Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
So he did. As he left others to their tasks while being aware of the bigger picture, and keeping his focus on building up their squadrons and ground crews. It wasn’t about readying himself for war, but about having the forces to deal with any uprising in his own territory—especially the vampiric kind.
Illium also made it a point to speak one-on-one with any senior vampire or angel in his territory who wanted to join his units. He did the same with the applicants from outside his territory after Aodhan created a short list.
They’d had a massive influx of applications.
“Color me surprised,” Elena’d said dryly when he mentioned it on a call. “Of course all those people who’ve interacted with you over the years, who know that you’re both smart and fun to be around, want to work with you. Oh, and Jason said he’s hearing courtiers whispering about going to your territory to attempt to catch your eye.”
Illium had groaned. “I’m going to off-load that handling to Dulce.” He had no room in his Spire for courtiers, but some of them could turn vicious if insulted, so Dulce would have to find a way to keep them calm but out of the way.
Dulce rolled her eyes when he warned her what was incoming. “I know how to deal with snotty old immortals. I’ll handle it.”
In better news, a suspicious Navarro had accepted the interim first general position. “Do you think I was born yesterday?” he’d muttered on arrival, even as his eyes scanned the lists of Illium’s current forces. “You have every intention of seducing me into a permanent role.”
Illium had grinned. “Of course I do. You know you’re going to love it.”
Aodhan, as his second, meanwhile, handled all other details of setting up a functioning center of rule and liaised with everyone from Navarro, to Dulce, to their new head of administration—an angel who’d resigned his position in Elijah’s court to join Illium’s.
Vivek had been able to confirm that there were no hard feelings there, the transfer expected, given the age of the angel and the opportunity for a more senior role.
One unexpected but very welcome transplant was Laric, who was now the healer in charge of setting up the infirmary in the Spire, and building up a team around himself. Andreja had come with him, of course, with Navarro rapidly drafting her to a lieutenant role under him.
So it went.
A number of scholars had also relocated to Illium’s home base, their task to chronicle the beginning of his rule. As a favor to Jessamy, Aodhan made sure they had the access they needed without getting underfoot. His parents had actually applied for the post but been declined because their expertise was in a different area of scholarship. However, Menerva and Rukiel were excited to visit once Illium and Aodhan had more time on their hands.
Aodhan’s own chosen center of operations was an entire floor high up in the Spire that offered a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view when the blinds were up. “It can double as your war room,” he told Illium. “For now, I just like the light.”
Aodhan was thriving in that light, angels flying in and out of that floor as he sent them on their tasks, or they reported back. A number still had difficulty looking at him even though the glass was treated so the light didn’t blaze off him, but everyone they’d chosen to join their staff was in awe of his skill.
* * *
* * *
“This will work,” Illium said after his return from a flight to quell a small stirring of vampires who’d gotten the bright idea that a busy and brand-new archangel meant they could go off the leash and start a bloodthirsty game of hunting mortals without attracting attention.
They had learned differently, as those who’d witnessed their punishmet had learned that their archangel could be ruthless when lines were crossed. Still, Illium knew he’d be putting out such idiotic fires for a while yet. His hold on the territory would be built over hundreds of such interventions and actions that taught his people that they could trust him, look to him for protection.
Fear, too, was an important factor. Like Raphael, Illium didn’t intend to rule with fear. However, he did need young vampires, and any others with violent urges, to dread the wrath of their archangel enough to toe the line. Once things stabilized, Navarro and other senior members of Illium’s team could handle such matters, but for now, it had to be him. He had to personally deal with every incident, burning both his power—and his intention to watch over them—into the minds of the populace.
It was going to be exhausting—but it was exhilarating, too.
He took Aodhan’s hand as they stood on top of the Spire that night, while the stars glittered overhead, and their city sprawled out gently in all directions. The lights were muted, lush green rooftops dominating until they overlooked a thriving low forest.