Against the fireplace roaring behind her, Grey was a replication of the licking flames. For all anyone could tell, she could have jumped from the ashes in the mantel or flew in from the flyaway embers that skirt towards the ceiling. She was stern, intent, and poised. A commander.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she mercilessly eyed the map of Seoul Namjoon had laid on one of the reading tables an hour ago. The others gathered around the table in a circle planning their own routes or deciding where they might contribute most. Grey cleared her throat, all of their heads swiveling to greet her.
She leaned her hands on the table. "We agree on a general consensus that Solis plans a full-scale attack?"
Yoongi nodded. "It's his last shot and his best."
Jin spoke up from her side. "He doesn't want to just kill us. He wants to make an example of us. Exploit our weaknesses so that lower demons see and get their own ideas." He was a breath away from being shoulder to shoulder with Grey. He hadn't left her side all morning. It was now late afternoon and he was glued to the same place. "The Blood Moon lets him do that. He won't come any later because by then it won't matter. If he comes earlier, we can be ready."
"I can't believe it's tomorrow," Vanity mumbled. She huffed, her auburn hair shifting out of her eyes. Luca jumped out of Taehyung's arms onto the table, padding over the map just to land in her sister's lap.
"It's time we finish it," Jungkook said, his dark eyes like pieces of coal alight with the fireplace's reflection. "I'm sick of this."
"Namjoon," Grey said, "list off the nearest streets again."
The Intellect pointed to each relevant line on the map, the names rolling off his tongue. She nodded, thinking of all the businesses she knew on this street. She said, "Have we solved the pedestrian problem at all? No innocents should be touched if we can help it."
He made a diamond shape with his finger, squaring in an entire area of city. "This entire section received notices from KSJ that it isn't wise to conduct business tomorrow. Also, a good word from Jungkook to the chief of police assured us that these streets will be closed anyway."
"Perfect." Grey purposely averted her gaze from the bodyguard. "Since civilians are safe, we can really talk business." She pointed to a red dot on the map where all the chess pieces practically piled atop one another. "It goes without saying KSJ Industries is our base. This is what we have to protect. Think of it like a visual representation of our progress. The less it gets wrecked, the better we're doing."
Jimin twisted a ring around his finger. "Solis has a thing for our wards. It'll be a big achievement for him to get through the one surrounding this block. Then he'll head straight for us."
Taehyung said, "It's like a game of Jenga."
Grey played that with her parents once. There were wooden sticks piled as high as they could go and players took turns removing sticks until the tower fell down.
"Maybe we use that as a feint," Grey said. "He thinks he'll have to work hard to get onto our street. We should make him work the hardest at our doors."
"It would have to be a fresh ward. Newly created, and nearly unbreakable," Vanity advised.
Grey smirked. "It's guaranteed to frustrate him and give us time. Can we do it?"
Jin winked at the others. "What do you say, boys? Think we can handle a ward for old time's sake?"
"In our sleep," Yoongi said. Jimin laughed, nodding. Hoseok nodded eagerly, joined by the rest of the group.
Grey's best friend pursed her lips. "Is this like a group magic trick or something?"
"You'll see," Jungkook replied.
Amelia asked, "Why can't Vanity make one?"
Vanity said, "My power is finite. I'll have to use it strategically."
Grey narrowed her eyes onto the Queen, not to scrutinize her but to assess her potential. The wall of water in Paris was breathtaking and that move didn't even have her winded. Vanity could probably do so much more. Grey said, "Speaking of your power, do you actually have a strategy?"
The Queen pet Luca down her back. "There is one thing I plan to do, but it would deplete my strength by half. I want it to be a special move for you. Call me in when you need me."
Luca meowed, pawing at Vanity's leg. She crowed a few notes, her animal language not any closer to being understood. Vanity still listened like she was making perfect sense. The Queen attempted to translate. "I think she's trying to say that you are also valuable to protect."
"Grey shouldn't have to fight until there's no other choice," said Yoongi.
Grey scoffed, "And leave you guys to your lonesome?"
Yoongi said, "Your enemy is Solis. Prepare for him as much as he's prepared for you."
Hoseok laughed. "He hasn't prepared at all. He thinks she's still powerless."
