it clear he has other experiments. We start with them. I will have others combing through the wreckage the council left behind, scouring their notes and plans to see what else we are unaware of, but until then, I ask this—who here will help me? Who here wants to change this world? I can’t do this alone. This is a war, not a battle.”
For a moment, nothing happens, then a woman steps forward. “You saved my life, I’m with you, whatever you need.”
Then another and another until a cascade of voices fills the room. It shocks me to my core, I never expected it. They want to help, they want change. I look to Lucy who steps up beside me. “We will start with guards.”
“Griffin, is my head guard, he will be taking applications,” I announce.
Lucy looks at me with a raised eyebrow but nods.
“Nos will be in charge of liaisons with the old council and the new changes. Go to him if you have issues and can’t get to me. That’s all we know for now, everything else will be decided, but my first priority is you. Ensuring we are all safe and well. No more lies, no more experiments. We are one!” I roar.
“One!” they scream in response, as my men step closer to my back, ready for what we’ll face. We have an uncertain future, but up here, looking out at those expectant, ready faces, I know.
I made the right choice.
This is my destiny.
Afterwards, I’m led through the crowd. Questions are fired at me, but I ignore them for now, slightly overwhelmed. It’s as if I can feel every member of this country. Every power, every person. Their lights fill my head until it feels like it might explode. There are so many, so fucking many, and now they are all looking to me.
Once we are past the door, Lucy yanks me into the closest room and cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him with blind eyes. It hurts, it hurts so badly, there are so many...the more I think about it, the more I feel it.
“Breathe, let them pass, don’t focus on them. Push them backwards, that’s it. They are still there but block them, build a wall, you only need to reach for them in dire emergencies, good girl, that’s it. Breathe.”
I still can’t see, but I let his touch anchor me. “What is that?” I whisper.
“Your people, every single one. You will feel their lights extinguish when they die, you can call them, you can master the connection and use it to monitor and control your people,” he murmurs.
“God, so many…” I gasp.
“Yes, now imagine seeing the whole world like that.”
Blinking, I meet those red eyes, my head not hurting any longer. “You see all the supernaturals around the world?”
He nods. “All day, every day. It’s exhausting. It’s one of the main reasons only one of the sleeping council ever rules at any given time, and not for too long, to stop us from going crazy. Feeling better?”
I nod silently. Fuck, I can’t imagine the chaos, the pain in his head at all the lights, all the people. Never truly being alone even in your brain. No wonder they pulled away from the world. I would as well.
Looking around, I realise we are in a cupboard. “Where are we?” I snort.
“Closest room, I think it’s a cleaning cupboard.” Lucy laughs. “Your mates are blocking the door, making sure we have the time you need to rebuild. They could feel the pressure in your head...I could.”
“Thank you.” I sigh, and then we both seem to realise he’s still touching me at the same time. I expect him to jerk away or make some nasty or dirty statement, but he stays quiet, his hands still cradling my cheeks. Those red eyes watch me closely. “Lucy—”
“Don’t call me that,” he murmurs, but it’s an offhand comment, like an automatic response as his eyes dip down to my lips and seem to trace them. Shivering under his gaze, I dart my tongue out and wet them, making him groan.
“You love it, Lucy,” I tease, pushing him, wanting to see what he’ll do. The world is waiting right outside this door, but in here, I feel suddenly very far away...very alone with this powerful demon.
“I’m warning you…”
“Yeah, you keep doing that. I’m wondering what the warning turns into...Lucy,” I press.
He’s still for a moment, then he snaps. He shoves me backwards, and my back hits the shelves