Only Lucifer’s most trusted demons were given access to the palace itself, and there were hundreds of guards patrolling the sprawling grounds and beyond the palace.
Daimonion stalked past us with two of his men, their boots slapping on the stone walkway. I lowered my gaze before he could see exactly how much I loathed him. Vas had made me swear not to kill him. And since Daimonion had ensured Vas had grown up without his parents, I wouldn’t steal Vas’s vengeance from him.
“You’re quiet.”
“Merely thinking. It’s a beautiful day.”
“It is.” Pischiel studied my face. “But not as beautiful as you.”
Try that on someone else, you piece of shit.
I watched him watch me and attempted to call up a blush, but it wasn’t happening. To Pischiel’s credit, the words were rote, and I had a pretty good feeling he was about as interested in me sexually as I was in him.
Which was fucking zero percent.
I forced a shy smile. “Thank you.”
“Your grandfather wishes for us to have lunch together. He told me he is ready to officially announce me as his heir, but he wants you by my side. What is your plan, Danica?”
Had his eyes turned shrewd, or was I reading too much into this little situation?
I picked up my gown so I wouldn’t trip down the stairs, my mind racing.
“Do you need to know my answer now? Something tells me grandfather won’t be stepping aside any time soon.”
His gaze narrowed at that, and I beamed at him. “After all, he seems to truly enjoy ruling.”
“He does. But no one can rule forever.”
Isn’t that the fucking truth.
“I can’t give you an answer yet, Pischiel.” I would play with him as he’d played with me. “I just… I feel like I don’t trulyknowyou.”
A muscle twitched in his cheek, and I held back my smile.
“Then I will have to ensure you get to know me.” His smile was sharp, and I simpered up at him.
“Pischiel,” a deep voice said. We both turned. One of Lucifer’s most trusted guards was standing at attention, clearly waiting to tell Pischiel something important. I wished I could eavesdrop, but it would be far too obvious here in the downstairs hall, which was beginning to empty out as people made their way to breakfast or to complete their tasks for the day.
“I’ll see you later,” I said.
Pischiel nodded and strolled away with the guard.
I turned and froze. Gloria stood at the other end of the hall. My vision dimmed until all I could see was her face. All I could hear were her footsteps on the stone floor.
It would be so easy to kill her here. To make her pay for her many betrayals. I didn’t need weapons. I needed four seconds—five maybe—and I could snap her neck like a twig.
My hands shook with the effort to keep my cool, but I managed to smile at her, my expression placid. Then I turned and opened the closest door, stepping into the empty room. Black witches fed on negative emotions. If I got too close, she’d be able to suck up all of my loathing. Not only would she get a power boost, but she’d know damn well that her little spell hadn’t stuck.
I planted my hands on my hips and examined the room without much interest. Some kind of sitting room, although it had obviously been shut up for a long time, since the chairs were covered in dust. I waited until I was sure Gloria had moved on, and then I cracked open the door, slipping out of the room.
I had things to do before lunch. Important things. I kept my expression serene as I passed the guards on the next set of stairs and moseyed down to the lower level. This was another entrance to the servants’ quarters, although it was on the other side of the palace. And the door leading to this part of the garden didn’t seem to be as heavily guarded.
I opened the door and kept my steps slow, stopping to literally sniff the flowers. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Garadiel.
Excellent.
He spoke to two of the other guards, clearly giving them orders, and they nodded. One of them, a guy with blonde hair in long coils, scowled, clearly unhappy, but he whirled and began stalking toward the palace gates.
