Phoenix had not moved to the window. He knew exactly what the wind was doing. It was a part of him.
‘If Sammael believes he will defeat Michael tomorrow night, he will unleash his magic and bring destruction to this city. Even if you manage to stop him …’ Phoenix looked down and when his eyes came back to the room they settled sadly on mine. ‘He has an army of exiles of light already here, and thanks to the tournaments he has been controlling he has an opposing army of dark exiles closing in. And it is not just a battleground he has created.’
‘Spell it out for those of us who need the kiddie’s version,’ Carter said, causing Gray to flash him a smile.
Phoenix tilted his head and spoke to Carter. ‘He has brought too many exiles to the one place; a place that was never intended to exist. The temptation will be too much for the angels. Regardless of the outcome, of any battle, when it all comes to a head this land will be returned to the ocean.’ He took a shuddering breath. ‘Even if Sammael doesn’t succeed, the angels will destroy New Orleans.’
‘Would Sammael know that, too?’ I asked.
Phoenix smirked, but not in a kind way. It was his darkness pushing through. ‘Absolutely.’
Steph had her phone to her ear, listening to Dapper and Onyx. ‘Hurricane,’ she said.
‘A hurricane might destroy the city but it won’t kill the exiles,’ Gray said.
‘It won’t matter,’ Phoenix replied. ‘Once the city is taken by the water, the angels will open a pit and send them all to Hell.’
This was New Orleans.
It had to be a hurricane.
CHaPteR tHIRty-ONe
‘Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide in times of trouble?’
Psalm 10:1
‘No,’ I said. ‘That is not going to happen. I’ve only been here a couple of days but I’ve seen this city. These people have been through enough. They didn’t raise this land from the sea. They didn’t ask to be punished by tragedy after tragedy. But they have stayed and their homes are here. New Orleans might have started from something sinister but that isn’t all it is any more.’
‘I agree,’ Steph said. ‘Exiles might be in abundance but so is human life. They deserve a chance.’
Phoenix shook his head. ‘It is a price the angels are willing to pay.’
‘Because they’re not the ones paying it!’ Steph yelled, her hands shaking.
Phoenix closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them they were on me. ‘It’s the way of the universe. I cannot tell you what to do, Violet. I’m not even sure where precisely to start – but I do know that this is your Gordian Knot.’ His eyes flicked around the room before returning to me. ‘It can only be untied by you.’
Nothing like a dash of pressure.
I turned my attention to the small window of the battleship looking towards the city. The wind was causing a carpet of spray across the muggy Mississippi and on the walkways I could just make out people pulling their coats tight and holding onto umbrellas threatening to fly away. Lincoln joined me, seeing what I was, his hand resting on my lower back soothingly.
How exactly does one stop a hurricane?
‘We need help,’ I mumbled.
‘Tell us what you need, Violet,’ Griffin said through the speaker, reminding me everyone was still listening in.
Nervously, I began to pace, knowing the fate to which I was possibly condemning the entire Grigori population. ‘We need everyone.’ I turned to Gray. ‘Even the Rogues.’
Gray nodded. ‘They’re already starting to arrive.’
‘Tell them the truth, Gray. Tell them what might happen if they come here and fight with us and we don’t win. The choice must be theirs.’
‘They’re Rogues, Violet,’ Gray said, his pride for his fellow Grigori clear in his tone and expression. ‘One thing you can always trust is that the choice is absolutely theirs.’
‘The resources of the Assembly and Academy will be at your disposal,’ Josephine offered. ‘We will arrive by morning.’
Again, I waited for Drenson to bellow through the speakerphone, but nothing.
‘I’ll focus on stopping Sammael,’ I said, taking a deep breath and glancing at Lincoln briefly, who stood close beside me, emphasising to the room that we were united. ‘Everyone else needs to be ready to fight the city’s exiles and, somehow … the hurricane,’ I said.
As I looked to Phoenix, something passed between us. Understanding and an acceptance to face this burden together. At that moment I realised that it hadn’t been for me that he had returned. Not really. He simply hadn’t been able to stand aside and let this happen. Aware of it or not, Phoenix was more human than angel.
He nodded once to me and then turned to Zoe. ‘Can you gather all your nature wielders? We’ll need every single one with any ability to control weather, wind, cloud, water, currents … all of it. And your telekinetic users.’