“They are mine, no one touches what is mine. Angel, god, divine, no one.”
She twists, ripping his head clean off. Clutching it in her hand, she looks around at the other gathered council members. “Assmos, I’ve wanted to do this for a while.”
“You can’t—you—” He starts, but no one dares stop her as she saunters up to the terrified man as he tries to back away, only to run into Lucifer. He squeaks and turns as Lucifer laughs.
“Boo,” Lucifer says with a wild, wicked smile.
Dawn taps Amos on the shoulder and he spins, his feathers ruffling as he attempts to change, undoubtedly to fly away. “Oh, just fucking die,” she snaps, then plunges her hand into his chest and pries open his ribcage. She wrenches his heart free and drops it to the floor to join Gabriel’s head.
She looks to Lucifer then. “Care to burn them for me? I want to make sure they are really fucking dead, can’t have them coming back and hurting anyone again.”
“My pleasure, walker,” he murmurs, and raises his hands. Two fireballs form in each palm and he drops them on the corpses, head, and heart. They ignite, burning nothing else until only ash remains, and then they wink out of existence.
It’s done.
It’s over.
She is safe.
She turns and smiles at me. “Let’s go home.”
“As you wish, Little Monster,” I reply, and take her hand, pulling her closer. The others step near as we begin to walk away, but Lucifer calls after us.
“The others?”
“Your problem, they are your council,” she answers without looking.
Suddenly screams fill the air, and I glance over my shoulder to see the rest of the council’s bodies draped around him on the floor, dead. “For ignoring your duty and allowing this to happen, I offered you a quick death,” he tells them, before looking up and meeting my stare.
I incline my head. We both know that is only partially true. He did it so they would never seek revenge over the woman who exposed their secrets—Dawn.
“You cannot leave, walker,” he shouts.
“Watch me!” She giggles as the crowd parts for us. Everyone gathered drops their eyes and bows their heads as we pass.
A murmur of ‘thank yous’ goes up to the woman who stopped the people who were hurting them. They look at her with fear and respect.
When we reach the door, I stop just as Lucifer pops up there. He stares only at Dawn. “You cannot leave, walker. There is no council, there must always be a council, I cannot sit on it. Conflict of interest, plus, you killed them. This is your job now.”
“What? No!” Dawn exclaims in horror, looking to me.
But Lucifer raises his voice. “Who here wishes to vote in Dawn, the skinwalker, as temporary council head until others can be found to help her lead?”
Numerous hands and voices agree, nearly every single person in attendance. She blinks in shock, looking at her mates. “I-I can’t lead.”
“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.