Page 62

Chapter 57

Aaliyah

T he Eternium moved like something that sought attention, the walls wobbling just out of view, like the Void when I was close enough to touch. Now was no exception, walking into the large open ballroom, staring down from the staircase after the Sage had announced us again, and finding it decorated with a vintage flair. Tables were strewn about, a low warm light giving it an almost ominous presence.

There were so many I couldn't see the end of them as we walked silently down to find our own table. The air was somber, even the other Eternals keeping to themselves as they shuffled past to find seats. A hand settled on my shoulder, and I looked up at Eirik as he watched me.

His silent confidence had always bolstered my own, made me feel like I could take on the world with him at my side. His hand moved higher, brushing against the silvery scar on my shoulder, a comfort to us both. No matter what today brought, we would get through it.

We had to.

"Ali!" A voice cut through the crowd, followed by the sound of grunting as a body shoved their way through a throng of some of the most powerful people I'd ever seen. They stumbled apart, audible gasps of outrage swallowed by my oomph as Eliza ran directly into my arms.

I smiled, wrapping her in a hug. "Liz!"

I caught eyes with Dezen and Carter as they stepped up, looking at us, and then at the rest of my men. They wore the same suit, a simple black design with red bow ties to match Eliza's glittering dress. She was too busy giving me a bear hug to notice anything else.

"You're okay," she whispered, pulling back, examining me like she had Grigen after he'd slipped on his way down the stairs one day, scraping his knees on the floor. "God, you had me so worried."

It was probably bad that I wasn't sure which life-changing event she was talking about. I smiled, refusing to let her go, not ready to lose the touch of my friend yet. "I'm okay. How are you? How's Grigen?"

She snorted before pulling back, running a hand through the longer part of her red hair, making her eyes sparkle in the dim light. She was dressed well, even for the occasion, in a sharp red dress that hugged her form and showed off the delicate curves of her body.

"Probably snuggled up, watching a movie with Carter's sister, waiting for us to come home," she said, her eyes dimming as she reached for the little shell necklace around her neck. She ran a thumb over it, sighing. "You don't have to worry about me. Baba isn't one to be messed with."

That determination I knew so well started in the curve of her lips as she looked me up and down again. "You look rough, Ali. More Rends ?"

For once, I searched for a pressure that wasn't there. I waited for the dragging feeling and the ache behind my eyes, the tingling sensation that made my lips go numb and my head hurt, but it never came forward. In its place were the memories, the bits that I still struggled to reconcile as mine. I forced a smile as I swallowed back my mantra, hiding the faces of my past as I took her hands. I hid the shaking well, but obviously not well enough, as she frowned.

This was what we'd wanted, what that walk through Century Side had been for, and somehow … it almost seemed worse now.

A part of me missed the unknown, missed not knowing what happened.

"The Rends are gone, Liz. Mags helped get my memories back. I'm fine," I said, even if I didn't feel it right now. The voices of my past lingered—would always linger—but I could handle their taunts for now. Eliza's face twisted, the same haunted look in her eyes that I imagined mirrored my own.

Osiris stepped to my side, placing a hand on my lower back, using his touch to ground me as I let go of Eliza. Just in time for another group to come barreling forward.

The room filled slowly, overwhelming me with sounds and scents as I shuffled closer to Osiris.

"I see the gangs all here," a familiar voice called, echoing over the crowd.

Three walked forward, two men and a woman. The men were dressed in suits of their own, navy blue with open collars and silver chains around their necks. The woman, Rose, wore a simple black dress that extended slightly behind her and seemed anything but, with how she swayed through the room, captivating anyone that looked her way. It had bare shoulders that were instead covered in a light shawl.

"Milo!" Prince said, dashing through Adrian and Fallon, the two grunting on impact, a laugh coming forward as he power-walked toward his friend. There wasn't any hesitation as he reached out and grabbed Milo's forearm. "Come here, you bastard."

He leaned forward, kissing Milo's cheeks three times. It was like watching Milo reset, his eyes going wide as he held perfectly still. When he jerked back, he grabbed Nero's shoulder, gasping like a fish for a moment.

"Nero?" he asked, watching as Prince grinned, dipping his head once. That was all Milo needed, before he was pulling Prince into a bone-crushing hug. "Nero! You asshole, took you long enough to remember who the fuck I am!"

