Page 64 of Ringmaster (The Kingdom of Shadow & Bone #1)

Azrael

We stand in the castle courtyard, our menacing group ready to ascend to the big top and face my brother.

Each of the other kingdoms has sent two of their best warriors to assist us on this mission.

I tighten my grip around the Shield of Anubis.

It will protect me, and, in turn, my mate, from any harm.

“Are you ready? Beelzebub asks.

I nod. “We’re ready.”

We stare at one another, both knowing what’s at stake. Then Beelzebub opens the portal, and we launch—each of us hurled into the mortal realm. I carry Selestina in my arms, shield on my arm, wings protectively around us.

We land just outside the big top entrance in a cloud of dust. I look to Selestina standing ready at my side, and my chest swells. She’s come so far for me. But I don’t have time to think about how proud of her I am.

Remember to stay close, and do not fall for my brother’s tricks. My last warning before I lead us into the tent to face whatever Wrath has waiting on the other side.

The arena is dark; silence fills the air. I wave my hands, and the lights overhead flicker to life. In the center of the ring are Mercy’s mother, Sylis, Zora, and a few of the others.

Next to me, Selestina’s muscles twitch. She’s fighting the urge to run to her. My hand finds hers, giving her the strength she needs.

There’s no sign of my brother, which makes me suspicious. I draw Soul Slayer from its sheath and stealthily slip through the shadows to get closer.

Selestina follows at my heels, taking my instructions to stay close a little too literally.

I want to stop her, but even a message through our bond—and the tiny bit of magic it uses—could alert him we’ve arrived if he’s not aware.

I reach out with my shadows, feeling for him, searching for a sign or some kind of presence. There’s nothing.

Closer and closer we creep until I can make out their faces, bound by rope. Enchantments glow around it. Smart. He’s warded it and set a trap. So long as nothing triggers the wards, he won’t know we’re here.

“Mother,” Selestina whispers. “Are you okay?”

“Mercy,” her mother calls. “Is that really you? Go while you still can.”

Selestina tilts her head, confused. How is it she’s forgotten her mortal name so easily?

It doesn’t matter. Shadows rip from me, springing forward to wrap over her mouth. We can’t risk him hearing us.

The ground begins to shake and rumble beneath our feet, and I realize it’s too late. He knows we’re here.

Selestina takes one sideways glance at me, unsheathes a dagger, and leaps forward, slicing the rope away. It’s no match for my power as the runes flare. She runs to hug her mother just as the Divine appear from nowhere, closing a circle around the prisoners and capturing Selestina within it.

Fuck. This is why I needed her to stay close. Wrath appears on the other side of the tent.

“Well… well… well. It looks like we have some things you want. Azrael,” Wrath sneers.

“Let them go,” I demand, spinning my sword through the air and brandishing the shield, allowing the lights to bounce off it.

A few of the Divine shudder at the sight of such dark instruments. I can’t help the smug smile that forms on my lips. They are right to fear me. These are merely foot soldiers. They would be no match for me— save for one: Michael.

I narrow my eyes at him.

“I don’t think I’ll be giving them back,” Wrath taunts. “Not until you give me back what you took.”

“And what is that?” I snap.

“Why, the kingdom, of course, and the title. I wish to continue my reign as Lucifer. I never realized how much power comes with the job. I like it. Besides, you’re too weak to do what needs to be done, and far too weak to control the Divine.

We’ve already signed a nice little peace treaty. ” he laughs.

“Too bad you don’t hold the authority to negotiate a treaty, and your agreement means nothing in the eyes of the universe.”

“Is that true?” Michael snaps.

Wrath ignores him, enraged that I foiled his plans. But Michael refuses to be ignored.

“I said, is that true?” Michael asks again, irritation lacing his words.

“Not if I kill him again,” my brother shrugs.

“How are you going to do that when I’m invincible?” I growl, threatening to undo his very existence.

