Yes,” she whispers, and then blinks in shock like she can’t believe she said that.

  And I know this is why I never wanted to sit on the previous council. Because I was waiting for her, for her council. For her change.

  “Then take your chair, tomorrow we make it official. For now, let us calm the people and sort through the rabble. The world will feel the effects of their betrayal long after tonight, let us learn the full extent of it. Together.” He offers her his hand.

  A choice.

  The world is made of them.

  We made ours—her.

  Now she must make hers.

  If she runs, I will run with her. If she stays, I will lead with her. Whatever my little monster wants, I will be there. We will never be apart again, not even the fates themselves could stop us now.

  She places her hand in Lucifer’s, who nods knowingly. A wind blows through the room, one of change, as he turns her and guides her back through her people.

  Her people.

  Ours now.

  Where she goes, I will too.

  I once walked away from the throne, the crown, for her. Knowing she was coming and she needed me, and now I am willingly walking back towards it. Not to wear myself, but to support the one wearing it.

  We can all feel it, the tug of destiny guiding her to take the throne. No one else deserves it, no one else could lead us. Monsters will follow her. These people will fear and love her, and the humans will be protected by her.

  She isn’t a hero, not the good guy coming out on top like one is taught when learning good versus evil as a child. But she is what the world needs, someone willing to bloody their hands to protect theirs, someone willing to give up everything they are, everything they have, to protect those weaker than them.

  She is a true leader.

  A true queen.

  I don’t know what this means. I don’t know how to lead. My mind is jumbled, my emotions out of whack. I just wanted to save those people, to protect my mates, and all the women and men hurt by Gabriel and his schemes. How did I end up being led to the council’s throne?

  Why me? I am no one, just a monster.

  Yet the people in this room watch me with something akin to worship, why? They should stare at Nos like that, he led them there. Or Dume, who waded into the nephilim and killed them. Or Aska, for bringing the sleeping council back when no one else could. Or Griffin, who underwent torture, pain, madness, and now betrayal to stop the men responsible. Or even Jair, who stayed strong through the worst thirst to try and stop them. To free the people who willingly helped me.

  They deserve this. Not me. I never wanted to lead anybody, I just wanted revenge.

  Actions have consequences, my child. These are yours, your chance to make a difference. Do not fail or all will be lost, seek those who hold the key. Those of the old world. Make them new again and help them defeat the darkness. Only when the bloodlines are filled will your people be safe.

  The voice floats to my mind and I whip my head around, searching for the person responsible, examining the sea of people, but no one stands out and it’s clear no one else heard it. So, who was it?

  And what did she mean?

  You will learn in time. Until then, unlock the secrets of your mates’ past, for they hold the truth. We will be watching, fate chosen.

  I’m so distracted by the voice that I don’t even realise we have reached the golden throne. It’s not my style, too…over the top. If I sit, I know I’m making a promise. To help these people, to protect them even with my life if needed. It’s a lot of pressure and responsibility, but when I look back to my mates, they are there.

  Every single one of them is watching me, waiting. Willing to follow me into this new test. I’m not alone. Never again, not even now. Turning back to the throne, I lower my voice so only Lucy can hear me.

  “Is this forever?” I whisper.

  “No, they chose you, but it’s a democracy. There will be other council members, there are laws and traditions to follow, but I always hated those, so I’m fast-tracking this,” he murmurs.

  “Why?” I ask, looking to the devil beside me.

  “Because today you did more than any ever has, including me. I’ve been walking this world for a long time, sleeping and then awakening to cause chaos and bloodshed. I was warned once to make the right choice, and this feels right. Little walker, you are the future. I feel it now. It’s time the old is tossed aside and new blood leads. I will be there throughout it all.”

  “Waiting to see if I fail so you can kill me?” I grin.

  “Yes,” he replies with no remorse. “My duty.”

  “You don’t seem like a person who follows that a lot,” I counter, glancing back at the throne.

  “Only when it suits my needs, like now.”

  “And what’s your need now?” I whisper, swallowing hard.

  “To keep you close.” He takes that last step to the throne and helps me sit. Once there, he bows, his red eyes on me as he kisses my hand. “We have much to do, little walker, enemies to stop and monsters to kill. After that…let’s just say you might have wished you had walked away when you had the chance.”

  He steps to my left side then, and views the faces before us, all waiting for explanations, for help. For me. I look to my mates and they surround me and the throne. Their hands touch me as much as they can, offering their silent support and aid as I swallow and tilt my chin up.

  I wonder if Amos saw what he had created when he looked at me, a chance for change, but not in the way he wanted...did he hate me because of that or because he couldn’t control me?

  I suppose it’s no good delving into the past now, since all I have left is the future. The hope that I can do better, help these people any way I can.

