‘If you cannot be human, you cannot defeat him,’ Decima said, her ancient eyes looking through mine as if my ultimate demise were near.
I stared back at her. ‘I know who and what I am. I’m a weapon and I’ll be used as such. If Sammael wants a fight I guarantee you, Decima, he will have one.’
Decima laughed, the sound like troubled wind chimes. ‘Still a child in so many ways. Let me keep it simple for you – sometimes one is best understood by the world when the world can first measure the value and power of one’s greatest enemy. You may not know who Sammael is, but I have no doubt you have heard of his nemesis the angel Sammael fought and almost dragged to earth with him?’
I swallowed, a chill running down my spine. My mouth had gone suddenly dry and my eyes darted to Phoenix, who would not look at me.
‘Who?’ I asked.
Decima did not look happy to be the one to share this information. If anything, she looked resigned. ‘The Viceroy of Heaven. Commander of all the armies. The one to whom our last judgement stands. Sammael’s arch-enemy is the Prince of the Elect, Michael.’
My brow furrowed, processing everything she’d just said. ‘But I … I thought God had the final judgement. Or Jesus.’
Decima tilted her head and then gave an aloof smile. ‘And there are those who would believe that Michael and Jesus are one in the same.’
I shook my head, confused. ‘But isn’t Lucifer supposed to be Michael’s enemy?’
‘Lucifer is Michael’s perfect opposite. As Michael is the Prince of Light, Lucifer is the Prince of Dark. They serve a purpose, their functions at the opposite ends of the spectrum, but they have always remained true, unlike Sammael who believed his purpose entitled him to more than his function.’ Decima pulled her hood over her head and gestured to someone to open the doors for her. ‘I will leave now. Seth waits.’
She began to walk down the aisle, people moving away from her as she did.
‘Wait!’ I called out. ‘What was Sammael’s purpose?’
When she reached the door, she paused, though she did not turn around. ‘Sammael was the angel of death.’
Splendid.
CHaPteR tweNty-ONe
‘… in Heaven and in Earth, are a double Nature; in Heaven they are unchangeable and incorruptible; but on Earth they are changeable and corruptible.’
Hermes Trismegistus
Decima’s brief appearance and inspiring speech left even fewer Academy Grigori pleased about my presence. I wanted to point out to them that while she might have stated that I couldn’t win, she didn’t suggest any of them could either, but it was probably time to keep quiet.
I waited for whatever was coming. Drenson was smiling, which meant he had more cards to play. But before he had a chance to speak, Lincoln walked towards me and stopped at my side, turning his attention back to the Assembly.
If it were possible, the tension in the room immediately went up a notch. I sent him a sideways glance. ‘You don’t have to do this,’ I said under my breath.
He didn’t respond, but I knew he’d heard.
Lincoln was making a stand. By my side. And it felt like a knife wound to my heart. Even after I’d walked away and left him, he was still willing to stay beside me as my partner. He was loved and respected within the Academy and he was a tool of the Assembly. His support could not go unnoticed.
‘I can speak for myself,’ I insisted.
He sighed, but only handed me a piece of paper.
I glanced down to see the list of names of the proposed team. It showed almost everyone I would have wanted, including Phoenix. I wondered why Mia’s name was missing then put it together that it must be because she was partnerless. There were also a few names I didn’t recognise.
As if reading my mind, Lincoln said, ‘Shadu and his partner are tech experts. You met the conductors on Santorini, and the others you don’t know are unquestionably loyal to the cause and strong fighters. They will follow you as much as me.’
I believed him.
‘What about Chloe?’ She had a right to go after her partner.
Lincoln smiled softly. ‘She’s a given, Violet.’
I nodded, absorbing this. ‘I have three Rogues who will meet us at the airport. They won’t answer to you and they don’t answer to me either. But they have their own set of skills and Gray will probably be able to keep them in line.’
‘Probably?’ he echoed, eyebrow raised.
‘They’re good fighters, Lincoln.’
He nodded, taking the list from me and handing it to Josephine. ‘This is the lead team we will take, plus three others who will meet us at the airport. I’d also ask that those who are not assigned to other duties be ready to step in. We have planes on standby worldwide to transport Grigori at short notice once we have a pinpoint on Sammael’s whereabouts and have Spence in our possession.’