I glanced from the overdressed demons to the throne where my grandfather sat. My stomach roiled at the content look on his face, and I shifted my gaze to the wall behind him instead.
Above the throne, those gold letters moved once more, making my eyes blur. First came Latin, quickly followed by English, as if ensuring I couldn’t misunderstand. I shook my head at myself. The words continually shifted into different languages—obviously part of the magic of the palace, ensuring everyone in attendance could read them.
I couldn’t help but watch as the wordsdo ut desappeared. They made me shudder, and thanks to the education Edward had ensured I got while training under him, I knew what they meant even before the words shifted to English.I give so that you might give.
The words spoke of sacrifice, although I was sure Lucifer had never given a single bead of sweat for his people.
Pischiel followed my gaze from where he stood next to me. “What is it?”
“How long have those words been here? Did Lucifer create the spell?”
He shook his head. “Oh no. They’ve been part of this palace since it was originally built, thousands of years ago. His majesty would remove them if he could. He doesn’t like anyone’s attention on anything but himself in this throne room.”
Pischiel’s mouth dropped open as if he was surprised by his own words and he glanced around, obviously worried someone might have heard.
I grinned at him, but the smile dropped from my face as I considered what that meant.
The idea wasn’t a new concept to me—it had been part of Roman civil law during classical times. But it had also been used when humans were sacrificing each other to the gods, hoping that those gods would show benevolence in return.
“Do the words mean the same in demonish?” I whispered, and Pischiel shrugged.
“I can’t read your languages. But in demonish, they speak of sacrifice in exchange for power.”
Sounded pretty similar.
“Are you well? You’ve gone white.”
I shook my head. “Lucifer isn’t going to just take my power and be content, is he?”
Pischiel shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “He has always said that with your power, he won’t need to rely on his pact with the underworld. His lifeforce will likely still be tied to it, but he’d be able to leave. He feels… disgust for humans. When he learned your father had joined with your mother, and that a child would result, he almost destroyed this palace.”
“Because of the prophecy.”
He raised one eyebrow. “What prophecy?”
“You haven’t heard? I guess it makes sense that Lucifer would keep that as quiet as possible.” I lowered my voice until it was barely a whisper. “When the Morning Star goes to war with the Nephilim of his bloodline, only one shall survive.”
Now it was Pischiel’s turn to pale. “Ah. That explains much.”
“It gets worse. ‘On the night of a hundred thousand stars, the Morning Star will drink of its bloodline, until even kings will bow to its greatness.’”
Pischiel’s eyes sharpened. “The night of a hundred thousand stars.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty obvious which one of us would survive if the two of us warred.” I held up my wrist, and his gaze dropped to the metal cuff around it. “He’s already taken my powers.”
“But he wouldn’t have wanted to risk any threat,” he murmured. “And if he takes your powers for himself, he can use you while preventing that war. He could hold you here forever, threatening to kill you if Samael retaliates.”
“Yeah.”
Pischiel glanced toward my grandfather. A servant was kneeling by his throne, holding up a cup of wine for him. He ignored her, watching as his subjects paired up to dance. Lucifer occasionally decided to turn nights at court into impromptu balls, and the music was ridiculously jaunty.
His eyes slammed into mine, and I bowed my head, waiting until I could feel his gaze move on before I raised it again.
When I turned my attention back to Pischiel, he looked more shaken than I’d ever seen him.
“I need some air,” I said softly.
He nodded. I was allowed nowhere without an escort, and Pischiel was usually that escort. I was becoming more attuned to him, hoping I could sway him to our side.