  In that moment, watching their faces as they look at me...I feel my hate tapering away, replaced by something else. Something so much stronger. Something so much more filling and beautiful.

  Love.

  Rage often blends with hate, but love? Love can so easily bloom from the darkness, or the other way around. I guess it’s time to see where it can take me.

  After everything that happened, Lucy instructs everyone to search the castle for their people. Anyone they can’t find is to be reported to us, and we will either find them or determine what happened to them. We have Amos and Gabriel’s lab, and Titus’s room to go over. We will split it between us, since Dawn doesn’t trust anyone else. We also need some new guards and, well, the rest of the council. Lucy asked Dawn for her opinion as head of the council. She looked to Nos and grinned, mentioning she had some ideas, but not who as of yet.

  All the bloodshed, power, and death has tired everyone out, and with the decree that the crowning ceremony will happen tomorrow and then work to solve everything will commence the following day, Lucy dismisses everyone. There is some grumbling, but Nos works to assure them and speaks with the leaders of the groups.

  Dawn talks to the
women and the monsters she found in the dungeon, offering to let them stay at the mansion if they have nowhere to go. A few chose to leave to head back to their old lives, but more than half chose to stay. Their old lives are gone, and they don’t have anywhere to go—plus, like myself, they seem to be drawn to Dawn. They recognise a leader and the understanding in her, she is like them. She bled and almost died for them, which creates a whole lot of loyalty, more than any crown ever could.

  She doesn’t even realise it, but she already has an army under her roof, ready to die to protect her.

  Once the room is cleared, she slumps against me. I wrap my arms around her and hold her up. The once gold room is coated in blood, bodies, and death. I look around and she does the same, a startled laugh bursting from her lips.

  Griffin glances over at the sound, spots what she’s looking at, and winks. “I always thought this room needed redecorating. Love what you did with the place, Vasculo.”

  She grins and then sighs, snuggling closer. “Tired, my love?”

  She yawns. “I guess a revolution can take it out of a person.”

  “There are plenty of bedrooms, Little Monster,” Nos offers, as he bids the last person goodbye and heads her way.

  “Ugh, yes, but what did they do in them? If I could, I would burn this whole place to the ground,” she mutters.

  “You could.” Lucifer shrugs as he strolls around, seeming to enjoy all the blood and death. “Pricey though, but if you wish to sleep somewhere this council never touched, there is the sleeping court’s wing. They were unable to even access it, so rest assured nothing will have happened there...well, not by them anyway. I know I personally turned one room into a massacre a couple hundred years ago.” His eyes go far away as he smiles. “Ah, so much blood, that was a good day.”

  “You know what? That actually sounds good.” She sighs.

  He blinks and looks over at her with a grin. “I also happen to have a torture room in that wing, in case you would ever like to play with my toys,” he rumbles, and she shivers against me.

  I look to Dume to see him watching them too. We are all wondering if they are mates. I mean, I thought they were with the way she needed his touch, but then he seems aloof. I guess only time will tell.

  “Follow me. I will grant you access, then I will prepare for tomorrow. I do have to complete the ceremony according to our laws, or others will have grounds to challenge you. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but they will have to do it by other means…” He shrugs. “Then we can discuss putting an acceptable council in place.”

  “Why me?” She sighs and he looks over his shoulder.

  “I have a feeling if you did not, the other monsters would revolt and simply kill them. You, Dawn, have shown them they do not need to follow someone just because they are told to. You have to accept the change you wrought.”

  Dawn keeps hold of my arm as Lucifer leads us up the stairs, ignoring the corpses of the fallen outside, and then up another set of stairs before he turns left. He carries on walking, taking twisting, turning corridors until we come upon a large black double door blocking the path. I can feel the magic pulsing from it from here. It’s warded, like he said.

  The actual door is decorated with skulls and bloody handprints and Dawn grins. “Now that’s more my style.”

  Lucifer presses his hand to the door above one of the handprints and looks back at her, his eyes blazing like a fire. “Thought you might like it, little walker.”

  The door hisses and then swings inwards, the interior dark and gloomy. Lucifer steps through, whistling as he goes, and I follow after with Dawn still holding onto me. I would go anywhere at the moment if she kept touching me. She feels so good, so warm. Looking down at her, I can’t help but soften inside. This woman is incredible, a true leader. So strong and brave and she doesn’t even see it.

  She’s a true warrior.

  “There are numerous bedrooms, but my favourite one is at the base of the tower. There is also a kitchen, a living area, a place to fight. Make yourselves at home.” He sweeps his arms out to encompass it all. I gaze around, noting the walls are covered in an old-style paper with wood at the bottom. Large candelabras are attached to the wall with candle chandeliers above. Lucifer snaps his fingers and they all light with a sizzle, illuminating more of the hallway.

  It’s so different from the rest of the mansion, I actually settle a little. It feels more real and reminds me slightly of home.

