Page 210 of Cherish

We climb the stairs to the dais as the plums and grays of civil twilight begin to settle across the earth around us. In the center of the stage are two jewel-encrusted thrones that are a little much for me but right up Imogen’s—and I think, secretly, Hudson’s—alley. Behind them in a semicircle are six other thrones—just as large and gaudy as the ones set front and center for Hudson and me.

They’re for the other factions, I’m sure. The dragons, the wolves, the witches. Only the vampires are missing, and while that’s mostly our fault, I no longer let myself feel guilty for it. Hudson and I have made our decision, and we will stand by it as long as we are called to lead.

We sit in the chairs and look out at the miles of rolling snowy hills filled with paranormals, and one very special human, who have come from all over the world to celebrate this moment with us. I’m not naive enough to think they are all happy about Hudson’s and my ascension to the head of the Circle, but when the entire field kneels before us, I can’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, we can mend the fissures that have been created through the centuries and eternities before us.

Our friends are the first people I see, kneeling right behind Alistair and the Bloodletter with proud smiles on their faces. I expect at least one of them to do something silly, make a face or try to crack us up. Flint, probably, or maybe Heather or Gwen.

They don’t, though. Instead, every single one of their faces remains solemn. And as I meet each one of their gazes individually, they bow their heads. Even Jaxon and Flint, two princes in their own right.

It’s a shock, but it’s also one more reminder of the importance of what’s happening here. Instead of letting it weird me out, I let their support steady me, let it flow through me and fill me with confidence as I finally let my gaze move beyond them to the snow-covered fields that surround us.

Fields that are filled with thousands upon thousands of gargoyles, all kneeling before me. I can see Artelya at the front, with Dylan and Chastain flanking her on either side. Behind them are the witches who opened the portals for us in the courtyard earlier.

Unlike everyone else on the field, they aren’t kneeling. Instead, they’re holding open a dozen more portals all across the field, and I watch in shock as people continue to pour through them.

Nuri and Aiden come through the first one, along with several members of their Dragon Guard. As dragon queen and king, they don’t bow before Hudson and me as they make their way to their spot on the dais, but their guard does.

As our gazes meet, however, Nuri inclines her head, and in her eyes I see power and determination and respect. It’s more than I expected, more than I ever would have thought to ask for after all that’s passed between us, and I nod my head in thanks.

Out of another portal walk the wolf queens, Willow and Angela, along with their guards and several pack alphas, including the newest alpha of the Syrian pack, Dawud. They bend their head and their knee to me—after waving frantically.

A contingent of Katmere instructors who have yet to return to the school pour out of the third portal—Amka and Ms. Maclean, Mrs. Haversham and Dr. Wainwright, Mr. Damasen and Dr. MacCleary. They all smile at me proudly as they, too, kneel before me.

The fourth portal must go to Giant City, because Erym comes bouncing out, followed by Xeno, Vander, and Falia, who looks so much healthier and happier than when I saw her last. Erym waves her arms in the air to get my attention—as if standing several feet taller than anyone else on the field isn’t enough—and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to wave wildly back. Instead, I smile broadly as I nod at her and the others, all of whom also drop to their knees.

The next portal opens up seconds later, and out of it pours several members of the Vampire Court and guard. Mikhael and several people I don’t recognize, along with Aunt Celine and two other vampires whom I can only imagine are Flavinia and Rodney.

And finally, the last portal opens and out walks the Shadow Queen, along with Liana, Lorelei, Mekhi, Maroly, Arnst, Tiola, Nyaz, Lumi, Caoimhe, and Polo. And while all of the other members of the Shadow contingent find their designated section and kneel, I can’t help but feel Hudson’s sadness that Smokey isn’t able to be here, too.

The only people who couldn’t come were Remy and Izzy. Remy insisted I shouldn’t be worried, but there was just something in his voice, something screaming at me that not all was right with Calder Academy. But I trust that my friends will let me know if they need me, just like I will do should I need them.

Standing here before the rest of these people—people who have helped us in one way or another since I first got to Katmere—I feel very blessed. Teachers, friends, family—all here to watch Hudson and me take our place on the Circle. All here to honor the past and help start a new, better chapter for us all.

As I gaze out, I’ve never felt more humbled or more confident. Because seeing them here, remembering what each of them has taught me, makes me believe—really believe—that I belong here in this world. More, it makes me believe that I belong here, with Hudson, on this throne.

So much so that when Alistair steps forward and asks us to stand, I don’t hesitate for an instant. And neither does my mate.

But before Alistair can say another word, the earth around us begins to shake. And the Crone’s hunters pour in from all directions.

119

Sky Me

a River

They come in with guns and pouches blazing, the weapons the Crone has spent centuries developing against paranormals going off in all directions.

Attention!I mentally call out to my army, and they immediately take action.

They race to intercept the hunters, with Artelya at the head, followed by the guards from all the other factions.

At the same time, my friends spring into action, too, fading and flying toward the hunters at top speed. Hudson and I—along with the other leaders—race toward the edge of the stage. But before we can join the fray, the Crone appears in a flash of brilliant light right in front of us.

“I should have known it was you!” the Bloodletter snarls as she puts herself between her sister and me.

“Yes, you should have,” the Crone agrees with a knife-thin smile that sends ice racing through my veins. “Now that we are no longer joined, there is nowhere on this earth that is safe for you and yours. I will hunt down and destroy every single one of you so that my people can thrive.”

“You don’t give a shit about your people,” I snarl at her as the troops on the field engage the hunters in battle. Under my watchful eyes, several of my gargoyles race toward the portals instead of fighting, and at first I don’t know what they’re doing. But then I see that they’re ushering all the non-guard and -army members back through the portals for their own safety—a move that makes me very proud in the middle of all this chaos.

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