The room erupted in outcries.

Cassius nodded to Tarik.

“Can he do that?” I looked up to Mason.

He swallowed very slowly and looked down at me, tilting my chin to his face. “He can, and he did. A fight will be the only way to take my father from his rule. He would not have even suffered through a vote. I must battle him.”

Warriors began talking amongst themselves while the wives a

t the table very slowly stood and moved to stand behind them, for protection, I assumed.

Stephanie reached for my hand. I jerked away and shook my head. “My place is by his side.”

Her eyes widened before she nodded and then grabbed Genesis and Hope and moved behind the warriors, not that she of all people needed protection.

Ethan and Alex eyed Mason. It looked like they were having some sort of conversation because Alex kept laughing, and Ethan kept rolling his eyes before finally, all three of them shook hands.

The men walked off behind the warriors, leaving me and Mason with Cassius.

Cassius turned to us. “Force the truth out of him before you end his life. I have a feeling you know the exact way to make sure his soul is carried where it deserves to be carried, despite his actions here. Time makes us bitter, bitterness leads to a deep-rooted hatred, not put there by The Creator.”

With those cryptic words, he moved to stand in front of the warriors.

They all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Nobody seemed to want to have to protect an archangel.

And fail.

“So…” His father stood. “…is this how it’s going to be? I am forced to kill my son and his mate?” His grin was menacing. “Can’t say it’s the first time I’ve delighted in killing a mate.”

Mason’s body shook with rage.

I pressed a hand to his arm.

He sighed, and his eyes searched mine before he hung his head. “Stand by Cassius.”

“But…”

I nodded and moved to take my place in front of the warriors. I didn’t know what power I had. But I wasn’t going to hide in back, when all I wanted to do was to stand in front and take the hit for him.

I was not meant to be still when it came to my mate.

I was not meant to watch him fight for us.

I knew it in my blood; I was made to fight beside him, fight for him. I clenched my hands.

“Patience,” Cassius whispered. “Your time will come, little one.”

“I’m not little.”

“You choose now to fixate on your lack of height?” His lips twitched. “Such a human thing to do.”

“Weren’t you human for thirty days and—”

He flashed me a “stop talking” look.

I grinned in triumph and then looked back to Mason and nodded.

“And the second time?” Mason finally said after a few seconds, his eyes flashed. “You’ve killed a mate before?”

Tags: Rachel Van Dyken The Dark Ones Saga Paranormal
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