Her mind set on vengeance, Kody pushed herself away from him and started forward.
But Xev caught her in his arms. “Don’t you dare. They’ll kill you.”
“Let them! He’s all I have.” Sobs racked her entire body as pain and grief permeated every molecule of her being. Her heart felt as if it’d been ripped out. She couldn’t lose anyone else. She was tired of burying those she loved. Tired of saying good-bye.
Tiamat handed the sword back to Livia. “Pick your generals, Malachai.”
Grim and Laguerre stepped forward with cocky grins.
Livia walked past them both.
Just as she was about to pick random demons, a deep, Cajun drawl rang out in the room.
“Oh no, you din’t! Put my sword down. You getting bitch-cooties all over it. Don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sandblast them off that handle, you skank.”
Kody’s breath caught in her throat. Her gaze blurred by tears, she scanned the crowd until she saw the tall, proud, black-and-red-skinned, winged Malachai.
Ambrose!
Oh, she should hate that body with every last bit of her soul. But right then…
She wanted to kiss him.
“Nick,” she breathed as relief coursed through her veins.
He flew into the room with two others she didn’t recognize. But by the way Xev stiffened, it was obvious he knew at least one of them.
Livia turned on Nick with a shriek. “No! I killed you! You’re dead! I saw it.”
Nick scoffed in that arrogant way only he could. “Obviously not. Really, we need to talk about your aim. Good thing you’re not a man. ’Cause they’d ban you from restrooms all over town. Run you out on rails.”
When she went to attack, Nick threw his arm out and yanked his sword from her grasp. Then he pinned her to the wall with his powers, and faced Tiamat.
Nick was in no mood to play with the ancient goddess. While he was well aware of the fact that she could splinter him to pieces, he really didn’t care. “I’m assuming I passed your test?”
All she did was nod.
“Good. Does this mean I get to pick my generals now?”
Again, she nodded.
Nick’s gaze never left hers as he rattled off his list with ease. “Nashira. Xev. Dagon. Aeron. Kody. Caleb.”
“You can’t do that!” Grim and Laguerre protested in unison.
Tiamat quirked her lips. “Actually, he can choose whomever he wishes to lead his armies. That is his prerogative.” She turned back toward Nick. “But be warned with that lineup, Malachai, you have chosen one of the most powerful groups ever assembled. Together, they could wield enough power to one day kill you.”
Nick inclined his head to her. “I’m counting on it.”
Tiamat and Chronus closed ranks around Noir. “Time for you to return to your realm.”
“No!” he snarled. “That wasn’t the deal.”
Chronus shrugged. “The balance is maintained and Ambrose has proven himself worthy of his bloodline. He bested his competition. Passed every test and resurrected himself. He’s even subdued his old generals and chosen new ones. Order is restored and he’s claimed his birthright.”
Tiamat wrinkled her nose. “Deal with it.”
Noir’s hate-filled gaze went straight to Nick. “I know who you are now, boy. This is only the beginning.”
Nick crossed his arms over his chest and lifted his chin with every bit of stubborn Cajun pride he possessed. “You might know my name and face, but you know nothing about me personally. And that’s your mistake. If you did, you’d know not to threaten me or mine.” He raked a sneer over Noir’s body. “If you think you can take me, you better not come alone.” He cast his gaze around at the bodies on the floor. “And don’t forget to stock up on body bags before you do.”
With a furious growl, Noir vanished and took a screaming Livia with him.
Grim exchanged a furious glower with Laguerre before he closed the distance between him and Nick. In full reaper mode, he stood toe-to-toe with Nick’s Malachai form. “This little slight here today will not be forgotten, boy. So let me put Noir’s sentiments into words you and your little demonteers can fully understand…” He swept his gaze around to each of them. “Consider yourselves served. It’s on, bitches.”
With a snap of his bony fingers, he, Laguerre, Pain and Suffering all vanished from the room.
“On what?” Dagon asked.
Snorting, Kody explained while Nick looked around for Zavid.
Menyara gave a sad shake of her head. “Zavid’s gone, Nick. I’m sorry. Livia sacrificed him to bring Noir over to this realm.”
“No…” Nick couldn’t believe it as pain for his friend racked him. “What about Caleb?”
“He’s upstairs, still unconscious. She tried with him, but he was too powerful. Even asleep, he fought her.”
Thank God for that.
“My mom?”
Kody approached him slowly. “She’s with Caleb, and Simi’s guarding them both.”