Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)(80)
Rahab nodded to the Dukes at the bar, and they all filed into the lounge, sitting at the small tables that circled the dance floor. Rahab made his way to the center of the black circle and stood with his hands clasped behind his back like a dictator. He seemed to have aged since I’d seen him a year and a half ago—his face looking gaunt and too dour to be handsome. He was tall and elegant, but too thin. I was surprised he hadn’t opted for a new body yet. Maybe his overabundance of pride caused him to hold out longer than the others.
He began speaking in his rich, loud, French-accented voice.
“Good evening, Brothers . . . and Sister,” he said. “Thank you for your presence on such short notice. We hope to resolve a delicate issue as quickly as possible so that we can all move on to more pleasant things. Our favorite city awaits.” There were chuckles and smiles. “We begin by calling forth the messenger Azael to oversee this summit and report back to our Lord Lucifer at the conclusion of our events.”
I braced myself as an incredibly frightening hissing filled the air. Azael with his lionlike features ascended up through the shining black floor right in front of Rahab. His wings spread wide for one moment before closing tight to his hazy back. The sight was jarring, but I was so glad to have Azael present.
“Thank you for joining us, Azael,” Rahab said. “We hope not to keep you long.”
The demon spirit inclined his head in a nod.
To the Dukes, Rahab said, “Let us summon the Legionnaires.”
Again with the horrible cacophony of hisses. On cue, the black walls began to spew smoky spirits into the lounge from all directions. I couldn’t wait for them to be gone. Forever.
The room dimmed as it filled with the spirits, and I turned my night vision on full.
When everyone was still, Rahab looked toward the doors.
“Son of Shax,” he said to Marek. “You are in charge of listening for interferences during these proceedings. Tonight’s events will require the full attention of the Dukes. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Marek said, with a slight bow at the waist.
Regret filled me as I thought about our lost ally, Flynn, and how the door watch would have been his job. It would have been a huge advantage.
Rahab looked over the crowd, a scowl on his face as he surveyed the hundred-plus Nephilim. When his eyes stopped on me, they turned a vivid red.
“Truly,” he said, “I never believed this summit would be called. But alas . . . the great prophecy is upon us. We can thank Brother Pharzuph for his quick work in bringing a traitor to justice this night.”
Murmurs erupted around the room, Dukes and Nephilim alike. Rahab motioned for Pharzuph to join him.
Instead of going to Rahab’s side, Pharzuph bypassed the dance floor, strolling toward me with a cocky grin.
Here we go. My insides fell to my feet.
I sat up straight, not moving, keeping my eyes locked on Pharzuph’s as he approached. When he got to me and saw that I wasn’t going to cower, he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet.
“Think you’re brave even without your weapon, huh?” He eyed me with disgust. “We’ll see.”
I kept up with him as he pulled me to the center of the room. My chest and face heated, but I worked not to show any fear. Pharzuph let me go, wiping his hand down his dress shirt and leaving me between the two of them. Rahab peered at me with sheer loathing.
“You can all see her badge,” Rahab said. “We had hoped it was a by-product of being ignorant of her legacy for so long, but even after working these past two years, her badge still holds the white of innocence.” He spat the word. “First the angels intervened to keep her alive, and then her father goes missing when we attempt to question him. But once we take care of his offspring we will find Belial, and he will be dealt with. He will burn for his traitorous ways.”
I expected the Dukes to cheer at this, but they were quiet, watching with shocked faces as they digested the way they’d all been deceived by one of their own and his offspring.
“How can this be, Brother Rahab?” Blake’s dad, Melchom asked. “The prophecy was a myth! It called for a Nephilim of both light and darkness. We all know that is not possible.”
“Really?” Rahab asked smoothly. “We have reason to believe that eighteen years ago a guardian angel broke ranks and possessed a human to be with a Duke. Some of you might recall the angel Mariantha and her touching bond with Belial?”
“The traitor!” bellowed Sonellion, Duke of Hatred. He slammed a fist against his table, making it rock. Sonellion’s eyes lit up like glowing blood, along with several other sets of eyes among the Dukes. My breathing shallowed as their voices rose in anger toward my father. This was unscrupulous anger. There’d be no reasoning with these demons.
Breathe, I told myself. Just breathe. I looked above me where Azael hovered, watching me closely.
“Wait,” called a smooth voice. Everyone turned to Alocer, Kope’s father. “I am not sold on this so-called prophecy. How do we know it’s true? What proof do we have?”
Rahab frowned. “As you know, I have always been in the confidence of our Prince of Darkness. He called to me himself to tell me of the prophecy spoken through the apostle Paul. Do you dare to doubt him?”
“Of course not,” Alocer responded, narrowing his eyes at Rahab. “But I dare to doubt his source for this information. Who was witness to this prophecy? Besides the guardian angel of the apostle?”