His final two words sent a shiver down my spine.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Zoe and Salvatore were consummate professionals, reminding me that they too had grown over the past two years.
I had missed so much. Too much. And I knew that if I made it through this battle, I would make it up to my friends and family.
We collected Steph on our way and found the rest of our team, minus Milo and Taxi, waiting for us in the war room, which turned out to be a large boardroom with the addition of soundproofing.
‘I asked Milo and Taxi to watch over the humans, just in case,’ Carter told Lincoln, who nodded in both agreement and respect for Carter’s judgement.
Lincoln placed a call to the New York Academy and switched to speakerphone as he updated Josephine and Drenson, along with a few other key senior Grigori who were patched in from various locations around the world. A few minutes into the call a new voice came down the phone, and I smiled when I realised it was Griffin, who explained that he had just arrived in New York, and that Nyla was expected to wake up at any moment.
Steph discreetly called Dapper on her mobile phone, and he and Onyx listened in at their end in case they had anything to offer.
The instant Lincoln finished relaying Sammael’s threats, Drenson spoke loudly. ‘So, Violet is the problem.’
‘Who’s this dick?’ Carter bellowed, causing a few smiles around the room, and a chuckle from Gray.
‘I’m the one who controls the resources of the Grigori Assembly and International Academy.’
‘I’d be careful with your choice of words, Drenson,’ Lincoln said. ‘You may be Principal but each Grigori is chosen by something much greater than you and is taught very early on the value of free will.’ As a number of faces watched him intently from around the room I realised I wasn’t the only one struck by how strong and controlled he was.
A leader. A general.
‘What do you suggest our ultimate situation is, Lincoln?’ Josephine asked, in a clear let’s-move-on voice.
Lincoln ran his hand through his hair. ‘Griff, she’s the key,’ he said, addressing Griffin in favour of Josephine. He was making a clear statement to any who could be bothered to read between the lines. His respect rested with Griffin.
Mine too.
‘Somehow he plans to use her to destroy the angels,’ Lincoln explained.
‘But what I don’t understand is: how? Violet, do you?’ Griffin asked.
My pulse raced. This was the moment. I couldn’t hide from what I was any longer. There were too many lives at stake and, besides, I was tired of all the secrets. Tired of hiding from what I am.
‘My blood,’ I said. ‘My blood isn’t just his key, it’s more.’ I looked at Lincoln, seeing nothing but strength and support. Phoenix stood at the back of the room and when my eyes met his he nodded me on softly.
‘Most of you already know or assume this, I suppose, but it’s time to confirm it. My angel maker is of the Sole. My mother, who was also Grigori, sacrificed her life to him so I could be created. Among my abilities are all five senses and a Sight that enables me to move beyond the confines of my body to any place that I will it and view the blueprints and auras of the world.’ I paused, searching out Gray’s eyes as people began to gasp. He simply smirked and gestured for me to continue. I wasn’t surprised that – despite never having verbally confirmed very much – none of this was particularly news to him.
‘In addition to carrying the essence of my maker, who is an angel of light, I also carry the essence of Phoenix, who in giving it to me saved my life and gave me the additional abilities of speed and the capacity to control my emotions, which helped considerably while I endured the past two years with a shattered soul.’ My last words broke and Lincoln took my hand.
‘Recently, my soul was mended and the bond I share with my soulmate, Lincoln, has been eternally tied.’ I felt Lincoln’s warmth beside me, and a pang of sadness.
Phoenix.
‘My markings, as many of you will have noticed, are my version of your wristbands, but they come from within; they flow through my blood and include a part of the angelic realm. It is a poison that helped me kill Lilith when our blades could not. A poison that is lethal not only to exiles,’ I said, taking a shuddering breath, ‘but also to angels in physical form. And finally,’ I rushed on, needing to get it all out there, ‘I can cross the realms and go to a physical space that is created in conjunction with the angels. It looks similar to what any of you would have experienced on your trials when you embraced, but what you saw was illusion – where I go is real.’
‘Sammael wants to use your blood to kill angels?’ Josephine asked, keenly zeroing in on the most relevant point, her tone appalled.
‘Not just any angel,’ Phoenix said. ‘He wants Michael.’