Chapter 42

42

T he wind whispered through the graveyard's ancient oaks, their gnarled branches casting eerie shadows across weathered tombstones. Mikhail stood silently among the graves, his dark coat billowing around him like the wings of a fallen angel. A frown crossed his forehead as he surveyed the scene before him.

Shovels bit into the earth with dull thuds, each strike bringing them closer to their target. Beside his mother’s grave, his father’s sat untouched, a silent witness to what was about to unfold. The trap was set. Brax's Horde were stationed at strategic points throughout the cemetery. They crouched behind mausoleums and peered around statues of weeping angels, their dark clothing rendering them almost invisible in the shadows. The anticipation was almost unbearable. If Z didn’t take the bait, they were all fucked.

The minutes stretched out, and it was only when a shovel hit the casket with a resounding bang that Z showed up. But he didn’t show up alone. So many people accompanied him that they seemed to pour into the graveyard like a flood. Mikhail's eyes widened as he took in the sheer number of figures, all silhouetted against the distant city lights. They had expected Z to bring some cronies, but this was an army of bodies moving with a terrifying unity.

“He can’t possibly be controlling all of them, can he?” Brax murmured lowly from beside him.

Mikhail sure hoped not. But … “If he’s not, why are they all in sync?”

“It’s creepy as fuck,” Sabre stated. She was so close behind Mikhail that he could feel her breath disturb his hair.

Mikhail couldn’t help but agree with her. He clenched his fists, forcing his fear and anxiety down. The trap was well-laid, and Brax’s soldiers were skilled. Not to mention, they had two angels on their side, plus a slew of badarse friends.

“We have the element of surprise,” Draven reminded them quietly. His blue eyes were fixed on the approaching crowd. “He doesn’t know about your powers or the Horde. A single, decisive strike when Zagan is distracted is all we need.”

Mikhail studied Draven’s stoic expression. It was easy to forget that the prissy angel had been the sidekick of the Army General for dozens of years. He was just as skilled in strategy and combat as Brax was. Mikhail nodded his gratitude to Draven before turning and facing his brother. His heartbeat slowed without conscious thought, and he smiled, knowing it was harmonising with his mate. And Jinx, being the embodiment of strength and purpose, was chill. No racing heart for her.

Before Z could pass the designated marker, Mikhail tossed out one last prayer and tapped into his powers. Thankfully, his legacy answered his call readily, and a semi-translucent shield formed within seconds, wrapping them all in a protective cocoon. Z paused, calling a halt to his followers. He studied the forcefield with interest before tapping it and then raking curved nails across it.

Beside him, Brax exhaled heavily, and Mikhail understood. They hadn’t been sure it would hold up against Z. “Now for the next test,” he murmured. Would it block Z’s ability to control them? “Zagan. Fancy seeing you here,” he shouted.

Zagan's eyes burned with a seething malice as he fixed his gaze on the freshly dug hole in the earth. “And you call me sick.”

“She doesn’t deserve to be next to Father!” Brax yelled with barely restrained fury.

“She deserves the world!” Zagan snapped. “And after I kill you and take control of Purgatory, I’m going to bring her back.”

“Bring her …?” Mikhail shared a horrified look with Brax. “That’s impossible.”

“Is it?” Z snapped. “Nothing is impossible when you have the right leverage. And I’m betting the threat of soul extinction will be ample leverage to bend even the highest powers to my will.”

“You’re willing to risk the eternal lives of every being in all the realms for a mother who fed you from a poisoned cup? Z …” Mikhail said softly, one last attempt to reach the man who had once been more than just an enemy. “This path will destroy you—if it hasn’t already.”

“Then I will be destroyed,” Zagan said coldly. “But not before I get what I want. Now … drop your forcefield .”

Z’s voice resonated with power, and Mikhail held his breath, waiting for the urge to obey. But it never came.

Sabre patted Mikhail on the back, saying, “Atta boy.”

Mikhail’s answering smile was grim. It was working, but they all knew they were on borrowed time. His command over his new abilities was rudimentary, and his stamina to maintain such a huge shield was pathetic. In fact, this was the largest barrier he’d ever created, and he credited it to adrenaline and stubbornness over skill. “I’m already starting to sweat here, Sabre,” he warned her.

