“Put it in writing,” Samael ordered, cutting off one of the demons, who bowed his head. “Lay out your claim, and I will consider it.”
My grin widened. By that, he meant Sitri would consider it.
The demons bowed once more, then turned and walked away, speaking in hushed voices among themselves.
Samael’s eyes met mine, his expression inscrutable.
“Court is over,” he said. “Leave.”
No one argued. Danica gave him a look, and he lifted her hand to his mouth, dropping kisses along her wrist. She smirked at him.
“Vassago,” Samael said. “Something tells me you’re not here to join us for dinner.”
I didn’t flinch at the censure in his voice, but I came close. Truthfully, Samael didn’t give a flying fuck if I stayed for dinner, but I would bet Danica had casually mentioned missing me. I glanced at her, and she gave me a shrug.
“No,” I said. “I have information about Daimonion.”
Samael tensed. “What kind of information?”
He wanted the assassin dead almost as much as I did. My uncle had been his second, but more than that, he had been his closest friend, adviser, and confidant. And yet, Samael had been alive for centuries. Had been slowly planning his revenge against Lucifer, willing to wait until the time was right. He had a different idea about time than I did.
Of course, Danica had messed with all those intentions when she was kidnapped. All his carefully laid plans had blown up in his face.
I took a deep breath. “Daimonion is currently in Peru. Our spies spotted him earlier. Permission to engage?”
He studied me. Danica went still. Samael glanced at her and seemed to come to some decision.
“Yes. You may leave after dinner.”
I scowled. “I risk losing my shot at him if I wait any longer.”
Samael slowly got to his feet. “I went to the ferryman after Agaliarept died.”
My breath caught in my throat. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Samael seemed to understand, because he nodded. “Charon passed on a message. Ag asked me to protect you. To allow you your vengeance, but to not allow the rage in your blood to make you risk everything.” He gave me a sharp smile. “I don’t care how much you long for revenge. You will join us for dinner. You will regularly visit yourfamily, and if I learn that you have done anything that would make me break that promise to your uncle, I will order you back to the underworld, where you will stay until I determine the worst of the heat has drained from your rage.”
“You son of a bitch.”
Inhales came from demons across the throne room. Only Samael’s inner circle had remained. Behind me, Bel muttered something about how I was “asking for it.” I turned and snarled at him.
“You speak to your king in such a way?” Samael looked amused, but I didn’t mistake that amusement for joy. He looked at me the way Lia played with her mouse toys, silently ready to pounce.
“No.” I glowered at him. “I speak to myfamilyin such a way. Family that should know the importance of my mission.”
Samael studied me for long enough that if I hadn’t known him for most of my life, I might’ve pissed my pants. Then he laughed. “I suppose it’s a good thing this is afamilyvisit, then, whelp. Be sure to shower before dinner.”
I was dismissed. I bared my teeth at him, and he simply stared at me, cool amusement clear on his face. Danica got to her feet. “Let me show you your rooms,” she said brightly.
I had rooms? Guilt burrowed into my gut and stayed there. I was an asshole.
I threw my arm around her shoulders and let her lead me out of the throne room.
“Wow, you really pissed him off,” she said. I focused on the people around us as she led me up multiple sets of stairs. It was almost funny, watching the demons almost-bow as they suppressed all their instincts. Danica wasn’t exactly someone who enjoyed formality. Even now, the underqueen was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a coffee stain on the left boob.
“These are your rooms.” Danica opened a door. “I know you’re obsessed with sports, so we managed to wire this suite for cable. It took a few weeks, and I had to ask Mere to help, but she managed to make it happen. I sneak in here every so often and watch reality TV.” She grinned. “A few days ago, I caught Samael in here watching a show about competing drag queens.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that visual. Then I shifted on my feet. “Meredith helped?”
Danica nodded. I glanced around the rooms, which replicated the cool grays and blues I’d used in my rooms at the tower. The TV took up almost an entire wall, and an open door led to the bedroom to the right.
