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“I’ve done some terrible things and worked for slimy lesser creatures, but you take the cake. Literally. So what? All your animosity comes back because you can’t lead? It’s not his fault you feel less of yourself. You have a problem with me. You take it up with me. Even you should have enough balls to do that.”
I couldn’t tell if it was Cameron or Xavier who covered a laugh with a cough, and I didn’t care. I waited for Vincent to snap back or storm out, but he did neither.
His eyes focused above me. “I came to apologize for what I said. I was out of line, and I’m sorry.”
“Alright. It’s not forgiven, but it’s a start.” Samkiel pulled me back against him before saying, “You also need to apologize for what you said about Dianna.”
Vincent looked at me next. “I’m sorry.”
I knew I didn’t need the apology, but Samkiel was protective, and those words would help cool his rage long enough for them to try to work through whatever tension lay between them. I knew he wanted his friend back. Vincent was a part of his family, and he would forgive him.
Samkiel stepped forward, taking the cake from Vincent’s hands. “There is plenty of food. Cameron hasn’t gotten to all of it yet.”
“Hey!”
And just like that, everyone relaxed. I caught Cameron and Xavier exchanging some coins and chuckling to themselves. Imogen’s face had paled, but the color was slowly returning. Logan clapped Samkiel on the back, whispering something. Vincent went to join them, but I reached out, grabbing his arm and stopping him. I leaned in close and hissed, “You throw his father in his face again or hurt him again, and I won’t need my powers to rip your tongue from your skull.”
He said nothing, only nodded as he stepped away. Cameron tugged the cake from Samkiel’s hands, and the box went flying.
I took a deep breath, calming the rage bubbling in my blood. Samkiel looked at me over Logan’s shoulder, and I plastered a smile on my face, knowing he’d heard my threat to Vincent.
Samkiel looked away and smiled as Vincent handed him a drink, both of them laughing at something Logan had said.
“Men,” Neverra said with a sigh, watching Cameron join them with a giant piece of cake in his hand. “They don’t stay mad at each other long.”
* * *
Dinner went smoothly. As we sat around chatting and eating dessert, I noticed Neverra glance at Samkiel and his nod to both her and Logan. Imogen’s head turned toward them as if she had sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Neverra cleared her throat and stood, Logan rising at her side. She lifted her wine glass. “Samkiel called this dinner, but we have news, too. Logan and I want to try for a baby.”
Cameron damned near choked. “Wait, are you pregnant now?”
“No,” Logan said with a small, nervous smile that was absolutely charming. “Key word, we are going to try. I still have to get the procedure reversed.”
Imogen’s smile was so bright it was contagious. “That’s amazing, Nev! I get to be an aunt.”
Xavier laughed. “Oh, your child will be so spoiled.”
Vincent shuffled in his seat but said nothing as he lifted his glass in salute.
Cameron seemed to still be processing the news. Then his face turned dark. “Is that why we are here tonight?” he asked.
“That’s not why I called you all here,” Samkiel said, his voice taking on an edge. All of them sat up straighter and stiffened as if expecting an order. “I know things have been chaotic, to say the least, but it has been that way for some time now. I left when I knew I should have stayed.”
I shifted, sliding my leg against his in a small act of support and comfort. “We have secured Yejedin. New runes have been put in place, and cells are available if we ever need them. Although, I highly doubt we will need them. I do not plan on capturing Kaden. When this is over, he will be executed immediately.” Samkiel paused and looked at each of them in turn. I could see love, pride, and pain in his eyes. “There will be no more use for The Hand after that.”
The room erupted in chatter, everyone speaking at once. Samkiel held up his hand, and everyone grew quiet once more. Even Vincent looked shocked and a little lost.
“The point I am trying to make is that Kaden is the last link. Once that is severed, peace will return to Onuna and this realm. That means The Hand will not be needed.”
Concern and disbelief consumed everyone except Logan and Neverra. All I saw there was relief.
“I want a life for you all without the threat of war and distress. I do not believe in my heart that you all were made to fight forever, nor should you. You should have peace and love. You all deserve it. That’s all I ever wanted for any of you, and you can have that once this is done. A life. A semi-normal one, at least.”
“But what would we do?” Xavier leaned across the table. “This has been our life since… well, forever.”
“Whatever you wish. No longer held by burdens of servitude to the highest order. No orders. I want what’s best for you, for all of you. I want you to have a family and grow old.” Samkiel stopped and smiled. “Well, older, anyway.”
That seemed to lighten the mood for a moment.