“Just a little longer,” she whispered, stepping out from behind him.

Z furiously barked out more orders, and when nothing happened, his face turned eerily blank. “It appears we have a stalemate. I can’t get to you, and you can’t get to me.” He threw his head back, yelling, “You will all stay here until every single being on the other side of that barrier is dead by your hands.” Z’s army immediately became agitated, throwing themselves at the forcefield.

“What makes you think we can’t get to you?” Sabre asked curiously. Her arm was up in a flash, firing the gun with precision. The shifter standing next to Z dropped to the ground, a perfect hole in the centre of his forehead. Sabre grinned, aiming at Z. “Your turn.”

The shot resounded at the same moment Z dodged to the left. Luckily, he wasn’t faster than a speeding bullet, and Mikhail saw blood spray in an arc. But between one breath and the next, he saw Z raise his hands and cover the wound in his neck. “He’s not dead!”

Sabre swore, firing off round after round until all they heard was the clicking of the empty chamber. There was no sight of Z. “He’s not dead!” Mikhail exclaimed again. His body was beginning to tremble, and his head was pounding. “I can’t hold it.”

“You don’t need to,” Jinx soothed, suddenly beside him. She rubbed his back comfortingly. “You don’t need to. Let it go. He may not be dead, but he won’t be giving orders any time soon. The bullet ripped through his throat. His vocal cords are destroyed.”

Mikhail strained, not willing to take the chance. He couldn’t see Z anywhere, but the crazies he’d brought with him were still out for blood. “No.”

“Mikhail, your nose is bleeding,” Sabre stated evenly. She pulled the rings from two grenades and let them fly. “There. I got in a few cheap kills. We’re ahead. If you kill yourself holding an unnecessary shield, I will be pissed.”

“She’s right. Besides,” Brax said, his armour taking over his body. “Why should you and Sabre get to have all the fun? It’s my turn.”

Mikhail watched as Sabre and Brax took off running, heckling each other about who would make the most kills. Draven shook his head but flew off after them. Mikhail’s forcefield flickered once, twice, before disappearing altogether. He fell to his knees with a groan, blood flowing from his nose. Jinx wrapped her arms around him just as the dozens of mentally roofied preternaturals charged. The Demon Horde sprang out from behind headstones, meeting enemies with the clang of metal and explosion of guns.

“Mikhail …”

Jinx’s beloved face appeared in his field of view, and he smiled. “You’re so pretty.”

Jinx frowned. “And you’re delirious. I hope you didn’t give yourself brain damage.” She pulled him to his feet, thanking Eric, who helped prop him up on his other side. “Gage?” she questioned.

Eric gestured to the chaos. “Playing.”

Jinx grunted, dragging Mikhail behind a large, ornate headstone. She tipped his head up, studying his face. “The bleeding has already stopped,” she said briskly, kissing him on the lips.

Mikhail accepted the kiss willingly. “Good. I don’t think I can create another forcefield yet. But I can fight.”

“You’ll stay here and do no such thing,” Jinx commanded in a no-nonsense tone.

He stared at her for a moment. “Is this what my life is going to be like from now on? You bossing me around?”

She arched an imperious brow at him. “I can guarantee it.”

Mikhail grinned, turning to look at Eric. “I’m one lucky bastard.”

“The luckiest,” Eric confirmed with a salute. “Excuse me. I see Styx wrestling with a manticore. I’m going to even the odds.”

As Eric bounded away, Mikhail rose to his feet. He felt a little shaky, but he was gaining strength quickly. He wasn’t about to hide when his people were fighting and dying. And as much as he wanted to lock Jinx somewhere safe, he knew it was her right to be beside him. “Come on. We need to remind Sabre to incapacitate and not kill where possible.”

The plan had been to capture as many of Z’s followers as they could until they could discern who was truly a traitor and who was being controlled. He wasn’t na?ve. He knew it wasn’t possible to save everyone. But those who were fighting unwillingly were victims. He wanted to help as many as he could. He could see soldiers rounding up prisoners and knew his will was being carried out. But he also walked past quite a few bodies on his way to his brother and Sabre.

