personal killers and most did. They gave themselves over, acting as nothing more than an assassin, no emotions or regret. No dreams of the future, just a blade to be wielded. Not me, I made a deal with the devil to save the one I loved and look where it got me…
Right under their boot and she’s dead. But now I have something else to live for, to fight for, and I’m back where I started, on a disadvantage under their boot. The only difference this time is that I’m smart enough to not let them know it. Or let them use it against me.
The door opens to reveal Veyo. He takes in my boots and narrows his eyes in displeasure, but he knows to pick his battles with me. “We weren’t expecting you, fallen, they did not call.”
I don’t reply and he stands taller.
“If you wish to see them, you will have to wait, they are very busy people and do not come when called like you, dog,” he spits.
I raise my eyebrow, my eyes undoubtedly melting into shadows as I try to rein in my anger. He huffs at my lack of response and turns his pompous ass around and leaves me there. Closing my eyes, I lean back and wait to be seen. I need to make them think I’m coming home, that I miss this place, and that I want to serve and be with my kind, but I can’t lay it on too thick or they will know I’m lying. It’s a fine balance between being an asshole and a servant.
I let my mind drift as I wait, trying to sit still, but there’s that pull again, that one to Dawn. She’s close, I can feel her, and I want to storm through the corridors, demanding to see her and killing those in my way. My fists clench at my sides as I fight off the madness and need.
Instead I sink into it, unable to resist as it wraps around me, drawn by where I am, my memories crowding my head, screams tugging at my consciousness. Mine and hers, and I roar and fight it, but it’s no use, it’s too strong, and without Dawn here I plunge into that pit, into the darkness...
“Griff, run!” comes her scream as she’s dragged away from me, her human arms frail as she beats at their armour to try and get to me, her brown hair whipping in the air, out of place. I idly think she would hate that. I stand there, my arms held on either side as she’s dragged kicking and screaming down the aisle to be thrown before their seats.
I follow behind her, rushing to her side. I push myself in front of her, my wings and arms spread wide, their golden chairs towering over me. “You promised! We have a deal!” I shout helplessly.
I look to my brothers, those who were raised with me for help. I search their faces, all blending together where they stand shackled around the neck like pets. But there is nothing left of them, they are blank soldiers waiting for orders. I stare at the council with a plea, anger coating my voice. “We had a deal!” Is it not enough that they took and killed my father, now they want to kill my human mother? Grief flashes through me. I made a deal, they have to honour it! My life for hers, she would be safe. I didn’t care if it would cost me, that I would be theirs to do with what they wanted. All my life I have been owned, hidden like a dirty secret, but behind closed doors...my human mother loved me.
I was the only one kept with her, allowed to be raised as my father looked on, stoic and calm, but with us he was so much more—loving, caring, a family. Now that is all gone. She grips my back and cries for me to run, even now worried for me, her human body weak and not enough to stand before them.
I see it in their eyes, in their faces as they watch me in disgust. They never intended to keep their end of the deal.
“This is a lesson to those who think they can betray us, who are above the rules...this experiment, this abomination, pleads for a human, for us to save her because only we can, but she’s nothing. A sheep, her purpose fulfilled. We can’t condone what happened, but we