Empower

Chapter 38

‘There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief … and unspeakable love.’

Washington Irving

Disoriented, I opened my eyes. My groggy mind took a few moments before it allowed the memories to flood in. I looked at my left hand to see the violet ring and then to the end of my bed where Lincoln sat in a chair, watching me.

‘When was the last time you slept in a bed?’ I asked, smiling.

He shrugged in response.

‘I see.’

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, moving closer.

‘Okay. Physically, I feel like I’m mending.’ I frowned as I combed my fingers through my now considerably shorter hair. ‘But my power … I still can’t feel it like I normally can.’ I tried to hide my concern but of course he saw right through me.

Lincoln brushed the loose strands of hair back from my face. ‘I know. I can’t heal you like I should be able to. Griffin thinks you probably burned out. It might take a little time for everything to come back online.’

I exhaled, but not fully. There was a part of me that worried I had lost it for good. It made me realise just how much I’d come to embrace my power and role as Grigori. It is who I am.

I’d been out of it for a couple of weeks and I knew that not all the news waiting for me would be good. It couldn’t be. I took Lincoln’s hands in mine.

‘Milo?’ I whispered.

He shook his head.

‘Who else?’

Lincoln’s eyes glassed over and he swallowed thickly. I felt the tears slip down my cheeks.

Later that night, Chloe sat on the edge of my bed while Spence and Lincoln moved back to give us some space.

‘Someone’s got to talk to those Rogues out there,’ Spence said to Lincoln. ‘Steph almost lost her shit with them earlier when she tried to visit. And they made us leave all our weapons with them like they own the place or something.’

I bit back a sad smile, confused by the Rogues’ uncharacteristic behaviour.

‘You know they don’t care what I say,’ Lincoln said plainly.

Spence crossed his arms. ‘Then who the hell will they listen to?’

Lincoln looked at me, and my chest started to hurt even more.

‘Are you sure this will work?’ I asked Chloe.

She nodded. ‘We were there. Spence and I were running along the rooftops, trying to get to them. We saw you with Phoenix and then what happened below. Spence tried, Violet. He leaped right off the roof and into the fight. He did everything he could.’

I held back the tears that seemed to have been streaming for the past twenty-four hours.

‘Are you sure you want to see this?’ Chloe asked tentatively.

‘Show me,’ I said.

Two days later, I laid a white rose on Milo’s gravestone. The Grigori who had given their lives had been brought back and buried in a special Grigori graveyard just outside Manhattan. Given that most of us have outlived our family by the time we die, the graveyard had been established to keep us together.

More than two hundred Grigori had died in the battle, making it the largest loss in Grigori history. Many senior Grigori from all corners of the world and a large number of Grigori still too young to be gone had given their lives.

Drenson and Adele had been given headstones like everyone else. I had placed a flower on each of their graves. Sure, Drenson had tried to kill me but I understood how heady a thing power is. Drenson had been unable to fight the lure. Did that make him unaccountable? Of course not. Did that make him evil? I don’t believe so. Mostly it just made him an ass who had lost control and paid the price. His judgement would come, but not by my hand.

I passed by Seth’s and Decima’s headstones, feeling a sense of relief for them. In many ways I think their end was their gift. They were ready, and to go out fighting seemed only right.

Finally, I stopped at the last grave, grateful that Lincoln had seen to this while I was asleep. It was white marble and sat beneath a weeping willow tree, separate from the rest, as I knew he would wish. After all, his life had always been lived apart.

I stood at his grave for many hours.

Sometimes I cried. Sometimes I just shook my head wishing it wasn’t true.

Mostly, I prayed.

Stupid, I know. Me? I still didn’t even know the truth of it all. Whether there was a god and if there was if it was even a god I cared much for. But still … I prayed for his peace. I prayed for his happiness and I prayed that he knew how much he had done for me. That at that craziest, darkest time of my life, he had been there for me and somehow managed to drag me through day after day.

He had been my saviour when I had least accepted that I needed one. He had been my friend. And I would do anything to have him back. But he was gone.

It was fast, at least. Chloe had shown me that much with her gift. He had stepped in the way of a younger Grigori’s fight. He had saved the girl’s life and pushed her aside, leaving himself wide open for the exile, who had not hesitated to drive his sword right into his chest. Spence had leaped into the fight at the same moment, but he’d been too late. There was nothing anyone could have done.

