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CHAPTER 25

The sun broke through storm clouds, bathing the chasm before me in rays of pure gold. The beams danced across a silent crowd of flesh and feather – Nephilim filling every possible space. Those who couldn’t stand to watch had to fly, wings a multitude of blacks, greys, whites and creams beating against warm air, their eyes pinned to the man who had freed them.

I edged closer to the cliff’s edge to get a better look at them. My feet walked over a smooth man-made path in the rockface, until I came to a stop on a threshold that overlooked Irobel. All around me I could see the ocean, interrupted by the smaller sister islands to the heart of the isle. But my attention wasn’t spared to anything or anyone else. OnlyDuncan.

Trousers clung to strong thighs, but his chest was exposed to the elements, light reflecting off the hardened lines of muscle. Wind tussled his feathered wings, making the dark hair upon his crown dance like serpents.

Even the crowd of Nephilim who filled the chasm looked up with adoration in their eyes to Duncan, who stood front and centre.

I understood their obvious respect. Not a single soul spoke or made a sound, which was impressive because there had to be thousands of winged warriors looking on at this miracle.

Mymiracle.

I shared their same emotion. My heart had lodged in my throat for every second we were apart.

Erix stayed at my side. Rafaela and Seraphine had arrived not long ago, on the back of Gyah in her Eldrae form. I noticed the hesitation from the crowd as the obsidian-scaled creature flew into view, but one raised hand from Duncan was all it took to calm them.

He oozed authority and power. Stood tall, his skin exposed to the world, there was not a muscle hidden. Even his back rippled with them – muscles my fingers and mouth had not yet explored. Whatever had happened during the Transfiguration had changed him ineveryaspect. He no longer looked like the weak man I had worn down with my treatment. Duncan stood tall, shoulders rolled back, likely a result of the two imposing pure-white wings that spread from protruding mounds beside his spine.

I was desperate to speak to him. Every time our eyes locked, I felt that need build, alongside the hiss of electricity racing over my skin. My body was a chamber of overboiling lava, seconds from bursting. But I had to keep control, to focus on keeping myself calm, all whilst I watched Duncan address the sea of Nephilim watching him.

Rafaela gripped my arm, knees weak as she was overcome with relief. Her whisper seemed to be a shout as the world around us was so silent, even the winds calmed in the presence of a being like Duncan. “He has come. Gabrial’s prophesied. Our Saviour.”

Hearing her refer to Duncan as the Saviour warmed my spirit, kindling the hope that couldn’t help but rage inside. Simply looking at him, seeing what he’d achieved, even I couldn’t dispel the concept of the prophecy.

“So, the fey-hunter survivesagain,” Gyah drawled, the moment she shifted back into her form. “Are we sure Duncan is not part cockroach or something?”

“He is something incredible,” I said, voice clear cut and swelling with pride.

“When we saw the Nephilim we thought Cassial had come for us,” Gyah admitted. “As much as I’m glad to see Duncan alive and kicking, I am disappointed I don’t get to tear out Cassial’s throat today.”

I stood, dumfounded, and fixated on Duncan’s back. “Soon,” I promised Gyah, knowing it was truly a possibility. “His fate awaits him.”

Now more so than ever before.

“Duncan Rackley has faced the judgement, survived and has returned to us with a purpose,” Rafaela added, eyes fixed, gaze locked on Duncan. “We are now in a position to go against Cassial in a way that he will least expect.”

“I like the sound of that,” Gyah replied, closing in. “But my question is when. Now our purpose here is complete, I want to leave Irobel immediately.”

“We will,” I promised, sharing in the same want as Gyah. “Althea is our priority.”

Gyah looked back to Duncan, a grimace pinched across her face. “I hope so.”

Seraphine leaned in, hand over her heart – likely pressing down on the folded sketch of those she left behind in Durmain. “I must say Duncan has such an impressive wingspan. I can see the appeal now, Robin.”

Her comment conjured a belly-cackle out from me. But before I could reply, Duncan finally spoke up.

“Children of the Creator.” His words boomed across the island, as if the clouds of his conjuring magnified his voice.

The hairs rose on my arms, not from his command but the lightning that still thickened the air around us. The storm may have passed, but when Duncan was close, it never strayed far.

“The Creator’s Faithful warriors. You have been locked away for sins that never belonged to you. It would seem the years have confused our brothers and sisters; the path we’ve walked for generations has faded and many have lost their way. You paid the price. Shut away in the continued effort to prevent history from repeating itself – cast into stone simply for doing what was right. No longer shall you be hidden away. No longer will you face the endless imprisonment. The time to right the wrongs of the Fallen is upon us.”

A perfectly synchronised cheer rose from the chasm. The sound shook the very sky, with more power than any conjured thunder could. It split the clouds further, bringing forth more rays of golden light.

I could practically taste the admiration they all held for Duncan.

“And who are you, Duncan Rackley, in the eyes of the Creator?” Rafaela shouted, voice rising in pitch as she directed it to Duncan. I was surprised Duncan heard. He slowly turned to face her, his severe brow softening as he laid eyes on Rafaela. There wasn’t anger, but the sorrow of someone who understands a price paid.