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“Exactly,” Drake said. “He didn’t expect that. But now he knows all gates might be like that and he won’t risk coming again unless he has the army to attack and win.”
“You’re saying we should get ready for a war?” Dorian asked. He was older than Drake and had a shorter temper.
Drake stared at Thea. I always had the impression that these two could read each other’s thoughts, probably because of their mating bond.
“It’s the demon hunters’ call, as this is their fight,” Drake said.
“But if the underworld is attacked and falls again, it’ll be everyone’s fight,” Aston said. There were a few agreeing murmurs around the room.
Drake nodded. “I agree, but for now, we should proceed with caution.” My nostrils flared and my rage spiked at that. Caution? Did that make sense? “The demon hunters are currently searching for Paimon. Gray, you’re to take a handful there and help.” He paused. “And report to me whenever possible.”
Gray lowered his head. “Yes, my lord.”
“The rest of you, be ready. If the demon hunters call for a war, we’ll take our entire army to them and make sure our side wins.” Drake sighed. “You can go now.” Everyone started moving, me included. “Shane.”
Shit. I turned and faced Drake, who was now standing behind his desk. “Yes?”
He looked at Thea as she was the last to walk out of the room. She offered me a soft smile before closing the door behind her.
Then his eyes turned to me. “I know hearing about Paimon and learning he was spotted must be difficult to you. I also know you’re probably plotting how to go after him yourself.”
For a half second, I thought about denying. I had heard stories about all Thea and Drake had gone through, all he had done for her. At least his mate was still alive. Mine … I inhaled deeply.
“I want to kill him myself,” I confessed. “I don’t care if it’s now, if it’s tomorrow, or in ten years. If this war happens, if Paimon is really starting this, I want to be there.”
Drake’s dark brows curled down. “What about your pack? Don’t you think they need you? Shouldn’t you be taking care of them instead of chasing a higher demon?”
My hands closed into fists. “My pack can survive without me.”
“I’m sure they can. But what about your brother and sister?”
A snarl started low in my chest. “Leave them out of this.”
“I’m not trying to play the bad guy here, Shane. I’m laying out all the cards in the game before you choose your next move. I know I’m saying this and yet, I would probably jump in headfirst if I had the opportunity to avenge my mate, consequences be damned. But when the odds were stacked against Thea and me, I didn't have someone with a little more experience trying to help me. And that’s what I’m trying to do. I want to help you.”
“Then promise me that when the time comes, I’ll be the one to kill Paimon.”
Drake shook his head. “I can’t promise you that, because the demon hunters will lead this one, but I can ask them to include you in their plans, if it comes to that.”
That wasn’t what I wanted, but I would take it. At least for now. “That’s fine,” I said it through gritted teeth.
Drake pressed his lips tight. “I’m really sorry, Shane. I heard Raika was an amazing woman. You have every right to avenge her, and I’ll help you with what I can.”
Something caught in my throat. “Thank you.”
Without another word, I left his office. Thankfully, Killian wasn’t waiting for me outside. Everyone was busy with possible war preparations.
Great, because I had preparations of my own.
6
RAIKA
Small ballsof darkfire danced in my hands. They were little, the size of my closed fists, but they were all mine. I focused on them, molding them with my thoughts: a twister, darts, and I even united them to create a beautiful dark dagger. I picked up the dagger, tangible in my hands, and threw it at one of the targets along the wall.
The dagger hit the target the wrong way and I lost my grip on my magic. The dagger became a cloud of smoke before hitting the ground.
I groaned and Ivy pressed her hand over her mouth, hiding her laughter.