"That's the biggest secret under our sleeve," Taehyung said. The Beast chuckled. "The idiot has no idea she's got fire power."
"And we won't let him know initially," Vanity chimed. She crossed her legs, craning her delicate neck towards Grey. "You need to appear vulnerable, and to give off that feel I'll stay where you are. I'll make myself visible so that he has the impression I'm your protector."
Grey thought about it. "And when he reaches us?"
The Queen offered a pretty little sneer. "Burn his ass to a crisp."
"Back to the wall idea for a second," Jin said. "We shouldn't just stand behind the wall. We need to start firing while we're protected."
"Who can do that?" Grey asked. She studied each member of the table. Jimin was strongest in hand to hand combat. Yoongi would have to winnow beyond protection of the wall. Hoseok would have to fly over their barrier. Taehyung would have to run through it too. Namjoon wasn't a magic-user.
Jungkook said, "I'll volunteer."
Grey grimaced. "No. I'm not letting you leave the ward." He locked gazes and it sucked the breath from her body. She quickly looked back at the map.
To the bodyguard, Jin said, "You haven't used your full strength in a long time."
"I'm ready." Jungkook rubbed his hands together, biting his lip.
"I'll help too," said Jin.
Grey put her hands on her hips. "All of this is under the assumption he's bringing an army with him. What if he doesn't?"
"To be safe, I would expect at least a few hundred irkans marching in behind him." Jungkook pointed to random spots on the map. "Like a week ago these areas were rampant with them. I killed off as many as I could on patrol, and every night after that they dwindled. I either got rid of them, or they scattered somewhere else."
"We can take a few hundred easy. It's really just him," Jimin said. He ran a hand through his platinum hair, blue eyes lost in thought. "Him and Aelith."
"She's mine," Vanity barked. Amelia jumped at the outburst. "I want that one."
"She's all yours," Grey said, smiling.
Namjoon began to group the chess pieces. "I'll organize our teams based on lines of defense. The Shadow and the Assassin are first line." He shoved those pieces further ahead. "When the wall falls, Beast and Ripper can rush in. Wraith should stay back to pick up stragglers that slipped past us." He slid the Wraith's chess piece further back on the red dot.
"Where are you going to be?" Grey asked.
Namjoon shrugged. "I'll take second line."
"That puts you in the fight early. Do you have a weapon or something to help you?"
Namjoon smirked. "Grey," he said, dimples firing, "I get very creative."
Hoseok mumbled, "Chopsticks and table cloth."
Grey smiled. "Show me what you can do then."
Amelia raised her hand. "What will I be doing?" She put her hands on her hips, looking around expectantly. "And I'm telling you now if you say hiding, running, or sitting, I'm flipping over this table."
Namjoon licked his bottom lip. "You know, most humans run away from a Demon King."
"I'm your human though," she said.
Everyone around the table groaned, some of them face-palming or rubbing their eyes. Jimin's whole body shook as he giggled. Taehyung pretended to be sick. Grey tongued the inside of her cheek, glad to see the girl so smitten. Best to enjoy it while it lasted.
"What does that have to do with anything," Yoongi scowled.
"Point is," Amelia held up a hand to silence the table, "I need a job."
Vanity shook her head. "Grey, I really do not believe it is best for her to help this time. It will be nothing like battles in the past."
Grey nodded, weighing her options. After deliberation, she said, "There is one thing you can do. But you have to promise me that if I let you, you will leave as soon as you finish. Because if something happens to you--," she looked to the ceiling, her nose already burning. Grey turned to the fireplace.
Jin cleared his throat, taking their attention from her. "Can you honor those terms?"
Amelia stared at Grey's back, her concern dulling the dangerous edge she had before. "Of course. But I want to see the way it ends."
Jin said, "After midnight it will all be over. You can return as soon as the clock strikes twelve."
Grey slowly turned back around, the emotion rinsed from her face. Yoongi, not wanting to see her lose steam now, crossed his arms. "Any other orders?"
Grey sighed, steeling her nerves. "Stay alive. Show them no mercy. Take no prisoners. Make them pay. We are in our positions no later than 5:00pm."