Nero laughed, patting Milo on the back with a few hard slaps. "Please, like I'd actually forget that face."

They continued to babble on, Fallon, Adrian, Osiris and Eirik stepping in as well. Even Will added a few jabs, blending seamlessly as they joked, speaking in a language that seemed as old as time. The kind that came with long-standing friendships that lasted well into the centuries.

"Nice to see you again, Aaliyah," Rose said, stepping up to my side, looking over me with that same worried expression she'd had at Eliza's.

"Same, Rose," I said, easing into our conversation as she looked at our men. It was as easy as breathing to relax around her, Eliza stepping up and passing us both a glass of what looked like white wine.

It bubbled on my lips, the sweet taste refreshing as I took a sip.

"I swear. He's all Milo's been talking about," Rose mused, looking smitten at the animated expressions Milo shot Prince's way. He had his arms wrapped around Prince's shoulders, speaking loudly about some story that had everyone laughing.

"You sure you're okay?" Liz asked, taking my hand in a show of support, keeping her head high as she looked around the room.

I nodded, pulling the sleeve of my dress to cover more of my arm, of the scars that slid across the skin from my collarbone over my shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"We've got your back, Ali," she whispered, pulling me into a hug again. Eliza was always so warm, so open. It was like her arms were a safety net. She gave the best hugs. "So, let's give 'em hell?"

"Let's hope this time there aren't any more dark alleys," I mumbled, and she choked before heaving a laugh.

When she pulled back for the last time, it was to brush the hair out of my face, tucking in a piece that had come undone from the braid Eirik had weaved before coming here.

A loud ringing filled the air, consistent with the sway of a large bell that was out of sight. It rocked the room, making my legs shake as the conversation fell quiet. "What's happening?"

"That means it's time," Dezen added, flashing a tight smile as he came to Eliza's side again, Carter taking up the other in a protective stance. Milo and Will were quick to do the same with Rose. "The Call for Challenges and Retaliations is starting."

"Stay strong, Ali. You've got this," Liz said, before her face switched, becoming something stoic and powerful. There was a breath of sea water in the air as she looked at Osiris as he came back to my side. "Take care of her, okay? I'll have your ass if she gets hurt again."

Each of my men nodded, huddling close as we watched Eliza walk away, waving at us as she went to Eternal Ilenia's table. Rose and her band did the same, nods of support following them until they disappeared into the crowd.

It wasn't much longer before we found our seats, and the room that had been alight with chatter grew silent.

Food had been laid out, something that hadn't been on the tables before, dishes I couldn't place or even think to name. Something that smelled like sage wrapped in cooked meat and covered in a red sauce. Not that I was in any state to eat. Several glasses sat empty there, as well, a Sage sliding by, filling them with a crimson liquid that smelled of iron.

Just as another Sage took to the pedestal.

They looked exactly like the one that had invited us in, wearing a long robe that obscured part of their blank face. They were emotionless as a lengthy scroll unfurled in front of them. It floated in the air, suspended under an overhead light. They glanced it over before beginning, "For Dragonkin Eternal, Drakon Halsen is presented. Is there a contest?"

The monotone of its voice brought goosebumps to my arms, and I reached for someone, settling only when a hand slid into mine. Our fingers interlaced, and Osiris was quick to bring it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

"I, Marietta Halsen, Challenge," a voice called from across the room, seemingly from nowhere.

The Sage tilted its head, her name etching onto the scroll in golden ink, before the stage shook, and a woman appeared next to him, along with Drakon. They faded in, settling softly to the ground, the familiar itch of a teleportation spell filling the room, a ring of blue under their feet.

Both Dragonkin looked at each other, the similarities blinding as any hint of familial bond faded away. The Sage moved them silently, until both their palms were over the water. One quick slash, and their blood pooled in it, staining the clear liquid red.

"So, it is sealed," the Sage whispered as their hands healed, and a mark took the spot there.

They were simple black designs. Drakon's a set of two overlapping triangles, slightly offset to the left, the points matching up. Marietta's had one of the triangles facing down, the bottoms not quite lining up to make a diamond.

Drakon watched Marietta carefully, his face twisting with confusion, but she showed no remorse. Her brown hair was strung back, her eyes high and cold.

