Gods & Monsters, #2
The Throne of Broken Gods
by Amber V. Nicole
Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Samkiel confronts “Dianna” at a cafe and exposes her as Camilla using illusion. He tortures Camilla for information and learns Dianna is after Drake’s tunnel map at the conference hall. Despite mistrusting Camilla, he accepts her sleeping-spell aid, refuses to physically harm Dianna, and orders the city evacuated to provoke her into the open.
Summary
Cameron, Xavier, Imogen, Vincent, and Logan accompany Samkiel to a cleared cafe after Dianna’s bait. Inside, a terrified waitress cowers while “Dianna” performs nonchalantly. Samkiel studies her and orders the team to hold while he approaches.
Samkiel confronts the impersonator, citing tells—hostage behavior, scent, speech, and the mismatch with Dianna’s known jealousy and past violence. He seizes her by the throat, rescues the waitress via Logan, and forces the illusion to drop, revealing Camilla.
Driven by rage over Kaden’s claim of his “betrothal” and fear for Dianna, Samkiel channels burning power into Camilla, accusing her of complicity in Gabriella’s fate. Under torture, Camilla admits Dianna is enraged and seeking Drake’s tunnel map at the conference hall; Camilla’s role was only to distract them.
Samkiel releases Camilla but distrusts her. Camilla offers a fast-acting sleeping spell deliverable through the bloodstream. Samkiel refuses any plan that pierces Dianna’s skin or risks harming her. After brief debate over alternatives, he decides on a new strategy: evacuate the city as a safety measure because he intends to anger Dianna to flush her into the open, while tentatively accepting Camilla’s aid under dire threats if she betrays them.
Who Appears
- SamkielLeads the confrontation, exposes Camilla’s disguise, tortures her for information, refuses to harm Dianna, and orders a city evacuation to provoke Dianna.
- CamillaImpersonates Dianna to distract the team; confesses Dianna seeks Drake’s tunnel map; offers a sleeping spell to help subdue Dianna.
- CameronPOV; supports the operation, advocates ranged intervention, defers to Samkiel’s refusal to harm Dianna.
- DiannaAbsent but central; target of the search, enraged and after Drake’s tunnel map at the conference hall.
- XavierBacks Cameron, suggests gas alternative; helps maintain formation and readiness during the confrontation.
- ImogenShaken by mention of betrothal; questions the distraction plan and observes Samkiel’s decisions.
- LoganEvacuates the injured waitress at Samkiel’s command; maintains tactical awareness.
- VincentConfirms the tunnel map is at the conference hall and supports the team’s tactical planning.
- WaitressInjured hostage with a twisted wrist; evacuated to safety by Logan.