I hold out my hand to her, and she takes it as I walk her over to the dais. Seeing as Lucifer isn’t here, she takes the main throne and crosses her legs.
It’s time for any demons or souls to bring anything of importance up to her. I’m not sure what to expect from her. Mara is always full of surprises. While she has a deep-seated, violent streak, she also has a soft heart at times.
“My lady,” the demon I know as Eris greets, bowing before Mara.
She doesn’t speak, just makes a rolling motion with her hand for him to continue speaking.
“I’d like to join the war effort,” he offers, and Mara smiles.
“Wonderful, if anyone else would like to join, please see Toth in the corner. If you don’t have portalling abilities yet, we will be able to handle that. Every demon counts,” she announces with a beaming smile. My sweet, absurd princess makes quite the politician, I decide.
Another demon approaches her. I recognize her as Tina and wince. With both Autumn and Lisa being destroyed by someone in the royal family, I know that when she speaks, it’s going to be bad.
“We need policies in place to protect demons from the royal family. We need a voice,” she says.
Mara tilts her head and squints, trying to place the demon. Judd leans over the arm of her throne and whispers in her ear. The smile that takes over Mara’s face should scare everyone in the room.
“Does anyone else feel the same way?” Mara asks.
No one else stands or speaks up—wise choice.
“They’re too afraid to stand up to you and your father,” Tina accuses.
Mara stands from the throne, her heels clicking against the black marble as she takes two steps down. She’s still two steps higher than Tina, giving her a major height advantage.
“They should be afraid,” Mara agrees.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but Mara striking out her fist and ripping Tina’s soul from her corporeal body, isn’t it. Neither is her placing the soul on the tip of her tongue and devouring it whole.
Mara winces once she’s consumed the demon and sits back on the throne. She sits on it lazily, like she isn’t running Hell right now, just like she’s relaxing and enjoying her evening. She just consumed a soul for the first time, and she acts as though it isn’t impressive.
Holy Hell, I love this woman.
“Is there anything else?” Mara asks, picking at her nails. The room is silent, as it should be. “Very well. I suppose I’ll be seeing most of you on the battlefield. Don’t disappoint me,” she says with a smirk and shares a look with Toth.
Judd holds out his hand, and Mara takes it as they step down from the dais together. I find myself drawn to them like a beacon and head in their direction. So does Toth.
“I have a little surprise for you three,” she states.
“Oh, yeah?” Judd replies, kissing the side of her hair.
“Toth, can you portal us to the weeping willow by the Black Lake?” Mara asks. Toth nods, grabbing Mara’s hand, who is already holding Judd’s.
I sigh, taking Judd’s hand in mine and then Toth’s.
Mara smiles at us like we just kissed and told each other we love one another. I shake my head at the thought as Toth portals all four of us without issue.
As soon as we land, Mara starts walking, and that’s when I see the cottage that was never there before. I’m not even sure you could call it a cottage based on its size. It’s got a black brick facade and all-black windows and doors. The only flowers lining the property are oleander and lily of the valley.
“What’s this?” Toth asks.
“Well, you all seemed a little less enthused about living under my father’s roof, so I convinced him to give me my own. Welcome home, boys,” she cheers, beaming. Her black dress trails behind her as she opens the door.
“My bedroom, the biggest one, is on the first floor. Each of you have your own private bedroom upstairs,” she says.
Judd looks around the house in awe. “How did he do this so fast?”
Mara shrugs her shoulders. “I didn’t ask questions. I just wanted a place where the three of you would be happy,” she tells us.