They faded from the stage. Quick, efficient, and just like that the Sage continued.

"For Sorceri Eternal, Magelav Rourovic is presented. Is there a contest?"

I wasn't expecting anyone to come forward, not after seeing what Mags could do, so I nearly jumped when a voice echoed above the crowd just a few feet from us. "I'd like to Challenge."

He was scraggly, almost ancient, the kind of stature that reminded me of the professors in those movies that Eliza liked to watch. He had graying hair, and a long beard that was trimmed neatly. Glasses sat over his eyes, the color hidden by the distance between us, and he pushed them up as he waited for the Sage to acknowledge him.

"Warlow Emigrand Challenges," the Sage whispered, calling them both to the floor. Warlow stood tall, his head held above the rest as he stared at what should have been a powerful opponent.

But Magelav looked haunted.

Their eyes were sunken, their body trembling as they swayed on their feet. They held their hand above the water and accepted the mark, the same that Drakon had. It left a sour feeling in my stomach when they wiped away a slash of blood as it slid down their nose.

"So, it is sealed," the Sage called, the names scrawling in that large scroll. The ink on it turned gold as they wrote before fading away entirely.

"What happened to Mags?" Prince asked as he continued to stare at the pool with an almost lost look.

He searched the room, trying to find where Mags had slipped back to. I searched with him, but the rows and rows of tables made it impossible to pick anyone out.

"I don't know," Osiris replied, tapping his fingers against the table. A soft knock echoed, dampened by the soft cloth that sat over it. "That was odd, even for them."

The Sage moved on.

A man with savage red eyes and ashen gray skin came forward when Alderi'Vidius was called. His ears were sharply pointed, his expression almost bored as he was pulled onto the stage. There was something distinct about him that reminded me of Osiris, the twirl in his long suit coat and the way he watched the rest of the room.

"Bradsai'Crimson," Osiris mumbled, his hand stopping on the table as Vidius took up the spot across from the dapper man. I hadn't seen Vidius in person, just heard whispers that hadn't done him justice. His black hair was styled deftly around his head, an air of power that befitted someone with the title of Eternal … but I wasn't expecting him to look so scared.

"Who's he?" I asked as the Sage pulled their hands over the water, slicing a wound onto their palms. Vidius's blood fed into the pool, Crimson's next, staining the well a deep gold.

"A Pride Demon. He reigned with Lucifer over the hells for centuries, before he grew bored with it. Last I'd heard, he was traveling the world. Of anyone to Challenge, I wasn't expecting him," Osiris said, never looking away as the two were teleported back.

"Can Vidius win?" Fallon pressed, running his hand over his face, itching one of the dull gray lines that was still etched into it.

Osiris was quiet for a long moment, his jaw clenched, before he shook his head. "Crimson is older than Kri'Valta by several thousand years. If he wants the seat, Vidius will give it to him. Or he'll die."

I gripped my wrist, keeping my head low as the Sage's voice called out again.

"For Titan Eternal, Jerick is presented. Is there a contest?" Its voice grated in my head, making my teeth hurt as silence stretched over the room.

The Fae Eternal seat was the last to be called, and the man that Fallon and I had seen, Koldan, went uncontested. The Sage tapped the scroll as it floated above the pool, lingering there as they dipped their head.

All the names they'd called were related to spots that had been freed, either from someone stepping down or from the death of another. Now they just stood, their tentacle arms waving around them. "Are there any other rulings?"

Osiris's hand tensed in mine, and before the Sage had even finished speaking, a voice boomed throughout the room. "Osiris Vivas. You're supposed to be in the Pits."

Darius was easy to pick out, sitting on his seat like it was a throne. He leaned back, a woman I didn't recognize on his knee, her golden hair pulled tightly in his hand, his other on her leg in a grip that looked painful.

"The Pits are holding ground, nothing more. I've been held, Darius," Osiris called back, swallowing hard as a Charm inched out with the last few words. It made me shiver, the people next to us scooting away. "Do you have something to say or not?"

Darius stood up, knocking the woman off him as he slammed his hands down on the table, rattling the center piece that decorated it. Osiris flinched, and I held him steady as Darius spoke. "I call for Retaliation against Osiris Vivas. For the death of my dearest Kali. The prior Sorceri Eternal."