  “Lead the way,” I tell Dawn. She reaches up and kisses my cheek before exploring further as we all follow along behind.

  “Hurry up, Vasculo, I’m tired and want to wash this blood off,” Griffin snarls.

  “Poor angel, too harsh for your delicate sensibilities?” Aska taunts.

  “Carry on, lizard, and I will—”

  “Do nothing!” Dawn shouts, and then storms into their midst, her eyes narrowed and black. “You will not hurt each other. If you do, then I will kill you myself. Mate or not. I need you all, and I know it will be hard, but for me? Please? I’ve had enough fighting and hate in my life, and there’s so much more to come, but in here...with us, can we not? Please?” she implores, and seems to slump.

  Nos glares at everyone and sweeps her into his arms. “Any infighting and you will be kicked out. You heard our mate. Now let us find somewhere for her to rest. You can finish butting heads out here like children while the rest of us take care of our mate,” he growls, each word filled with power that almost bows us backwards.

  We wander the corridor until Nos finds the room under the tower. We step inside the door, looking around. It is certainly big, with a bed upon a pedestal large enough to accommodate most of us. I’m not leaving her side, even to sleep.

  She must hear my thoughts, because her mind brushes mine. Good, I’m not letting any of you go.

  I grin at that, my little warrior. So fierce. I can’t wait to see where this life takes me. Maybe this time I will get it right, not my second chance...but third. The final one with the woman destined to be mine.

  Her vampire.

  I watch the little walker be carried into the room, my old room. Well, the place I stayed whenever I felt like staying here to scare the council and cause chaos. I knew if I let her walk out that door downstairs, this little blood thirsty woman would have disappeared. I had to keep her close while I figured out why she seemed so important, and why I had been dragged into her circle of power.

  So I had made her stay. The people seemed to support the idea of her leading. That won’t always be so, and when it settles, they will question why this outsider is leading, then they will try to kill her. Overthrow her. They will use mind games and verbal trickery. It will be interesting to see how she handles it.

  “Tomorrow, the ceremony will be conducted early to settle the power disruption and unrest, be prepared.” I nod and then turn to leave. There is a shuffle, and suddenly a small hand lands on my arm. I look down at the pale, dainty thing and follow it up to those big eyes.

  “Thank you,” she whispers.

  “I did nothing.” I smirk.

  “Thank you,” she repeats, searching my eyes until she nods and turns away. I have the strangest urge to grab her and pull her back, to make her look at me again. To make her touch me. But I don’t.

  I turn away as well and leave her to her mates, no doubt they have a lot of…making up to do. I ignore the fact that it fills me with jealousy and the fires of hell at the thought and leave the room.

  As I shut the door behind me, I feel a tug, a pull in my stomach to go back, but I ignore it and head farther down the corridor to the double doors at the end, pushing them open onto the stone balcony. I ignore the gargoyles and stare out into the night sky. From here you can see the world laid out below. So small and distant.

  People have fought battles over less—the view I mean...not Dawn.

  Why is she under my skin so?

  I am used to doing what I want, when I want, without concern for the consequences, simply living
in the moment, spreading death and bloodshed wherever I go. But when I thought about killing her, it didn’t feel right. In fact, it made me sick to my stomach just at the idea.

  Fool. She has clearly done something to me, the question is what?

  All these years, all these millenniums, kings, queens, and Xaph have tried to get me to take my place, to take my role seriously and care for someone other than myself. They used their bodies, riches, words, and laws, but I still didn’t fall in line. I revolted, I burned the world and walked through battles I started with joy, relishing it.

  But now?

  As I debate leaving Dawn to the chaos she has sowed, I find myself unable to move from this balcony. I am split in two, my need for blood, for death, wanting to leave this place and seek it out in the world, start another war, anything. But the other half...it wants me to stay, to keep her close.

  Why?

  To kill her? No, that can’t be it.

  Maybe to toy with her?

  It’s infuriating to say the least, and putting a damper on my world burning plans. So, I will stay. I will get rid of these pesky feelings and do my duty for once, maybe then Xaph will leave me alone for a couple hundred years and I can go and find a war somewhere. Wash with the blood of my enemies and sleep surrounded by the most beautiful creations this world has to offer.

  But even that image feels empty and cold, and the black eyes of the woman sleeping down the hall burns that vision away, mocking me.

  Under it all is fear, fear because I know what she is...who she is.

  My mate.

  She represents change, she represents restriction, and...fondness. That scares me. Change is the ultimate sacrifice. I was made into this creature of darkness, to burn and kill. To cause chaos, but…but if I choose Dawn and turn away from that, who knows what I will become?

  Is that what the woman meant all those millennia ago? The choice is mine, to burn or love?

  How foolish she thought I would be to choose one small, black-eyed woman…