Lincoln stood quietly to the side, where he had been for hours, waiting patiently, but now he joined me, saying softly, ‘It’s time.’

I nodded, brushing my hands across the marble headstone. ‘Mondays and Thursdays will never feel right without you,’ I whispered.

I placed the last dozen roses, all white apart from one red. Because he stood apart, and because he would always carry a place in my heart.

‘Love you, Gray,’ I said. ‘Thank you for dancing with me.’

‘How are you holding up?’ Lincoln asked as we rode the elevator back up to the Academy.

I took his hand while my other hand tucked my hair behind my ear. I just couldn’t get used to it being short. ‘I’ll be okay,’ I said. And it was true. Dealing with the losses, especially Gray, was going to hurt for a long time, but I knew that they had not died in vain, and that helped. ‘What’s happening now that Drenson’s gone?’ I asked. ‘Has Josephine taken over?’

Lincoln shrugged, helping me out of the lift as I still hobbled with aches and pains. At least the worst of the bruising on my face had settled.

‘I’m not sure. The Assembly and senior Grigori have been convening all week here and at the main headquarters around the world. There’s supposed to be an announcement today and Josephine told me to be there.’ He checked his watch. ‘It’s already started.’

I nodded. ‘Then let’s go.’

But he simply smiled and backed me into the wall beside the hall doors.

‘What?’ I asked, grinning.

He took a few strands of my hair in his fingers and I couldn’t help the wave of self-consciousness. Lincoln had always liked my long hair. He leaned in close, kissing me lightly just below the ear. ‘Have I mentioned how damn sexy your hair is?’

When I started to shake my head he stopped me by kissing me again, on the lips this time.

‘Just when I thought you couldn’t be any more stunning, you prove me wrong.’ He watched my reaction until he was satisfied that my embarrassment had gone and then planted a quick kiss on my forehead. ‘You know you’re incredible, right?’

I blushed. Only Lincoln could have made me suddenly love my new hair in just two sentences.

He pulled me away from the wall as he chuckled, that laugh he reserved just for me, as we pushed open the doors to the hall.

I had never seen the grand hall so full. With many Grigori having returned here after the battle at New Orleans, the Academy was over capacity, but everyone seemed to be happy enough to squeeze in.

Lincoln and I began to worm our way through, looking for familiar faces or just somewhere to stand so we could hear the Assembly’s decision.

As we weaved, people around us were quick to give us space, which at first I appreciated, until I realised they were moving too quickly than was merely polite. The chatter died down suddenly and whispers began as a walkway opened before us and every set of eyes was trained in our direction.

‘Linc,’ I murmured, ‘do you know what this is about?’

‘No idea,’ he said, though he seemed considerably less surprised than I felt. He really had a knack for that.

‘Why is everyone looking at us?’

‘They’re not looking at us, Vi. They’re looking at you,’ he said softly.

Oh, great. Hang me out to dry, why don’t you?

I spotted the group of Rogues to our right, Carter at the front. Relieved to see him I made my way over, ignoring the following eyes, and flung my arms around him. He pulled me tight and I bit my lip to hold back the tears.

‘What did he say to you?’ I asked. In the vision Chloe had shown me, it was Carter who’d caught Gray’s body as it fell and had his ear to Gray’s mouth for his final words.

Carter squeezed me one last time. ‘I tried,’ he rasped. ‘I was too damn slow.’

He was talking about his ability to rewind. He hadn’t been able to get to Gray in time to stop what happened.

‘I know,’ I said, my hand on his shoulder. ‘Of course I know.’ Carted loved Gray too. He would’ve done anything to save him. ‘What did he say?’ I asked again.

His eyes came up to meet mine briefly before he leaned in to whisper in my ear. ‘He said, “Purple’s the colour of royalty. Protect her always.”’

I heard the reverence in Carter’s voice and pulled back. As I did, I was further stunned to see Carter and all the Rogues standing behind him drop to their right knees and bow their heads.

I looked behind me where Lincoln was watching on with calm acknowledgement. He held out his hand to me and, with one last look back at the Rogues, I took it.

‘You bring us together, Vi,’ Lincoln said as I accepted his strength to keep me balanced and limped through the centre of the room.

One by one, Grigori began to kneel and bow their heads.

When I reached Spence I almost leaped on him, so relieved to see a familiar face. But he simply said, ‘Don’t be afraid,’ before he too, took to his knee.