The Sage was impartial, its body turning to face us, without even having to guess where we might be. "Osiris Vivas, do you deny these claims?"

My heart was in my throat as Osiris stood, dusting off his suit, letting go of my hand. I hated it, hated the way he moved under Darius's gaze like he was trying to prepare himself for hell.

"I do," he whispered, yet even with Darius snarling at him, he kept his head high. "But I accept his Retaliation. Darius wishes for a fight. I'm happy to give him one."

Darius's expression contorted, his face sharpening as the hint of a beast peeked through, egged on by the words Osiris spoke and the mocking whispers of the crowd. The Sage was quiet for a moment, more words flashing across the scroll. "Retaliation accepted."

Osiris faded from view in the next second, shimmering into place next to the Sage, across the pool from Darius. The process was the same, their blood lingering in the water, and a mark appearing on Osiris's hand. The black glyph glowed as he clenched his fist. This time, the mark was circular, with a diamond in the middle.

I couldn't hear what Darius said, but I saw how Osiris reacted to it, like he'd been struck.

He returned to us moments later, his head dipped low, the Sage already moving. I didn't have time to ask him what had been said, his eyes clouded as he looked ahead. That blank stare was back, and he clutched his wrist tightly.

"Are there any other rulings?"

A few more voices filled the crowd. They mentioned names I knew, like a Siren calling for Ilenia, who looked like she might eat the brave male for dinner. Another Lycan, a woman with shiny black hair and a devious smile, Challenged Yrsa. Cael for Adathan, a move that had the entire room flooding with gasps and shock at the sight of the old Eternal back in the flesh.

When no one else spoke, Osiris stood again.

Eirik took a deep breath at my side, his chest rumbling with the starting of a growl as the other tables leaned close, like vultures looking for rotting meat when Osiris spoke. "For his crimes against the Eternals, and his willful ignorance toward their laws by the killing of Fae Eternal Frileti and Titan Eternal Roderick, we, the Vivas Crypt, put Sebek Ra, the Vampire Eternal, up for Exilium. An Honored Death."

Just the word was enough to bring the Eternals to arms, the ones that were in the dark panicking the hardest. Their voices raised above the rest, one leading to two, then many. Until screams filled the air.

"Have you gone completely mad?"

"This is an outrage. Exilium is not done!"

"You cannot call for Exilium as a man facing Retaliation!"

"Enough," the Sage called, their voice in my head, vibrating my skull hard enough to clatter my teeth. The room quieted before shaking again as a light darted across the floor, separating it into two halves.

"Exilium has been called. Cast your votes." The Sage lifted one waving appendage. It fluttered in the air, pointing out the sides. "To the left, yes. To the right, no."

There was a fearful shuffle as everyone stood, and the Eternals searched the room for the man who faced the charges, looking over shoulders, hiding their eyes.

Sebek was the bogeyman, even in a room full of monsters.

We followed, taking the front row on the left-hand side of the mark. It fissured in the marble, almost pulsing as we stepped up to it, toeing the line.

At first, I wasn't sure if anyone else would follow, a fear ingrained in the way I moved and breathed. Then Liz took up our side.

She smiled at me boldly, unwilling to falter as Ilenia took her right. The Siren Eternal was every bit the intimidating presence she was when I first met her, the ice in her eyes so sharp it damned well could have cut.

"Eternal Ilenia," Osiris said, dipping his head as the Siren Eternal raised a brow. Her long aqua hair was down her back, untied, flowing across the open expanse of her dress.

"Vivas," she bit out, staring straight ahead, not bothering to look our way. "Aaliyah, I see you didn't take my advice."

Her words of warning, the ones that she'd shared at her home in her attempt to sway me away from the men at my back. Eirik's hands fell on my shoulders, his nose running against my hair as I smiled.

"No, I didn't."

Unlike last time, there was more than simmering disgust and disappointment in the way she looked at me. Her head tipped up, a flash of light blue scales across her neck and a hint of pride in her eyes as she turned back to center.

A shadow cast over me, darkening the room and stealing my breath. All it took was one brush of it to send my mind spiraling. Eirik's hands tightened on my shoulders, and I bit my tongue.

Never make noise.

