Hawk's Angel

“The big man glanced at the princess in chains for permission, hefting his axe suggestively. Jael expected her to nod and give him the go-ahead to serve as her executioner. Instead, she put out a hand and took the weapon from him. Her green eyes were like chips of jade in her pale, bloody countenance. This was the face of the Dread Queen.

"Kneel," she commanded, and the command had an inexorable weight.

Not only did Priest drop to his knees, so did the other men in the vicinity; two belonged to Silence. The Speaker frowned at this.

In a single swing, she took her enemy's head. The crowd roared.

And Jael fell a little in love.”
― Ann Aguirre, Perdition