Page 126 of Conflicted

Nox started to speak, but the words were muffled behind the hand Dagon had cheerfully clapped over his mouth. He glared at the demon, but Dagon just winked at him.

Before my brain could catch up to what was happening, Rami stepped forwards. “Nope. That’s incorrect. I was the one who executed Emilio.”

My head bobbed between them, shock rippling through both Nox and me.

“Actually, it was me,” Benji said, moving to join them. “I executed Emilio.”

Breann went next. “It was none of them. I killed him.”

One by one, every single member of my unit stepped forwards, claiming responsibility for the crime Nox had committed.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Nate was the final one to speak. “It was none of these fuckers, it was definitely me.” His gaze lingered on me. “Wish I’d found out what he was doing earlier. Cunt would’ve been executed centuries ago if we’d known.”

My vision blurred as I tilted my head in understanding. All this time I’d carried this burden alone, not wanting my unit to pay the price. Now, they were clearly demonstrating that not only were they willing to pay it, but that theywantedto.

“Oh dear.” Ezekiel smirked. “Seems you’ve got quite the conundrum on your hands. How exactly are you going to explain to God that you’ve had to execute her most loyal and powerful unit of soldiers?”

“Can’t see that going well for you,” I added. “I’m sure God would beveryinterested to know what truly happens inside these walls.”

As with Lucifer, God didn’t generally get involved in situations such as these, leaving them to the higher-ups to deal with. From the shadow that passed over Gloria’s and the other judges’ faces, they knew their actions would come under scrutiny if brought to her attention.

“I mean, I say you should do it,” Dagon said, causing every eye to go to him. He was smiling at her knowingly. “I’m sure everyone in Hell will be grateful that you no longer have the Seraphim guarding your gates. Should make things easier if we ever decide to…extend our borders.”

Dagon’s threat couldn’t have been clearer. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her eyes darted around the room. I knew she was taking in the other angels. Whatever decision she made now would travel across every plane within hours.

Meaning God would knowexactlywho was to blame if a war was declared.

Any other angel would have backed down. They’d look at the odds stacked against them and know this was a battle lost. But Gloria had spent her immortality incourtrooms, not on battlefields. She was used to getting her own way. To her power going unchallenged.

“As lovely as I’m sure this is, no angel executed Emilio. It was a demon.” Her gaze lingered on Nox, who stared back murderously. “A demon with black hair, piercings and tattoos.”

Beside me, Dimitri gave a small exhale. He stepped forwards, his arrogant smirk in place. “I guess the gig is up. It was me. I executed Emilio.”

Dagon’s hand fell away from Nox as he switched his shield from my mate to his own. I couldn’t blame him. I was certainthishadn’t been in the plan.

Nox slipped one of his manacled hands into mine, squeezing. I drew on his strength. “Dimitri?—”

“No.” He didn’t take his eyes from Gloria. “It’s my turn now.”

I didn’t need to ask him to explain. I knew. All those times I’d risked us all to save him and his mates.

Now he was doing the same for me.

Dimitri bowed before Gloria mockingly. “Here I am, the true perpetrator. Before you act, let me remind you that one of my matesisthe son of Lucifer. Execute me, and his immortality is forfeit too. I’m sure that would go downmarvellouslywith his brothers. And that’s before we bring his father into the equation.”

Conversation broke out around the room. For the first time, Gloria seemed to realise the issue in calling in such an army to guard us.

They weren’t just an army, they were witnesses. Witnesses who could be called before other courts. Who’d undoubtedly share the story of what exactly had gone down today.

Gloria’s stature shrank as she seemed to curl in on herself. Triumph flashed in me, echoed by Nox.

We had her over a barrel and she knew it.

With Nox’s hand in mine, I smiled pleasantly. “So, Gloria. What’s it going to be?”

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