"You intend to stand against me, Ilenia?" Sebek asked, his hands shoved into the pockets of his black suit.

He watched on with clear irritation, his black hair messy around his head, that comforting red in his eyes fiendish. A cold wind blew, making me shiver as Red fluttered over, lingering near my shoulders. He was as anxious as I was, clinging to me as we both waited to see what Sebek would do.

"Was it ever a question, Butcher?" Ilenia responded with a cold glare, tensions spiraling as Sebek grinned.

More Eternals and their secondaries filled the sides, and though there seemed to be more with us … only the Eternals votes would matter in the end. Milo, Adathan, Avedal, Drakon, and Vidius, were a few that I saw standing proudly with us. One was slower, starting off across the line. He was large, his skin a silvery gray that looked rocky like stone. His large wings on his back stretched upward above his head, and his face reminded me of Valen.

He looked at the fissure and back at the men and women that made up the people on his side. It was a long few seconds before the stone man stepped over the line, his wings curling close to his back as he did, as if ashamed.

Adrian breathed out, and Eirik clapped him on the back.

"Axius, what the fuck are you doing?" another hissed, looking exactly like the man now on our side.

They stared in opposition, one all fury and the other looking more and more worn.

"I can't let you do this, Hyland," Axius said but didn't falter. His tail whipped behind him, his eyes broken but firm. "I've watched long enough, but I can't stand by on this. Father would have never stood on that side with that monster . I can't either."

He took a breath, crossing his arms and strengthening his stance. "Consider this my Challenge."

More whispers filled the air as others danced the line, a few more shuffling across before another familiar face was by our side. Magelav looked like they'd been through hell, even worse up close, their eyes dulled and far off, the same way they'd been after helping Prince and I with our memories. Guilt started low when they wiped away another swath of blood from under their nose. They didn't say anything, just stood by Prince's side, Xander taking up the other with a man I hadn't seen before.

"Mags," Xander purred, that same expression of want lingering in the way he looked them up and down. He wore the same white suit I'd always seen him in, the glittering of forest green accenting it.

Mags snorted, shaking their head with a mocking grin. " Rat ."

The more people moved, the less equal the sides became, until everyone stopped. The Sage waited precious few seconds, and we all collectively held our breaths. "Current vote, eighty-seven of one hundred and sixteen. The total votes required for a pass is ninety-three. Exilium does not pass under current conditions."

I swallowed the failure, already expecting it before the Challenges, but that didn't make it seem any more attainable. It felt like a loser's game, a checkmate.

"There's still a chance," Drakon said, grunted as he looked at me and the others. It filled me with warmth, a hope I hadn't realized I'd let go of. Sebek sneered, clicking his tongue.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing stands among us," Mags said, mumbled behind closed teeth as they pitched forward, staring straight ahead.

It wasn't often they had an expression that was readable. Most of the time, I'd compare the way they surveyed and moved to Sebek . They had the same type of mannerism, the same crazed look in their eyes.

That wasn't the case now as Prince looked down at the Sorceri with narrowed brows. Mags closed their eyes, their hands shaking as they gritted their teeth. I could almost see the dread coming off their shoulders, sinking into their skin as Xander stepped forward.

Drakon cursed, held back only by his Enforcer, Cassius, as Xander eyed the gouge in the marble. He looked down at the line, humming as I choked on my next breath.

"Always so perceptive, Mags." He whistled, dipping his head as if conceding a victory to a game no one knew they'd been playing.

He stepped over the line, followed by who I now assumed was another Dryad, likely the Eternal, with wispy green hair and matching green eyes. It was like watching our hope crumble in front of us. He caught my eyes last, smiling that gentle way, like he hadn't just tightened the noose around our necks. "Don't look at me like that. It's just business."

Mags didn't give him a response, just kept their eyes closed as Nero jolted forward. His eyes shot red. "You're a godforsaken coward, Axandre."

Xander hummed, still looking at Mags. For a moment he looked sorry, swallowing hard before he was shaking his head, grief washed away by his smile, cleansed by his laugh. "A practical one. I like to be on the winning side of things. You won't win Exilium. You never stood a chance."

Sebek seemed to know this was coming, pulling what looked to be a book out of his suit pocket. It was small, leather bound, and Xander looked downright gleeful when Sebek set it in his hands.