Brax was handling himself like the pro he was. His exoskeleton was still firmly in place, and as Mikhail watched, his massive fist connected with a vampire’s shoulder, sending him staggering. Brax then zapped him with his new legacy, knocking him unconscious. Draven plucked the vamp up, flying him to the Horde to secure, and was back within seconds, guarding Brax’s back.

“Any sign of Z?” Mikhail shouted, trying to be heard over the sounds of battle. He ducked when a female harpy literally came flying at him. Jinx knocked her out with a single punch to the temple.

“No. None,” Brax replied, moving closer. He toed the harpy with his boot, seemingly satisfied when she didn’t react. “If we don’t find him …”

“I know.” He could only hope that they find Z soon or that he would die from his injuries. It was a hell of a thing to hope for.

To his right, Sabre nimbly evaded inky tendrils of pure darkness as they lashed out at her like whips. A shadow demon hissed as it lunged forward, and Sabre's blade flashed as she parried the attack. “What's the matter, tall, dark, and gruesome?” she taunted as she launched herself forward, her sword cutting through the demon's shadowy defences.

The demon stumbled backwards, his form flickering and contorting in pain as he hesitated to attack again. Mikhail hoped Z’s influence was waning because he recognised the shadow demon as Perran, a usually honourable man. In a burst of black energy, the demon lunged at Sabre once again. Before she could slice his head off, Gage jumped between them.

“Don’t kill him. He’s a decent guy when he hasn’t been mind-fucked.” Gage ducked under the demon’s wickedly curved blade as it whistled through the air. Darkness took the form of a barb and lashed out to ensnare Gage’s ankle. With preternatural grace, he leapt, twisting in mid-air to avoid the attack, landing catlike on a headstone. “Perran!” he shouted.

But Perran couldn’t be deterred. He lunged, his claws slicing at Gage’s throat. Before he made contact, he stiffened, his whole body lighting up like a Christmas tree, before he fell to the ground. “Nice,” Gage praised Brax, jumping down. “Thanks.”

Brax dipped his head in acknowledgement before holding his hands up. He flexed them, and they all watched as the scales melted away. “I think I’m running out of juice.”

“Stay back then,” Sabre ordered immediately. “Stay with Mikhail.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I see Zagan’s dead body with my own eyes,” Brax growled, his amber eyes flashing.

“Ditto,” Mikhail concurred. He turned to meet the attack of another of Z’s minions, a hulking giant with gnarled horns and razor-sharp claws. The stench of sulphur filled his nostrils, making him grimace in disgust. “Ugh. Why do you smell like that?”

The creature snarled, preparing to charge, when a voice as smooth as sin interrupted. “Because she's from the pits of Hell.”

Lucifer materialised in front of Mikhail, his presence stopping the raging female cold. “And she most certainly does not belong here,” he said, his tone almost bored.

Mikhail hesitated, unsure whether to feel relieved or suspicious of Lucifer's sudden intervention. The King of Hell had been adamant about his inability to help directly. “I can take her,” Mikhail said, though he wasn't entirely convinced himself.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing at his lips. “Can you now?” His white gaze was penetrating as if weighing Mikhail's very soul. “Let's not take any unnecessary risks, shall we? Allow me.”

Lucifer opened a veil with a flick of his wrist, much like Mikhail’s portals. He marched up to the huge woman, giving her a shove so she fell backwards, disappearing into Hell. “You’re welcome.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t help,” Sabre said with a scowl. She didn’t so much as glance at the bear shifter who tried to gut her with its claws, merely executing a powerful uppercut. The bear bellowed, collapsing onto its back.

“In matters of Purgatory . But she was Hell’s domain,” Lucifer explained easily.

Jinx smiled warmly at the Devil. “Nice loophole.”

Lucifer grinned back, and Mikhail felt his hackles rise. The angel’s face was too perfect to be that close to his mate. As if sensing his thoughts, Lucifer focused on him. “Congratulations on your mating.”

“Thank you.” His short reply amused Lucifer if his chuckle was anything to go by.

“I better leave you to it.” Lucifer patted Styx, the hellhound having pressed against his legs, demanding attention. “One last heads-up … Z hasn’t made his way to Hell yet. Which means his heart is still beating. Watch your backs.”

