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Finale

Finale

Titel: Finale Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Becca Fitzpatrick
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woman in a purple cocktail dress and diamonds seated at the opposite end of the long table. Lisa Martin. Second to Hank, she was the most influential and
respected Nephil I’d met. I didn’t like or trust her. Feelings I was going to have to suppress for the next several minutes, if I wanted to get through this.
    “We’re so glad you instigated this meeting, Nora.” Her warm, regal, and accepting voice slipped like honey into my ears. My racing heart slowed. If I could get her on my side,
I was halfway there.
    “Thank you,” I managed at last.
    She gestured at the empty seat beside her, beckoning me to sit.
    I walked over to the chair, but I didn’t sit. I was afraid I’d lose my nerve if I did. Leaning my hands on the table for support, I bypassed pleasantries and launched into the true
meaning of my visit.
    “I’m aware that not everyone in this room thinks I’m the best person to lead my father’s army,” I stated bluntly. The word “father” tasted like bile in
my mouth, but I remembered Patch’s admonition to attach myself to Hank any way I could tonight. Nephilim worshipped him, and if I could use his endorsement, even a backdoor endorsement, I
should.
    I made eye contact with everyone seated at the table, and a few standing behind it. I had to show them I had fortitude and courage, and most of all, that I was displeased with their lack of
support. “I know some of you have already come up with a list of men and women better suited for the task.” I paused again, turning the full weight of my gaze on Dante. He held my
stare, but I saw hatred sizzle behind his brown eyes. “And I know Dante Matterazzi is at the top of that list.”
    A murmur circled the room. But no one disputed my claim.
    “I didn’t call you here tonight to discuss my first offensive strike in the war against fallen angels. I called you here because without a strong leader and your approval of that
individual, there won’t be a war. Fallen angels will tear us apart. We need unity and solidarity,” I urged them with conviction. “I believe I am the best leader, and my father
thought likewise. Clearly, I haven’t convinced you. Which is why, tonight, I am challenging Dante Matterazzi to a duel. The winner leads this army once and for all.”
    Dante shot to his feet. “But we’re dating!” His expression painted a perfect portrait of shock mingled with wounded pride. “How can you suggest dueling me?” he
said, his voice sagging with humiliation.
    I hadn’t expected him to plead our utterly fake relationship, built on the weak foundation of my spoken agreement and never carried out—a relationship I had forgotten immediately,
and that now soured in my bones, but it didn’t startle me into silence. I said coolly, “I’m willing to take down anyone—that’s what leading the Nephilim means to me. I
hereby officially challenge you to a duel, Dante.”
    Not a single Nephil spoke. Surprise registered in their expressions, quickly followed by satisfaction. A duel. Winner take all. Patch had been right—Nephilim were still fully entrenched in
an archaic world, ruled by Darwinian principles. They were pleased by this turn of events, and it was crystal clear from the adoring eyes they cast in Dante’s direction that not one Nephil in
the room doubted who the winner would be.
    Dante tried to keep his face impassive, but I saw him smile softly at my folly and his own good fortune. He thought I’d blundered, all right. But his eyes immediately narrowed with
wariness. Apparently he wasn’t going to lunge for the bait headlong.
    “I can’t do that,” he announced. “It would be treason.” His eyes swept the room, as if to gauge whether his gallant words had won him any further approval.
“I’ve given my allegiance to Nora, and I couldn’t think of doing any act that would contradict it.”
    “As your commander, I’m ordering you to duel,” I retorted crisply. I was still leader of this army, damn it, and I wasn’t going to let him undermine me with smooth words
and flattery. “If you truly are the best leader, I’ll step aside. I want what is best for my people.” I had rehearsed the words a hundred times, and while I was giving a
well-practiced speech, I meant every word. I thought of Scott, of Marcie, of thousands of Nephilim I’d never met, but still cared about because I knew they were good men and women who
didn’t deserve to be enslaved by fallen angels every year. They deserved

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