Empower (The Violet Eden Chapters, #5)

He turned back to the Assembly and stepped up onto a nearby platform looking out over the two-thousand-strong army.

‘Team one,’ he called out loudly enough for the Grigori to hear him clearly. ‘You are all glamour users and will be led by the conductors to keep our battle from human eyes. You will remain elevated where you can, and be armed accordingly. It will be impossible to contain everything, but the conductors will instruct you on the priorities. They will be waiting for you in the eating hall below deck after this.’

Lincoln stood tall, never wavering in his authority. ‘Team two: you are our front-line fighters. All gifted warriors, you will have the privilege of being led by the two greatest warriors of our history – Seth and Decima.’

There were a number of cheers, and when Lincoln looked to them, both Seth and Decima gave a vacant nod of approval.

‘Team three,’ Lincoln continued. ‘You are a team of Rogues and your cunning will be our key to attacking the exiles and fortifying around our own people, who will fight Sammael’s hurricane. I ask that you follow the leadership of your fellow Rogues Gray and Carter.’

Again a few hoots went up, some in agreement, others arguing, but all in all they took it well. Carter threw me a wink, and for the life of me I’d never seen the man look so damn proud of himself.

‘Team four: you are our heavy lifters and telekinetics. You will work hand in hand with team five and follow their ultimate directive. When you are not working with team five, you will be on the ground fighting. You will be led by the Academy Vice, Josephine, and by Griffin Moore.’

Josephine looked intrigued, but she nodded Lincoln on all the same. As I expected, Griffin simply accepted his place and would do his part.

‘Finally, group five: your contribution to this battle will be the most vital. You are some of our most gifted Grigori – our nature users.’ Lincoln paused and took a deep, calm breath. ‘If he will agree, I ask that you be led by Phoenix. I’m sure you all know who he is and that he is an exile. What you may not know is that he is only here with us because he sacrificed his own angelic nature in order to save the only Grigori ever made by one of the Sole. He is an exile, he is human, and he is our ally.’

I looked towards where Phoenix had been standing alone. He was closer now, listening to Lincoln, his hands still in his pockets. Gradually all eyes on the vessel moved in his direction.

Phoenix finally looked up and out to the crowd, as if making a decision. He pressed his lips together briefly before speaking. ‘Some of you will die. Perhaps all of you. I will not lead you to your death – but I will go and I will stand at the helm to fight for the life of this city. If you choose, you may follow.’

His words were so … Phoenix. A complication.

One by one the nature users walked towards him, moving to stand behind him.

Lincoln nodded to Phoenix and then they shared a flash-smile. I looked at Lincoln for an explanation, and he bent to whisper in my ear. ‘I just made Josephine and her entire team answerable to a dark exile.’

I tried not to smile as I quickly looked to Josephine, who once again threw me completely by simply flashing me her own, knowing, smile.

‘I really hope she doesn’t try to kill Phoenix before the fight even gets started,’ I murmured.

‘We move out in three hours,’ Lincoln announced. ‘Be ready and well-armed. We will have additional weapons set up in the weaponry below that have been … enhanced,’ he said, glancing at me and winking. ‘Our base of operations will remain here but if the hurricane manages to …’ His words trailed off, but everyone knew what he was going to say. ‘There will be a secondary base that has been set up at a nearby sports dome south-west of here. This will also be where we send any people in need of help. Maps will be provided.’ He looked out over the masses of Grigori before him.

We were going to war. We all knew it. There was nothing more to say. Lincoln clearly felt this way, too, simply nodding and repeating, ‘Three hours.’

The crowd began to disperse, heading off with their teams to find weapons. Lincoln wrapped his hand around mine and I could tell he was keen to slip away and start our preparations, but Gray was in front of us before we managed to do so. He crossed his arms and looked every bit the big bad warrior as he stared down at me. ‘I still don’t like you two going up there alone.’

I shrugged. ‘You’ll get over it.’

His eyes narrowed and he turned to Lincoln. ‘I see you haven’t done anything for her attitude.’

Lincoln laughed. ‘I like her attitude.’

‘You bloody well would,’ Gray said before clasping Lincoln’s hand and turning worried eyes back on me.

I started to squirm, not ready for this discussion.

The one where people figure you’re about to die, so they say something nice.

Gray took my hand and kissed the back of it. ‘I’ve been honoured to follow you.’

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