“It’s winter break,” Reed says beside me. I didn’t know that. Time means almost nothing to me now. The goings-on of normal people’s lives means even less. “Some have not made it home, though.” Reed points to human figures standing across the street on the frozen sidewalk in front of Calhoun, one of the men’s dormitories. They’re not acting like humans. They aren’t panicking or trying to run away from undead faeries that have invaded their campus. Nor do they display the devotion on their faces that wans exhibit when fellas have touched them. No. They stand erect with their arms at their sides, watching us with sinister expressions.
I shiver. “Who are they?” I ask. One of them is female. She stares at me as if she’d like to stab me in the face. Her clothing is pristine. She’s dressed just like anyone would be for the cold weather in a warm coat, scarf, mittens, and a hat. Her makeup is flawless. The way she tied her scarf is in fashion.
“They’re possessed souls, Evie. I think you called the first one you ever saw a ‘shadow man’. They’re spies of Sheol now. They will report your arrival if we allow them to live.”
I would never know she had a demon in her if I was merely human. They hide well. “If you kill them, their souls will crossover to Sheol. Fallen angels will know I’m here all the same.”
“Yes,” Reed admits, “but these possessed wouldn’t be able to join the true fighting when it begins if we slay them now.”
“Can they be saved?” There has been so much bloodshed and collateral damage already. I don’t want anyone else to feel what I felt when I lost my uncle. How many will suffer when their sons and daughters don’t ever come home?
“Normally, I would say no, but I’ve seen too much lately to the contrary to ever make that bold of a statement again. But, that said, I’ll kill them now if you don’t.”
“But what if they can be saved?”
“Kill dem,” Brennus gestures to two of the Gancanagh who have been following him. Without hesitation, both of the undead soldiers sprint across the snow-covered lawn and across the street, cutting down the shadow people with hatchets.
“Why did you do that?” I demand. My hands are in fists at my sides and my jaw is rigid.
“Let me show ye someting,” Brennus replies. He takes me by the elbow none too gently, and leads me over the crest of a small hill. On the other side of it, human carcasses and the dead bodies of divine Reapers turn the snow red with blood. There was a massacre here of epic proportions. Brennus takes me by the shoulders and growls in my face, “Dat is whah da Fallen and deir demons do. Ye show no mercy, mo chroí. No. Mercy! Anyting else and ye have dis outcome.” He sweeps his arms wide, indicating the carnage once more.
Brownie and Buns are beside me. The shock quickly gives way to grieving as they see their kind amid the casualties. I know it would’ve been them too if they had remained here, or if Zephyr had allowed them to come back here when they wanted to return. Emil would’ve slaughtered my friends. As it is, he has slaughtered enough to make what I’ve come to do to him and anyone who helps him more than justified.
“Where do I meet Emil?” I ask.
“Da gate of Sheol at da aingeal’s estate—where he cut da world asunder.”
“Then we should go there now and finish this.”
Brennus lets go of my elbow. He strides away from me toward Finn, an undeniable general, barking out, “Right lads! We’ve waited lifetimes for dis day ta come! Up now and get ‘em boys! Yer queen demands it!”
Finn calls out orders of his own, directing his commanders to mobilize for the short trek to the end of the world. I straighten my shoulders. If nothing else, all this ends today. Something about that gives me the confidence I need to face what’s ahead. There is no going on to my next life. This one is it. I have to make it count.
Reed, Zephyr, Russell, Preben, Anya, Brennus, Brownie, and Buns gather around me. I know the way to Reed’s house by heart, literally. I take to the sky, flying away from campus. Legions of Gancanagh, more than I could have ever fathom, strike out on foot in blurring speed. They have no trouble keeping up with us as we set the pace. I know the element of surprise is not with us. Emil knows we’re here. He can probably smell the Gancanagh from miles away. I’m curious to know if he’s surprised by whom has decided to join me—or that I let them join me. I pray he has no idea what it means.