Jimin stood first to stretch. Hoseok followed him, muttering silent conversation with Taehyung. Namjoon held a hand out before Amelia's chair, she let him lead her out of the library. Luca and Jungkook left together as well. When they were all gone, Vanity, Yoongi, and Jin were left.
"You did great," Vanity said, patting Grey's arm.
Grey chewed on her lip. "Did I sound tough enough?"
"Fooled me," Yoongi said. "Couldn't even tell you weren't our leader."
"How does it feel?" Jin asked.
"It's fine," Grey said, remaining positive. She didn't have space for any negativity with that fire rumbling through her spirit. And she felt its reactions to her thoughts. A dull burn settled in her bones if she thought the worst before she thought the best. It was most comfortable when she didn't think about anything at all.
"We would like to show you something," Vanity said. The Queen stood from her chair and gestured to the door with her hand. "Will you come with us?"
Grey chuckled dryly. "I was wondering why the three of you hung behind."
"Are you coming?" Jin gave her an arm. She took it, letting Vanity and Yoongi walk in front of her like an escort. The pair got to the doors, where they stopped walking and let Grey and Jin proceed. Grey immediately felt her change in status as three of the best warriors flanked her strides--one on her arm and two at her back. All she was missing was a tiara.
"You guys don't think this is a bit much?" Grey said to Jin.
He smiled endearingly, Grey unable to hold herself from smiling back. "We want to make you feel special, Your Highness. And really, we haven't even done it yet."
"What do you mean?"
He wore a completely straight face. "I haven't told you a joke yet."
"Dear lord," Grey groaned, already laughing.
"I start a new job in Busan next week. I hope it is going to be a good Korea move."
Grey's jaw dropped. "You did not." Her laughter echoed off the skylight in the ceiling. "Is Korea supposed to be career?"
He bit back a grin. "What are you talking about?"
"I am convinced that is the worst one yet."
Jin sniffled, becoming unreadable. "What do you call somebody with no body and no nose?"
Grey cut her eyes at him sidelong. His face was so freaking straight.
"Nobody knows."
"If I tell you I feel special will you stop?" Grey still shook with laughter.
"What did the grape do when he got stepped on?"
He broke into a laugh, bending over with her. "He let out a little wine."
Yoongi snapped from behind them. "You have one more joke, I swear."
Jin covered his mouth, windshield wiper laugh making Grey laugh harder. She pressed a finger to her lips, her stomach hurting from laughing so hard. "Please," she whispered, "Please stop."
"Come here," Jin said, lifting her chin and kissing her cheek. She crinkled her nose as he started kissing her all around her face, the inside of her stomach feeling like fireworks. "You know, kissing and walking is very difficult."
"Maybe you should stop," Vanity suggested. Jin pulled away, smiling just as hard as Grey. "We're here."
Grey gawked at the gargantuan wooden doors. In the panels were carved figures--angels. Grey looked closer, Anaphiel in battle. She gasped, letting go of Jin and running a hand over their designs. Jungkook had his sword raised on Taehyung's beastly back. Jimin held a demon by the throat. Hoseok was in the sky, Yoongi on the ground with both daggers, Jin in the middle of a cloud.
"The palace armory is a much nicer than the penthouse's," Vanity said, joining Grey near the doors. The Queen touched her hand to it, and the doors pushed back. The creak of their weight vibrated in Grey's chest. The room beyond was much, much wider. The weapons were more spread out and just as exotic, stacked neatly on walls, tables, or pedestals. The blades shimmered, their hilts dusted and eagerly awaiting a hand that would grab them and put them back to use. The walls were gold, the floors a pale marble.
Jin covered Grey's eyes from behind, walking her in. Vanity spoke while Grey cautiously wandered the armory's interior.
"A Queen is a kingdom's backbone," she began. "In the strongest empires there has always been a stronger woman representing her people. She nurtures them because they are her charge. Without her, the nation lacks a heart."
Jin stopped Grey, telling her to close her eyes. He peeled his hands away, and she obeyed, not taking a peek.
Vanity said, "A Queen's presence is the reflection of her kingdom. When she is draped her jewels, she showcases her nation's wealth. When she walks with her head up and rules with an iron fist, her people are hardworking and earnest.