“A deal’s a deal, “ Michael sings gleefully. “Except, I guess, we no longer have one. Do we?” His voice is high-pitched and cheerful.

He grabs her mother, and Selestina screams. “No!”

My scream for her echoes. “No!”

Michael looks at me, his beady eyes dancing with delight at his victory. “Choose, daughter. Either come with me, or I kill your mother. You don’t belong to that abomination.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but I level a glare that makes her stop. Do not listen to him. Selestina, do not sacrifice yourself for a mortal.

A mortal! she yells back. This mortal is my mother. Maybe I made a mistake.

Selestina! My angel. Darling. Don’t do this. Remember you must stay close to me. They’re manipulating you to get exactly what they want. Don’t let them win, my love.

But she can’t hear me. She’s shut me out and is looking at Michael, her eyes dart from his face to her mother’s.

“Mother, it will be okay. I’m going to save you,” she calls.

“No, Mercy,” she sobs. “You must let me go. I warned you that your real father was a vile creature.”

Michael presses his sword to her neck, drawing a prick of blood, but it’s too much for Selestina to handle. I’m no match for her as I try to restrain her. She lunges at Michael, dagger drawn, driving it into his shoulder and taking him completely by surprise.

For a moment I’m proud of her—but then her screams fill my ears, and I see the red-hot crimson blood pouring from her mother’s neck. Michael grabs Selestina by the hair, and in a flash of light, he and the rest of the Divine are gone.

All I can hear are her screams and mine mixing together as hers vanish, leaving me to roar with an anger so deep I’ve never felt before.

From the corner of my eye, I see Zora spring to her side, attempting to save her life, Sylis beside her.

The small army from Hell has Wrath surrounded, and I charge him, driven by my rage.

I move so quickly he doesn’t even have time to react.

I slice through his heart in one fluid motion as he drops to his knees, sputtering.

“Azrael!” he shouts. “Brother!” You would truly end me? How could you?”

I pull the sword from his chest and stand over him. My fangs drip with saliva, and my wings curl around me as anger pulses through my body. I draw the sword overhead, slamming down into the soft spot between his neck and shoulder at just the right angle to pierce his heart once more.

“The same way I ended Leviticus, brother. You’re out of control, and when the universe deems you rehabilitated, you can walk these realms once more. Goodbye.” I snarl, stepping back as his body turns to ash.

I hold an enchanted glass vial in the air, and my shadows corral the pieces of him into it.

Then I run to check on my mate’s mother.

I can’t sense her life anymore. I know she’s already gone, but some part of me needs to see it.

I need to apologize. Dropping to my knees, I whisper, “I’m so sorry.

You never deserved any of this.” I lay my hand on her chest and bow my head.

“May your next life be filled with peace and happiness.”

The ground opens up and swallows her into the Underworld.

I stand, wiping the blood on my pants, and slam the sword into the ground, take a knee, and glaring up at the big top’s peak.

“I will bring Hell to the mortal realm unless she is returned to me unharmed! Do you hear me, Michael?” I shout.

“I will bring about the end of creation, releasing the worst creatures to prey on the precious mortals.” I take a breath.

“I swear on my soul. I will personally end you for taking what’s mine and meddling with Destiny.

Selestina is mine, and we were promised a lifetime together. ”

I roar again. “Answer me, Michael, or I will have no choice but to release my army and declare war on the Divine.”

Still nothing. I turn to the assembled warriors. Their faces are grave. Next, I look to Zora, who gives a small nod of approval.

Raising my hands in the air, summoning all my shadows to me—but the ones with Selestina I command—“Ready the army, and open every portal into the mortal realm. Until my mate is returned to me, the gates of Hell will remain open.”

I walk outside and look to the skies above. “I will hunt you down and kill you, Michael.”

I shift as demons burst from the Underworld, and alongside them I pillage the mortal realm, bloodthirsty and filled with wrath.

The Divine will fall.

The End.