BOOM
BOOM
The explosions happened again and again. Even from here, I could hear the screaming, the shock. Long nights spent hiding bombs for Garadiel, and it was all paying off.
“Where did you get this power, granddaughter? The power to hide yourself from me?”
I finally made it to my feet. “I didn’t hide myself all that well if you knew to put the ward in place.”
A cold smile, sharp as a scalpel. “And yet it took me far too long to learn just how you were undermining me at every turn.”
“What did you expect?”
He gave me a look of such disdain, I almost shivered. But he was already turning away, opening the grimoire.
Lucifer hummed a little while he read. Psychopath.
Daimonion walked to the throne room doors again and again while Lucifer read. I watched the assassin as he spoke in hushed whispers to whoever was keeping him updated about the battle. If everything was going as planned, Samael would be in the pocket realm right now. We’d agreed that we wouldn’t speak unless necessary. I didn’t want to distract him, and I could still feel him, alive down the end of our bond.
I reached for the underworld, crooning to it desperately.
“Please, come to me.”
Since it had disappeared in a temper tantrum last time, I half expected it to ignore me, but this time it seemed as if it had been waiting for me. I could sense its eagerness.
And it showed me, flying my consciousness high above the palace, until I had a bird's-eye view of two armies marching toward each other. Our army was much, much smaller, the majority of our people hidden in the artifact currently being smuggled into Lucifer’s front lines.
The demons advancing on the palace were a distraction, but they would be heavily outnumbered. Many of them would likely die, waiting for Samael and Finvarra to pull their people out of the pocket realm.
I squinted, and the underworld took me closer until I could just make out Bael’s face as he stood on the front lines. He roared something at his people, who roared back with a fury that seemed to make the ground tremble.
Lucifer’s army wore steel gray. Ours wore obsidian black. Some of Finvarra’s people were stationed on the front lines, which Lucifer would have expected. Demons were dotted amongst them, their wings out, ready to take to the air.
Every soldier was armed with swords, knives, and a shield. I guessed even the most powerful paranormals would never rely solely on that power, which would be drained during the battle. It was why I’d watched Samael’s demons train so hard, keeping their bodies in peak condition.
“Thank you,”I told the underworld, hoping it would keep me updated. I got the sense it was smiling, and then it was gone, leaving my consciousness back in the throne room.
“My spies have reported that Vassago will be amongst Samael’s army,” Daimonion announced, practically shuddering with eagerness. I went still. I hadn’t seen Vas. I wasn’t sure where Samael had ordered him stationed.
Lucifer stared at him, and Daimonion’s face hardened. “Your majesty… you promised.”
Sick fuck. My expression must have displayed exactly what I thought of him, because Lucifer smiled at me. “You may go,” he said, his gaze still on me. “Kill him while my granddaughter is still alive and bring his head to me.”
My chest screwed tight, until it felt like it was a knot of dread inside me.
No. Vas would be protected by our people. I had to believe that.
I managed to keep my expression bored as I stared back at Lucifer, dimly aware of Daimonion leaving guards outside the door to the throne room.
The fact that Pischiel wasn’t here spoke volumes. Lucifer must know by now. Must know that Pischiel had joined us. And yet, he hadn’t said a word. The ball of dread expanded, until it felt as if I’d choke on it.
“Why leave Pischiel alive?”
I knew Lucifer, and if he’d killed Pischiel, he’d have strung him up somewhere public.
Lucifer gave me that look that said he was amused by my ignorance. “Believe me, granddaughter, Pischiel is exactly where I want him to be. And when you learn why he is where he is, you certainly won’t be whispering secrets to him anymore.”
Pain stabbed through me. Pischiel couldn’t be betraying us. I refused to believe it.
