Even though Livia had the Malachai sword, Kody refused to believe Nick was dead. She’d feel it if he was gone.

It was a trick.

“You lie!!” she growled. Nick knew better than to die on her. She’d never forgive him for that.

Never!

The entire house shook as Noir and Thorn and Menyara went at each other outside.

Kody was about to run out of ammunition. Beleaguered and exhausted, she hadn’t been this tired since she’d fought against Nick beside her brother. Lightning flashed. Rain poured and demonic screams echoed all around.

Still, she fought on. It was what her parents had taught her to do. Past the pain. Past the exhaustion.

Never give up. Never give in.

Livia rose with the sword. “All of you!” she screamed violently. “Listen to me! You have to obey me now! I am the Malachai! I have his power! I took his blood and his sword!”

As those shrill words carried, the fighting slowly came to a stop.

Even Noir.

Covered in blood, he returned to the room to stand by Livia’s side. “What is this?”

She held the sword out for his inspection. “I used the Malachai’s sword to cut his throat and take his power. I am the leader of the ušumgallu! Hear me, Chronus and Tiamat. God of order and goddess of chaos. I am now your lead servant. The one who will oversee the final battle.”

Menyara and Thorn appeared next to Kody’s side on the balcony, as did a wounded Xev and Dagon.

“What madness is this?” Xev growled.

Tears filled Menyara’s eyes. “It’s not possible. Not my Nicky.”

Tiamat appeared before Livia and held her hand out. “Let me see the sword.”

Tucking her wings in, Livia handed it over.

The goddess examined it before she nodded. “It is indeed the Malachai’s sword, and it bears the blood of Ambrose.”

Unable to breathe and choking on her sobs, Kody fell to her knees as she heard those words of bitter confirmation. Her only solace was that Cherise wasn’t awake to hear them, too. It would kill her to know that Nick was dead.

Xev picked her up and cradled her against his chest, but there was nothing that could comfort her while she hurt like this. Nothing other than Livia’s throat.

Her mind set on vengeance, Kody pushed herself away from him and started forward.

But Xev caught her in his arms. “Don’t you dare. They’ll kill you.”

“Let them! He’s all I have.” Sobs racked her entire body as pain and grief permeated every molecule of her being. Her heart felt as if it’d been ripped out. She couldn’t lose anyone else. She was tired of burying those she loved. Tired of saying good-bye.

Tiamat handed the sword back to Livia. “Pick your generals, Malachai.”

Grim and Laguerre stepped forward with cocky grins.