Payment for his switching of sides, no doubt. I hadn't ever trusted Xander, but this seemed like too much … he'd been so strong in his opposition, his hatred in the way Sebek had killed the other Reapers. But it seemed that hatred would only go so far when faced with something he truly wanted.

The Sage called out again, breaking up the rage in Prince as he jolted back, continuing to bare his teeth. "Current vote, eighty-five of one hundred and sixteen. Exilium does not pass under current conditions."

Drakon didn't move, his eyes going blank as he gritted his teeth. We'd relied on the Dryad's vote, who now stood by Xander's side with his head held high. Even if everyone passed their Challenges and Retaliations … that made six votes needed.

We only had five Challenges lined up. We wouldn't make Exilium like this.

"We offer evidence to sway," Osiris said, steadily calm. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the vial that Adrian had found before. The swirling liquid was like gold in the diamond flask. "This is High Fae Mana, truth in its highest form. Sebek intends to destroy the Eternals, something he'd already started before coming here. Frileti was one of the first of his kills. Roderick the second. Both who opposed him. He plans to do more, with none other than Reaper blood."

I struggled to stay sitting as Sebek scowled. I waited, watching as he pushed back his hair, barely even looking at Osiris. I expected a rebuke, some kind of words, but he just grabbed the vial, snapping the cap, and drinking it down in one go.

It happened so fast I almost missed it, the way he moved so uncaring, tossing the vial to the ground and watching it shatter. It made my instincts scream, had me looking closer as he narrowed his eyes at Osiris.

Red turned frantic, and I struggled to breathe as his emotions seemed to outweigh my own. I couldn't even tell what he was trying to say. His form was sporadic, broken down into little more than dust, not even an outline to guess at.

"Ask," Sebek pushed, and Osiris didn't hesitate.

"Do you, Sebek Ra, intend to destroy the Eternals?"

I shook, trying to shrug off the bad feeling, my unease only growing when it worsened. Sebek cracked his neck, his eyes shimmering as if back lit as the potion sifted its way through his body. He let a breath out, a dusting of gold slipping out with it.

"No," he responded, clear and articulate, no room to second guess what he'd said. Eirik jolted next to me.

Most on our side froze, and the taunting jeers started from the other. I'd seen Sebek kill that man at Ascension, watched for a soul that never appeared. His potion destroyed him.

"Impossible," Prince whispered as Mags shook.

"Do you intend harm upon them?" Osiris tried again, his eyes narrowing, differing pools of blue that didn't hide his surprise when Sebek answered again, this time with a smile that made me ill.

"No, I do not intend to harm the Eternals in any way."

Everything that we'd thought about Sebek's plans crumbled. If he wasn't intending on using my blood to kill them, to control them … then what was he going to do?

He turned to look at me, like he could feel the way I watched him, catching my gaze in the crowd of people.

"Ask, I see it in your eyes," he said, clearly pointed at me.

With every move he made, we were seven behind. Every step we took felt like a step in the wrong direction. He knew about Exilium, knew about our plans, and he shut them all down with a ruthless efficiency.

"What's your plan with Aaliyah's blood?" Osiris pressed, and finally, Sebek turned back to face him.

The mention of me, of what I could do, snapped the attention of the rabid crowd our way.

Everything he'd said, every interaction with him, raced across my mind. The thought of it was so simple now that the idea of death had been pushed to the side. Sebek could kill whoever he wanted. He didn't need my blood to do it, something he'd proven when he'd taken down two Eternals and still had an army of loyal followers at his back.

"To bring back true immortality. To reverse death, in the truest sense. Aaliyah's blood, Reaper blood, is the key, and I can prove it," he said, and I knew it was the moment we'd lost.

Sebek didn't want to kill the Eternals, not with this. None of this had ever been about killing, but rather who he'd already killed. Who we wanted back more than anything.

I sucked in a breath, suddenly sweating.

He wasn't supposed to die .

Sebek wanted to bring back my father, the man he'd killed when my mother died. Their souls bound together, her death leading to his. Sebek wanted to undo his mistake.