I passed Chloe, Salvatore and Zoe and I bit my lip when even Steph dropped down. Until finally we reached the front of the room, where Griffin and Nyla waited for us and the Assembly sat in their great chairs.

Griffin smiled. ‘Good to see you up and about, Violet.’

‘It’s good to be upright,’ I said, smiling back. I glanced between him and Nyla. ‘Are you …’ I asked Nyla, unable to finish the question and dreading the answer.

‘Honouring Rudyard with every day of my life? Yes,’ she answered. And though I could see the sadness in her eyes, I could also see the acceptance. She and Rudyard had fought and loved side by side. Their bond had been as epic and complete as the one I shared with Lincoln, but she was here and she would mourn his loss even as she fought as if he were still by her side.

I nodded, admiring her great strength even as I hoped I would never have to make the same choice.

Nyla glanced at Griffin. ‘And I have a new partner of whom I know Rudy would have approved.’

I smiled now for them both. It was a perfect partnership. And Griffin deserved to have a loyal and strong warrior by his side. No one had heard from Magda since she disappeared from Lincoln’s warehouse two and a half years ago. It had taken time for Griffin to get over Magda’s betrayal and I knew that deep down he hoped he would never see her again. Because if he did, he would have her brought to justice for her crimes.

‘Then it was worth the wait?’ I asked Griffin.

‘The best things usually are,’ he said, gesturing to my ring finger.

I leaned a little closer, dropping my voice. ‘Any idea what’s going on?’ I asked, my eyes darting about nervously.

His smile broadened and with Nyla mirroring his actions they both knelt. ‘A new era.’

I swallowed tightly and looked up at the Assembly. As I did, Rainer and Wilhelm stood and knelt, followed by Valerie and Hakon. I glanced at the empty chairs of Seth and Decima – Seth’s chair now pure white ivory and Decima’s a perfect black ebony in a fitting tribute – and then to those formerly held by Adele and Drenson. Beside Drenson’s empty chair stood Josephine.

She looked out around the room before settling her gaze on me.

‘Leadership is a privilege,’ she announced, and I braced myself for whatever she had up her sleeve. ‘As old as time, we may implement structures and elect the people we believe to be best at this role, but in the end, the greatest leaders will never wait to be elected. They will not conform, they will not abide. Nor will they campaign or protest.’ For the first time, Josephine’s smile seemed genuine. ‘They simply … are.’ Josephine stepped forward and in front of the entire hall of Grigori, the Vice – and acting head – of the Assembly knelt before me.

Slowly I turned to look around the hall, still silent as every single one of them balanced on one knee, though now with raised heads to watch on. Beside me, Lincoln lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it once before also dropping to his knee.

Stunned, I wanted to shake my head, to tell everyone to stop being crazy. They didn’t need to kneel to me. I hadn’t done anything other than try to save the people I loved and fight for what was right. Everyone in this room had done the same. I was about to say as much, when I remembered how Steph had explained the levels of regard for Grigori. Kneeling was the highest sign of respect, and I realised I could not throw that back in their face.

Studying the crowd, I understood now that this was my role. I was made by the Sole. I was the Keshet – the rainbow. The sign of the covenant. I was created to lead. And I had been empowered to do so by my angel maker, by my soul connection with Lincoln and by my humanity.

‘Stand,’ I said, surprised how steady my voice came out.

The room silently stood as all eyes watched me.

‘Next month I will be twenty,’ I said, smiling when I heard a few chuckles skitter through the room; some of the Grigori in the hall were well into their hundreds. ‘I’m still a child in many ways,’ I agreed. ‘But I have seen a lot in these past few years. I have learned much. I have been broken, have died and been revived and fought some truly horrific foes. And I have been lucky enough to have friends and family who have sacrificed greatly in order to stand by my side. New Orleans was a victory but the cost was terribly high, and there is not one of us in this room who has not felt a great loss. Thank you for honouring me in this way. It means so much, but please, honour those we have lost. And let us try to work together. Let us be brave, be flawed and yet always be strong. Let us be human and fight for our right to free will. I promise you that I will stand with you and fight by your side until my very last breath. But it is I who will serve you.’

Before the great hall of my Grigori peers, I knelt and bowed my head while all around me, Grigori raised their daggers to the sky in salute.

‘Violet Eden,’ Josephine said, ‘you have been elected the new head of the World Assembly. The vote was unanimous.’