"But for you, our Second Queen, chosen by Rowan himself, we offer you a small piece that represents who you are."
Yoongi said, "Open your eyes."
A mannequin stood tall in the center of the armory. On its arms were gold pauldrons, slick and polished pieces of shoulder armor, connected around the chest by thin golden chains. Golden vambrances decorated the wrists, a ruby in the center of each one. Vanity unclasped a vambrance and clipped it around Grey's forearm. It weighed nothing, glinting even without light shining on it.
"I made this," Vanity said.
Grey moved her arm, made circles with her wrist. It was like it wasn't even there. "How?"
"It's an illusion. As long as you believe it's there, it will be. Nothing can penetrate it either. Wear it tomorrow."
Grey nodded, letting her take it off her arm. "Thank you."
"One more thing," said Yoongi. Jin grabbed the mannequin and moved it to the side. Behind it was a pedestal, the weapon on top the most glorious thing Grey had ever seen. The sword was long, its blade thick and glittering the same color as moonlight rippling over the surface of a lake. The hilt was gold and intricate, a lone ruby jutting from the bottom.
Gatekeeper.
The Eternal Flame underneath her skin roared, her attraction to the weapon so strong that she dug her fingernails into her palm to keep from touching it. Somewhere in her core she felt the First King rise a little towards the surface, awakening and unfurling.
Hi Rowan, she thought even if she knew he wouldn't answer.
"How many soldiers do we have?" Grey asked, whirling on her friends.
"Seven Anaphiel, one Scepter, you, and half of Amelia," said Jin. "Ten."
Grey nodded. "We give it all we've got."
"Guys!" Jimin sprinted to the door of the armory. Panting he said, "Follow me!"
Grey broke into a sprint, the other angels trailing behind. The First King's speed carried her legs at a pace she'd never seen, the air barely filling her lungs as she burst into the library after Jimin. Taehyung sat on the couch dumbstruck, a purple glow casting shadows over the plains of his face. Hellfire raged in the fireplace, sparks flying onto the tile floors. Jin put an arm in front of Grey to keep her from running too close.
The sparks on the floor skittered in circles, eventually forming a blazing pile. A piece of paper appeared from the evil flames, the sparks retreating into the mantle and dying down into nothing more than a smoking bundle of firewood.
Hoseok, Namjoon, and Jungkook dashed into the library, almost pummeling into Vanity and Yoongi. Grey moved to pick up the card when Vanity snapped her fingers, pausing her. The First Queen sidestepped Grey, marching towards the paper and snatching it up. She read it aloud.
"I claim first blood. Your kingdom falls at sundown."
:::
Solis sat up from the bed, wrapping his hands around his head and cracking his neck. He was a tad dizzy when he stood up and walked, but he managed to get in a few good steps for his health before sitting back on the edge, frowning. He badly needed a shower.
Aelith knocked on his door before entering. Her smile was all too telling.
Solis shrugged off his shirt. "You did as I asked?"
"They should have just gotten my telegram." In her hand was a double-edged short sword. She sharpened it, sparks flying.
Solis quirked an eyebrow. "We've organized our soldiers, correct?"
"Drakar is holding them steady."
"And how many do we have? Jungkook has been picking at our numbers all year."
Aelith's smug grin sent excitement up his spine. "He limited his targets to those in the Seoul area. He didn't get the ones in Busan or Incheon. Took me a bit to rally em, but they're with us now."
"Numbers, Aelith. How many do I have?"
"Two thousand and some change waiting for you to give the signal."
Solis rolled his neck, his knuckles cracking at his sides.
"I'll scorch the ground Anaphiel walks on."
:::
(A/N) Productive reader,
The next time I update, all hell breaks loose. (see what I did there?)
I won't have time to write when my friend gets here tomorrow. I feel it in my bones. That's why this chapter came on the same day as 55.
Next release: 12/31 (December 31st) - how convenient, it's the actually when the Blood Moon is supposed to be. Coincidence? I'll let you decide.
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS BOOK. IT'S ALMOST DONE. YOU HAVE GOTTEN SO FAR AND I'M SO PROUD. IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME SO FREAKING PUMPED UP TO HAVE YOU HERE. LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!
With love,
M