Mikhail looked around, taking stock. The number of beings still fighting was now less than a dozen. “This battle is won, at least,” he muttered.

“But not the war,” Brax added, looking pissed.

Before Mikhail could respond, a sinister hiss echoed throughout the cemetery, followed by, “Ssssstop!”

Mikhail's breath caught in his throat as Z's command invaded his mind. An icy chill ran down his spine, and his muscles seized up instantly as if flash frozen. He tried desperately to move, to take even the tiniest step forward, but his body refused to obey. It was as though invisible chains had wrapped themselves around every inch of him, binding him in place with unbreakable force. Sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down his temples, but he couldn't lift a hand to wipe it away. The sensation of utter helplessness washed over him in nauseating waves.

Only his eyes retained the ability to move, darting frantically around as panic rose in his chest. To his left, Sabre stood motionless, her hand frozen in the act of reaching for a weapon. Her eyes, wide with shock, stared back at him. Brax had been caught mid-stride, his massive frame tilted at an impossible angle, defying gravity in his suspended state. Mikhail strained to catch a glimpse of Jinx, desperate to see if she was okay. But she was nowhere in his line of sight.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the thundering of what had to be his and Jinx’s hearts beating desperately in unison. Z slithered closer, his forked tongue flicking out and tasting the air. His head was otherwise back to normal, explaining how he’d managed the one-word command. His long, thick body shrank, sprouting arms and legs until all evidence of the basilisk was gone.

Z rubbed the pink, shiny skin on his throat. “Basilisks are amazing healers. Did you know that? They can survive and repair almost anything. And so quickly!”

Mikhail’s mind raged. He strained against the unseen force holding him, but it was as if his very atoms had fused in place.

Z walked closer, stepping around the frozen bodies of friend and foe. He leaned in close to Mikhail’s face, all but snarling, “You tried to kill me! You failed. Do you see now, brother? Do you see how powerful I am?” He turned his head, cupping his ear. “What’s that? I can’t hear you,” Z said with a laugh.

Mikhail wanted to rip his throat out.

Z studied him for a moment before waving his hand. “Oh, why not? Mikhail, you can speak.”

“You sick fuck, I’m going to kill you,” Mikhail spat, his words tumbled out before his brain could play catch up.

Z raised an eyebrow. “And how do you propose to do that? Even if you could move, you still couldn’t harm me. You’ve already failed, Mikhail. Despite your rather impressive new legacy.” He strolled to Brax, both hands clasped behind his back. “Yours is very cool, too, Braxy-boy. If my car ever needs a jumpstart, I know just who to ask for help. Now, say thank you. Go ahead, Brax.”

“ Thank … you .” Brax sounded like he was chewing glass.

Z laughed at his brother’s obvious discomfort. “Good boy,” he praised, patting Brax on the head.

“Stop it, Zagan!” Mikhail screamed. “Leave him alone.”

Zagan looked between Mikhail and Brax. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Do you think his armour will still work automatically if he’s frozen?” Z asked Mikhail. “I mean, it didn’t magically pop out when I told him to stop. I’m thinking he’s just like us for the first time in his life: susceptible to injury, to physical pain … and death.”

Mikhail’s panic reached new heights. The look of fear and despair in Sabre’s eyes almost broke him. “Don’t! Zagan, please!”

Z closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, his body shuddering. “I do love that, the sound of you begging.” His eyes snapped open, blazing with a manic intensity that spoke of unhinged delight. “Do it again.”

“Please, Zagan, I’ll do anything! Just don’t hurt Brax. He’s your brother!” His raw plea only seemed to fuel Zagan’s dark enjoyment.

Z stepped away from Brax, leaning in closer to Mikhail again. “What does being brothers have to do with anything? Blood means nothing other than the power it can give when it spills. Father was my blood, yet he scorned my ambitions. He said my hunger for power would be my downfall. But look at me …” He spread his arms wide. “It’s not my downfall. It was his. And now it will be yours.”

“Za—” Mikhail began.

“Quiet. No more speaking for you.” Z looked over Mikhail’s shoulder. “Jinx … oh, Jinx! Come here, my dear,” he purred, his voice dripping with false sweetness.