Page 179 of Degradation

“Just wait.” Devin says quietly back.

I hear my mother scream, I hear other people scream, and then I hear the sound of a gun going off.

I huddle into Devin more as my mother’s voice rings out. “Fuck you, Antonio, fuck you.”

Antonio laughs back, “Wouldn’t if you were the last wretched whore in Oblivion.” He spits.

“What’s going on?” I repeat. Does my mother still have that gun, are we still in danger?

All I can hear is the sound of people somewhere screaming, of what feels like a battle playing out.

“She’s disarmed. Antonio has her.” Devin says almost disappointingly.

“So, she’s going to Oblivion?” I reply. God, what a good punishment that would be. What a nice piece of divine justice.

“Not Oblivion.” Antonio says. “This bitch is going somewhere far worse.”

Worse? Where on earth is worse than Oblivion? I stammer, trying to argue and Devin places a finger over my mouth. What the fuck is going on here?

I hear my mother being dragged away. I hear the sounds of something breaking, something shattering down in the belly of the building. Smoke reaches my nose, and I realise the Cathedral must be on fire.

“Devin?” I gasp.

“It’s alright.” He growls back. “We’re getting out of here.”

“What about your brothers? What about the ritual?” I know Magnus was declared Chapter Lord, but the Senate didn’t officially anoint him. Does it still count?

“He’s a big boy. He can look after himself.” Devin mutters before carrying me safely out.

Devin

Iwatched as the scene played out before me. As my brothers and their men fought what must have been only a handful of men. Did they think their bombs would be enough? Did they think that enough of the Brethren would be against my family and that they’d what, rise up, take up arms? As if they’ve not been taught the meaning of obedience from the moment they drew breath.

I saw Magnus grappling with one man after another, I saw Conrad, gutting someone with one of the ceremonial blades, and while a voice told me that I should be down there, that I shouldbe alongside them, protecting the great Blake name, I knew Paitlyn was in more danger than either of them were.

It’s been hours since the chaos. Hours of silence. Of waiting.

And now my brother has invited us here, to no doubt celebrate his ascension and his victory.

I glance around, noting how the décor has changed. How it feels even more oppressive now. Perhaps that’s my brother’s doing, or perhaps it’s because I can no longer deny what we are, what all three of us are.

My father was so concerned that we might turn out to be like her, like our mother, and while there are times when I know her madness is in me, I also know that the darkness, the demons, all of that is his doing, not hers.

Conrad greets us in the entrance hall. He leads us through, barely glancing at Paitlyn.

The rest of the family are sat at the grand dining table. Silver cutlery gleams under those crystal chandeliers.

Liliana looks at me, then quickly looks away. She’s out of her white satin now. She’s wearing a turquoise dress that twists around her neck like a knot, hiding the brand my brother burnt into her skin. She’s sat to the right of Magnus, who sits at the very head.

Conrad takes his place beside his own wife, and we quickly sit opposite them.

Magnus and I engage in a silent staring contest, our eyes locked in a battle of wills that neither of us want to break. So much for a truce then.

Across the room, Titus’s wife and daughter are in giant gilded cages. Trapped like songbirds, if you will. They watch us, watch me in particular, with wide, fearful eyes.

The sound of footsteps echoes through the austere room as Antonio enters with the Grand Master by his side. The GrandMaster extends his hand to Magnus, a cold smile playing on his lips as he declares, “It’s all done.”

Magnus nods back, acting the part of Chapter Lord as if he’d been one his entire life.