Spotters had alerted us to a number of tournament fights that had already broken out within the city. The largest was happening within the old abandoned power plant on Market Street. Ray and Leila had led Gray and his team to deal with that and we left the other, smaller, battles to go on, knowing that tonight we had to be smart.
Sammael’s plan was becoming clear, but the tournaments were one piece of the puzzle that still left me confused. All of our intel told us he was a purist – that he believed in the division between light and dark and that light would prevail – but then why bring them all here, knowing that even if the battle and the hurricane didn’t end them, the angels most definitely would? Was it simply to ensure his plan for devastation worked?
The conductors and senior Grigori had advised that Sammael would use the river to build the strength of his hurricane, so Phoenix and his team had taken up elevated positions along the river. We wouldn’t be able to stop all of the destruction caused to the outer wetlands and suburbs, but our military alliances had stepped up and covered as much ground as possible in the afternoon, evacuating many of those areas.
The river’s edge would be the place we would make our stand.
Of course, the always-statistical conductors also highlighted that it was suicide. This information, however, did not stop any Grigori from arming up – not even the conductors.
Steph had stayed by Salvatore’s side until he had left with Zoe and their team. I could see the fear in her eyes but, even more, her strength and acceptance that this would be her life if she was going to commit to being by this man’s side. Steph, Dapper and Onyx remained with the navy, who had anchored their ships with the intention of pulling back into the city on foot. They had taken Spence and Chloe with them and would push back as many of the city’s residents as they could along the way.
Drenson had made his unhappiness known to all in the final hours before we headed out, and now I observed as he and Adele stalked up and down the pavement on the edge of the French Quarter. He was using each return lap to glare at me.
Josephine and Griffin stood nearby shouting out orders to a number of their team members, positioning them where they could gain the best advantage.
‘You have a lot to answer for, you know!’ I yelled over the wind.
Lincoln took my hand, trying to pull me back, but I wasn’t having it. This might be my last chance to say something.
Josephine, who was head to toe in fighting leathers, turned to meet my fierce expression.
‘I take it you are talking about Drenson. And I remind you that it is none of your business. You chose not to be a part of the Academy. Remember?’ She raised her eyebrow, knowingly. ‘Or has that changed?’
‘I’ve never not cared about the Academy, Josephine, but I refuse to let go of who I am in order to become one of your puppets.’ The wind picked up and I was grateful I’d tied my hair into a braid. ‘Does he even know how to fight?’ I blurted.
Josephine laughed, though she sobered quickly. ‘He is Grigori, Violet. He may choose an administrative role now, but he has faced many battles, of that you can be assured.’
Josephine’s words sank in and left me feeling reprimanded. I had passed my judgement on Drenson without really knowing him. His clear dislike for me had caused a defensive response from the beginning. I let go of Lincoln’s hand. ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ I said, walking towards Drenson and Adele. As I approached, Adele cast her eyes away from me and meekly scurried off.
What is it with her?
Drenson walked around the corner, out of sight, and I followed, realising that Josephine was right. Who was I to criticise Drenson? Maybe we’d just started off on the wrong foot.
As soon as I turned the corner, Drenson whipped around and had his hand around my neck. He pushed me back into the wall and squeezed, his face less than an inch from mine.
‘You are like a parasite that will not go away,’ he hissed. ‘Do you really think you can take my place?’
I shook my head. ‘I don’t want your place,’ I gritted out as I fought for breath.
‘And you will never have it!’ he returned, his grip tightening to the point where I couldn’t talk even if I had something to say. I was going to have to fight back.
I closed my eyes briefly, feeling a surge of sadness and bitter justification. My instincts had been right. Drenson saw me as his enemy and his need for power was dangerous for all Grigori.
I opened my eyes, resigned to engaging in a fight with the head of the Assembly, but I never got the chance. All I saw was Drenson being thrown so far he hit the wall on the opposite side of the street. And then Lincoln’s hand was at my throat, tilting up my chin, checking for damage.
‘I’m fine,’ I assured him, blinking in disbelief – because it hadn’t been Lincoln who had thrown Drenson off me. It was Josephine.
Josephine’s hand was wrapped tightly around Adele’s upper arm as she watched Drenson collect himself from the ground, shaking her head in barely contained anger. ‘Why didn’t you fight back?’ Josephine asked, briefly looking over her shoulder at me.