Gods & Monsters, #1
The Book of Azrael
by Amber V. Nicole
Contents
Chapter 51 – Liam
Overview
Kaden hijacks every broadcast on Earth to expose the Otherworld, brandish the Book of Azrael, and announce his plan to open the sealed realms. He also weaponizes Dianna’s relationships against her by revealing betrayals from Drake, Camilla, and others before presenting Gabby as his captive.
When Kaden kills Gabby on the live feed, Dianna’s last emotional anchor is destroyed. Dianna transforms into a monstrous, flaming form, and Liam realizes Roccurrem’s prophecy of world-ending ruin points to Dianna’s breaking point.
Summary
As Dianna’s fear and fury rise, a television turns on by itself with a global live broadcast. The feed shows dead news anchors animated by Tobias, and Kaden appears as a guest, using the broadcast to mock Liam, reveal the existence of the Otherworld to mortals, and display the Book of Azrael.
Kaden frames the ancient conflict as a story of a cruel king, the Gods War, and realms sealed by Samkiel’s blood. He claims the Book contains the key to opening those realms and says that once he creates the needed weapon, the world will either die or be enslaved. Liam sends Logan and Vincent to trace the signal, but they report it is everywhere and nowhere at once.
Kaden then turns the broadcast into a direct attack on Dianna. He claims he gave Dianna her power, accuses Dianna of disloyalty, taunts Dianna about Liam’s love, and tries to convince Dianna that Liam will never truly choose or accept her. Liam recognizes Kaden is baiting Dianna and tries to ground her, but Dianna becomes rigid and unreachable.
Kaden reveals an audience of Otherworld creatures and exposes Dianna’s betrayals. Drake steps forward as Kaden’s informant, while Camilla, Santiago, Elijah, and others appear among those aligned with Kaden. Liam realizes Drake and others helped Kaden track Dianna’s movements and may have traded Dianna’s trust for their own interests.
Finally, Tobias drags out Gabriella, and Kaden reveals Drake delivered Gabby to him. Gabby defies Kaden and tells Dianna to remember that Gabby loves her. Kaden then breaks Gabby’s neck on the broadcast, killing her while Dianna watches; Liam sees a glowing line on his palm and understands Dianna’s blood deal has been completed in the worst possible way.
Gabby’s death shatters Dianna. Dianna screams with such force that Liam believes the sound travels through the realms, then transforms into a winged, scaled beast engulfed in flame. The blast throws Liam through the building, and as Dianna’s screams tear at reality, Liam realizes Roccurrem’s warning about the end of the world referred not to the planet, but to Dianna herself.
Who Appears
- LiamPOV character; tries to protect and steady Dianna during Kaden’s broadcast.
- DiannaTarget of Kaden’s taunts; breaks after Gabby’s murder and transforms into a fiery beast.
- KadenHijacks global broadcasts, reveals the Otherworld, exposes betrayals, and kills Gabby.
- GabriellaDianna’s sister; captured by Kaden, declares love for Dianna, and is murdered.
- TobiasAnimates dead broadcasters and helps stage Kaden’s presentation and Gabby’s reveal.
- DrakeExposed as Kaden’s informant who betrayed Dianna’s trust and delivered Gabby.
- LoganArrives with Vincent and reports the broadcast is global and unstoppable.
- VincentConfirms the signal cannot be traced because it comes from everywhere and nowhere.
- CamillaAppears among Kaden’s allies and helped provide information after Drake’s betrayal.
- EthanSeen with Drake and a dark-haired woman among those aligned with Kaden.
- SantiagoAppears in Kaden’s audience with his coven intermingled with Camilla’s.
- ElijahSeen among Kaden’s supporters beside mortals from the Kashvenia embassy.
- Anthony, Jill, and CaseyDead news anchors used as Tobias’s puppets to host Kaden’s broadcast.