Evie looked as if she wanted to go hunt for the pocket realm herself. I gave her a warning look, and her eyes darted away. I made a mental note to put an extra guard on her. Danica’s sister was sneaky.
Vas forced a grin. “If anyone can last that long in the underworld, it’s Danica. By the time she’s done, Lucifer will be begging to return her.”
A few faint smiles broke out. Evie merely watched me.
“Time moves differently in that part of the seelie realm,” I bit out. It was unlike me to explain myself to anyone who wasn’t Danica, but when my little witch returned, she would be upset if I had completely alienated her sister. “It will take us that long to form our army and strategize our attack.” I surveyed the room. “Thoughts.”
Lilith slowly unraveled her body, lazily getting to her feet. “We have options for smuggling the pocket realm as close to Lucifer’s palace as possible. The issue is going to be communicating with our spies. All portals have been locked down and are being heavily guarded. And Lucifer has new spells in place—likely placed by the traitor witch.”
Gloria.
“I believe I can help with that.” A thin, reedy voice called out. Demons parted to reveal the black witch Danica liked. Hannah.
“Speak.”
She smiled at me as if I amused her.
Do not kill her. For whatever reason, Danica likes this witch.
I ground my teeth. Her smile widened.
“My power grows with negative emotions,” she said, sitting back in her chair as if she was at a fucking luncheon. “That means that simply being in this room for the past four hours has given me everything I need to perform a simple communication spell between realms.”
Four hours. Was that how long it had been? Something that felt a lot like panic twisted in my stomach and I shoved it down.
“A few more hours in your presence, and I will reach my full capabilities,” she said.
Because my misery, rage, and grief were feeding her, and she would grow powerful on them the same way a leech grew fat on blood. Good. I needed all my people at their best. And like it or not, the black witch was now one of my people.
“Make it happen.”
2
DANICA
Iwoke, frowning into the dim light. My dreams had been full of people I didn’t know. At one point, I’d jolted awake, sure I could hear a male voice calling my name. When I sat up, my face had been wet, and I’d stumbled out of bed, wandering through my rooms in a bid to see if anyone was there.
When I’d opened the main door to my rooms, a guard had been walking down the hall.
“Can I help you with something?” he’d asked.
“No,” I’d murmured. “I just thought I heard a noise.”
His eyes were intent as he studied my face. Finally, he’d smiled, but it hadn’t come close to reaching his eyes. “Best get back to bed, princess.”
I’d frowned, but he’d already reached out and closed the door between us. For the life of me, I couldn’t seem to remember his name.
A knock sounded on my bedroom door, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Come in.” My voice was hoarse, and the maid bustled into the room, heading straight to the thick black curtains, which she pulled open.
“Good morning.” She beamed at me, and I attempted a smile. Her dark eyes were intent as she studied my face. “Would you like to take your breakfast in your rooms? On the balcony, perhaps?”
“The balcony would be great, thanks.”
I swung my legs out of bed and my long black nightgown tangled around my calves. Distaste suddenly roared through me, and I frowned.
“Your royal highness?”
