His lips brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “There are many things you don’t know about me. But in time, all will be revealed.”
Drawing back to look into his eyes, I saw a depth of intrigue and promise. Yet, unease welled within me, warning me to tread carefully.
“Explain what you mean,” I said plainly.
I needed to know what he was speaking about. Juls didn’t say anything. He smirked and stepped back, turning to the side table and pouring a chalice of wine. The more he didn’t answer, the more tense I felt.
“Julian?” I asked, using his human name—a more intimate, direct form of address compared to our usual nicknames. It was a deliberate choice meant to convey the depth of my concern. Speaking his actual demon name, Jul’phanar, was rarely done. For a demon, his real name held power—especially in the hands of a witch. As a result, most demons kept their demon names hidden well.
Juls sighed before taking another sip and saying, “I’ve been speaking with the Crone.”
“The Crone! Have you lost your mind?!” I couldn’t keep the sharpness out of my voice.
Chills ran down my spine at the mere mention of The Crone. I’d heard whispers in shadowed corners about her deals. Many say that she could bend time itself, but every favor had its price. She rivaled demons in negotiations. With our cunning minds, we demons reveled in twisting deals to find the smallest loopholes. She kept to herself and was considered neutral.
“Relax, Dom.” Juls touched my arm gently. “She’s not that bad and can help us take over. Think about it.” He reached over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Me and you, ruling the realm—the ultimate powers that be.”
“Julian,” I murmured, my voice weighed down by a mix of temptation and dread. Dealing with The Crone wasn’t a good idea but ruling the realm… It had its draw.
“Just hear her out, Dom. We don’t have to do anything but hear her out.”
I closed my eyes and tried to silence the storm of thoughts swirling inside. My gut told me not even to test the waters, but what could it hurt to hear what she could offer? And perhaps, by listening, I could at least appease Juls for now and gain information. It was never bad to have information that could get us out of trouble or be used to my advantage.
“Dom, this could mean big things for us. Just hear her out,” Juls said.
Opening my eyes, I exhaled a loud breath. “We just hear what she has to say. I make no promises.”
Juls’ grin was instantaneous. “Fantastic.” He gripped my arm and snapped his fingers.
The room dissolved around us, and immediately, we were in a cold, dark cave. A green fire glowed in the distance, and runes and sigils were etched on the black rock walls. A chill ran through my spine as Juls guided me deeper through the tunnel. As we walked the rocky paths, the runes and glyphs glowed a bright purple and red, casting eerie shadows around us and illuminating the misty haze that filled the cave.
“I’m not sure about this, Juls,” I said, as the uneasy feeling I had from the start amplified a thousand times.
Juls continued to guide me. “It’s fine. You said you’d listen to what she has to say.”
“Indeed. Welcome, Prince Domi’zel,” a seductive voice said.
My breath hitched as I took in the woman standing before me. She was startlingly beautiful, with flawless, luminescent skin and draped in a cloak of midnight blue that shimmered with each movement. Her long, silken black hair flowed like a dark river from beneath her cowl, framing piercing eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light. How can eyes shine so brightly and not illuminate the room?It’s as if she can see into the darkest corners of my soul,I thought. It was mesmerizing, yet unsettling. I jerked my gaze to Juls, realization dawning. She knew my true demon name.
“Don’t look at him, your highness. I know all true names, just like I know Jul’phanar’s,” she continued, and Juls flashed his sharp teeth at her.
“I told you never to call me that, Crone,” Juls snarled.
“I think I’ve heard enough—”
“Come, Your Highness. Do you not wish for more power, more prestige?” The Crone interrupted me as she raised her hand.
Green, hazing smoke filled the cavern, and on it showed images of me and Juls lifting our arms in victory. Another image flashed of me sitting on the black throne, the epicenter of demonkind. The more images I watched, the more I craved for it to be true.
I focused on the Crone woman. “How can I achieve this glory?”
The Crone dropped her delicate hand, and the images disappeared. “Step forward, and I’ll endue you with the strength and power to defeat the emperor and rule.”
I wasn’t sure about this. I liked the emperor. Did I really want power and glory? I shook my head.No, this was wrong.I stepped back.
“I will get there on my own. I’ve heard enough,” I said, determination filling my veins.
“Dom, didn’t you see? We can be stronger than ever. We can rule. We have to do this, trust me,” Juls pleaded, grabbing my arm.
