“For centuries, White,” she spat in outrage, “I have waited for my time. Trapped by Azazil’s making and forced to live in darkness until Ari.” She shot him a look. “You created something remarkable in that one, son. Very clever of you. My time inside her was most edifying. I have seen what has become of you all, what has become of this world. Of Asmodeus, even.” Lilif shook her head in disgust. “My poor brother has lost all the meaning in his life. You all have. But I can return it, just as you wished me to.”
She bent down on one knee to gently lift White’s chin, tilting his head so he had to meet her unbalanced gaze. “I will keep you alive, son, in compensation for your service to me. You were always my most faithful.” She stroked his cheek tenderly before pinching his skin with her harsh grip. “But your brothers must die. It is the only way to continue to break the threads. It is the only way to welcome our souls into The After. And now that I have the powers of the seal at my command, nothing will stop me.”
Despite the disbelief coursing through his veins, White managed to keep his expression blank as he nodded in acquiescence to his mother. While she offered him a smug smile, he did the only thing he could. He began telepathing as loudly as possible to the one brother who might be smart enough to save them all.
Red gritted his teeth, the blast from White’s telepathy taking him to his knees as he clutched his head, trying to breathe through the pain and listen to the message.
Lilif has awakened! I’m sorry, Brother. You were right. Worse, the power of the seal remains within her. She’s coming for you all. I will warn Gleaming and Shadow. You warn the others.
“Red?” Ari’s concerned voice drew his watery gaze from the floor. He turned to find her kneeling beside him, her hand anxiously clutching his arm. When their eyes met, he saw her genuine worry for him and felt a wave of fierce protection grip him. With a reassuring nod at Ari, he glanced up at his brother who seemed to sense the news before he’d even heard it.
Red rose to his feet, bringing Ari with him. “That was the White King.”
“Telepathing you?” Ari asked him, confusion in every syllable.
“It seems Lilif wasted no time in revealing her true nature to him. He was calling to warn us. She is keeping to the old plan.”
Glass’s eyes narrowed. “To kill us.”
Red nodded grimly. “Yes. And worse, she has the power of the seal at her command. White is warning Gleaming and Shadow. We will warn Lucky and Gilder and have them meet us at Father’s. If we combine our power, we should be able to keep her out of the palace until Father regains his strength. We will strategize where to go from there.”
“You’re leaving?” Trey took a step toward them but his anguished eyes were on Glass.
Red sighed, watching his brother’s expression tighten as he realized he’d have to leave the young hunter here. When he shot a look at Red, he didn’t even have to telepath the question. Can I bring him?
Red looked at Ari, wishing he could bring her also. But they couldn’t. It would be far safer to be away from them while they were Lilif’s targets. As if Glass realized this at the same time, he clasped Trey’s face in his hands. Watching the tenderness in his brother’s eyes sent a wave of grief over Red. But at least Glass had the reassurance of knowing that since the incident in Rancocas Park, Trey would be safe, as long as Lilif never laid a hand upon Glass.
“Look after Ari,” Glass told him softly. “And yourself. I’ll come back when this business with Lilif is resolved.”
“I want to fight with you.” Trey shook his head stubbornly. “If she … if something happens to you …”
And from that point on, their conversation was silent. Red assumed love words were being exchanged using the privacy of telepathy, so he turned to his beautiful niece and laid an affectionate touch upon her shoulder, drawing her gaze from the lovers.
Her soulful eyes, the exact image of her mother’s, pierced him. He found himself telling her fiercely, “No matter what, you must protect yourself. It would be prudent for you and Jai to go into hiding until I give the all-clear.”
Ari took a step closer to him, her head craning to meet his eyes. “No.” She shook her head defiantly. “I’m not leaving the Guild alone to face whatever is coming.”
Red closed his eyes briefly, trying to rein in the need to order her about. It would not be useful. Ari was too much like her mother, and Sala did not take orders well. Opening his eyes, he touched Ari’s cheek and sighed. “Fine. But watch out for one another.” His eyes lifted to Jai. “Keep her safe.”