I stood and turned to Lincoln who, in typical Lincoln fashion, seemed to be taking all of this in his stride. ‘Whatever you decide is the right choice for us,’ he said, simply.

I closed my eyes briefly, considering this choice. ‘If I am the head of the Assembly, do I choose the remaining Assembly members?’

Resigned to what this might mean, Josephine nodded. ‘It will be left to your discretion as your first act. Grigori law states that you may nominate your Assembly at the commencement of your leadership, however, following that, any amendments would be by a vote of your peers.’

I nodded.

‘Then,’ I said, looking over the room, ‘I nominate that Seth’s and Decima’s chairs be filled by the Rogues. We have had division among the Grigori for too long now and there is no reason for it. Both Rogues and Academy Grigori bring skills to our everlasting wars. We must learn to work together or we are no better than the exiles. If they will accept, I nominate Carter and Taxi, two Rogues whom I know and trust with my life.’

The Rogues began to whistle and cheer as Carter and Taxi stepped forward looking dumbfounded.

‘Is this a paying gig?’ Carter asked when he reached me.

I laughed. ‘I’m sure you’ll be well provided for.’

He nodded uncertainly. ‘You sure you want to do this, purple? There’s probably a few other people who might be better suited to this than us,’ he said as Taxi nodded.

I smiled. ‘That’s exactly why you two are perfect.’ I gestured to Seth’s and Decima’s seats. ‘They were great warriors. Like you.’ It was bittersweet to not see Gray take one of those chairs, but I knew he would agree with my choice, and he would smile if he could see the way Carter and Taxi stood tall as they took their places on the Assembly.

I settled my attention on Rainer and Wilhelm as well as Valerie and Hakon. ‘Your seats are yours for as long as you choose to keep them, but know that things will not go on the way they did under Drenson.’

All four nodded and took their seats, reassuming their places as Assembly members.

My eyes met Josephine’s. ‘You have been running things from the sideline for too long,’ I said.

She remained silent, like a prisoner waiting to hear her sentence.

‘You wanted me here. You brought me back to Lincoln. Why?’ The question had been bugging me since she arrived in New Orleans.

‘I hoped that you really were what my instinct whispered.’ And in our world of interfering angels manipulating and creating choices of both light and dark, only to then dangle free will over us all, I understood what she was saying.

‘Do you regret your choices, knowing that I now hold this power over your future?’

Josephine took a deep breath and let it out. ‘All I care about is the cause. So, while there are many things in my life that I regret, this is not, nor will it ever be, one of them.’

I watched her closely, but I also turned to Griffin for confirmation that she was giving nothing but truth. On his small nod, I turned back to her. ‘You are a good Vice, Josephine. But you will have to accept your place if you are to maintain your seat. The days of your rule are over.’

‘You would still allow me to hold my seat?’ she asked tentatively.

‘If you can mind your place, then yes. You are a warrior who believes in Grigori more than any other person I know.’

‘Then I would humbly maintain my position,’ she responded, sitting down, and I noticed Carter roll his eyes as she did. They would make an interesting team.

I turned to Lincoln and pulled him close so I could speak quietly into his ear. He listened, absorbing my words. And when I pulled back he was smiling with pride and a tinge of excitement that solidified my decision. I smiled back and turned to the hall.

‘You deserve a great leader. And I believe that, with Lincoln beside me, I can be that leader for you.’ I walked over to where Griffin and Nyla stood. ‘Some day,’ I added. ‘But you need strength today, and someone who will lead with not only courage but also experience and integrity. And I … I need some time to become the leader you all deserve. I promise you that I will return, but today I abdicate my chair and pass my seat of power to a person I would follow without a second thought: Griffin Moore.’

Griffin’s face filled with restrained emotion as Nyla discreetly took his hand, giving him her support.

I approached Griffin and grabbed his hands in mine. ‘I thought we might do a trade,’ I explained. ‘You can have my job until I’m ready, and in return, if you would trust us, Lincoln and I would very much like to go home.’

Griffin pulled me into a tight embrace. ‘I’d be honoured. And I look forward to the day that I will stand aside so you can take your rightful place.’

‘I know that,’ I assured him.

Griffin, still holding Nyla’s hand, walked up to the middle two chairs and turned to face the hall. As they took their seats, the entire hall behind me erupted into applause and cheers.