‘The angels are coming at sunset tonight,’ I say into the mic. ‘They’re hunting as many people as they can. The south end of the peninsula has been cut off by fire. I repeat, the south end of the peninsula has been cut off by fire. Go to the Golden Gate Bridge – we’re sending people there to help you cross. If you’re willing and able, come to the East Bay Bridge to distract the angels and give the others a chance at life. We could use all the fighters we can get.’

I take a deep breath. ‘For you gang members out there – how long do you think you can last on your own? We could use some good street soldiers.’ It hits me that I sound like Obi. ‘We’re all on the same side. What’s the point of you surviving today when tomorrow they’ll just come and wipe you guys out? Why not band together and have a real shot? At the very least, let’s go out with a bang and show them what we’re made of. Come join the fight at the Bay Bridge.’

I steel my voice. ‘Angels, if you’re listening, everyone will know you’re shameful cowards if you go after the helpless ones. There would be no glory in that, and you’ll just embarrass yourselves during the blood hunt. The real fight will be at the East Bay Bridge. Everyone worth fighting will be there, and I promise we’ll have a good show for you. I challenge you to come find us.’

I pause, not sure how to end it. ‘This is Penryn Young, Daughter of Man, Killer of Angels.’

That phrase, Daughter of Man, will always remind me of my time with Raffe. Raffe, who will be hunting all of us tonight along with his buddies who I thought could be my friends too. But that’s like a child expecting a hungry lion to be her fuzzy pet instead of being her killer.

I think I sounded confident, but my hands feel frozen and my breath comes out trembly.

‘Ooh, I like the killer of angels title,’ says Dum, nodding.

‘Are you sure this will work?’ asks Dee with a frown. ‘If they go after the Golden Gate—’

‘They won’t,’ I say. ‘I know them. They’ll come where the fight is.’

‘She knows them, man,’ says Dum. ‘It’s cool. They’ll come after us at the Bay Bridge.’ He nods, then frowns as the implications hit him. ‘Wait a minute . . .’

‘Are you sure that people will listen?’ I ask.

‘Oh, they’ll listen,’ says Dee. ‘If there’s one thing that us humans are good at, it’s gossip. Word spreads – and everybody’s heard of you.’

‘They’ve heard of your mom and sister too,’ says Dum. ‘But that’s another story.’

‘They’ll come,’ says Dee. ‘You’re the only leader we’ve got.’

Chapter 54

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