My vision narrowed, the thought of it almost a dream, especially knowing exactly how I was brought back the first time. Sebek wouldn't succeed, even if that was his goal. He'd ruined his chances the moment he'd taken me … because after I'd died at his doctor's hands, it was my father's soul that was used to bring me back.

Like my mother had used me for him all those years ago. Like Davi had shown me.

Like Crustava's had been for Prince.

I was going to be sick.

Sebek reached into his coat, pulling out a vial I recognized. The liquid in it sloshed around, an inky black that stuck to the walls. Another man I didn't know came to his side, with blue eyes and silvery hair that matched his suit. He had scales along his skin, not quite like I'd seen on Dragonkin, more aquatic. A Mer, like Eliza, I'd guess based on the way Ilenia stiffened. Sebek handed it to him, not even touching him.

"You can't kill someone in the Eternium, not with feats of strength, but they can still die," Sebek said, nodding once.

The man didn't hesitate before crushing the vial in his palm. "For true eternal life."

It took all of a few seconds before his eyes rolled back, his body slumping to the floor. Just like before, no spirit came up from his body. Red was the first to move toward it, his apprehension alive in the air as he circled the man who'd dropped dead. It was like he was prodding him, looking for the same thing I was.

Nothing happened.

The crowd came alive with whispers, shock stealing words as the writhing turned to screams … before it went silent. Sebek pulled another vial from his coat, this one clear with flecks of familiar silver.

Bile rose in my throat.

"Aaliyah?" Fallon asked.

"It was tricky finding it at first, but the tie of Reaper blood to the Void is there. They can send souls on or repurpose them. Rebirth them." Sebek took a step, rolling the man over with his foot. His eyes moved back to me, and then to Prince as he opened the vial, taking great care to touch the man as little as possible as he poured the concoction down his throat. "Now, they can also bring them back. My once dead Turned is proof of that."

The rumbles in the room grew louder and louder. The crumbling remains of our plan slipped from our hands as several bodies from our side passed over the fissure. The Sage called out new tallies, our odds dropping lower and lower.

Eighty votes.

Seventy-six votes.

Sixty-eight votes …

Which meant there was only one way.

I looked at Prince, his face set in stone, his expression giving nothing away. He wore the look of a gladiator going to war.

"I have no desire to kill you. I wish to bring back those that were lost. To restore order, to purge the world of the filth that stains it. And I'll do so, even if I have to drag you along with me," Sebek yelled above the chaos, and the Eternals rallied around him.

No ghost appeared, washed away by the potion … but this time, he didn't stay dead. The body flinched, twitching, no doubt filled with a heartbeat they could suddenly hear loud and clear again. None of them paid any further attention, not noticing when he stopped twitching again.

And they cheered for the man who would see them all dead if it meant the ability to bring back my father. This man who'd killed so many just like them, Naturals that didn't deserve the deaths that they were dealt. This idea that he could better them washed away any semblance of moral decency.

Osiris tugged at the sleeves of his dress shirt, hiding the marks on his wrist. Sebek smiled, gloating as he watched the frantic trading of sides around us. He didn't have to speak as he looked at me one last time, eyes vicious.

He knew he won.

Your move, Glass.

"Current vote, fifty-two of one hundred and sixteen. An eighty percent majority needed for a passing vote. Failure for Exilium."

I could have heard a pin drop.

Sebek was so confident in the way he moved after the announcement, the way he stood tall and looked on like we were nothing but pawns. Like he never had anything to worry about to begin with.

Our goal was Exilium, but if that failed, Prince was going to Challenge, and it only made sense at this point to believe that Sebek knew that, too. It was like it didn't bother him in the grand scheme of things. This was all just a setback, just another game.

He knew what was coming, and nothing else would get in his way.

"Are there any more issues to address?" The Sage whispered, like a gavel falling.

Exilium will not save you.

"You've already lost," he said, and Osiris's face flushed red with rage.

All of our planning led here, to the moment I'd begged would never come to be. Sebek turned his back, walking away as the fissure of light disappeared from the center of the room. There was no fear in him, no more hesitancy in the way he moved.

You've already lost.

Words got lodged in my throat, silence stealing my voice as panic became understanding.

Prince stepped forward, head held high, staring down the Sage with the confidence of a king. Of the Gladiator I knew he was.

"I Challenge Sebek Ra, for the spot of Vampire Eternal."