Gods & Monsters, #2
The Throne of Broken Gods
by Amber V. Nicole
Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
Samkiel wakes on a beach, realizing Dianna pulled him from the sea before disappearing. Back in Silver City, he confirms the ship’s destruction and Santiago’s death, orders media silence, and frets over Logan’s solo search for Neverra.
Alone, Samkiel questions whether he can still reach Dianna, prays to Gabriella for guidance, and takes a flickering star as a fragile sign of hope.
Summary
Samkiel regains consciousness on a beach as strong hands pull him from the surf. Expecting a goddess, he instead recognizes Dianna, bloodied but healing, who drags him to safety and disappears into the darkness the moment he speaks her name.
Returning to Silver City drenched and battered, Samkiel orders Vincent to cancel future interviews and erase past ones, insisting mortals hear only Vincent. He confirms the ship lies in pieces on the seafloor and that Santiago is dead by his hand, not Dianna’s, abandoning hopes of further intel.
In the elevator, Samkiel withholds unverified claims he heard—Azrael alive, Alistair’s whereabouts—and rebuffs Vincent’s push to escalate with the Council of Hadrameil. Learning Logan continues searching for Neverra alone, Samkiel resolves to detain him if he departs again without a team.
Alone in his quarters, Samkiel confronts his failure and the lingering pain where Dianna impaled him, fearing he may be forced to kill the woman he wants to save. He studies old photos, then steps onto his balcony and, for the first time in ages, prays to the old gods—asking Gabriella to guide him if she can.
Initially met with silence, Samkiel notices a lone star brighter than the rest. As he vows not to abandon Dianna to the darkness, the star seems to flicker again, giving him a tenuous sign and renewing his resolve to reach her before she is lost.
Who Appears
- SamkielNarrator; rescued by Dianna, returns to Silver City, asserts control, worries for Logan, and prays to Gabriella for guidance.
- DiannaIg’Morruthen who drags Samkiel from the sea, then vanishes; her actions drive Samkiel’s fear and determination.
- VincentSamkiel’s subordinate; receives orders to handle public messaging and seeks action against Dianna.
- LoganCelestial searching for Neverra alone; Samkiel threatens to detain him if he departs without a team.
- SantiagoCriminal adversary confirmed dead by Samkiel; his lost intel frustrates the investigation.
- Gabriella (Gabby)Deceased ally; the focus of Samkiel’s prayer for a sign, associated with a flickering star.
- OceanunaSea goddess Samkiel briefly mistakes for his rescuer before recognizing Dianna.